Open Wheel: Checking My Math
Follow along with me as I count the current open wheel racing series. (In no particular order)
1. Formula One. (except in North America, see post below)
2. GP2.
3. A1GP. (Assuming the series survives.)
4. SuperLeague Formula.
5. IndyCar, and it’s associated Indy Lights Series.
6. GP2 Asia.
7. Formula BMW, and Formula BMW Asia Pacific.
8. Formula Renault.
9. Formula V6.
10. And finally, (not really) various countries, Australia is one of many, that have Formula Three and Formula Ford series’ that can rightfully listed.
It should be noted the above list isn’t all inclusive, many countries have other open wheel racing in various incarnations but they and the list above serve the purpose of this post, which is, Bernie Ecclestone has been brainstorming. Again.
And that can only mean one thing, the list above has a new member.
A Bernie proposed GP3 series to be launched in the 2010 Season.
Allegedly it will be a “stepping-stone into GP2 Series.”
“After the tremendous success of the GP2 Series, I believe this GP3 Series will be an opportunity for drivers, engineers and mechanics who are making their way to Formula One. I wish good luck to this Series” - Bernie claims.
What’s the formula you ask? Tell me if you haven’t seen this somewhere before: “The engine will be a 2 litres with 250 HP. The chassis will incorporate the latest single seater design features.”
(In addition to a “push-to-pass” feature the car will also have a “Deju Vu Button” so drivers can imagine themselves in any of the other similar series’ while racing - ed)
Please, welcome the new head of the Redundant Redundancy Department, Bernie Ecclestone.
You know, at some point the bottom of the driver barrel might be scraped long enough, and hard enough to resurrect my long forgotten racing career.
Hmm, not sure I agree with you completely Marc.
Firstly you left out FNippon & Japanese F3, two very well supported series.
As for GP3, I’m all in favour of it. The car is built to F3 regs, but there is a catch…..it’s a closed formula.
You know junior motorsport is in trouble when Euro F3 (an open formula) saw the best financed teams sprout F1 shark fins on the engine covers this year. When well financed F3 teams start putting their Dallara’s in the wind tunnel it’s time to panic.
GP3, IMHO, will provide a level playing field (more or less) in the essential F3 catergory,& do it right under the noses of the F1 & GP2 teams.
Better GP3 than Super League or (sadly)the struggling A1GP.
You missed a few of the current open wheel racing series, all American:
World of Outlaws Sprints
USAC Silver Crown Series
USAC National Sprint Car Series
USAC Midget Series
USAC Ford Focus Series
Though they don’t spend a fraction of the money, they are a whole lot more exciting to watch.
Um John, no…what you missed is this part of the post…”the above list isn’t all inclusive.”
That aside, your list while all of the open wheel variety of racer are with but a couple exceptions (Australia and New Zealand) are exclusive to America the point of the post was to enumerate the high number of international open wheel series’.
I see your point Peter, but just as in most series Bernie’s proposed GP3 series will more than likely go the way of most, more speed, more innovation and eventually more cost to compete.
…….and eventually more cost to compete.
How so? GP2 & GP3 are closed formulas. If anything, knowing Bernie, he will centralise a lot of the costs, travel, freight etc.
The Euro open wheel teams beat a path to his door to grab the GP3 spots. He is over subscribed, 10 X 3 car teams have signed up.
Nice analysis. I always divide “open-wheel” into two groups — the “Formula Cars” (rear engined, with heavy aero design and transmissions, and “Sprint Cars”, (including midgets, etc.) which are front engined, and except for the crude wing on the big sprint cars, are not particularly aero-dependent. I am not sure what a super-modified is, at has elements of both groups.