The idea that ChampCars could one day be the top open-wheel racing series in Europe is a pipe-dream to some and a joke to many. Even Chris Pook, the saviour of ChampCar racing will probably not allow himself to dwell on such a seemingly impossible and distant dream. But with F1 entering a period that promises to offer more than a little turbulence, there are reasons for thinking that CART will soon be presented with an opening in Europe. The big question of course is whether CART would want to take it.
Like any good opportunity it is all about timing and at the moment the timing could not be better for CART. The main reason: tobacco advertising.
Having taken CART through life-threatening upheaval, Chris Pook has navigated his sinking ship back to port and 2003 promises to be a spectacular re-birth for the series. Two rounds in Europe are guaranteed and pan-European television coverage has recently been announced in the wake of an influx of European talent including Sebastien Bourdais and Darren Manning. For 2004, those circuits who were unsuccessful in securing a race this year are being courted in preparation for a four-race 'European Tour'. Therefore CART is getting a foothold in Europe, with plans to expand, at a time that is coinciding almost exactly with F1 pulling itself out of Europe.
Since F1 racing began, Europe has been its stronghold. All the teams are based there, 9 of the 16 rounds are there and most of the drivers past and present hail from European shores. But alas as the Europeans round on the poison that is tobacco, F1's reliance upon fag money is set to push the series away from the EU.
This week FIA President Max Mosley once again warned, in his strongest terms yet, that as long as the EU pursues anti-tobacco legislation at a faster pace than the rest of the world, F1 would be the victim. Fewer races will be the outcome and the prospect of only one or two European F1 races is now no longer just a dot on the horizon. The loss of the Belgian GP and the threats to San Marino and Austria have brought the possibility of a European pull-out into focus.
CART is, in the main, not reliant upon cigarette money. Most of the US-based brands got fed-up paying for races they couldn't advertise at and jumped ship to the IRL, most notably Marlboro with Penske. Therefore, all but one of the teams in CART in 2003 will not fall foul of EU anti-tobacco laws and will be free to plug their products at every round. But more importantly than this, if F1 leaves circuits like Silverstone, Hockenheim and Imola there will be a demand than needs to be met and therein lies the real opportunity.
CART could potentially tap into a motor sport crazy market of consumers (who of course do not smoke), who spent years watching horribly thin, gizmo laden F1 cars process around their greatest motor racing venues. Starved of real action apart from F1 rounds televised from (potentially) the Chinese and Singapore GPs, these fans will be crying out for something. CART could be the answer bringing beefy open wheelers to European shores. Just imagine a Lola-Cosworth flat out through Eau-Rouge - that would bring the challenge back.
Yes, it is all a bit far off at the moment, but you must admit it is appealing and perhaps not so inconceivable. F1 will leave Europe over the next decade at varying speeds and behind it will be a hard core of racing fans who require some sort of spectacle. CART could easily fit that if it maintains it current format and retains its focus on bringing racing to major cities as Chris Pook has outlined. Build a couple more ovals in Europe but very close to major cities (unlike Rockingham) and the demand will be there from F1 starved fans. Ultimately, a 16-18 round championship taking in North and South America, Europe and a bit of the Pacific rim could be a serious contender for F1. At the end of the day, F1 has survived because events like the British and German GPs have always been packed. Places like Malaysia and Bahrain may permit fag adverts, but how many people actually watch?
Come on Chris, you know it makes sense...
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