As wasn’t it ‘Ol Jack Nicholson who said “You Can’t
Handle the Truth!”
Although we’re getting into the Sugar-plumbs,
Fairytales ‘n Wishful Hopes of Santa Claus portion of thoust year. And not
wanting to ruin anyone’s appitite during thee Turkey Lurkey Festimus’, by
reading anything negative here upon No Fenders. Since myannual membership card
for les Meiserables is coming up for renewal…
Hence, I’ve delayed scribblin’ my two pesos
worth upon Romain Grosjean’s recent remarks regarding the plight of IndyCar and
trying to secure His seat at Juncos Hollinger Racing for another season…
As Grosjean rightly pointed out that Indy Cars
marketing is Horrendous! And that the new-fangled Wink-wink’ Hybrid systems are
making costs unbearable for IndyCar teams All comes across as a very forthright
and correct assessment of the current state of IndyCar!
Full Disclosure, I’ve always thought that
Romain’s a Hothead, for which His past antics seem to warrant. And never truly
being a fan of Him. Although I did totally enjoy His renaissance as “The
Phoenix” during His rookie IndyCar campaign with the Minnowesqe Dale Coyne
Racing concern. And was hoping that Grosjean would “Break His Duck” in Indy
Cars whilst driving for Andretti Autosport, but I digress…
Living in Smalltown USA, “Somebody Give Me a
Cheeseburger!” In what I affectionately call Bumfiddle’ Florence on the Oregon
coast. Naturally I Don’t expect IndyCar to spend any Coin’, Err budget upon
promoting the series here, and have zero clue if they do anything in Portland
prior to the yearly IndyCar race held there?
Since the last time I can recall an IndyCar
driver making a token appearance in Warshington’, was when nearly two decades
ago the late Justin Big Unit’ Wilson came to the 2006 Seattle Roadster Show as
a RuSport Champ Car World Series (CCWS) driver.
http://www.nofenders.net/2008/07/2006-seattle-roadster-show.html
And I suppose I “Get It”, why the Pacific
Northwest is perpetually overlooked regarding IndyCar marketing. But wasn’t it
just a few seasons ago that Mikey A’ was bellyaching over Penske Entertainment
reducing the Leader Circle prize fund payout by $300,000 per entry to increase
IndyCar’s Marketing Department, El Correctomundo?
For which I have zero clue if this has resulted
in anything positive? Since Grosjean’s comment would make me think the
opposite. Especially since I don’t consider 100 Dazes to Indy to be anything
more then another nauseating Infomercial’ for the Indianapolis 500, which seems
to be All the series cares about!
While David Land’s 18mins video title Grosjean
Rips IndyCar! Rightly points out how the series basically doesn’t have anything
earthshaking to promote about IndyCar to move the needle or get Fans excited!
Meanwhile, I can only wonder what the “New
& Improved” Administration, whose spokesman gushed about just Drill Baby,
Drill! Will presumably turn back the “clocks” upon renewable energy. And how
their pushing for sticking with gas guzzling SUV’s flies in the face of the
automotive industry’s current push towards “Electrification”. And how this
U-turn effects Honda’s decision to remain in IndyCar?
As we All know, almost whenever you buy
something new and more technological, its price is more expensive or even
steep. Until the new technology has time to become more robust and mainstream,
then prices typically fall or become achievable.
Everyone seems to be overlooking the fact of
how impressive the new IndyCar hybrid Energy Recovery System (ERS) due to the
packaging constraints placed upon it! Being a very unique piece ‘O kit. And
that IndyCar, Chevrolet and Honda specifically chose to implement a “Soft”
debut rollout and limiting it to 50bhp in order to reduce the inherent teething
issues that only race weekends would produce…
Yeah, I understand that nobody cares about the
actual technology this 100lb contraption bolted to the rear end of the 13yr old
Dallara DW12 chassis entails. Hey, that means that the DW12’s now a teenager,
Righto? Yet I don’t tend to read too much negative publicity about Formula 1
and its de riggour Hybrid powertrains. Or the fact that they’ll become even
more electrically intensified in 2026…
As why are we afraid of the future? And are you
content to pay $6.00 or more on the West Coast per gallon of gasoline in the
future? And notice I haven’t even brought up any environmental aspects of
Fossil Fuels! For fear of being Cornfuzed’ as an Oregonian “Granola loving, Tree
Hugger!” But Trees are Good, Vern!
Thus I now hope that Romain Grosjean does
return to the cockpit of one of the fast shrinking available IndyCar seats
remaining. Even though at age 38, He’s got to be one of the elder drivers on
the circuit. And part of me always wants young, new, fresh talent to emerge in
Indy Cars, i.e. Linus Lundqvist, Toby sowery and Hunter McElrea.
Yet the series also needs drivers like Grosjean
who aren’t afraid to speak the truth and
not pull any punches!
Whilst I’m Arse-suming Grosjean’s busy right now looking for the perfect 100% recycled Christmas Card to send to His Bosom Budy thee Great Santini! Ergo Santino Ferrucci, Ho-Ho-Ho!
