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IndyCar
INDYCAR: 2013 Schedule Set To Expand
Randy Bernard would like to have 19-20 races on the 2013 IndyCar Series calendar and, judging by the interest, it should be an easy number to reach.
Elkhart Lake is just one of the tracks Bernard hopes to add to the calendar. (Photo: LAT)
Randy Bernard would like to have 19-20 races on the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series calendar and, judging by the interest, it should be an easy number to reach.
With a return to Houston in 2013 ready to be confirmed on Wednesday, representatives from Austin, Palm Springs, Pocono, Fort Lauderdale, Richmond, Phoenix, Portland and Elkhart Lake have either met with INDYCAR’s CEO or made it known they’d like to discuss the future.
"It’s encouraging that so many tracks or cities are interested,’’ said Bernard, speaking from Houston where he was attended the press conference for the Shell-sponsored race around Reliant Park and promoted by IndyCar team co-owner Mike Lanigan.
"I’ve been doing a lot of traveling and talking to try and see who is serious about racing with us.’’
Here’s a capsule look at the players:
AUSTIN: Formula One is making its debut on the 3.4-mile road course in November but Bernard says, "They approached us about having a race next year and we’re evaluating it.’’ Is Texas big enough for an oval (Texas Motor Speedway), a street race (Houston) and a road race (Austin)?
FORT LAUDERDALE: A proposed street course by the Atlantic Ocean. :I’m optimistic,’’ said Bernard, who has been negotiating for more than a year with the promoters.
PHOENIX: A bastion of Indy car racing since 1964, PIR was a casualty of The Split – going from a crowd of 64,000 in 1995 to a few thousand by 2000 and was finally dropped after 2005. "Bryan Sperber (PIR president) and I are talking and trying to find a date that works for both of us,’’ said Bernard.
PALM SPRINGS: A new road course is being built that may or may not be finished in time for 2013. "I’ve seen their plans and it’s going to be a first class track and would be a great compliment to IndyCar,’’ said Bernard.
POCONO: Originally built for Indy cars and part of the Triple Crown with Ontario, Calif. and Indianapolis, the tri-oval hasn’t hosted open wheel since CART left after1989. Brandon Igdalsky, president of Pocono and grandson of the late owner, was IndyCar’s guest last weekend at St. Pete. :They’re re-paving the track right now, it’s got safer barriers and Brandon is very interested in bringing back Indy cars,’’ said Bernard.
ELKHART LAKE: The kick-ass 4-mile road course remains the best test of road racing in North America but hasn’t hosted open wheel since Champ Car’s last appearance in 2007. An attempt was made to run ALMS/IndyCar doubleheader this summer but August was the offer from Road America and that month didn’t work for INDYCAR. "It’s on my big list,’’ said Bernard.
PORTLAND: A popular stop for CART in the ‘80s and ‘90s, attendance began plummeting in the 2000s and the 2007 finale with Champ Car was desolate. "I hear the new owner is interested in talking to us,’’ said Bernard.
RICHMOND: A good, steady draw for the IRL from 2001-2007. The first four races were highly entertaining and the last three were parades. Track president Dennis Bickmeier is a big open wheel fan. "I definitely want to talk to Richmond,’’ said Bernard.
There have also been rumblings that Chicago might want to put on a street race by Lake Michigan and Australia desires bringing back Indy cars with Power, Dixon and Briscoe.
Robin Miller brings more than 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.
With a return to Houston in 2013 ready to be confirmed on Wednesday, representatives from Austin, Palm Springs, Pocono, Fort Lauderdale, Richmond, Phoenix, Portland and Elkhart Lake have either met with INDYCAR’s CEO or made it known they’d like to discuss the future.
"It’s encouraging that so many tracks or cities are interested,’’ said Bernard, speaking from Houston where he was attended the press conference for the Shell-sponsored race around Reliant Park and promoted by IndyCar team co-owner Mike Lanigan.
"I’ve been doing a lot of traveling and talking to try and see who is serious about racing with us.’’
Here’s a capsule look at the players:
AUSTIN: Formula One is making its debut on the 3.4-mile road course in November but Bernard says, "They approached us about having a race next year and we’re evaluating it.’’ Is Texas big enough for an oval (Texas Motor Speedway), a street race (Houston) and a road race (Austin)?
FORT LAUDERDALE: A proposed street course by the Atlantic Ocean. :I’m optimistic,’’ said Bernard, who has been negotiating for more than a year with the promoters.
PHOENIX: A bastion of Indy car racing since 1964, PIR was a casualty of The Split – going from a crowd of 64,000 in 1995 to a few thousand by 2000 and was finally dropped after 2005. "Bryan Sperber (PIR president) and I are talking and trying to find a date that works for both of us,’’ said Bernard.
PALM SPRINGS: A new road course is being built that may or may not be finished in time for 2013. "I’ve seen their plans and it’s going to be a first class track and would be a great compliment to IndyCar,’’ said Bernard.
POCONO: Originally built for Indy cars and part of the Triple Crown with Ontario, Calif. and Indianapolis, the tri-oval hasn’t hosted open wheel since CART left after1989. Brandon Igdalsky, president of Pocono and grandson of the late owner, was IndyCar’s guest last weekend at St. Pete. :They’re re-paving the track right now, it’s got safer barriers and Brandon is very interested in bringing back Indy cars,’’ said Bernard.
ELKHART LAKE: The kick-ass 4-mile road course remains the best test of road racing in North America but hasn’t hosted open wheel since Champ Car’s last appearance in 2007. An attempt was made to run ALMS/IndyCar doubleheader this summer but August was the offer from Road America and that month didn’t work for INDYCAR. "It’s on my big list,’’ said Bernard.
PORTLAND: A popular stop for CART in the ‘80s and ‘90s, attendance began plummeting in the 2000s and the 2007 finale with Champ Car was desolate. "I hear the new owner is interested in talking to us,’’ said Bernard.
RICHMOND: A good, steady draw for the IRL from 2001-2007. The first four races were highly entertaining and the last three were parades. Track president Dennis Bickmeier is a big open wheel fan. "I definitely want to talk to Richmond,’’ said Bernard.
There have also been rumblings that Chicago might want to put on a street race by Lake Michigan and Australia desires bringing back Indy cars with Power, Dixon and Briscoe.
Robin Miller brings more than 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.
INDYCAR BRAZIL
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