Series went to hell under the leadership from 1998 forward. I remember the huge decline in organization well.

IRL seems to have finally won the battle. The writing was on the wall, no matter what car package Champ Car brought, when all the biggies left Champ Car over the last years. Rahal, Penske, Ganassi, Andretti, etc.

I'd be sooooo pissed if I invested all that cash in those new cars with Champ Car, and can't even get my prize money.

I've known Derrick Walker for a long time and know he's a dead on, truthful guy. I believe everything he said in this story.

RIP - Champ Car - 2008

Mike S<ul><li><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/champ/2008-02-12-walker-comments_N.htm">Link to story.</a></li></ul>

He's a shrewd guy (read "fvcking money-hungry prick") so I bet he'll just let Champ Car die, then offer a spot on his ship to the rats floating on the driftwood.

There was an old man sitting on his porch watching the rain fall. Pretty soon the water was coming over the porch and into the house.

The old man was still sitting there when a rescue boat came and the people on board said, "You can't stay here you have to come with us."

The old man replied, "No, God will save me." So the boat left. A little while later the water was up to the second floor, and another rescue boat came, and again told the old man he had to come with them.

The old man again replied, "God will save me." So the boat left him again.

An hour later the water was up to the roof and a third rescue boat approached the old man, and tried to get him to come with them.

Again the old man refused to leave stating that, "God will grant a miracle &amp; save him." So the boat left him again.

Soon after, the man drowns and goes to heaven, and when he sees God he asks him, "Why didn't you save me? I thought you would grand me a miracle and you have let me down."

God replied, "You idiot, I don't know what you're complaining about. I sent three boats after you!!"

both are in terrible shape but Tony holds the only ace in the deck. I also don't think there is anything shrewd about Tony George. He was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple.

there are no winners here, especially the fans.

<ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marko_Kraljevic">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marko_Kraljevic</a</li></ul>

<ul><li><a href="http://markokraljevic.uzice.net/00.htm">http://markokraljevic.uzice.net/00.htm</a</li></ul>

I don't care whos the winner or loser, open wheel racing needs to be unified. and from what i have read, T. George is offering free chassis and engines and 1.2 million to anyone who would compete in his series. they also want to incorporate 2 or 3 cart races into the schedule and trying to get Honda to agree and move the event at Motegi to a different date to accomodate this. I hope it happens!

times, been taken public, crashed back into private ownership, gone through multiple car iterations, etc.

It also won't be back in bankruptcy very soon, as Champ Car is likely to be.

The "new" Champ car, which was to save the series, simply didn't.

Egos larger than brains have caused issues in both series, but IRL is on far better financial ground than Champ Car, now and historically.

IRL also has 19 cars, and has names American's know:

Andretti, Wheldon, Castroneves, Dixon, Kanaan, Manning, Miera, and has Sara Fisher as well as Danica Patrick.

More people in America likely know the names Andretti, Patrick and Castroneves than any current Champ Car driver, bar Tracy. And when he's your poster child, you're destined for trouble.

Mike S

I'm also hearing that Champ Car will carry on for 2008. not sure how that's going to happen or if I agree with it at this time, but that's the latest.

the bankruptcy plan was to protect themselves from the zillion lawsuits that will happen when they cancel races with the folks they have contracts with in the event of a merger. Forsythe and Kalkhoven could continue sinking money into Champ Car forever if they wanted to, just like Tony has. they are both financially unstable. neither series is profitable.

here's another quote from Derrick Walker, "For the last 13 years there have been two boats. Both have been taking in a lot of water. Now we will be in one boat but it is still taking in a lot of water."

you mentioned name recognition... for all the name recognition that the IRL supposedly has, I find it strange that Champ Car consistently draws more fans worldwide than the IRL does. imo, there is no name recognition in this country besides Earnhardt, Gordon, Johnson, Ricky Bobby, etc. 15 years ago, openwheel racing in the US was poised to challenge Formula 1 on the world's stage. now we've got Danica ****ing Patrick. thank you Tony George.

I wish he would merge with the earth.