Servia Validates at Montreal

Oroil Servia validated himself as a capable Champ car driver by winning the Montreal Race Sunday. Servia captured the lead after Race control penalized Glock, who was leading at the time, for cutting a corner. Glock was warned the first time he did it when Servia attempted to pass and the second time he had to give up the position. The win was Servia's first ever as a Champ car driver.

The race did not draw well as only 95,000 attended the 3 day event. There were fewer bleachers available this year than last and they did not appear to be full. Rumor has it that the Champ car event has no future in Montreal!

WickerBIll Sez;

Where did 40,000 fans go?
The promoter is limited to 2 events per year by law. What kind of a deal is that?
No wonder the promoter wants NASCAR there!
KK says they are working on a backup for the event should this one be cancelled.
I say replace it with Road America!

Red Bull Bullish on CCWS ?

Since the head Bull of Red Bull was seen in the Denver fray last week rumors have abounded about what if anything their involvement might be in the future of Champ Car. It certainly makes sense for them to come into the series. Perhaps we'll see them here next season!

WickerBill sez;

Wouldn't it look nice to see the Atlantics sponsered by Red Bull.
The Champ Car Atlantics Championship presented by Red Bull powered by Ford!

da Matta Takes Out 20 % of Field in First Turn of Denver Grand Prix

The Grand Prix of Denver was inherited today by Sebastian Bourdais. Bourdais was running in second when Tracy, while leading, decided to test the wall....... the wall won. Sebastian never gave up the lead and won the race easily, cementing his points lead in the series. daMatta apparently tought he could gain on the pack and overcooked it in the first turn taking out himself and three others. The three day event was attended by an estimated 150,000 fans and increase of 38,000 thousand over last years attendance of 112,00


WickerBill sez;

Duh Matta, what was he thinking?

Duh Tracy, what was he thinking?

CCWS continues to win the attendance battles. Attendance continues to be strong.

The race ended on lap count not minute count..........thank you!

The Belond Miracle Power Special

The other streamliner I saw run in the 1955 Indy.
Driver: Jim Rathman


Photo Courtesy of Indianapolis 500 Chronicle by Rick Popely


The 1956 version never qualified.


Photo Courtesy of Indianapolis 500 Chronicle by Rick Popely

Street Racing Popularity Nothing New

In 1912 the Vanderbilt Cup Race was a 300 Mile event run on the streets of Northwest Milwaukee. According to the Milwaukee Journal of October 3, 1912. The race was run October 2 and was attended by 60,000 paid and an estimated equal number of non paying observers from other vantage points around the course.

Link-> http://www.rumbledrome.com/milwvand.html

WickerBill Sez;

Where has street racing been for the last 93 years?

As a former resident of Milwaukee I question the wisdom of holding a race on October 2!

How did they promote this event and get 60,000 paid at the event? Was there even 60,000 people in Milwaukee in 1912? Actually there were 375,000 residents in 1910! If no one attended from other cities and in those days it's not likely many did then the promoters were able to pull in 15 % of the cities residents to the race.

If Milwaukee hosted a street race today would 60 thousand show up? 15% of the metro area would be approximately 450,000. Now that's 450,000 different sets of eyes not a three day total!

Why has the interest in oval track racing declined or was it ever a big deal? The Milwaukee mile is as convenient to get to as any street race would be, it is located in State Fair park and at most a 15-20 minute drive from almost any where in the Metro area yet fewer fans showed up for two OW events this year, than did for the single 1912 street race. Oddly the seating capacity of the Mile is approximately 45,000 and that's after recent seating additions. This would seem to suggest that the Mile has never expected large crowds.

Is it all about the personalities?

This deal begs many questions!

The San Jose Baja 1:45

Well everyone found their way to San Jose as the Champ Car World Series stagged their inaugural race there Sunday. Bourdais was unheaded and won easily with Paul Tracy coming in second. A big crowd attended the three day event with total attendance at nearly 160,00.

WickerBill Sez;

The track was terrible, too narrow, too short and worst of all was the Lola Launch at Push Rod Hollow. A must fix for next years event. Too much carnage. Looked like Baja off road racing. Bad Bad Bad.

Another timed event. Everyone knew it was going to be 1 one hour 45 minutes long when it started and could make race strategy accordingly. For once I didn't mind the timed race!

Another well attended event, seems CCWS is headed in a good direction.

Fix the track! Fix the track! fix the track!