AR1 updated their rumours page. It now says
"As we now understand it, these TV deals are only for England and Germany to
be shown live, with all other races shown on the 1-hour highlights show.
This of course is a major gaffe by CART and, based on the fan e-mail we are
receiving, is not sitting well with CART’s large international fan base. If
they don’t fix this problem, and fix it fast, it will rank right up there
with their top 3 blunders of all time."

That obviously means that ARD will only show the German 500 live (as they
already did last year).

Well, that’s it. I followed today’s race on the internet with the hope that
I’ll see the next race live. As it looks now, this won’t be the case.
Goodbye CART, it was nice to know you.

STRONG from AR1

UPDATE As we now understand it, these TV deals are only for England and
Germany to be shown live, with all other races shown on the 1-hour
highlights show.  This of course is a major gaffe by CART and, based on the
fan e-mail we are receiving, is not sitting well with CART’s large
international fan base. If they don’t fix this problem, and fix it fast, it
will rank right up there with their top 3 blunders of all time.

Ahh Bollox, this is getting worse (

–
Respect
ColSHa
Rock Crew Member 2702

That was funny when they handed the trophey to DaMatta right in the middle
of an interview. It was like oh heres your trophey. I think they need to
adopt the F1 system on handing the trophey out on the podium.

"Did anyone notice how ABC never showed the grandstands head-on throughout
the entire race, whereas they went out of their way to show overhead and
head-on shots whenever the CART grandstands were sparsely populated the last
few years?"

Mark,

I watched the entire Homestead race live. ABC showed plenty of shots of the
empty grandstands. Linda and I commented about them during the race.

FWIW – you have a really good web site, but this kind of stuff (and some of
the other anti-IRL stuff) is petty. What is the point to it? Do you realize
you have a nickname in rec.autos.sport.cart?

why there are two mobile chicanes out there in Nakano and Takagi, whilst
   Moreno and Gidley sit on the sidelines without a ride.  Makes no
sense to me, sponsorship bucks or no.  I must be naive in thinking that
one’s ability to race is of more all-round value to a team and their
sponsor than an also-ran with a bucketful of cash and little skill.

Nakano has once again proven that, rather than 6 years experience in the
premiere leagues, he has one year’s experience 6 times.

http://www.champweb.net/toonfull1.JPG

The only way I can get Speedchannel broadcasts is by Time Warner Digital Cable.
 The quality of the broadcast (not the commentary and coverage) is very poor –
there were numerous digital artifacts and screen breakups.  The same occured
with the F1 race last week.
Has anyone else noticed this?
Could it be just that my Time Warner digital is poor.  This would apply only if
most others on analog and digital had good broadcasts.
Could it be that the Speedvision broadcast is poor overall?  I did not notice
that anyone else complained about this.
Please comment on your broadcast quality that you all saw.  If it was generally
good then I will complain to Warner cable.
Thank you,
Rick

I had the impression that Cart would be controlling the pictures
we saw?!  It was better than typical ESPN/ABC but
could be better!  Not enough in-car and still too much
talking/blathering!!

I also thought that having ONLY 2 laps after the last FC yellow
was absurd, I would think there should be a minimum of
say 5 laps on road, 10 or so on oval to run before checkered
would allow MUCH more chance for interesting racing!

Hate those damn FC yellows!!

Come on Cart, IRL is making in-roads, they may win!!!!

–
< Remember September 11, 2001 >
< May all who are responsible or approve burn in an infinite hell !! >

Well I hope the team took action today, but the new King Tora arrived today.
As a result I think that all lapped cars should be moved behind lead lap
cars inside of 10 laps to go just like NASCAR.  Thats one rule they right,
and if I were Dario I would have been headed to a trailer very quickly after
the race.  I hope Honda gives him a huge talking to because they are about
the only ones I bet he would listen to if anyone.

–
Mark

1) Overall a very good weekend.  A positive way to start the season.

2) The new rules were very interesting – I didn’t expect that there would
be a lap limit between stops.  I had been expecting a minimum number of
pitstops to be required.  The lap limit will make it very interesting –
psuedo-F1 in some ways.  I expect many drivers to not go full rich and do
short fills and other types of stints.  Maybe Bridgestone will provide a
stickier but less long lasting tire for such an event.

3) The track is so Mickey Mouse.  The cars are too damn slow on that
track.  I understand the need to keep speeds from getting out of hand and
also for providing adequate run off areas but some spots need to be
relaxed.

The first chicane should be turned into an ‘S’ bend ala Becketts and
Maggots at Silverstone.  It’ll still slow the cars down but it’ll be
challenging.

The infield section should be one long wide right hander – there’s room
for more runoff to be built there.

4) There’s a time to be fighting to stay on the lead lap and there’s a
time to let the leaders fight or let them by.  Takagi should have given
way immediately.  Andretti and Fernandez should have let Da Matta through
as well (although not as quickly).

5) Too bad for Tags and Tracy.  Tags could have fought for the win and
Tracy might hav been top 5 were it not for the pickup problem.

6) Gah, a long time to wait for the next race.

7) The SPEED team is world’s better than ABC.  Some of the broadcast was
weak but that’s Mexican TV’s fault.  Varsha seemed like he was apologizing
for it most of the time.

It may be Mickey Mouse but the track is beautiful.  It just should be
faster (and longer).

9) I think Lola is the chassis of choice this year.  I like that nose and
those sidepods.

10) 20 cars.  Such a shame.  Wish guys like Memo and Buddy Rice had rides.

Till next race.
—
Eric Bin – annoy…@supafamous.com – http://www.supafamous.com
"I know what is best for everyone" – Onion T-shirt.