Champ Car Goes Beyond Ride Buying to "Ride Renting"

In a cash grab that some sports fans found frightening, the Champ Car World Series has transitioned from ride buying to "ride renting."

"We call it the Go Kart Track Model," said one Champ Car insider. "If you got the cash, sure you can do a few laps."

The insider said that a full season ride buy (a term used for when a driver is "selected" for a team based on how much money he or she brings along) is becoming unmanageable even for rich kids. "So we thought maybe we could string three or four drivers together per car. Each one gets a couple races and then withdraws due to 'contractual difficulties.' "

The insider said the move has greatly increased the audience for the ride-for-cash model. "Now someone with, say, a million bucks can get a couple of races. That's some great entertainment for the dollar right there. We hope to have brochures done soon and get the word out for 2008," a Champ Car executive said.

Despite the lack of marketing materials, the new approach is being put into effect for the last few races of the season in Champ Car. The revolving door of drivers going into the race at Surfer's Paradise, Australia, seemed to confirm that.

pressdog correspondent mmack filed this report as a result of intensive investigation:

Oriol Servia, who lost his ride at Forsythe to David Martinez because the Mexico race "needed" Mexican drivers (or Forsythe needed $$$$$$$$$), now has a ride at PKV because "Sister" Tristian Go-mindy "had an unresolved business situation that will prevent him from competing this weekend in Australia" (direct quote from PKV’s general manager Mark Johnson). Of course, Go-mindy "is continuing to try and resolve the situation [no $$$$$$] and we have high hopes that he will return to the team for the Mexico City race". If that happens Oriol is on the outside looking in again.

Additionally, Nelson "Lord of the Ladies" Phillipe, last year's Surfer's Paradise winner who hasn't started a race all year will defend his win for driving Conquest. Phillipe was tabbed to replace Jan Heylen who "had to be dropped due to sponsorship reasons despite posting a runner-up finish in his final start, at Assen in Holland." Jan replaced Matt Halliday, who probably ran out of $$$$$.

Let me know if you need a PowerPoint that diagrams all of this out. Personally I think driver stability is overrated. Change is good, is it not?

Speaking of change, I'm thinking if you can swing the cost of a plane ticket to Australia, have a working ATM card, and check the cushions in your couch and the seats in the Aerostar for loose change, you too can be a Champ Car driver. This way you'll not just report on the race, you'll be a part of it!

(All "quotes" from SpeedTV.com)

In other news, rumors continued to swirl that as part of support for the Cleveland race was now contingent on Cleveland's favorite son, Drew Carey, being hired to drive one of the cars. Additionally, organizers of the Portland race are now insisting that at least four of the drivers "come from Oregon or or somewhere in the Pacific Northwest."

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Comments

[mmack]

WOW, A web attribute for me! Maybe what I told Jeff at My Name Is IRL.com was wrong. I could so TOTALLY get into this blogging thing!

Thanks 'dog. Kudos to turning it into another great post.

P.S. If I am now a correspondent, can Pressdog.com get me airline tickets and credentials for the Surfer's Paradise and Mexico races? (Comcast pulled ESPN Classic off our cable package too.) Unlike Robin Miller and Gordon Kirby I promise to write glowing reviews of the races and of Champ Car management until AFTER the season is over. Then the gloves will come off and the snark will rise to levels unknown. And BTW, who do I send my expense receipts to for reimbursement?

[pressdog]

Unfortunately, we're under a severely limited budget at pressdog.com. Although, I may start a "correspondent seat buying" program in the future.

[mmack]

Will $73.55 and a "Buy one, get one free" coupon for Arby's secure a spot? That's all I have on me right now.

[Johnny]

Hell mmack, that's probably enough to get Paul Tracy's ride.

[mmack]

Johnny,

With the Canadian Loonie eclipsing the US Dollar, that shoots my investment down to $71.60 as of today. So if I want Paul Tracy's ride I'd better find some Tim Horton's "Buy a Dozen, Get a Dozen" donut coupons and a case of Moosehead to cinch the deal.

[mmack]

Boss,

In a cash saving move for Pressdog.com, if you have ESPN2, you can view the tape-delay of the Surfer's Race @ 5:00 PM Central on Sunday, 10/21/2007. Therefore I will NOT need a travel voucher to Australia, nor press credentials (I hear I COULD have gotten Robin Miller's hard card PERSONALLY from Gerry Forsythe, if I could find him at the track) for the weekend.

[oldcartfan]

Pressdog, this is another gem. ;)

Even though I am a Champ Car fan, you can't deny the musical chairs aspect is sad.

You put a smile on my face!