16 replies to this topic

[LCA]

Thought some of the CART guys on this board might appreciate this bit I pulled from a Robin Miller article recently if you haven't already seen it.

Asked how he was received by the fans following his first practice laps at Indy since 1995, Tracy smiled and said: “What do you mean? They hate me. I'm a CART guy.”

Anyone else looking forward to the Indy 500 this year?

Here is the full article for anyone who's interested - http://www.cart.com/...cle.asp?ID=3256

[Newtsche]

Tracy's probably right. From what I can tell, the people I've seen in the stands have both been IRL fans.

[Locai]

Originally posted by LCA
Asked how he was received by the fans following his first practice laps at Indy since 1995, Tracy smiled and said: “What do you mean? They hate me. I'm a CART guy.”

That quote is somewhat misleading...even CART fans hate Paul Tracy.

[LCA]

Originally posted by Locai

That quote is somewhat misleading...even CART fans hate Paul Tracy.

I must admit I am not a big PT fan either, or at least I wasn't until I read this quote...

[aportinga]

I still cannot believe how much the guy has trimmed up for this season! Remember what he looked like during his Benetton test? In fact I think the team mentioned his physical appearence as being a major issue back then.

[LCA]

Yeah, he looks alot better. He can be fast too - it's just that I'm not sure he can finish races. He and the wall are old buddies...

hey, aport - go save my "Health Care" thread in the PC!

[aportinga]

hey, aport - go save my "Health Care" thread in the PC!

My PC or yours? Hold on I gotta get a screwdriver!

And a screwdriver!

[LCA]

Originally posted by aportinga


My PC or yours? Hold on I gotta get a screwdriver!

And a screwdriver!

That's it, you're fired.

PC=Paddock Club








;)

[aportinga]

Awww ****! I knew they'd catch me soon!

[LCA]

Originally posted by aportinga
Awww ****! I knew they'd catch me soon!

I'm telling you that Health Care thread is getting even more boring than when I first posted it - people are arguing over semantics... it needs help.

Since you've already been fired you might as well try to liven it up.

[aportinga]

Do I get to yell at people

[LCA]

Originally posted by aportinga
Do I get to yell at people

Not many conservative viewpoints in there yet, so I figure not right away.

I'm kind of a lefty on healthcare issues so you probably aren't going to want to yell at me...

I think pa was calling people communists and the like - so that's kinda fun. Call him a facist or something just to keep things going.

[Turn13]

Paul Tracy and Michael Andretti were at Union Jack Pub tonight, a local Indy racing-oriented hangout some of you, I know, know

The SRO attendants gave the two of them a warm reception, and they gave frank but friendly answers to the questions.

I've made it a point to give a thunmbs up and a "great to have you guys back" to all the erstwhile IRL entrants from the CART side. FWIW, Rick Mears and Roger Penske are awesome ambassadors- cordial and patient; and they seem, along with Gil and Helio, to be pretty pleased with where they are.

There are aspects of the "rivalry" that are entertaining; there's always been a lot of smack talk and even gallows humore among racing personnel, but there are fraternal bonds that transcend all that, too.

There are lots of antagonistic responses still to the split, somwhat understandably given the regrettable past acrimony. But there is also obviously a lot of progress being made if through nothing else but simple proximity and common (as in shared) difficulties.


On the whole, it's a pretty cool atmosphere to be witnessing.

[LCA]

Originally posted by Turn13
Paul Tracy and Michael Andretti were at Union Jack Pub tonight, a local Indy racing-oriented hangout some of you, I know, know

The SRO attendants gave the two of them a warm reception, and they gave frank but friendly answers to the questions.

I've made it a point to give a thunmbs up and a "great to have you guys back" to all the erstwhile IRL entrants from the CART side. FWIW, Rick Mears and Roger Penske are awesome ambassadors- cordial and patient; and they seem, along with Gil and Helio, to be pretty pleased with where they are.

There are aspects of the "rivalry" that are entertaining; there's always been a lot of smack talk and even gallows humore among racing personnel, but there are fraternal bonds that transcend all that, too.

There are lots of antagonistic responses still to the split, somwhat understandably given the regrettable past acrimony. But there is also obviously a lot of progress being made if through nothing else but simple proximity and common (as in shared) difficulties.


On the whole, it's a pretty cool atmosphere to be witnessing.

Well, all that warm and fuzzy stuff may be true but out on the track each side wants to demolish the other. The CART guys can afford to be forgiving - they pretty well romped the IRL regulars at last year's Indy. The IRL people are content b/c they are looking like the series on the rise these days (at least to some observers). So we can couch this bitter and fierce rivalry in smiles and handshakes but when the engines start at Indy every single IRL fan is hoping that the CART guys eat the wall and the CART fans are going to be looking for another lead lap sweep.

I understand your desire to have one big happy family, but ever since TG bolted CART we haven't been anything of the sort. I'm not interested in blaming anyone (frankly, I like CART without people like Al Unser, Greg Ray and TG in it) and I think each series is defining its niche. Certainly, the aggression between the two series is not as open as it has been but the rivalry is as real as ever. Paul Tracy was just reminding us of that. IMHO, the average IRL fan is going to be throwing their beer cans at the TV if a CART guy, like Tracy, wins the 500.

[KinetiK]

Originally posted by aportinga
I still cannot believe how much the guy has trimmed up for this season! Remember what he looked like during his Benetton test? In fact I think the team mentioned his physical appearence as being a major issue back then.

The Benetton crew nicknamed Tracy, Burgerman, when he was there for the test.

[Turn13]

Originally posted by LCA


Well, all that warm and fuzzy stuff may be true but out on the track each side wants to demolish the other.

Of course! I'm not referring to any lack of competitive spirit on the track- I'm referring to simple human decency off it.

There is more of a connection- mutual empathy, if maybe not admiration or respect- among most all of the professional drivers, I think. At least, that's what I observe in CART/IRL and even NASCAR. Most of the ridiculous acrimony and posturing is done by us, the amateurs, in the forums.

Of F1 or F3000, I can't say that I have personal observations.

Still, if even we 'pundits' had these debates face to face, I think a lot of the hyperbole and boorish behaviour would be absent. If it weren't, then I'd just have to physically thrash my opponents

[LCA]

Originally posted by Turn13

Most of the ridiculous acrimony and posturing is done by us, the amateurs, in the forums.

True!

Gladiators will always respect each other even though not all Gladiators are equal (take da Matta and Sarah "DNF" Fisher or "Gettin' Shiggy Wit it" Hattori, for example). It is left to the seething mob (you and I) to berate their enemies and cheer for the "good" guys.