Q: I’m not exactly IndyCar’s demographic, I’m old (Eddie Sachs was my godfather, that’s how old I am), but I’m still a fan who prefers ovals to road and street courses, though I do think the series is the most diverse racing on the planet…
I’m not all that impressed by the hybrid, it’s interesting technology but all I really care about is the close, competitive racing.
That aside, I’ve suddenly come into a lot of money thanks to hitting it big with the lottery and my wife foolishly said I can do whatever I want with my half of the winnings. And I think I want to start an IndyCar team.
To that end I figure it’ll take $16 million per season (I figure it’ll take five seasons to win the 500) to field a two-car team plus another $3 million or so for a third Indy-only entry…
So, my question is a simple one. Do I partner up with an established team like a Coyne (who seems to have an eye for talent), Dreyer & Reinbold, somebody else? Who to put in the seats — a veteran and some up-and-comer? Do I poach from another team — who? Who would be the team managee/strategist, the engineer? Names, please.
Do I do something really crazy like build an oval track someplace and hold events? Or really go out on a limb and build engines as a third engine supplier?
Ideas, suggestions? Thanks for humoring me.
Jake
MP: If you want to be successful on a short timeline, you buy into/partner with a team. If you’re more attracted to building and running something of your own — the personal adventure side, instead of a need to be immediately competitive — you’d build from the ground up, and depending on which of those directions you’d take, the answers on everything after varies.
IndyCar doesn’t allow independent engine suppliers, so you’d need to start Jake Motor Company, build a few cars, and then approach the series about becoming the third auto manufacturer to supply motors.
Q: It has been several years since I’ve written, but I can’t remain silent any longer after seeing one ridiculous situation after another at the Iowa IndyCar event this weekend. Why was Jack Harvey allowed to even get in a race car at Mid-Ohio or Iowa? Who’s responsible for such stupidity? Why was Ferrucci penalized for avoiding contact? Why was Armstrong black-flagged for a problem based in race control? Why are they using hybrid units that continually fail? (The qualifying session was an absolute embarrassment.)
I could go on, but my last question: What was Rossi thinking? He had been slowing for two laps — why was he anywhere near the racing line? Rossi should be fined and put on probation. Thank God Robb was not seriously injured, but a lot of cars were needlessly torn up.
I made a negative comment regarding Rossi’s driving on IndyCar’s YouTube channel and they deleted it! No criticism or negative comments allowed! After decades of watching and attending IndyCar races, I’m beginning to lose interest. Given their recent track record, I highly doubt IndyCar will address any of the issues mentioned above — or, issues that others have raised. IndyCar wants our attendance, viewership and money, but we’d better keep our damn mouths shut unless it’s positive.
I truly wonder if IndyCar realizes how bad they looked this weekend? They are seriously delusional if they don’t.
Mark, IN
MP: As soon as I’m done answering the last few questions, my next work is to put together a “What the hell just happened in Iowa?” story. It felt like “amateur hour,” as one team owner said to me Saturday night, and like “club racing,” as another vented on my drive into the track Sunday morning.
As for “why are they still using hybrids,” you do realize they’ve been racing with them for all of two weeks? And that new technologies rarely works perfectly when it’s introduced?
Q: The silly season is quite interesting this year, and a lot of driver seems to looking for a seat in IndyCar. What about Oliver Askew? I can’t understand how a driver like him can’t find a seat in IndyCar or IMSA. His rookie season was pretty decent (and we know how McLaren managed its drivers), his Formula E season was not so bad (Rookie of the Year) and he has learned a lot to use electric battery systems in a car.
Now he hasn’t had a drive in two years, it will be very difficult for him to perform in a one-day test. Have you heard anything about the possibility of seeing him behind a wheel next year in IndyCar or IMSA or elsewhere?
Yannick, France
MP: Of the many names I’ve heard mentioned, Askew’s has not been among them so far. Great kid. Unexplored potential. With so many newer talents to try, I fear the ship has sailed for OA in IndyCar.
Q: You have probably never been asked this question before, so here goes. I have been noticing over the last couple of years that the flag men are always wearing a helmet. Why? They are 30 feet or more above the track. I am not sure if they think they are going to fall or if they think a bird flying by might hit them.
Don, Grand Rapids, MI
MP: Debris, flying off of cars with broken parts, or off the tires.
Q: So, off the back of another awesome WEC clash in Sao Paulo and an IMSA battle at Mosport which I didn’t watch because No GTP No Party, I had a couple of questions:
The last Hypercar to show up built to ACO rules was Ferrari’s 499P, and every program announced or even rumored since has been an IMSA LMDh, except for the Aston Martin (which arguably isn’t a new car). In retrospect, did the ACO get the rules a little bit wrong and although the LMH is best at Le Mans, perhaps the sweet spot everyone really wanted was just the LMDh rules?
Also, even with 22 spots on the grid in WEC next year for Hypercars, the math for the ex-JOTA963s doesn’t really work since every brand needs to run two cars, so where would they find a home? Any chance we could see Proton or JDC expand to two cars next year in IMSA? Or could there be new entrants wanting to use those clearly competitive Porsches?
Duncan, Ottawa
MP: IMSA’s insistence on creating LMDh/GTP has certainly been appreciated by the bevy of manufacturers who’ve chosen it for the cost-control benefits. Here’s more from Graham Goodwin, who works alongside RACER’s WEC expert Stephen Kilbey:
“While plenty of teams have announced their intended programs in WEC for 2025, several have not yet done so. It is clear that there looks to be more potential for an expansion in customer cars in IMSA than in WEC next season, but don’t expect a massive uptick.
“If JOTA does dispense with the cars that they have been running, remember that they don’t necessarily own the cars — as with many top-class programs, cars are often owned by investors. At least one of the JOTA 963s falls into that category, so it’s future is determined not only by finding a team with the relevant seven-eight figure budget, but also by the wishes of the owner.”
Q: Would it be possible for Firestone to make tires that would be compatible with the coating used by NASCAR at Iowa? The priority needn’t be ultimate lap times, it would be to allow a second line.
Bill Branagh
MP: I’m sure Firestone could do anything it was asked. I just don’t know why it would in this instance because there’s no guarantee what type of traction goo might be used from year to year.