NASCAR/ISC vs Grassroots Motorsport
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NASCAR/ISC vs Grassroots Motorsports
Arizona Vs. Grassroots Motorsports?
Written by: Richard James
Irvine, Calif. – 6/1/2006
http://www.speedtv.com/commentary/25586/
Could autocrossing be outlawed in Arizona under a proposed bill?
There’s a bill about to be introduced in the Arizona Senate that would effectively outlaw any automotive competition in that state not held at an existing racetrack (click here for story). Although the bill appears to be aimed at a proposed Champ Car street race in Phoenix, the effects would be felt much farther down the motorsports food chain.
If this bill – actually an amendment to a marriage license bill, once again demonstrating that politicians have no shame – passes, any motorsports competition that produces noise levels above 90 decibels (about that of a lawnmower) would be outlawed unless it takes place at a closed-course racing facility.
Stage Rally does not typically take place on a closed-course dedicated motorsports facility. Neither does autocross, RallyCross or AMA Supercross. Many kart races are held on temporary circuits. All would apparently be outlawed under such a law, unless, of course, the noise levels could be kept below 90 dB. In other words, any form of automotive competition that involves hard acceleration would be illegal unless it’s held at a racetrack. Especially troubling is the fact that the amendment does not specify how and at what distance sound would be measured.
Why are the members of Arizona’s legislature so concerned about racing that doesn’t involve a racetrack? Chances are they’re not, but someone has convinced them they should be. All signs seem to point to NASCAR and the International Speedway Corporation, owner of Phoenix International Raceway in the Phoenix suburb of Avondale. It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve tried such a thing – remember the lawsuit attempting to stop the Miami Grand Prix Champ Car/American Le Mans Series race, which took place not too far from Homestead Miami Speedway, another ISC-owned facility?
If the 800lb. gorilla of American motorsports is really behind this, is it really their intention to shut down grassroots motorsports in the state of Arizona? Probably not, but that would be the consequence. And if this anti-competition law succeeds in Arizona, you can bet it will be tried elsewhere.
The funny thing is that ISC makes a lot of money from amateur racers. Its tracks are rented out on a regular basis to groups such as the Sports Car Club of America, the National Auto Sport Association and marque clubs like the Porsche Club of America. ISC tracks even rent out their parking lots to these clubs to hold autocrosses (a gray area under the proposed law, since such competitions don’t actually take place on a racetrack).
The force behind the bill, be it NASCAR, ISC or some well-intentioned-but-ignorant lawmaker, may only be trying to kill one street race. But they’re using a mighty big hammer to do it, one that could wipe out a big chunk of grassroots motorsports in Arizona, and eventually the country.
Richard James is the editor of SportsCar, the official magazine of the SCCA.
Modified by RMR at 3:31 AM 6/2/2006
Written by: Richard James
Irvine, Calif. – 6/1/2006
http://www.speedtv.com/commentary/25586/
Could autocrossing be outlawed in Arizona under a proposed bill?
There’s a bill about to be introduced in the Arizona Senate that would effectively outlaw any automotive competition in that state not held at an existing racetrack (click here for story). Although the bill appears to be aimed at a proposed Champ Car street race in Phoenix, the effects would be felt much farther down the motorsports food chain.
If this bill – actually an amendment to a marriage license bill, once again demonstrating that politicians have no shame – passes, any motorsports competition that produces noise levels above 90 decibels (about that of a lawnmower) would be outlawed unless it takes place at a closed-course racing facility.
Stage Rally does not typically take place on a closed-course dedicated motorsports facility. Neither does autocross, RallyCross or AMA Supercross. Many kart races are held on temporary circuits. All would apparently be outlawed under such a law, unless, of course, the noise levels could be kept below 90 dB. In other words, any form of automotive competition that involves hard acceleration would be illegal unless it’s held at a racetrack. Especially troubling is the fact that the amendment does not specify how and at what distance sound would be measured.
Why are the members of Arizona’s legislature so concerned about racing that doesn’t involve a racetrack? Chances are they’re not, but someone has convinced them they should be. All signs seem to point to NASCAR and the International Speedway Corporation, owner of Phoenix International Raceway in the Phoenix suburb of Avondale. It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve tried such a thing – remember the lawsuit attempting to stop the Miami Grand Prix Champ Car/American Le Mans Series race, which took place not too far from Homestead Miami Speedway, another ISC-owned facility?
If the 800lb. gorilla of American motorsports is really behind this, is it really their intention to shut down grassroots motorsports in the state of Arizona? Probably not, but that would be the consequence. And if this anti-competition law succeeds in Arizona, you can bet it will be tried elsewhere.
The funny thing is that ISC makes a lot of money from amateur racers. Its tracks are rented out on a regular basis to groups such as the Sports Car Club of America, the National Auto Sport Association and marque clubs like the Porsche Club of America. ISC tracks even rent out their parking lots to these clubs to hold autocrosses (a gray area under the proposed law, since such competitions don’t actually take place on a racetrack).
The force behind the bill, be it NASCAR, ISC or some well-intentioned-but-ignorant lawmaker, may only be trying to kill one street race. But they’re using a mighty big hammer to do it, one that could wipe out a big chunk of grassroots motorsports in Arizona, and eventually the country.
Richard James is the editor of SportsCar, the official magazine of the SCCA.
Modified by RMR at 3:31 AM 6/2/2006
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Re: NASCAR/ISC vs Grassroots Motorsport (RMR)
"Fight of the Phoenix" Unfolding in Arizona Legislature
Written by: Robin Miller
Phoenix, AZ – 6/1/2006
http://www.speedtv.com/article...5568/
Champ Car is accusing NASCAR of trying to sabotage a proposed race in downtown Phoenix next year in an effort to do away with all street racing in this country. And stock car racing's major sanctioning body claims nothing could be further from the truth.
Welcome to the fight of the Phoenix, which unfolds today in the state legislature where a bill will be introduced that calls for a decibel level for any future motor sports events in a city or town in Arizona.
"NASCAR and ISC have spent the past few weeks trying to undermine our proposed race in Phoenix and it's my understanding that NASCAR has hired 22 lobbyists to beat us up," said Kevin Kalkhoven, who co-owns Champ Car with Gerald Forsythe.
"Why are they afraid of our product? Is big, bad NASCAR afraid of open competition?"
Jim Hunter, NASCAR's vice president of corporate communications, responded to those charges by stating:
"Neither NASCAR, nor any of its representatives, agents, or employees, has taken a position on Champ Car's proposed event in Phoenix or participated in any conduct that would impede Champ Car's ability to run an event. Nor is it in NASCAR's best interest to do so.
"NASCAR understands that in order to keep motorsports healthy and vibrant in North America, it is imperative that race tracks and race fans have a broad "product list" from which to choose."
However, recent comments by Phoenix International Raceway president Bryan Sperber to radio station KTAR-620 in Phoenix would suggest otherwise.
Citing the failed F1 race at Phoenix in 1989-91, Sperber has spoken out against the proposed race on local radio and television plus started a website to have citizens vote on the race.
"It's a stupid Mickey Mouse, dinky-toy race," said Sperber. "Street races have proven not be successful and this thing has been developed under a cloak of darkness.
"Let's get out of this hokey street race and develop a strong relationship between NASCAR and downtown."
PIR, owned by the France family's International Speedway Corporation, hosts a pair of Nextel Cup events annually but Indy cars disappeared this year after running at PIR from 1964-2005.
On May 26, Champ Car's attorneys sent a letter to NASCAR CEOs Brian France and Jim France requesting them to cease fire and Matt Breeden, vice president and general counsel for Champ Car, says his company is prepared to take this fight to court.
"NASCAR and ISC have been put on notice that we will not put up with their tortuous and anti-competitive business practices," said Breeden. "While I cannot disclose specifics, it is sufficient to say that we have engaged litigation counsel and will vigorously pursue legal remedies if NASCAR and ISC do not cease their illegal bullying tactics."
Dale Jensen, a co-owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team and Phoenix Suns of the NBA, had proposed Champ Car run a street show in November of 2007 to the Phoenix city council.
"We're trying to do something really cool for downtown Phoenix," said Jensen, who attended this year's Long Beach GP as Kalkhoven's guest. "But we're being met with interference from outside forces."
The bill which will be introduced reads:
A. A city of town shall not sponsor or allow to be held within the city or town a motor vehicle competition outside of a closed-course motorsport facility at which the sound level exceeds 90 decibels at any time.
B. For the purpose of this section, "Closed-course motorsport facility" and "motor vehicle" have the same meanings prescribed in Section 12-556.
The legislation then repeats for Counties with the same language. The language in 12-556 is:
1. "Closed-course motor sports facility" means a closed-course speedway or racetrack that is designed and intended for motor vehicle competition, exhibitions of speed or other forms of recreation involving the use of motor vehicles.
2. "Motor vehicle" means an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle that is propelled by power, other than muscular power, that is used to transport persons and that operates within the confines of a closed-course motor sport track.
By comparison, a lawnmower puts out approximately 90 decibels, while the turbocharged Cosworth engine in a Champ Car topped out at 115 decibels during a test last year in Denver, according to Champ Car technical director Scott Elkins.
Kalkhoven claims this is clearly an attempt by NASCAR to control competition.
"It's morally deficient and underhanded because it eliminates choice for cities, promoters and fans," said Kalkhoven, whose circuit relies heavily on street shows at Long Beach, Houston, Cleveland, San Jose, Denver, Toronto and Surfer's Paradise, Australia.
"This is a monopolistic process designed so that racing can only be held at tracks governed by NASCAR's cartel."
Of course there are some ironies to this situation in that Champ Car allowed the NASCAR-backed Grand Am sports car series to run with them at Mexico City in 2005 and at Long Beach this year.
"They are trying to destroy the history of motorsport," continued Kalkhoven, who co-owns the Long Beach race with Forsythe. "Street racing is where motor racing started, not at some super speedway."
He feels if Phoenix is successfully shot down by the noise ordinance, it's the first domino to fall and NASCAR will go after all the other street circuits. "They say they don't want any street racing in this country so that includes the IRL (St. Petersburg) as well and they're supposedly partners with Tony (George).
"Clearly, the implications of this are significant for the future of open wheel racing and we are very troubled by NASCAR's mafia-like behavior."
Robin Miller is not affiliated with RACER magazine and his views should not be considered representative of RACER or of Haymarket Worldwide Inc.
Written by: Robin Miller
Phoenix, AZ – 6/1/2006
http://www.speedtv.com/article...5568/
Champ Car is accusing NASCAR of trying to sabotage a proposed race in downtown Phoenix next year in an effort to do away with all street racing in this country. And stock car racing's major sanctioning body claims nothing could be further from the truth.
Welcome to the fight of the Phoenix, which unfolds today in the state legislature where a bill will be introduced that calls for a decibel level for any future motor sports events in a city or town in Arizona.
"NASCAR and ISC have spent the past few weeks trying to undermine our proposed race in Phoenix and it's my understanding that NASCAR has hired 22 lobbyists to beat us up," said Kevin Kalkhoven, who co-owns Champ Car with Gerald Forsythe.
"Why are they afraid of our product? Is big, bad NASCAR afraid of open competition?"
Jim Hunter, NASCAR's vice president of corporate communications, responded to those charges by stating:
"Neither NASCAR, nor any of its representatives, agents, or employees, has taken a position on Champ Car's proposed event in Phoenix or participated in any conduct that would impede Champ Car's ability to run an event. Nor is it in NASCAR's best interest to do so.
"NASCAR understands that in order to keep motorsports healthy and vibrant in North America, it is imperative that race tracks and race fans have a broad "product list" from which to choose."
However, recent comments by Phoenix International Raceway president Bryan Sperber to radio station KTAR-620 in Phoenix would suggest otherwise.
Citing the failed F1 race at Phoenix in 1989-91, Sperber has spoken out against the proposed race on local radio and television plus started a website to have citizens vote on the race.
"It's a stupid Mickey Mouse, dinky-toy race," said Sperber. "Street races have proven not be successful and this thing has been developed under a cloak of darkness.
"Let's get out of this hokey street race and develop a strong relationship between NASCAR and downtown."
PIR, owned by the France family's International Speedway Corporation, hosts a pair of Nextel Cup events annually but Indy cars disappeared this year after running at PIR from 1964-2005.
On May 26, Champ Car's attorneys sent a letter to NASCAR CEOs Brian France and Jim France requesting them to cease fire and Matt Breeden, vice president and general counsel for Champ Car, says his company is prepared to take this fight to court.
"NASCAR and ISC have been put on notice that we will not put up with their tortuous and anti-competitive business practices," said Breeden. "While I cannot disclose specifics, it is sufficient to say that we have engaged litigation counsel and will vigorously pursue legal remedies if NASCAR and ISC do not cease their illegal bullying tactics."
Dale Jensen, a co-owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team and Phoenix Suns of the NBA, had proposed Champ Car run a street show in November of 2007 to the Phoenix city council.
"We're trying to do something really cool for downtown Phoenix," said Jensen, who attended this year's Long Beach GP as Kalkhoven's guest. "But we're being met with interference from outside forces."
The bill which will be introduced reads:
A. A city of town shall not sponsor or allow to be held within the city or town a motor vehicle competition outside of a closed-course motorsport facility at which the sound level exceeds 90 decibels at any time.
B. For the purpose of this section, "Closed-course motorsport facility" and "motor vehicle" have the same meanings prescribed in Section 12-556.
The legislation then repeats for Counties with the same language. The language in 12-556 is:
1. "Closed-course motor sports facility" means a closed-course speedway or racetrack that is designed and intended for motor vehicle competition, exhibitions of speed or other forms of recreation involving the use of motor vehicles.
2. "Motor vehicle" means an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle that is propelled by power, other than muscular power, that is used to transport persons and that operates within the confines of a closed-course motor sport track.
By comparison, a lawnmower puts out approximately 90 decibels, while the turbocharged Cosworth engine in a Champ Car topped out at 115 decibels during a test last year in Denver, according to Champ Car technical director Scott Elkins.
Kalkhoven claims this is clearly an attempt by NASCAR to control competition.
"It's morally deficient and underhanded because it eliminates choice for cities, promoters and fans," said Kalkhoven, whose circuit relies heavily on street shows at Long Beach, Houston, Cleveland, San Jose, Denver, Toronto and Surfer's Paradise, Australia.
"This is a monopolistic process designed so that racing can only be held at tracks governed by NASCAR's cartel."
Of course there are some ironies to this situation in that Champ Car allowed the NASCAR-backed Grand Am sports car series to run with them at Mexico City in 2005 and at Long Beach this year.
"They are trying to destroy the history of motorsport," continued Kalkhoven, who co-owns the Long Beach race with Forsythe. "Street racing is where motor racing started, not at some super speedway."
He feels if Phoenix is successfully shot down by the noise ordinance, it's the first domino to fall and NASCAR will go after all the other street circuits. "They say they don't want any street racing in this country so that includes the IRL (St. Petersburg) as well and they're supposedly partners with Tony (George).
"Clearly, the implications of this are significant for the future of open wheel racing and we are very troubled by NASCAR's mafia-like behavior."
Robin Miller is not affiliated with RACER magazine and his views should not be considered representative of RACER or of Haymarket Worldwide Inc.
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Re: NASCAR/ISC vs Grassroots Motorsport (RMR)
PIR attempting to sink potential Phoenix street race
By Bill Tybur
Published: Jun 1, 2006, 09:00
http://www.racingpress.com/pub...shtml
Corporate politicking from ISC, Sperber aims to nip Champ Car race chances in the bud
Dale Jensen is a part owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns. He wants to promote a Champ Car race in downtown Phoenix starting next year, with a multi-year contract. For the unfamiliar, Champ Cars are almost identical in appearance to Indy Cars or Formula One Grand Prix cars.
Phoenix has a bit of experience with downtown open wheel street races, and to many there's still a bitter aftertaste. Formula One came to the Valley in 1989 with a five year contract that screwed the city the same way F1 czar Bernie Ecclestone screws all his promoters and venues. Phoenix had to spend millions to repair streets, build F1-spec garages, buy and install barriers, safety fencing, etc. The city also had to deal with shutting down access to the entire area within the racecourse, which went over like the proverbial Baby Ruth in the swimming pool to local businesses which were struggling anyway.
Phoenix wasn't ready for a downtown motorsports-related event of such large scale back in the early nineties. And the race was held in June. That's right. June. In Phoenix. People stayed away in air-conditioned, house-bound droves.
The F1 Iceberg Grand Prix stuck around for three/fifths of the five year agreement. Each event was worse than the previous in terms of interest, community support and overpriced ticket sales. In '90 and '91 it was moved to March, but the damage was already done.
Today, almost two decades later, Phoenix may very well be ready for another stab at big-time, big-city street racing. New hotels, restaurants, shops and a new convention center are going up around the US Airways Center and Chase Field. The downtown homes for NBA basketball, Major League baseball, Arena Football, Monster Trucks, Supercross and all the various concerts have helped make downtown a destination.
Jensen and development partner Brad Yonover aren't asking for subsidies or city tax dollars, although they may request reasonable help in street repairs for the temporary race course. They want to act as traditional promoters, assuming all the risk and hopefully profiting from the fruit of their organization's great efforts. They also estimate an economic impact of $50-75 million.
Theoretically, there should be no downside to at least exploring this proposition.
Unless you're Phoenix International Raceway.
"This thing has been developed under a cloak of darkness," said Bryan Sperber, president of PIR, in response to the street race announcement by Arizona Grand Prix, LLC. "I'm delighted to learn that the city is looking to develop more (racing) opportunities. If they had reached out, I would have helped them. Let's get out of this other hokey street race and develop a strong relationship between NASCAR and downtown."
Those words speak volumes about how Phoenix International Raceway views motorsports. The philosophy seems to be that NASCAR should be the only kind of racing on America's tracks and television screens -- except for Grand American sports car racing, also started by the France family using NASCAR as the model and ISC tracks as the major venues.
"Under cloak of darkness" is a common business environment, well-practiced by Phoenix International Raceway and every other company with competition in their respective industries. Other environments common to corporate battlefields are confidentiality, deception, subterfuge, conspiracy and even criminal action - none of which appear to apply here. Yet everyone knows that premature announcements of what you're going to do unsettles potential supporters and gives opponents time to plan their defensive schemes. The only way to get things done is by gathering all facts, marshalling allies, dissecting opponent's defenses and then going for it.
Which is exactly what Arizona Grand Prix LLC has done.
And no one should assume Phoenix is actually looking for a downtown racing event. Neither are they yearning for a NASCAR festival in the land of pro basketball, pro baseball, arena football and concerts at the Dodge Theater. The City was presented with a proposal and, so far at least, doesn't believe it should say no until it does a little due diligence. Kudos to Phoenix.
While it would be easy to say shame on Phoenix International Raceway, the fact is the track's management team is behaving exactly as trained. The ISC/NASCAR directive is clearly to do everything possible to denigrate and eliminate the competition; to use every tool at their disposal to make sure the France Family's motorsports entertainment products are the only ones available to the public; to stay on target to slaughter every kind of racing that isn't blue-eyed, blond-haired and capable of walking goose-step toward NASCAR world domination.
Their attitude, in order to generate as much revenue as possible, is one of pompous arrogance. Their firm belief, backed by over 50 years of documented growth and irrefutable success, says NASCAR racing is irrefutably superior. And their fear is that any other series or even singular event, if not destroyed, might give the ticket-buying public an option on how to spend their discretionary entertainment dollars. That choice is simply unacceptable according to the "Mein NASCAR" manifesto that all ISC executives, especially the ones with ISC stock options, willingly and enthusiastically embrace after drinking the Kool Aid.
Well, any series other than the Grand Am sports car series. Give the devils their due; Jim France started that series in 1999 "to return stability to major league sports car road racing in North America" according to their website. And they've done exactly that. Grand Am racing featuring Daytona Prototype sports cars is arguably the fastest growing series in the world. This year alone the Grand-Am series added three more races to their schedule; one of them was a street race in Long Beach.
"This is a monumental day in the history of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series," said Grand American President Roger Edmondson when the street race was announced. "The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is one of road racing's crown jewels, and the importance of having the Rolex Series participate on that weekend cannot be understated to all of our stakeholders. While many series have one signature event, the addition of Long Beach to a schedule that also includes the Rolex 24 at Daytona gives the Rolex Series a pair of marquee races."
Please note: The Long Beach GP is a Champ Car race. The first Long Beach Grand Prix, held in 1975, ran now-extinct Formula 5000 cars. In 1976 it began hosting Formula One racing and then, when costs went through the roof, it switched to CART racing - the series that became eventually became Champ Car.
The original Long Beach Grand Prix was undoubtedly thought of as a "hokey street race" at the beginning, yet now the Grand Am series' president calls it a marquee race. It has become the longest-running street race in North America, regularly attracting weekend crowds in excess of 200,000.
The chances of similar success for the proposed downtown street race in Phoenix are slim for year one - especially if Champ Car and the IRL don't end their 10-year feud and merge -- but NASCAR didn't set the world on fire in 1950 either. Then again, if a 2007 downtown street race attracts about 30 cars from ALL the premier open wheel teams -- like Penske, Ganassi, Andretti/Green, Newman Haas, Forsythe, RuSport, Rahal/Letterman and others - does the term "home run" ring a bell?
Dale Jensen and Brad Yonover deserve the chance to present their street race and let the City of Phoenix decide if it's worth a very small gamble. If the mayor and city council bow to the lobbying efforts of ISC/NASCAR (they're trying to get a noise ordinance passed now, God knows what they have planned if that doesn't work) and dismiss this opportunity without even considering the potential benefits, it's Phoenix that might turn out to be the biggest loser in this battle.
Which is exactly what Phoenix International Raceway apparently wants.
© 2006 RacingPress.com, all rights reserved.
By Bill Tybur
Published: Jun 1, 2006, 09:00
http://www.racingpress.com/pub...shtml
Corporate politicking from ISC, Sperber aims to nip Champ Car race chances in the bud
Dale Jensen is a part owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns. He wants to promote a Champ Car race in downtown Phoenix starting next year, with a multi-year contract. For the unfamiliar, Champ Cars are almost identical in appearance to Indy Cars or Formula One Grand Prix cars.
Phoenix has a bit of experience with downtown open wheel street races, and to many there's still a bitter aftertaste. Formula One came to the Valley in 1989 with a five year contract that screwed the city the same way F1 czar Bernie Ecclestone screws all his promoters and venues. Phoenix had to spend millions to repair streets, build F1-spec garages, buy and install barriers, safety fencing, etc. The city also had to deal with shutting down access to the entire area within the racecourse, which went over like the proverbial Baby Ruth in the swimming pool to local businesses which were struggling anyway.
Phoenix wasn't ready for a downtown motorsports-related event of such large scale back in the early nineties. And the race was held in June. That's right. June. In Phoenix. People stayed away in air-conditioned, house-bound droves.
The F1 Iceberg Grand Prix stuck around for three/fifths of the five year agreement. Each event was worse than the previous in terms of interest, community support and overpriced ticket sales. In '90 and '91 it was moved to March, but the damage was already done.
Today, almost two decades later, Phoenix may very well be ready for another stab at big-time, big-city street racing. New hotels, restaurants, shops and a new convention center are going up around the US Airways Center and Chase Field. The downtown homes for NBA basketball, Major League baseball, Arena Football, Monster Trucks, Supercross and all the various concerts have helped make downtown a destination.
Jensen and development partner Brad Yonover aren't asking for subsidies or city tax dollars, although they may request reasonable help in street repairs for the temporary race course. They want to act as traditional promoters, assuming all the risk and hopefully profiting from the fruit of their organization's great efforts. They also estimate an economic impact of $50-75 million.
Theoretically, there should be no downside to at least exploring this proposition.
Unless you're Phoenix International Raceway.
"This thing has been developed under a cloak of darkness," said Bryan Sperber, president of PIR, in response to the street race announcement by Arizona Grand Prix, LLC. "I'm delighted to learn that the city is looking to develop more (racing) opportunities. If they had reached out, I would have helped them. Let's get out of this other hokey street race and develop a strong relationship between NASCAR and downtown."
Those words speak volumes about how Phoenix International Raceway views motorsports. The philosophy seems to be that NASCAR should be the only kind of racing on America's tracks and television screens -- except for Grand American sports car racing, also started by the France family using NASCAR as the model and ISC tracks as the major venues.
"Under cloak of darkness" is a common business environment, well-practiced by Phoenix International Raceway and every other company with competition in their respective industries. Other environments common to corporate battlefields are confidentiality, deception, subterfuge, conspiracy and even criminal action - none of which appear to apply here. Yet everyone knows that premature announcements of what you're going to do unsettles potential supporters and gives opponents time to plan their defensive schemes. The only way to get things done is by gathering all facts, marshalling allies, dissecting opponent's defenses and then going for it.
Which is exactly what Arizona Grand Prix LLC has done.
And no one should assume Phoenix is actually looking for a downtown racing event. Neither are they yearning for a NASCAR festival in the land of pro basketball, pro baseball, arena football and concerts at the Dodge Theater. The City was presented with a proposal and, so far at least, doesn't believe it should say no until it does a little due diligence. Kudos to Phoenix.
While it would be easy to say shame on Phoenix International Raceway, the fact is the track's management team is behaving exactly as trained. The ISC/NASCAR directive is clearly to do everything possible to denigrate and eliminate the competition; to use every tool at their disposal to make sure the France Family's motorsports entertainment products are the only ones available to the public; to stay on target to slaughter every kind of racing that isn't blue-eyed, blond-haired and capable of walking goose-step toward NASCAR world domination.
Their attitude, in order to generate as much revenue as possible, is one of pompous arrogance. Their firm belief, backed by over 50 years of documented growth and irrefutable success, says NASCAR racing is irrefutably superior. And their fear is that any other series or even singular event, if not destroyed, might give the ticket-buying public an option on how to spend their discretionary entertainment dollars. That choice is simply unacceptable according to the "Mein NASCAR" manifesto that all ISC executives, especially the ones with ISC stock options, willingly and enthusiastically embrace after drinking the Kool Aid.
Well, any series other than the Grand Am sports car series. Give the devils their due; Jim France started that series in 1999 "to return stability to major league sports car road racing in North America" according to their website. And they've done exactly that. Grand Am racing featuring Daytona Prototype sports cars is arguably the fastest growing series in the world. This year alone the Grand-Am series added three more races to their schedule; one of them was a street race in Long Beach.
"This is a monumental day in the history of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series," said Grand American President Roger Edmondson when the street race was announced. "The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is one of road racing's crown jewels, and the importance of having the Rolex Series participate on that weekend cannot be understated to all of our stakeholders. While many series have one signature event, the addition of Long Beach to a schedule that also includes the Rolex 24 at Daytona gives the Rolex Series a pair of marquee races."
Please note: The Long Beach GP is a Champ Car race. The first Long Beach Grand Prix, held in 1975, ran now-extinct Formula 5000 cars. In 1976 it began hosting Formula One racing and then, when costs went through the roof, it switched to CART racing - the series that became eventually became Champ Car.
The original Long Beach Grand Prix was undoubtedly thought of as a "hokey street race" at the beginning, yet now the Grand Am series' president calls it a marquee race. It has become the longest-running street race in North America, regularly attracting weekend crowds in excess of 200,000.
The chances of similar success for the proposed downtown street race in Phoenix are slim for year one - especially if Champ Car and the IRL don't end their 10-year feud and merge -- but NASCAR didn't set the world on fire in 1950 either. Then again, if a 2007 downtown street race attracts about 30 cars from ALL the premier open wheel teams -- like Penske, Ganassi, Andretti/Green, Newman Haas, Forsythe, RuSport, Rahal/Letterman and others - does the term "home run" ring a bell?
Dale Jensen and Brad Yonover deserve the chance to present their street race and let the City of Phoenix decide if it's worth a very small gamble. If the mayor and city council bow to the lobbying efforts of ISC/NASCAR (they're trying to get a noise ordinance passed now, God knows what they have planned if that doesn't work) and dismiss this opportunity without even considering the potential benefits, it's Phoenix that might turn out to be the biggest loser in this battle.
Which is exactly what Phoenix International Raceway apparently wants.
© 2006 RacingPress.com, all rights reserved.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 7,126
Likes: 1
From: Culpeper, VA
Re: NASCAR/ISC vs Grassroots Motorsport (RMR)
I'm begining to hate Nascar a little more each day... Funny thing is their races are the best fun around.
@ Charlotte this past weekend, I felt like punching 100,000 people in the face that were cheering when Tony Stewart hit the wall in the Cup race. With fans like that, I really don't want to be associated with them.
@ Charlotte this past weekend, I felt like punching 100,000 people in the face that were cheering when Tony Stewart hit the wall in the Cup race. With fans like that, I really don't want to be associated with them.
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