robin_miller's avatar
Author:
Robin Miller
Login For More
Rate this article:
  • 0/5 Stars
  • Related Photos
SPEEDtv.com Store
DVD: David Jefferies Story
The David Jefferies Story is a reminder of the much loved and much missed Yorkshireman.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Man-Made Thunder
The book examines the sport of stock car racing through the eyes and ears of the men behind the wheel and the wrenches.
Our Price: $49.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Unisex Sandwich Cap
Unisex Velcro back hat with SPEED logo on front. PINKS logo embroidered on left and PAO logo on right. One size fits all.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Speedway T-shirt
Men's 6 oz. 100% Cotton Jersey Short Sleeve Tee. SPEED logo imprinted on the front center chest.
Our Price: $24.99
Visit Button
Buy Button
Ferrari Red Classic Hat
100% cotton twill. Ferrari shield embroidered on front, piping on the peak and Ferrari logo embroidered on back strap adjuster.
Our Price: $30.00 ($27.00 Member)
Visit Button
Buy Button
Footer Bg
  • Zoom More Photos Button
  • Camera Icon
INDYCAR: Miller’s Mailbag, 11.5
Written by: Robin Miller   
11/05/2009
Indianapolis, IN
 
Hello open wheel types and thanks for all your questions. I intend to answer your questions every week during the season, so just . Don’t feel left out if I didn’t directly respond. I appreciate your interest and passion.

~Robin Miller

Q: Will Power's deal is almost done. Is that like "Danica's deal almost done"? Is that like "Brazil race deal almost done"? Is that like "Title sponsor deal almost done"? Is that like "The China race deal almost done"? Is it like "Dinner is almost done?" Its like being a little bit pregnant. You either are or aren't. Let us know when it is DONE. give some details so that we can write to Robin Millers’ MailBag and rant.

Mike in GB
To the dismay of Mike in GB, RHR's deal is still 'almost done.' (LAT) ยป More Photos
RM: I catch your drift Mike but I can promise that IZOD is going to become official on Thursday and Brazil supposedly is "almost done" and Danica's official announcement is merely a formality. As for China, I've still got my tickets for the 2007 Champ Car race in China.

Q: Will IZOD's deal with the IRL lead to any sort of a TV deal on a more widely available channel? It would seem that with the Versus/Direct TV fallout the IRL should be able to escape from the existing contract if they chose to do so but that would require having a better deal available. It would seem that IZOD could make that happen.

Mike Grove

RM: Don't think so, although I can't imagine IZOD being thrilled with VERSUS and the lack of viewers. I believe the only people who can opt out would be the people who made the deal and the ones on the IRL side are being paid so I doubt if anything changes. But to have nine more years of VERSUS is death. Hell, to have nine more months is death.

Q: What do you hear about the proposed Indy Car Race in Baltimore for 2011? How exactly is little Al involved? Us "open wheel types" in the Mid-Atlantic lost our Richmond race so I for one am hoping this Baltimore thing works out. Oh, and when can I get my hands on that Robin Miller bobblehead all the chicks have been talking about?

Rob Cupps, Winchester, Va.

RM: Actually I'm hearing positive things and there's a good chance it could be on the schedule by 2011. I'm still bummed that Richmond went away because that was a good race for several years and had a nice, loyal crowd. As for my bobblehead, thankfully one doesn't exist and all the chicks are crusty old cougars.

Q: Assuming that at least one other engine manufacturer joins the IndyCar series in '12, how would they pick which team goes with which engine supplier?

Chris Greene, Miami

RM: When we heard that a couple major players like Audi or Fiat might be coming to IndyCar, we all wondered the same thing. Would there be a draft or would teams be assigned to certain manufacturers? But the reality is that if a company enters into auto racing and spends millions of dollars, nobody has the right to tell them which teams they must take.

Q: So should we assume by your comments regarding the WOO points system that you are in agreement with Bernie Ecclestone that the winner of the most Grand Prix should be the world champion? Also, what do you think of the current IRL everybody gets a trophy, points system?

Joe Walsh, Sacramento, Calif.

RM: Yes, I think whomever wins the most races in any series should be the champion but not enough emphasis is put on winning. Today is all about running for points, in just about every major series, and my point system might not be popular (one point for a win) but it would honor a deserving champion. As for the IRL, why should you be rewarded with anything for finishing 10th out of 22 cars? It's like class basketball in Indiana, it sucks.

Q: I have to say that reading your weekly mailbag is a great way to beat the open wheel off-season blues. I have to say that I agree with many of the current fans
that are tired of the same old thing with IndyCar racing year in and year out. Many fans have expressed their discontent, but I have to say explain my take on it all. My home track you could say is Watkins Glen. Since 2005, an IndyCar has taken place here. However, let me ask all you fans a question. What do you think we got to watch before IRL came to the Glen? NASCAR and sports cars. Now, being more of a sportscar and open wheel fan than a NASCAR fan, the news that IndyCar was coming to the Glen was thrilling. So it disheartens me to here some of you all complain about the state of open wheel racing in America, when some fans have only got to see five or so races in their lives. Trust me, I would rather have IRL and sports cars on the schedule than NASCAR. And another thing about advertisements, I don't know about the other tracks, but Watkins Glen International
was advertising tickets for the Camping World Grand Prix at the Glen from Christmas until after the fourth. Maybe the other tracks need to take a lesson from the Glen!

Matthew, Watkins Glen, NY

RM: First off, thanks for the update on The Glen promoting Indy cars. ISC tracks don't seem to go out of their way to help get crowds for Indy cars so this is good news. As for The Glen, I've been going since the '60s when Formula One ruled and it's still one of the two great road courses (Road America) in this country. The IRL attendance has been decent and the fact it's repeating its July 4th date should be good.

Q: It's apparent that we need someone with some moola to buy this series. John Menard has been mentioned, but it seems that he's in no hurry to do so. Forsythe might, but I think he would rather step in after the IRL sunk. If I were one of the team owners I would be trying to invite all of these billionaires you hear about like Mark Cuban, Bill Gates, etc..to races and try to get them interested in Open Wheel Racing (only show them Road Courses like Watkins Glen and tell them that all of the other races are just as exciting). Maybe one of them will be interested enough to buy the series and put Tony Cotman in charge. Who was the owner of the Atlantics again? Could he step and run a new AGPR (American Grand Prix Racing) Series. I kind of like that name. Don't use anything with IRL/ICS/CART/CHAMP in it. Start new and fresh. Just trying to be optimistic here because this current crap there putting on for a show is making it real hard to watch and enjoy.

Scott Hendricks, St. Louis, MO

RM: There's been a rumor that Menard and TGeorge were going to buy IndyCar and all I know is that when I asked John that question last June, he said he'd do what he could to help keep IndyCar racing afloat because it was his first love but that nobody had approached him about buying the series. The rich guys you mentioned probably get pitched 20 times a day about "saving" a sport or a franchise but I doubt they have any passion for IndyCars and the business model isn't exactly enticing for an investor.

Q: A few questions about Greg Moore and Tony Renna lately, but I believe it is the tenth anniversary of Gonzalo Rodrigues' death at the top of the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca. Whatever happened with his family? Has Uruguay produced any top caliber drivers since? I was there that day and remember the controversy of Little Al wanting to finish the race day, as was the tradition, but a majority of drivers voting to stop for the day. Have you ever talked to Little Al about that day? Did he feel that was a turning point in CART history? I've always wanted SCRAMP to place a little memorial in the spot GR landed.

Paul, Carmel, Calif.

RM: I remember his family coming to a race but I've never heard of any more drivers from that country, at least none I'm aware of. I spoke with him for a few minutes that morning and he was looking forward to Laguna's layout and stretching his legs since he'd been at Detroit before. Never spoke to Little Al about it and I can't say it was a turning point, just a sad day.

Page 1 of 3
Next Page »
1 2 3 >
View All Comments