Both races on the same weekend, and both counting for the championship? They wouldn’t...would they?

Seems like a strange way to start a takeover, merger, marriage or whatever it is. It seems there must be a better way but if this is what it takes, so be it.

Wow. A 10 car field at long beach will sure be spectacular. Especially if we lose 4 cars at turn one.

There will be so much action at the bar people will forget why they came.

Oh for crying out loud. That’s the stupidest idea I’ve heard in a while, and believe me, I hear plenty of stupid ideas, most from myself.

Let me get this straight, IRL drivers at Motegi, Champ Car drivers (Whoever commits full-time) at Long Beach in 2 seperate events and both count towards an IRL championship? It’s a good thing I went to Long Beach last year. It looks like the only entertaining race this year will be ALMS race on Saturday. Guess I’ll go to St. Pete instead this year.

How about letting the IRL newcomers use the Panoz/Cosworth all season.  That might make it more interesting.

I think this will make the ALMS race the main event at long beach this year.

Here’s an idea to make sure Long Beach gets an open wheel event this year: Have the Atlantics and the IPS boys face off in a demolition derby. They can call it “Smash-Up in the Streets.” The team with the most cars left gets to be the IRL support series for the rest of the year. Makes about as much sense as what they’re planning.

IRL is making a big mistake in not giving CHAMP CAR and it’s people the ultimatum.

Take the car, engine and money deal.  Commit to IRL series in totality and move forward.

Long Beach et al, have made an agreement with someone that can’t deliver on CHAMP CAR side. This charade of running it as some “special” or “sacred cow” race by/for IRL/CHAMPCAR is ludicrous.

Stop the fooling around. Put CHAMP CAR down for the count. 

IRL has made an offer that any CHAMP CAR team owner shouldn’t refuse.  BUT...it has to be tempered with ALL OR NOTHING language.

The posturing CHAMP CAR out of cards, out of chips and their successful bluffing for a long long time is over.

It’s time for IRL to take the pot and not give any aid and comfort to the CHAMP CAR’s by doing any “dual race” thing such as propsed.

To the victor’s belong the spoils.  This is old as time itself. 

IRL “won” and they are the ones that should be calling the shots on how/when/where/why things are to be.

The above is in the best interest, in the long term, of all that desire to see top level open wheel racing in America return to it’s rightful place, position and prominence.

A fitting kickoff to this doomed enterprise…

Interracer: Putting an ultimatum to CART with regards to Long Beach is unreasonable at best. Tony George wants the one crown jewel that CART has which is Long Beach. By telling CART “Come to Motegi or Else” would cause TG to lose any chance of re-signing with Long Beach for the race in future years.  Yes I agree that this arrangement is crazy but in the long run it works in favor of the IRL.

Olymon...I concur that LONG BEACH is a primo event would be important to IRL.

HOWEVER

In truth, where will LONG BEACH and any other CHAMP CAR venue go if they want to have near same kind of racing.  They will be able to go to IRL and all get what all the need/want.

It’s way past time to allow CHAMP CAR to continue to be believe they are a legitmate player in this high stake game with IRL. 

It only emboldens the CHAMP CAR hierarchy to stall, demand and posture that they are somebody.  They are not anymore.

I just think it’s time to take IRL as the ones to be dealt with and has been igonored to long.

One would have to assume the “money on table” Derrick Walker speaks of will be going to People who run Long Beach. You have to assume it’s only way Long Beach would agree to this compromise.

Everyone is really down on CCWS for not accepting any/all offers made.  I think it’s clear at this point that there is a huge riff between GF and KK and that’s why KK is finally talking to TG.  The reports that he represents all the CCWS series owners in this negotiation isn’t exactly true.  All the owners don’t want the same thing.

Could be that KK is looking for whatever allows HIM to recoup as much of his investment as he can and be d*mned what GF wants. 

Why would Walker be talking about dusting off the Panoz for LB if he’s really committed to the IRL.  Just go to Japan and write off CCWS once and for all instead of hedging your bets.  Nothing wrong with being in both series, which he’s done before, if that’s what you want to do. But no need to bad mouth either of them at this point.

i like mbalton’s idea… have the the big boys run motegi, and have the atlantics and ips run long beach… lol

Hmm the weekend of April 18-20 is a Cup off week, could we see some deals being brokered to try and get some of the former open-wheelers back into the cars again for a one off race (JV, JPM, Robby, Smoke in the Long Beach race, and maybe the rest of them in Japan racing on the Oval) to try and make sure this deal works (ratings/attendance wise)