Unpopular Motorsport Opinions

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The thing about Indycar is the way it's been run - back in the 90's, when there was the split (Indy Racing League and ChampCar) it alienated so many people, and it generally stemmed from mismanagement. The damage had been done, and even an eventual remerger hasn't done much to bring people back into the series as fans.

In recent years it's gotten way better, but there's still a lingering resentment toward the series for what happened 20 something years ago.

Indycar wasn't so accessible even into the late 2000s, even after the remerger - only recently has it been getting better. Now you have fan interaction sessions, and generally everyone is nice - fans, drivers, and other people involved - but it used to be more 'closed off's like F1 is.

Also, the general fanbase is far different than NASCAR - stereotypical 'wine and cheese's people, if you will - and the marketing style Indycar has been trying to do doesn't appeal to them. Indycar is trying to pull viewers and fans from NASCAR, instead of trying to promote a more unique and different product.
 
Barra333
@-Fred- I've seen you call IndyCar a joke a couple of times in this thread. Why? Not looking for an argument, just genuinely curious.
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There are multiple reasons why I feel this way. It all started with the original split, in 1996, the basis of the IRL and subsequently the Indycar series. What started out as a half-serious series using older, derelict CART chassis and pay-drivers and backmarkers (Eliseo Salazar even won a race and was in contention for the title, of all people.) soon turned into NASCAR without fenders, 3 wide at 200mph on ovals only because that's what Tony George wanted, where the cars would visit venues that weren't really meant for open-wheelers (Dover, Pocono, Atlanta, Charlotte even) and would cause fire blazing spectacular wrecks week in and week out. Flying cars, incompetent stewards and technical people, odd rules, it just goes on and on and on. And the DW12 looks... stupid, to be politically correct.

But what it did 20 years ago was separate the fan base with the split, and not for the best of it. The IRL never really took off (the cars did, though) and CART went down as well. And when both series reunited under the Indycar name, it didn't really help, for the reasons above. The only thing that was left from CART were the venues and the drivers, none of the staff really got picked up. Legendary events like the Indy 500 are just a shadow of their former self, because the teams, drivers and fans have realised, I think, that it's just not as important or prestigious as it was. Yes, the economy plays a part in it, but I feel like there's just no reason, no value to race in Indycars for the youngsters... You look at the past, and it was sort of an American stepping stone to F1, with the likes of Andretti, Villeneuve, Montoya, Da Matta, Bourdais all having various degrees of success (or not) overseas... Now it's turned into an F1 reject environment. Can't make it to F1? Come back to America and win the Indy 500!

But then, that's just my opinion. Might not be the best opinion, but it's one I've held on for 20 years.
 
-Fred-
There are multiple reasons why I feel this way. It all started with the original split, in 1996, the basis of the IRL and subsequently the Indycar series. What started out as a half-serious series using older, derelict CART chassis and pay-drivers and backmarkers (Eliseo Salazar even won a race and was in contention for the title, of all people.) soon turned into NASCAR without fenders, 3 wide at 200mph on ovals only because that's what Tony George wanted, where the cars would visit venues that weren't really meant for open-wheelers (Dover, Pocono, Atlanta, Charlotte even) and would cause fire blazing spectacular wrecks week in and week out. Flying cars, incompetent stewards and technical people, odd rules, it just goes on and on and on. And the DW12 looks... stupid, to be politically correct.

But what it did 20 years ago was separate the fan base with the split, and not for the best of it. The IRL never really took off (the cars did, though) and CART went down as well. And when both series reunited under the Indycar name, it didn't really help, for the reasons above. The only thing that was left from CART were the venues and the drivers, none of the staff really got picked up. Legendary events like the Indy 500 are just a shadow of their former self, because the teams, drivers and fans have realised, I think, that it's just not as important or prestigious as it was. Yes, the economy plays a part in it, but I feel like there's just no reason, no value to race in Indycars for the youngsters... You look at the past, and it was sort of an American stepping stone to F1, with the likes of Andretti, Villeneuve, Montoya, Da Matta, Bourdais all having various degrees of success (or not) overseas... Now it's turned into an F1 reject environment. Can't make it to F1? Come back to America and win the Indy 500!

But then, that's just my opinion. Might not be the best opinion, but it's one I've held on for 20 years.
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I don't think it's a series for F1 rejects. It's just a better opportunity for young drivers than riding around in a car with no chance of winning.
 
FireEmblem10
Tesla new quintuple world champion then?

Anyway, I've got one;
-Indycar produces better racing than NASCAR, even if the organizers don't know how to promote their product.
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-Fred-
There are multiple reasons why I feel this way. It all started with the original split, in 1996, the basis of the IRL and subsequently the Indycar series. What started out as a half-serious series using older, derelict CART chassis and pay-drivers and backmarkers (Eliseo Salazar even won a race and was in contention for the title, of all people.) soon turned into NASCAR without fenders, 3 wide at 200mph on ovals only because that's what Tony George wanted, where the cars would visit venues that weren't really meant for open-wheelers (Dover, Pocono, Atlanta, Charlotte even) and would cause fire blazing spectacular wrecks week in and week out. Flying cars, incompetent stewards and technical people, odd rules, it just goes on and on and on. And the DW12 looks... stupid, to be politically correct.

But what it did 20 years ago was separate the fan base with the split, and not for the best of it. The IRL never really took off (the cars did, though) and CART went down as well. And when both series reunited under the Indycar name, it didn't really help, for the reasons above. The only thing that was left from CART were the venues and the drivers, none of the staff really got picked up. Legendary events like the Indy 500 are just a shadow of their former self, because the teams, drivers and fans have realised, I think, that it's just not as important or prestigious as it was. Yes, the economy plays a part in it, but I feel like there's just no reason, no value to race in Indycars for the youngsters... You look at the past, and it was sort of an American stepping stone to F1, with the likes of Andretti, Villeneuve, Montoya, Da Matta, Bourdais all having various degrees of success (or not) overseas... Now it's turned into an F1 reject environment. Can't make it to F1? Come back to America and win the Indy 500!

But then, that's just my opinion. Might not be the best opinion, but it's one I've held on for 20 years.
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You a member of Crapwagon?

Sure you can say that the amount of Young top talent isn't as high but the overall Talent would be pretty close, you do have guys like Dixon, power and pagenuad that never really got their shot at F1 when in reality should of, but to be honest I would say the biggest reason why you don't see many young drivers coming in and winning is the top teams don't hire inexperienced drivers in Indycar any more and that has killed off the enjoyment of that.
 
Carbonox
Glorifying Alex Zanardi's "The Pass" at Laguna Seca is stupid because the move was an illegal one, and the stewards somehow completely missing that doesn't change the fact.
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Nope. It was made illegal after Zanardi did it.

That was pointed out in the television broadcast the following year.
 
Carbonox
Glorifying Alex Zanardi's "The Pass" at Laguna Seca is stupid because the move was an illegal one, and the stewards somehow completely missing that doesn't change the fact.
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It was a brave move that won him the race on the final lap... however, despite being a Zanardi fan, I will admit it was a bit of a crappy overtake, he had to go fully off track as he couldn't get the car slowed down or make the turn having made the pass. To be honest it could easily have ended his race, and probably Herta's too, fortunately there was no contact...
 
Super-special stages are one of the worst things to happen to rallying.

The original super-special stage in Perth's Langley Park was a good, fun way of showcasing the sport. Two drivers would go head to head over a short, purpose-built stage with a stadium feel to it. The idea was quickly adopted by many events, usually as the first stage or run at night as the final stage of the day, and they soon became a popular addition.

But then things started getting out of hand. More and more super-special stages started appearing on individual rallies; this year's Rally Australia will feature at least two passes over two separate super-special stages, both of which are less than a mile long. All they do is waste competitive kilometres and don't give drivers the opportunity to make up time that they may have lost elsewhere - the whole thing is all about the spectacle and nothing more.
 
Bo
Formula 4 shouldn't exist in its current form. It's made F3 largely redundant and I don't think it hones driving skills like a non slicks and wings series does
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I think everything will become clearer once Formula 2 comes back.

The idea is that Formula 4 is a national or regional series. Formula 3 is continental, with more powerful cars and a wider variety of circuits. Formula 2 would then be transcontinental, again with more powerful cars and a wider range of circuits. And then, of course, there is Formula 1.

For this to work, there needs to be an Asian Formula 3 series and a Formula 3 Americas series to go with European Formula 3. All the national and regional Formula 4 championships in Europe would feed into European Formula 3; likewise, Formula 4 championships in Asia and Oceania would feed into Asian Formula 3, and Formula 4 championships in North and South America would feed into Formula 3 Americas. Each of the Formula 3 championships would feed into Formula 2, which in turn feeds into Formula 1.

The problem that the idea is facing now is that it's only half done. The only way to create demand for continental Formula 3 series is to develop a lot of talent in local Formula 4.
 
prisonermonkeys
The problem that the idea is facing now is that it's only half done. The only way to create demand for continental Formula 3 series is to develop a lot of talent in local Formula 4.
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There is currently a Formula 5 series but it only exists it the UK as far as I'm aware and still costs £45000 for the season, which for the category is great but the number is still absurd.

I've had a few weeks back for a Formula 6 championship in which entrants would get in through driving skill and not buying their way in. The car would have no wings, non-slick tyres that run on a hard compound so new tyres don't have to be bought after every race. The engine would be just enough to bring the car to 90 MPH and in the event of a crash the car would be strong enough to not fall to pieces meaning you only have to buy parts if they're damaged, not another car.
 
- 2014 LMP1 regulations was a mistake

Came only after 3 years of the current regulations, and was made to make sure Audi can't win. Toyota only won because Porsche were green and they were able to strike when Audi got shot in the foot. The 2015 season proved that after Prosche and Audi got the hang of it.

Not to mention the Private Teams got struck really badly.
 
RESHIRAM5
- 2014 LMP1 regulations was a mistake

Came only after 3 years of the current regulations, and was made to make sure Audi can't win. Toyota only won because Porsche were green and they were able to strike when Audi got shot in the foot. The 2015 season proved that after Prosche and Audi got the hang of it.

Not to mention the Private Teams got struck really badly.
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There are more manufacturers now, the racing is better, the technology is more advanced, I fail to see how they are a mistake.

As for the Private teams, there is the same number now as there was in 2013, and they never had a chance to go wins under either rulebook.
 
karl53
There are more manufacturers now, the racing is better, the technology is more advanced, I fail to see how they are a mistake.
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Not really, Porsche was going to join even if the 2014 regulations weren't in affect and Nissan was just a one-trick pony.

Racing, eh, honestly (another unpopular opinion) it has been just as bad as F1 (exception to the 24 Hours of Le Mans racing).

karl53
As for the Private teams, there is the same number now as there was in 2013, and they never had a chance to go wins under either rulebook.
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True, but at least back in 2013 they weren't constantly challenged by LMP2 cars due to the LMP1 Private cars having some faults.
 
RESHIRAM5
Not really, Porsche was going to join even if the 2014 regulations weren't in affect and Nissan was just a one-trick pony.

Racing, eh, honestly (another unpopular opinion) it has been just as bad as F1 (exception to the 24 Hours of Le Mans racing).


True, but at least back in 2013 they weren't constantly challenged by LMP2 cars due to the LMP1 Private cars having some faults.
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Which WEC championship have you been watching because it certainly hasn't been he one everyone else has been?!

Also Audi won Le Mans in 2014 so it can't have been that bad, everyone knows in WEC it's the Le Mans win is the 1st prize everyone wants , the overall championship is the 2nd prize they want.
 
Holdenhsvgtsr
Which WEC championship have you been watching because it certainly hasn't been he one everyone else has been?!

Also Audi won Le Mans in 2014 so it can't have been that bad, everyone knows in WEC it's the Le Mans win is the 1st prize everyone wants , the overall championship is the 2nd prize they want.
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I'll admit the Nurburgring race was pretty good this weekend but most of the time it is really just a predictable fest.

Audi won Le Mans 2014 because Toyota and Porsche suffered from mechanical issues. They didn't win because they had the best car, far from it, they won using the only thing they could really depend on that season (reliability, I know Audi won with this before but at least back then Audi had some speed when they were against Pescarolo and Peugeot to win).
 
RESHIRAM5
I'll admit the Nurburgring race was pretty good this weekend but most of the time it is really just a predictable fest.

Audi won Le Mans 2014 because Toyota and Porsche suffered from mechanical issues. They didn't win because they had the best car, far from it, they won using the only thing they could really depend on that season (reliability, I know Audi won with this before but at least back then Audi had some speed when they were against Pescarolo and Peugeot to win).
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They still had speed they were the fastest in the speed traps.

http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/04_2014/03_LE MANS/FIA WEC (82 Edition des 24 Heures du Mans)/201406141500_Race/Hour 24/15_EventMaxiumSpeed_Race.PDF

And had fastest lap in the race
http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/04_2014/03_LE MANS/FIA WEC (82 Edition des 24 Heures du Mans)/201406141500_Race/Hour 24/17_FastestLapSequence_Race.PDF
 
Holdenhsvgtsr
They still had speed they were the fastest in the speed traps.

http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/04_2014/03_LE MANS/FIA WEC (82 Edition des 24 Heures du Mans)/201406141500_Race/Hour 24/15_EventMaxiumSpeed_Race.PDF

And had fastest lap in the race
http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/04_2014/03_LE MANS/FIA WEC (82 Edition des 24 Heures du Mans)/201406141500_Race/Hour 24/17_FastestLapSequence_Race.PDF
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Were they consistently faster than others?

In a long race like this it doesn't matter if you hit 1000 km/h in 1 lap if you aren't doing it constantly.
 
RESHIRAM5
Audi won Le Mans 2014 because Toyota and Porsche suffered from mechanical issues. They didn't win because they had the best car, far from it, they won using the only thing they could really depend on that season (reliability, I know Audi won with this before but at least back then Audi had some speed when they were against Pescarolo and Peugeot to win).
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You're misrepresenting that race. Audi was evenly matched with Toyota on race pace (and was much faster than Porsche), but did have reliability issues. Both lead Audis lost multiple laps with turbo changes and the winning car also had hybrid system issues. The Toyotas may well have been more reliable: the #8 lost many laps with crash damage but ran faultlessly otherwise and the #7 ran perfectly until a malfunctioning FIA sensor melted a wiring loom about halfway through the race.
 
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I can't stand it when race coverage switches to pit lane interviews, excessive time spent watching pitstops, constant replays of things that just happened, etc. Keep the cameras on the cars, I can hear your pitlane interview just fine, I don't need to see the guys face.
 

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