Robin Miller hosts Wind Tunnel

[Linda Willareth]

March 21, Sunday night, Robin Miller hosts Wind Tunnel--guests include Randy Bernard, new CEO of Indy Car--hope Robin wears a tux!

[Rich Eisgruber]

Somebody at Speed must know today is my B-day, that should be good for a laugh Miller and the new IRL CEO on the same show. I'll get my pop-corn ready
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Rich Eisgruber
www.sirakarting.org
Don't blame me, I'm not in charge

[Scott Heavin]

For those that didn't catch it:
Since one of Robin's pet peeves (he has thousands of them!) is the lack of American Drivers in ICS, he asked Randy about it. His reply (paraphrased) was that yes, the series needs more American drivers, and that they needed to look to karting to bring them up to ICS.

Be interesting to see if we eventually get another tie in to karting and IndyCar like there was with SoK. If they're really serious about growing the ranks of karting to find the best drivers, perhaps displays and expositions @ ICS races? Imagine part of the road course @ Indy set up to run some karts on on practice and qualifying days and racers there to tell the people about it.
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Spec TaG Masters @ NCMP / #23

[Linda Willareth]

I about fell off my chair when CEO, Randy Bernard mentioned the importance of karting to the Indy ladder system. Funny you should bring up kart displays--first of all--the tracks control what goes on at Indy events--not the Indy Racing League. I've been in touch with the great folks at Iowa Speedway--the cost to have a small 10x10 display on the "hot dog concourse" on Indy weekend is $3,000.00--$4,000 for for a l0x20 spot on their indy or Nationwide weekend. Now that is for two karts on two stands with an adult present. Kansas Speedway wants $30,000 for indy weekend $40,000 for NASCAR weekend for the same on their "hot dog concourse" I have personally contacted Anton George (Tony, Jr. -- one of the Firestone Indy Lights Directors) to mark the end of November on his calendar to be in Vegas for the Super Nats and to mark Jan and Feb. on his calendar to attend some of the Florida Winter Tour events. I know Robin Miller and Neil Enerson of Florida have been personally telling Mr. Bernard about karting and Mr. Bernard has been listening. But don't look for karting exhibitions at the Indy car events. Better to have local clubs and tracks do what Mid-States club in Springfield, Illinois and BP Motor sports group in Kansas City are doing--coupon days at local tracks so potential racers can test different classes at greatly reduced rates. (kid karts, cadet, tag, clone, yahama, etc.) I applaud these groups for their creative ideas to get the karting message out there--car show in Kansas City brought in "tons of response" Mall show in Springfield, Illinois brought in alot of interest--car show in Rock Island Illinois saw alot of action. Years ago, when SKUSA was purchased by Bobby Rahal and B. Herta, they made promises that karting would be in front of the grandstands at Indy events--well, it never happened--and thank goodness Tom Kutscher now has SKUSA and has it on a sound footing. And I hope you thank Jamie McMurray for constantly mentioning his karting involvement and how about that Dan Wheldon--participating in all the Florida Winter Tour events even when he has a St. Pete Indy race the week after--he deserves alot of credit in my book--as does Scott Speed of NASCAR and his PRI show involvement. I know Danica will never be in a kart again--just wish she would have her photo taken in front of a Coyote (her first chassis) or a Tony Kart (her last chassis) so it could be used in promotions! Are you listening Danica?

[Bob Baldwin jr]

Linda W: Last year I attempted to do the same thing at Kentucky Speedway during The INDY And NASCAR week-end .10X 40 display area along the concourse total cost to have been $3500- $4,000 depending on if power ,water, etc were needed. The only restrictions were "No KARTS for sale " or "No commercial Kart endeavors " such as kart shops advertising. i sent out over 50 different e-mails from kids karts groups to Superkarts. Got responses back from 4 kart orgs . Guess how many wanted to display 4 . Guess how many wanted to contribute to their own orgs growth? O. I know for a variety of reasons that many Orgs just did not have the funds to do so. I still think it is a viable plan to do today and the rates are the same for this year.

My original Goal was to have a representation of Dirt karts , Kids karts , Sprint karts , Road Racing Karts , Lay-down Enduro's and 1 or 2 superkarts. Still very willing to try to do this again this year. Perhaps I too should make an inquiry of Mr. Bernard and Robin Miller. I honestly think it would be the best bang for the $$$$to increase the awareness of karting to a potentially interested and captured audience . Better than setting up a display at a MALL.

Anyone have any thoughts on this idea

Certainly would be good to do this at all tracks if the funding could be found. Would really like your thoughts PLEASE PM ME .

Bob Baldwin
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Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out, shouting, "Holy **** what a ride!!!".