CHAMP Car racing is toast - best memory?

[go high fast]

I cant believe I watched the end of an era yesterday afternoon as the last CHAMP Car race took place in Long Beach CA. Besides the Indy 500 there is nothing I prefer about the IRL. The whole foundation of open wheel racing in the US was becasue of CART which morphed into CHAMP. Turbo's, push-to-pass button, road courses, on and on.

some of my favorite memories were:
1.) Paul Page calling the races
2.) Al Jr. giving Emerson Fittipaldi the thumbs up after the last lap crash at Indy
3.) Off track pass by Alex Zanardi at Legunna Seca
4.) Roberto Guerro spin on the pace lap at Indy from the pole position

Danica is gorgeous but I prefer the CART days of AJ/Mario/Big Al,/Bobby/Rahal/Little Al/Michael/Cheever.

Sad to see it all cashed in for the IRL.

 

[Rubberdown!]

Saw the last 2 races in Edmonton.....Sad day indeed.....Can't beat Driver's fighting in the pits in full gear after a crash!

 

[Sambo11]

Now IRL has a clam win a race. I'm sorry I meant to say, fluke, luck into a win. It wouldn't be so bad but she talks like she is this seasoned verteran and it just makes me wanna puke. I'm not sure what Ellio was thinking. He practically pulled over an stopped for her. I think I just threw up alittle in my mouth.....

 

[go high fast]

I think letting her pass for the win was intentional leading up to the Indy 500 next month. What really made me sick was when the last 10 minutes of yesterdays final CHAMP car race was spent interviewing her in the worst interview of a lifetime. Made me grumble all night long.

 

[AndrettiDog]

Yep, I was a big CART fan. You haven't seen a race until you have seen a turbo CART car race around Laguna Seca. I was really bumped when Penske jumped to Indy. I knew it was over for CART then. I was a big Team Green fan (Franchitti and Tracy). Tracy was the shnizzle and I actually got to meet him a couple times.

I know Darko is a CART fan and I think he pulled for Tracy as well.

At least there are road coarses and street circuits in Indy now.

 

[Rubberdown!]

A few pics of Tracy's "ride" and Tag's Bus....

 

[LM.]

The best race I ever attended was at my favorite track, Leguna Seca. Mario's last race, it was great. My wife had never been to one and went ballistic with getting autographs, she was standing in line to get Mario's autograph and this lady next to her gabbed her arm and said this is how you do it. The lady then proceeded to move everyone aside and put my wife at the front of the line. It was pretty funny. After that my wife was on a mission, she even followed Al Jr all the way to his bus for his autograph.....at least that is what she told me??????

What I was impressed with the most was how Mario was so polite & professional to everyone he met. He took time for his fans. Micheal could learn a thing or two on dealing with fans from his dad..........

I am not a big fan of Sir George. I think this has all gone to his head and it was going to be his way or everyone else would be excluded from "his" track and race. Cart in its day was one of the best race series. NHRA has to be second.

 

[jetnfool]

I used to fly for the owner of Pac West. Did it from 96 to the end, went to every race, lots of great memories!