(posted on 11-4-08)
-boomerblaste
Word coming from series officials as they get ready to wrap up the season is that there is still a fair bit of interest from several engine makers interested in joining the series in coming years. Those manufacturers are especially interested in the 2011 engine specifications, which are expected to be released any day. The expectation is a four-cylinder turbo-charged engine. Since 1997, IRL cars have been powered by non turbo-charged engines. The return to turbo-charged engines is especially enticing to some engine makers.
There were 10 engine makers at a June 25 meeting about the specifications. The most keen interest now is coming from Alfa Romeo, Porsche, BMW and Audi.
-last2brake
If it's "fair", there will be no interest.
-The Stranger
If life was fair though, the IRL would have never existed. So, someone is interested in being the big fish in the small pond, you know, like Roger Penske was with Can-Am and is now in the gomer leegue.
-attenuator
"fair" interest in a series almost no one will follow. I'd say all of them make 2.0L turbo 4s for ALMS and LMS. The cars at least will appeal to their market demographics.
-AWirth Fan
People with jobs who travel outside of Indiana?
-TheStranger
I don't think "traveling" is a familiar concept to those Marion County residents who lack a passport to leave the borders of Indianapolis and Speedway.
-MDH
"a fair bit of interest"=Nobody GAF!!!
-attenuator
We're talking about the 30-50 guys showing up at the Flag Room off season to watch film of old 500s.
-TheAngryDwarf
It's just placating the existing teams with lies.
I mean, with Versus, no Aussie race, pathetic schedule, dying fanbase, they need to prop up the teams with promises of fortunes of the future.
But the best part is the lack of American manu's.
I mean, wasn't that what the earl was formed for?
All furrin all the time.
-RealRaceFan
"a fair bit of interest"=Nobody GAF!!!
This quite possibly could be the Dictionary definition of said statement.
-anthonyvop
Hate to say it.....
But. VW/Audi has all but signed on the dotted line!
-Ehud
If I ever said to someone "I have a fair bit of interest in you" I can only imagine the slap I'd get.
It's politically-correct speech for "If everything else fails we might call you. Don't wait up."
-TheAngryDwarf
See!
American!!!
-TheStranger
And the fact they desperately want to do this, instead of contributing to society a little more, say by becoming fry cooks at McDonald's...
Wow. Some people are easily deluded by the miniscule appeal of a rectangular oval.
-AWirth Fan
"Hate to say it.....
But. VW/Audi has all but signed on the dotted line!"
Why? Then again, WGAF!
-scorpion
"all but...." means they haven't yet. In the case of the .irl, just like title sponsors, it means never will. Just another "almost" for the .irl. Like, they are "almost" a racing series.
And even if audi/vw signs wgf! Do you think the few remaining gomers are going to Indy to watch some audi go round in circles?
-RealRaceFan
Just a good reason to never buy an Audi/VW...will never do so should they sign up with the Leeeegue of Incredible Wankers!!
-boomerblaste
neither will any gomer buy one. I have yet to see a honda with an IRL sticker on it. would be fun for one of you to go to Sparta and Newton and count the two or three hondas in the parking lots there.
-TheStranger
How many cars would be in an EARL parking lot anyway? As many as you'd see at a steel mill in Scranton, after the pink sheets have been handed out?
-cartcanuck
fair bit of interest = going home with your hands in your pockets and nothing else
fair bit of interest = nice butt, shame about the face....I need a drink if anything is going to happen
fair bit of interest = "I'm flattered, but I'd rather just be friends"
fair bit of interest = don't hold your breath
-the cup
"The most keen interest now is coming from Alfa Romeo, Porsche, BMW and Audi."
All European car makers and no US car makers? Sounds a little fishy to me. Especially Alfa Romeo, can you even buy one of those in the Indiana?
-TheStranger
The import tax for Michigan-built cars is already rather prohibitive in Marion County.
