Bourdais back in Indy cars? Boo!

Well, another “old” guy is apparently on his way back to Indy cars.

Sebastien Bourdais tested this week with Dale Coyne Racing (who ran Milka Duno last year) and indications are that the ex-Champ Car World Series and Formula One ace will be in a seat when the season starts. Story link here

Now, the veteran Bourdais – like his old pal Paul Tracy (still working on financing to take to Conquest Racing for 2011) – is a wonderful driver. But if Indy car racing — which is now officially called the IZOD IndyCar Series — wants to grow, it’s got to inject some new blood to attract a younger demographic.

I was talking about this with a friend yesterday. Newman-Haas Racing has tested two drivers this winter, veteran Oriol Servia and rookie James Hinchcliffe of Oakville. According to my friend, who was talking to the team, if they get enough money to run two cars, Servia and “Hinch” will be their drivers.  But if they only have money for one driver, they’ll probably (emphasis on probably) go with Servia because, or so the thinking goes, it will be better to have a veteran in the seat.

From a “crash damage” perspective, perhaps they’re right. Veterans usually don’t crash as often as rookies. But from a series marketing perspective, Oriol Servia is old news. I know who Oriol Servia is and admire his talent. But Indy car racing has already got me (and other people my age). What they have to do is attract a whole new audience. To do that, they need James Hinchcliffe.

Hinchcliffe is a wonderful “talker” (anybody who’s heard his racing TV colour work knows that). And he’s tuned right in with the Facebook and Twitter crowd. (Okay, so’s Paul Tracy but where Tracy chats with dozens of people, Hinchcliffe is connected with thousands.)

The IZOD IndyCar Series is on the cusp of greatness. The new CEO, Randy Bernard, has done wonderful things in less than a year and I (and others) expect even more great things to happen in future.

But he can't do everything and the team owners have to understand that for the sport to take off, the cast of characters in the cockpits has to change.

Guys like Servia and Bourdais are okay, but Hinchcliffe and a whole bunch of other talented 20-to-25-year-olds would be a whole lot better.

 

Comments

[dj]

What! no Milky Donuts? put Hinch in a dress

[APP]

For that matter how about a guy like Andrew Ranger. He was 2005 Champ Car rookie of the year. And that was at 19-20 years of age! He's only 24 and been through the racing wars for a while.

Another thought that has me curious is how many other ex-Indy Car stars would be coming back to their roots. I think AJ Allmendinger has proven he has the right stuff for NASCAR even with that temper so he won't be defecting any time soon but someone like Sam Hornish never made an impact. Well....he did, but moreso into a wall or two rather than establishing himself on the Captain's NASCAR team.

I also predict after this upcoming season (and with the new changes coming) that Danica will focus on Indy Cars and end her NASCAR experiment.

[Mike]

Is it the car or is it the driver??

I was always suspicious of the Newman-Hass champions because I suspected that they just backed into the wins because of their rides.
Now we shall see. What if Sea-Bass smokes 'em in a Dayle Coyne ride?? Fantastic!