Bernard Keeps Saying the F Word (Fans)

This just in from the chronically pissed Indy Star Columnist Bob Kravitz, who has managed to find something that doesn't enrage him: Randy Bernard.

Kravitz is too harsh on Tony George, but he does give mad props to Bernard for bringing the viewpoint of an outsider who just wants to have a good time at the races, not debate the best wing angle and weep about the beauty of the Offy.

Kravitz quotes Bernard:

"Three things," Bernard said. "How do we drive more TV ratings, more attendance and more sponsorship? We have to do it with more story lines and more major events. We need to create fan affinity."

Geez? Really. TV RATINGS, MORE FANS and more sponsorship. Seriously? You mean it IS about TV ratings? It IS about increasing fan numbers? It's not about kissing team owners' ass and making sure hospitality tents are fully stocked? Imagine my shock. Sounds like a crazy-ass idea a blogger would have. Oh, wait.

Welcome to the party, pal. Will everyone who was FREAKED OUT that Bernard hadn't ever seen a race before becoming the boss, please confess?

An outsider who can think like a busy suburban person with a decent income and plenty of other things competing for his or her attention is EXACTLY what IndyCar needs. It's. About. The. Fans. Read Angry Kravitz's column HERE.

Comments

[Dylan]

I was cautiosuly optimistic about Bernard, and he's really doing great. I like how he is willing to listen to a very wide varity of ideas and sort through them. And the oval/road championships are brilliant.

[Jim Bob]

First off, Kravitz is a d-bag, who knows NOTHING (and openly admits it) and CARES very little (and also admits it) about auto racing.

Him piling on Tony George for "single handedly ruining open wheel racing" is par from the course for a hack journalist, who probably only reads Robin Miller's stuff to get his info. Plus he was in Denver in 1995 anyway. He has NO CLUE what was actually going on in this sport in the early 90's, which was the TRUE reason this sport went in the tank.

That being said, I thought Bernard gave some good info in the article. Bascially admits that the Indy 500 needs NASCAR drivers (which they DO to enhance the month) and I think now, NASCAR drivers could also need the Indy 500 (to open them us to a new fanbase).

LOVE the 11:00 start time for Indy. It never should have been moved in the first place.

Also thought he was very candid about VERSUS. Many of the Indy Car fandom might think Versus is great, but the reality is, its not. And basically saying "they are stuck" for 9 more years, admits how bad a deal that is.

Give Randy some time (and give Eddie Gossage some time to become more a part of the sport) and we gotta a shot of going somewhere.

[Travis R]

I like Randy's approach, and this article just further cements my thoughts that have his outsider perspective was potentially good.

P-Dog, what was the e-mail address that you had shared a while back that could get us in touch with Mr. Bernard? Thanks!

[pressdog]

Email Randy at: indyracingleague@indycar.com. Be sure and address the email or subject line to Randy Bernard.