INDYCAR - A general conversation

I am finding Indycar to have much better racing than Eff1 these last couple of years. The format may be a bit contrived but it is far less so than Eff1. For a start, the cars still slide on corners - even at 231 mph at Indy which is a bum clenching sight when seen from a fixed camera on the wall top at the bend exit. Tyre strategy still plays a part but less than Eff1 as there are only two compounds and both seem to need less nursing. They still refuel so there is an element of strategy there too.

It may not be the pinnacle of open wheeled racing but the playing field is as level as it can be and I personally find the racing worth watching. The result is never predictable.

The cars look good too and would be a simple shape to model with no multi-element wings, plus all cars have the same shape so there is huge scope for mass production with multiple liveries. There is no need to bother with trying to negotiate rights with Indycar -just produce a bare white body and leave the decal manufacturers to provide the rest.

Growing up in Indiana, the 500 was always a big deal when I was a kid in the 50's and 60's. We always had a cook out and the race on the radio. Usually 20-30 people in the back yard and the race playing. No doubt my favorite era is 55-70. I love the cars and the personalities from that era. Sometimes great racing, sometimes not, but beautiful cars.

For the last 20-30 years I watch it every year, as much for the spectacle and for hoped for great racing. I hate the cars, but I haven't liked any cars since around 1970 or so.

I watch and hope for the best.

In 1966 the race was broadcast real time across the pond, via the Early Bird satellite, but I had to go to a cinema in Southampton to watch it. While at first feeling somewhat scornful of the 'left turn only' nature of the course, and the fact that the cars just seemed to run flat out the entire time, the tactics and passing manouvres soon gained my attention.

Enlivened by a massive crash right after the start, the race became a Brit benefit as Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart and Graham Hill were all in with a chance, much to the joy of the audience. In the end Graham Hill came through to the Winner's Circle, but not without some controversy as there were many who thought Jim Clark had won again.

Graham in his pomp.



Joel

I am always very happy to see USAC/Cart/Indycar get a mention on this forum.
Always had a fascination for the series since the late 1970s when I got into F1 as a kid.
Andretti did it for me back then with his jumping to and fro across the Atlantic.

Have to agree with Gripping Pneus. Whilst I have had fun building various USAC runners as slot cars
from the 1970s, the mass produced March runners of the 80's really did scream out for white bodied shells
to decorate as you wish. By the time it happened with the Scaley IRL cars, both CART and the IRL
had done everything in their power to drive us all away from watching.

Lately I have picked up a TA71 shell of the latest Indycar
and another version from an online auction site seller.
Looking at exploring these builds in the not too distant.

As for the racing itself. Do enjoy the coverage seen over here in the UK.
Good commentary team that.
And yeah it sometimes feels like the one that rolled the dice right gets a win given the tire/fuel regs,
and the way the yellows fall, but always good to see different winners.
Did the Rockingham races when they came over and then the London Trophy effort at Brands.
Feel fortunate to have also spent a very nice relaxed weekend at the Toronto Indy in 2019.
But think what I really want to do is experience what these things are like at 240mph on a big speedway.
Would love to watch them at Road America and Laguna Seca. But the idea is to go over and immerse
myself in the Indy 500 in 2025. Plotting it already.

Do hope the race is a good fast thrash and not just a snake chasing the leader.
Some have mentioned that the aero spec is going to make it harder to pass this year at Indy.
Dunno why they fixed what was not broken.
Have to look into that more.
Just hope those of us who watch it see a damn good race.

Another one of "Grahams' rides........





And a Watson roadster.......this one a "clear" bodyshell

Ditto What Trisha said about the climb at Radillon at Spa.
I went to Mosport a few years back for the IMSA race.
Walked out to turn 5. More like crawled up there.
Pics and TV just does not give you a clue to how STEEP some sections
of that place are. The drop at turn 2 and the drop and climb from 4 to 5.
Hard work on foot at my age.
Golf cart back to the paddock after.

This thread had got me thinking about my Indycar modelling again.
Figured I need to get back to adding two more to the selection below from 1979.
Multiples of three seem the right way to go.
Maybe a Lola and a Wildcat.

The Playa del Rey, America's first board circuit, Beverly Hills, California.

Winner of the first Indy 500 in 1911, the Marmon Wasp. Also the first car with a rear view mirror.

Louis Schneider and Jigger Johnston winning Indy in 1931.

Entries were restricted to 34 cars by the mid 1930s.

Parnelli Jones and gas turbine technology. Exciting days on both sides of the Atlantic.