Thread: Save IndyCar Week 2008! January 2nd - 9th 2008

SAVE INDYCAR WEEK 2008!
January 2 ? 9, 2008

Open letter to all fans of Open Wheel Racing: the time has come to speak out and save the sport.

I have a lifelong friend who is a long time fan and consumer of open wheel racing. He has composed a long letter specifically illustrating his disappointment and disgust at the state of American open wheel racing. In it, he spells out his qualifications on the subject being a fan almost thirty years. He writes about how bad things have become for fans trying to follow the sport with the decline in emotion, energy, competiveness and compelling characters of the sport. And that the powers that be refuse to unite and keep the fans split which he claims is the main factor in the continued disintegration of the sport that we all supported and loved. He intends to send this letter to the heads of the Indy Racing League soon.

In reality, when he sends in this letter, it may or may not be read. If its read, the chances of it being responded to by anyone other someone in PR are slim. The chances that it would actually do anything in rebuilding open wheel racing in America are minute. This is because he is one single person writing one single letter.

The more intriguing scenario would be if a few thousand fans were also to write a letter on this subject and send it in at the same time. What if these thousands of letters were also sent the leaders in Champ Car? If you think the series manufacturers, sponsors and the media have a voice on the matter, copy them on your letter as well.

I believe that the fans have the most power over the future of the series but we must be united in our voice. We can list the issues that have diminished the sport but I propose we focus on solutions. This is what I, simply another lone fan of open wheel racing, propose we do.

I will compose a letter of my own experiences and concerns as a fan. In it, all

I will ask that the powers that be to do it to unite into one single open wheel series. In the opinion of this writer and my friend, that is step one in fixing the sport. Unification isn?t the only fix but it will at least address the split of manufacturers, drivers, sponsors and most importantly, the fans. I believe that with enough volume, we as fans can inspire this single act. In turn, things should begin to change for the better.

Begin on Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008, my friend and I are going to send in our letters. This will begin what we are calling SAVE INDYCAR WEEK.
We ask that during that next week, ending on January 9th, 2008, you add your own letter to the movement. You can choose to send in your letter or e-mail it. However, the power of an actual letter can be much more persuasive and meaningful than an e-mail. It?s your choice but it?s more important that you participate. Only with a thousand voices can we make an impact. Also, if you have e-mail addresses or anyone else that could help spread the word in the media, please post them in this thread.

Here are some suggested recipients of your letter.

Tony George - President
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
4790 West 16th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46222

Brian Barnhart - President and Chief Operating Officer
Indy Racing League
4565 W. 16th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46222

Steve Johnson - President and Chief Executive Officer
Champ Car World Series
5350 West Lakeview Parkway South Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46268

Kevin Kalkhoven
Champ Car World Series
5350 West Lakeview Parkway South Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46268

Gerald Forsythe
Champ Car World Series
5350 West Lakeview Parkway South Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46268

Paul Gentilozzi
Champ Car World Series
5350 West Lakeview Parkway South Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46268



Manufacturers:
Honda Racing Development
Robert S. Clarke, President
need address


E-mail list for media:
Robin Miller
email?

Curt Cavin
curt.cavin@indystar.com

Bob Kravitz
bob.kravitz@indystar.com

John Michael Vincent - ?The Drive with JMV? on WNDE Indianapolis
jmv@wnde.com

Greg Rakestraw - ESPN950 Indianapolis
greg@espn950.com

Sponsors:
Bridgestone Motorsports
Public Affairs Department
Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.
535 Marriott Dr.
Nashville, Tennessee 37214
firestone_consumer_affairs@faneuil.com

The IRL has a full page of sponsors. http://www.indycar.com/sponsors/
Let them know how much more they could sell with a single Indycar series with a single fan base.

This is just a start and I welcome more contact info from readers. It?s time to tell the powers that be that the fans will unite under one top open wheel series which is the start to returning our beloved sport to the prominence it once had.

Spread the word that SAVE INDYCAR WEEK is Jan 2nd through the 9th, 2008!!

Sincerely,

Derek in Indy

I think you'll find everyone here is in agreement on the re-unification of Champ and INDY cars