- 28,470
- Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Johnnypenso
http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/14/us/texas-indycar-crash-franchitti/index.html?hpt=hp_c3
Class act...sad to see him go
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Class act...sad to see him go
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Dario retires as a result of his recent accident
- Thread starter Johnnypenso
- 5 comments
- 627 views
- 567
- S. Shields
Do you think ChampCar will be any stronger or weaker for his retirement given it's current state? For me, thought I never watched it, there are other top notch drivers like Scott Dixon who can carry the flag for the series.
Dotini
(Banned)
- 15,742
- Seattle
- CR80_Shifty
The series will be weakened by the retirement of the popular and personable multi-time champion and Indy 500 winner. Promoters, sponsors and ticket-buyers will be adversely affected more than they already are. The series continues to be plagued with management and money troubles.
- 10,373
- Manchester
- Ardius_
ChampCar died long ago, Franchitti was driving in Indycar.
And he was hardly the main attraction, he wasn't really in the title fight the last couple of seasons. F1 survived after Schumacher, Indycar can survive without Franchitti and Franchitti is no where near the same status as Schumacher, Rossi, Loeb, etc.
No sport is ever about one person. Indycar's problems are irrespective of who the drivers are.
Still sad news of course.
And he was hardly the main attraction, he wasn't really in the title fight the last couple of seasons. F1 survived after Schumacher, Indycar can survive without Franchitti and Franchitti is no where near the same status as Schumacher, Rossi, Loeb, etc.
No sport is ever about one person. Indycar's problems are irrespective of who the drivers are.
Still sad news of course.
- 567
- S. Shields
Got mixed up between the two.
I can see what you mean Dotini. Having not been inclined to follow commercial matters. Everything needs a 'draw' I suppose. Someone who can be their marketing representative; their corporate leverage. Someone who can attract media companies to broadcast it to make it known and for sponsors to plough money into it so it can keep on being a going viable concern. OK, he may not have been as much of an attraction as you are saying Ardius but I got into following IndyCar because of Dario. He is the only one I could name before a few weeks ago. He may not have been much of a name to you but then you are someone who is used to the series. But I wasn't aware of Scott Dixon or Ryan-Hunter Reay or Takuma Sato or Helio Castronoves. You mention Dario and you do think of US open-wheel racing. Just like you think of Kurt Busch or maybe Jimmie Johnson first probably when you think of NASCAR.
I can see the IZOD IndyCar series going on but like the British F3 at a much reduced level.
I can see what you mean Dotini. Having not been inclined to follow commercial matters. Everything needs a 'draw' I suppose. Someone who can be their marketing representative; their corporate leverage. Someone who can attract media companies to broadcast it to make it known and for sponsors to plough money into it so it can keep on being a going viable concern. OK, he may not have been as much of an attraction as you are saying Ardius but I got into following IndyCar because of Dario. He is the only one I could name before a few weeks ago. He may not have been much of a name to you but then you are someone who is used to the series. But I wasn't aware of Scott Dixon or Ryan-Hunter Reay or Takuma Sato or Helio Castronoves. You mention Dario and you do think of US open-wheel racing. Just like you think of Kurt Busch or maybe Jimmie Johnson first probably when you think of NASCAR.
I can see the IZOD IndyCar series going on but like the British F3 at a much reduced level.
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- 10,373
- Manchester
- Ardius_
I'm sorry but its completely ridiculous to suggest the death or decline of any sport just because a champion retires. The reasons for Indycar's decline (or more accurately, toeing the fine line) are everything to do with the management of the sport and its struggles to find its place competing against NASCAR and F1.
It should be pointed that Franchitti was hardly a young driver with a big career ahead of him, he wasn't a superstar that everyone tuned into watch and he wasn't going to turn a load of heads if he had switched to NASCAR, F1 or WEC. He has his supporters sure, just like any successful driver, but to suggest he somehow defines Indycar is quite ludicrous.
Nothing wrong with you deciding not to watch any more, but don't go suggesting everyone feels the same way.
Not being able to name many Indycar drivers is less of a compliment to Franchitti (he gets the odd bit of coverage in the UK press) and more to do with the relative poor status of Indycar.
I wouldn't be surprised if people couldn't name any Indycar drivers nevermind Franchitti. Anyone from the UK would name Franchitti simply because he gets the odd bit of press due to his nationality - not because he is the biggest name in the sport.
I would have argued Rubens Barrichello was a bigger name last year. I'm sure a lot of Americans will disagree with you about naming US open wheel drivers.
I hate to say this in a thread that should really about applauding the end of a great career but well, it needs to be said. There is no need to exaggerate and inflate Franchitti's achievements.
It should be pointed that Franchitti was hardly a young driver with a big career ahead of him, he wasn't a superstar that everyone tuned into watch and he wasn't going to turn a load of heads if he had switched to NASCAR, F1 or WEC. He has his supporters sure, just like any successful driver, but to suggest he somehow defines Indycar is quite ludicrous.
Nothing wrong with you deciding not to watch any more, but don't go suggesting everyone feels the same way.
Not being able to name many Indycar drivers is less of a compliment to Franchitti (he gets the odd bit of coverage in the UK press) and more to do with the relative poor status of Indycar.
I wouldn't be surprised if people couldn't name any Indycar drivers nevermind Franchitti. Anyone from the UK would name Franchitti simply because he gets the odd bit of press due to his nationality - not because he is the biggest name in the sport.
I would have argued Rubens Barrichello was a bigger name last year. I'm sure a lot of Americans will disagree with you about naming US open wheel drivers.
I hate to say this in a thread that should really about applauding the end of a great career but well, it needs to be said. There is no need to exaggerate and inflate Franchitti's achievements.
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