Comments on: IndyCar – Tony George Completes Separation From IMS

By: mike

mike — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:42:50 +0000

Maybe wishful thinking, but stranger things have certainly happened Savage.

What doesn’t make sense with the possible scenario of TG buying the IRL:
1. Why is TG involved with Delta Wing, but the IRL brass continues to talk down about the concept. Why is Honda going forward with a 575HP V6 naturally aspirated stressed engine, when the Delta Wing concept is for a 325HP turbo inline 4 nonstressed?
2. Why this grand charade which has only looked like bad blood and bitter infighting among the idle rich George sisters, with momma taking sides?

In the long run, I think the story is that Tony is ticked that his sisters wanted him out at IMS, so he gave up all responsibility with IMS, IRL and Hulman & Co. and is just sitting back letting the money pile up in his trust fund.

By: Savage Henry

Savage Henry — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:17:24 +0000

I like your point-of-view on this better thant he doom-and-gloomers. If what you are saying is correct (and I hope it is) then this might not all be about the Hulman-George family in a state of panic threatening the health of IMS and the IICS. Perhaps instead this was a plan that was hatched prior to last May and represents a win-win for all involved. The Hulman-George clan doesn’t have to worry about the IICS draining the IMS and family coffers anymore while TG and the other investors take a chance on remaking the IICS to make it more popular and competitive.

Wishful thinking? Probably.

By: mike

mike — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:45:15 +0000

The sisters would love it because they would no longer be shelling out a variable sum of money to prop up the IRL, just a fixed cost for the Indy 500 sanctioning fee.

If true, this would be quite the reversal on Tony’s part.

rev 1 – Oval racing with US drivers who came up through grassroots
rev 2 – oooohhh Honda and Toyota! Shiny.
rev 3 – road/street races are ok
rev 4 – push to pass, soft tires…..
rev 5 – if we got a whole bunch of owners together, we could take over……

(sounds familiar)

But it has some merit.

By: Doug Patterson

Doug Patterson — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:23:47 +0000

Theories are already in abundant supply across the IndyCar web-o-sphere, and one that is gaining adherents is that Tony is preparing to buy the Indy Racing League with involvement from John Menard.

This is EXACTLY what I thought first when I heard the news. To be honest, this really doesn’t surprise me in the least, and it may be the first step toward creating a owner-operated series with Tony George as a team owner of Vision Racing along with the rest of the Delta Wing crew. Wonder how the sisters would react to that?