11 replies to this topic

[HistoryFan]

2007 we had 20 teams in IRL and 9 in ChampCar, 2008 in the year of the merger we had 22 teams and in the years until 2014 this was the development of IndyCar teams: 18-17-18-16-15-13. This year we have 12/13 teams, depends on Dreyer-&-Reinbild really will return in Indianapolis (Jonathan Byrd's racing is returning, Carpenter and Fisher merged).

The trend is that the IndyCar teams get bigger or merge with each other and the very small teams are at the end of their life. Although we could see more IndyCar teams in the future. What's your opinion, which teams could we see in IndyCar in future?

1) Carlin
They compete in Indy-Lights in preparation for IndyCar and are very successful. They really could make the grid in 2016. I think: 80% chances of Carlin competing in IndyCar in 2016.

2) Jonathan Byrd's
They return in Indianapolis and want a full-time drive (again Bryan Clauson?) for 2016. 50% chances.

3) Fan Force United
They wanted to enter IndyCar fulltime this season with Stefan Wilson but couldn't find the budget. They will try it next year again. 50% chances

4) Davey Hamilton
He is planing a team of his own. 50% chances

5) Dreyer-&-Reinbold
Denis Reinbold wants a full-time drive, but it is very difficult to find the budget. 30% chances (but Indy is very likely again)

6) EuroInternational
Antonio Ferrari is helping Stefano Coletti in his first IndyCar year and wants his team also back in American Racing, but 2016 is likely Indy-Lights first and for the future ahead back to IndyCar. But who knows. 15% chances.

7) Menard
He was linked to a comeback from Vitor Meira in Indy this year, but in collaboration with an existing team. Very unlikely that he will make his own team again. 10% chances

8) Lazier
Lazier Partners do one-offs in IndyCar. No money for a whole season although that's not impossible. 5% chances

9) Dragon
Currently in Formula E but perhaps back in IndyCar in the future. 5% chances.

10) Wiggins
He is linked with a drive from Ryan Briscoe at Indy this year, but also in partnership with an existing team. Own team: 5% chances

More possible new/renewed IndyCar teams for 2016 or ahead?

[SenorSjon]

What does a team spend a year on average? And IndyCar teams can have 1-4 cars right?

[prommer]

Interesting questions.  I suppose two constraining factors are:

 

1) how many engine leases are Honda and Chevrolet prepared to sign?  It sounds like they consider themselves maxed out already.  Then again, selling aero kits is beginning to look like a comfy income stream for them now...

2) does IndyCar keep to the 2018 goal for the new car/new engine spec?  Or do they bend to Penske's idea of waiting until 2020 in order to get more value out of the current spec?

 

And another factor.... how enticing is it for teams to run in the 100th Indy 500 in 2016?  What if they do some crazy promotion, like $10 million dollars to the winner.  Will that spur more entries who are maybe on the fence at the moment?

[Prost1997T]

Does this really need to be separate from the silly season thread? Anyway as far as new teams are concerned, Carlin for 2016 seems the most likely.

[prommer]

Technically, didn't silly season end when St. Pete arrived?  Now it's serious season.

 

And if F1 can have a va-billion threads, Indy can have two.

[Myrvold]

What does a team spend a year on average? And IndyCar teams can have 1-4 cars right?

I thought it was "run as many as you can afford".

[Prost1997T]

I thought it was "run as many as you can afford".

 

Pretty much. Dick Simon ran 6 cars at one point.

[Imateria]

Outside of Indy of not heard of team running more than 4 cars in recent years, though Andretti might have at some point.

 

1 car teams are allowed but Chevy and Honda preffer 2 car+ teams for logistical reasons.

[teejay]

As people complain about the cost of top level open wheel racing in Europe I wonder if some will come over.

 

The series probably needs a couple of international races first.

[V8 Fireworks]

Since the team-mates are allowed to race each other, I don't think it's an issue.

 

It obviously cuts development and operational costs somewhat, as the same damper settings etc can be run across 4 cars (adjusted for driver preference), the same paint and composites shop can be used for all the cars etc.

[aportinga]

This is a good thread/topic because I think it captures the true health of not only ICS but the sport as a whole which I argue is in decline as a direct result of (at least America's) lack of interest/passion for the automobile.

 

Cost is a huge issue and has been the #1 problem with AOW for 20 years if not longer. The series spends as though they are getting 1998 ROI but they simply are not. Cost needs to be re-evaluated and frankly I think AOW needs a more regional look to it - not this international expansion that Miles is discussing.

 

I believe that ICS should focus 80% of its races in the Midwest - re-link with the short trackers and pump more money into the lower ranks (feeder series). Get the ICS drivers to compete at certain events at dirt tracks and so on... Lets get back to the oval in Joliet and even add the private road course out there which is much like the Nola race they are running this weekend. Sit down and talk with GB @ RA and get us back on the Tudor ticket up there. What about Kansas? What about Kentucky - good ovals that will appease the oval contingent while keeping transport costs down for teams.

 

Kill the Dallara contract and set rules. Let the teams worry about the expense of chassis and the marketplace compete for that business which should open the door to suppliers and potentially lower costs. Let KK cut a mutually beneficial deal to supply new and used Cosi V8 Turbo engines to the field - which would separate ICS from the F1 concept - lets face it the v6 standard turbo engine is not attracting any new manufactures to either ICS or F1 so you may as well go balls out if the teams can get a better deal - and I believe they can.

 

If nothing changes, the adverse result for IMS will be no small teams and a field ran and controlled by Penske, Ganassi and Andretti - and lets not forget that two of those owners already control a hand full of races + KK (Long Beach).

 

That could easily sway control of the series itself - back into the hands of the owners - which I would have no problem with at all. But it would be at the own doing of IMS themselves.

[aportinga]

As people complain about the cost of top level open wheel racing in Europe I wonder if some will come over.

 

The series probably needs a couple of international races first.

 

This series - despite what MM has said is not generating revenue. Running off to Europe makes no sense. It's a huge gamble and the largest team owners (if not all by now), have expressed that neither they nor their sponsors have any interest in doing so.

 

The series needs to find a demographic to build on at home. There is not enough "new" fans taking interest because most of the newer generation are not interested in speed or motorsport passion. They are interested in sustainable concepts, mileage. Heck some kids don't even want to deal with a car in the States any longer!

 

The entire notion of IMS is dead in so much as manufactures are concerned. It's no longer a test bed for speed or development. It's just an advertising platform and no less. Sure as a fan walking through the gate is magical - almost out of this world IMO. But the event is very short of what it once was.

 

Need to get the relevance of the race and series back on track for suppliers and manufactures.

 

So much has to be fixed before ICS should ever consider picking up some of the dates which F1 has walked away from.

Edited by aportinga, 08 April 2015 - 12:40.