25 replies to this topic

[Volcano70]

....Where and who would you choose?

Schedule

1. Mexico City (ABC)

2. Phoenix (NBCSN)

3. St. Pete (ABC)

4. Barber (NBCSN)

5. Long Beach (ABC)

6. Indy GP (ABC)

7. Indy 500 (ABC)

8. Milwaukee (NBCSN)

9. Road America (NBCSN)

10. Cleveland (NBCSN)

11. Toronto (ABC)

12. Belle Isle (ABC)

13. MIS (NBCSN)

14. Gateway (NBC)*

15. Iowa (ABC)

16. Portland (NBCSN)

17. Sonoma (ESPN2)*

18. Surfer's (NBCSN, Tape Delayed on NBC)

19. Fontana (NBCSN)

Broadcasting- ABC and NBCSN will show events with same broadcasters

Anchor- Leigh Diffey/ Allen Bestwick (Bestwick for Formula one events that clash with Indycar (ex. Indy500, Bestwick, F1 Monaco Diffey))

Color- Paul Tracy, Conor Daly (Assuming Daly will drive for Indy i'd like to see Paul Page come into the booth)

Pit Road Reporters- Jon Beekhuis, Katie Hargitt, Robin Miller, Rick DeBruhl (indy only)

*Due to the Sonoma race being moved to ESPN2 thus vialating the contract, NBCSN moved the Gateway Race to NBC to restore the contract. However, international events (like Surfers) can be tape delayed and shown on NBC or ABC as long as they are shown on NBCSN/ESPN live.

 

 

Post Your Ideas!

[Risil]

1. Keep the NBC team.

2. Put it all on NBC.

[karl100589]

Diffey, Tracy and Matchett have to be the commentary team. The three of them were amazing this year.

[noikeee]

I'd get rid of most of the ovals and street courses and have them race at Road America, Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen, Sonoma, Barber, Mid-Ohio, Laguna Seca, Montreal, Mosport, Mt Tremblant, Hermanos Rodriguez, Interlagos and Buenos Aires. And okay, you can have the Indy 500 and Long Beach too.

 

Yes, it's a very good thing that I'm not in charge of the "IndyCar Schedule and Broadcasting Team".

[paulb]

I would dump the Indy GP. Two races at Cleveland.

 

I like Risil's idea to have NBC as the single broadcast network.

 

For the commentary team, anyone but Diffey as anchor; Tracy is great as a color commentator; and Beekhuis, Hargitt, and Miller are good in the pits.

[jonpollak]

Dump the shouty Aussie. Bob Varsha as host.

PT, Dario and Hobbs for comic relief.

Miller, Beekhuis, and Kevin Lee in the pits with Jamie Little doing Lifestyle and taped package inserts.

 

You don't wanna hear my schedule.

Jp

Edited by jonpollak, 24 November 2015 - 02:49.

[paulb]

^ Oh, yes I do.

[Peter0Scandlyn]

Diffey, Tracy and Matchett have to be the commentary team. The three of them were amazing this year.

 

Struth!!

 

Hadn't realised amazing could reach such a low level.

 

Diffey and Matchett should be in the pits because they are the absolute pits. (Well aware Matchett used to spanner). Tracey is great comic relief.

[Disgrace]

IndyCar has proven to be a great feeder series for the commentary booth. PT is magnificent behind the mic.

[Lemnpiper]

  1.  Phoenix                     March 13th

  2.  Long beach               March 20th

 

  3.  Surfers Paradise       April 3rd

 

  4   Mexico   City             April17th

  5.  Barber                       April 24th

 

  6.   Indy GP                   May 15th

 

  7    Indy 500                  May 29th

  8    Milwaukee              June  5th

  9    Belle Island            June 12th

 

  10  Toronto                  June  26th

  11  Pocono                  July 3rd

 

  12  Cleveland              July 17th

  13  Richmond              July  24th

  14  Montreal                July 31th

 

  15  Iowa                      Aug 14th

  16  Eldora                   Aug 21th

  

  17  Portland                Sept 4th

  18  Sonoma                Sept 11th

  19  Fontana                Sept 18th

  20  MIS                       Oct 3rd

 

   If you wanna move a couple to  the previous Saturday that's OK

 

 

  As  for networks   I believe splitting them up among  CBS  & ABC & and NBC would work best and allow them to be competitive among themselves to  produce better coverage. If one network wants to focus on road courses  fine   ,and then let the other two divide up the oval  course races .Or vice versa.

 

 

 As for Announcers  Bestwick ,  Tracy & Davey Hamilton , might be a good lead trio  .

 With  Page    Franchitti   & David Hobbs for another potential group

 

   In the garage  id have Beekhuis Robin Miller  Gary Gerald  Katie Hargitt and Rich Dehuhl in the garage/pits

 

  One think I really think would help  Indy coverage is if INDY CAR itself is allowed to select the announcers for their races  no matter what network  the races happen to be on .That way the fans can get accustomed the the strengths of each reporter.

 

 

  BTW   at #16  I did put Eldora since I  feel at least 1 dirt track should be on the circuit   ,and it being so late in he season would allow car owners to line up a good dirt car for that one race    if their driver chooses to race that weekend. If most don't it will give the dirt track racers a chance to run an Indy car level race once a year ,and who knows maybe some of the pavements guys will do a good job at Eldora.

 

 Paul

[king_crud]

Just run the 1994 calendar. For me 16 races is the perfect number:

Race 1: Surfers Paradise
Race 2: Phoenix
Race 3: Long Beach
Race 4: Indianapolis 500 mile race
Race 5: Milwaukee
Race 6: Detroit
Race 7: Portland
Race 8: Cleveland
Race 9: Toronto
Race 10: 500 at Michigan
Race 11: Mid-Ohio
Race 12: New Hampshire
Race 13: Vancouver
Race 14: Road America
Race 15: Nazareth
Race 16: Laguna Seca

[DS27]

I would put Rockingham in the UK back on the calendar so I get another chance to see a race.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Diffey is terrible, and Matchett is useless outside of F1(not that he's great there). 

 

Varsha or other non-diffey plus PT(Dario is a great idea) + Beekhuis in the booth if you have to have a third and it has to be a tech guy. 

 

But Anyone + Tracy + Dario might be fun. 

 

Can we get Gary Gerould back in the pits?

[ch103]

Nazereth was such a great speedway...

[FLB]

Well, this might be the IndyCar equivalent of a Godwin Point, but I've long believed that one of the reasons that the ratings went down in the US post -1995 was the loss of the banter between Sam Posey, Bobby Unser and Paul Page. Those guys were passionate about what they were doing, but most of all, they were entertaining. Danny Sullivan in 1996 (IRL) was like watching paint dry.

 

As pit reporters, both Gary Gerould and Jack Arute cared massively about what they were doing. IndyCar wasn't a place on the way to somewhere else; it was where they wanted to be.

 

In the pre-1996 days, especially compared to today, there weren't so many ways to entertain onesself. I firmly believe that it doesn't matter so much how good the on-track product is by itself; If you can entertain the viewer, he/she will watch and, more importantly, likely come back for more of the same.

 

The broadcast team is an absolute key to attracting popularity.

Edited by FLB, 25 November 2015 - 02:29.

[Muppetmad]

Clearly, I should be the lead commentator!

 

(Anybody who listened to my "commentary" of Barber last year will appreciate the humour here)

 

Anyway, I would love a calendar with a sprinkling of South American and European races. Just a sprinkling - nothing unsustainable. Oh, and a longer calendar that doesn't end in August. Otherwise, let's have at it - I want some racing again!

[B Squared]

Well, this might be the IndyCar equivalent of a Godwin Point, but I've long believed that one of the reasons that the ratings went down in the US post -1995 was the loss of the banter between Sam Posey, Bobby Unser and Paul Page. Those guys were passionate about what they were doing, but most of all, they were entertaining. Danny Sullivan in 1996 (IRL) was like watching paint dry.

 

As pit reporters, both Gary Gerould and Jack Arute cared massively about what they were doing. IndyCar wasn't a place on the way to somewhere else; it was where they wanted to be.

 

In the pre-1996 days, especially compared to today, there weren't so many ways to entertain onesself. I firmly believe that it doesn't matter so much how good the on-track product is by itself; If you can entertain the viewer, he/she will watch and, more importantly, likely come back for more of the same.

 

The broadcast team is an absolute key to attracting popularity.

My main problem with Page and Arute, in my opinion, was that they seemed to lose track of their passion for the sport and became very impressed with themselves and their celebrity. I was around Arute more than a few times and he did not impress me as being short on arrogance and self-importance. The missed calls and mis-identification of cars, drivers and race situations became commonplace and laughable.

[Vettelari]

I want to see them visit Circuit Gilles, COTA, Interlagos, & Mexico City on an annual basis. Those tracks could use the extra cash and they are top notch venues.

 

Even more so, I think it is time for an Indycar race at Talladega. Wheel to wheel racing at 250 MPH would be a great selling point. The Busch Lite 800? Yeah. I like that.

 

Sebastian Bourdais starring as Jean Girard?

 

Talladega - Busch Lite 800

Interlagos - Brazillian Wax 400

COTA - Stone Cold Steve Austin 400

Mexico City - Bean Burrito 350

Circuit Gilles - Crêpes Grand Prix

Edited by Vettelari, 25 November 2015 - 19:04.

[Jim Thurman]

My main problem with Page and Arute, in my opinion, was that they seemed to lose track of their passion for the sport and became very impressed with themselves and their celebrity. I was around Arute more than a few times and he did not impress me as being short on arrogance and self-importance. The missed calls and mis-identification of cars, drivers and race situations became commonplace and laughable.

 

Jack Arute was a typical ABC hire, in other words, closest person to NYC that they knew of for auto racing. Some of Arute's silly demonstrations for the layfan (which wouldn't have been so bad had they not taken place while on track action was going on) and his making every effort to get drivers to cry were a bit much. Arute: "You had a puppy you loved when you were a child...and that puppy died, How does that make you feel now that you've won this race?" 

 

Paul Page is sincerely a racing fan and came off a great spokesperson for racing when doing interviews with non-racing sports media. But, yeah, the mistakes. Yeesh! Most of those and the general level of ineptitude I blame on the director(s) though. Screaming in the announcers ears and telling them only what they want them to do. Especially the Donnie O Show. He seemed only interested in crashes and WAG shots.

[Jim Thurman]

As an aside, Ross, is there anyone who writes or broadcasts racing that you actually like? ...or is the problem guys over 40 

[Ross Stonefeld]

The younger crowd are worse.

 

But I like Varsha, Page for the most part, etc. I think Allen Bestwick is pretty solid.

 

Jeff Burton is great, Andy Petree. Lot of love for Benny Parsons. Dale Jarrett is for the most part good.

 

Pretty much everyone Fox should STFU and GTFO.

 

Kyle Petty had/has potential but knows where his long-term income is.

 

I miss Dennis Noyes in the bike world.

[whitewaterMkII]

I'll take a shot.

 

Varsha, Tracy, Matchett/Hobbes-On Air

Miller, Beekhuis, Jamie Little-Pits

 

Screw the FIA/F1

 

Phoenix

Long Beach

Indy 500

Milwaukee

Surfers Paradise

Malaysia

Suzuka

Portland

Sonoma

Road America

Indy RC

Cleveland

Watkins Glen (old course)

Silverstone

Zandvoort

Imola

Michigan 500

Pocono

COTA

[Jim Thurman]

The younger crowd are worse.

 

But I like Varsha, Page for the most part, etc. I think Allen Bestwick is pretty solid.

 

Jeff Burton is great, Andy Petree. Lot of love for Benny Parsons. Dale Jarrett is for the most part good.

 

Pretty much everyone Fox should STFU and GTFO.

 

Kyle Petty had/has potential but knows where his long-term income is.

 

I miss Dennis Noyes in the bike world.

 

Just messin' with you Yeah, I've noticed your comments on the younger crowd and your positive comments on Jeff Burton. You know, Jeff has always been pretty outspoken. Ward might have been to, but no one is sure

 

Pretty much concur on all of your assessment

[jonpollak]

I like Mike Joy and when he did F1 he was really fun to listen to.
 
While we're at it...
Here's one of my ATF broadcasts.


Jp

Edited by jonpollak, 26 November 2015 - 05:22.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Yeah I remember Mike Joy as the Fox Sports F1 guy back in 98.

[king_crud]

I want to see them visit Circuit Gilles, COTA, Interlagos, & Mexico City on an annual basis. Those tracks could use the extra cash and they are top notch venues.

so you want indycar to be F1?