Hoosiers would enjoy Grand-Am

Opinion

Discussion

January 27, 2010

Anonymous The Kokomo Tribune Wed Jan 27, 2010, 05:25 PM EST

Last September, Grand-Am Road Racing drivers and officials participated in a sanctioned test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Nine Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series teams sped around the track in a pair of two-hour sessions. Most of the test was spent on the 2.5-mile, 13-turn Formula One course, although teams spent some time on the 2.6-mile, MotoGP setup.

“Let’s go racing,” said Scott Pruett who, with Memo Rojas, pilots the No. 1 TELMEX Lexus Riley. “I think we’d put on a heck of a show. I have no question in our mind, compatibility is not an issue. The biggest question for me is, when are we going to race?”

An answer to Pruett’s question concerning a Grand-Am event at the Speedway is overdue. Formed in 1999, the series has had many Indy connections.

Between 2003 and 2007, two of the seven sanctioned chassis constructors for the series’ Daytona Prototype cars were headquartered in Indianapolis: Fabcar and Riley, though the latter relocated to North Carolina in 2006.

Also, EMCO Gears, one of two sanctioned transmission builders, has its technical support of its racing products located in Indy.

“We put on spectacular racing, and I think we’d be able to do that here, too,” said the No. 99 GAINSCO Racing driver Jon Fogarty last September.

“Judging by the number of fans we had here, just for the test, there seemed to be a lot of interest, which is great,” Fogarty said. “As a driver, you want to go where people appreciate what you do, and people in Indianapolis know racing.”

Hoosier racing fans certainly would appreciate Grand-Am.

The sports-car series’ first event of the season, the Rolex 24 at Daytona, starts up Friday. Outside of Le Mans, it arguably is the most prestigious distance event in auto racing.

We hope Grand-Am and Speedway officials announce a 2011 distance race for Indianapolis in the coming months.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Opinion

Cast a vote for centers
The issue: Vote centers in Howard County.

Our view: Centers are less expensive to operate and more convenient for the average voter.

February 9, 2012
White shouldn’t return to office
The issue: The conviction of Indiana’s secretary of state.

Our view: Charlie White’s ouster from office should be permanent.

February 9, 2012
Editorial - Feb. 8, 2012: Grand success for Indianapolis
The issue: The Super Bowl.

Our view: Indianapolis left a great impression on thousands of visitors.

February 8, 2012
Letters to the Editor: Feb. 8, 2012
As Hoosiers celebrate the conclusion of a truly remarkable Super Bowl experience, there is even more good news that should fill us with pride. More Indiana students are graduating from high school than ever before.

February 8, 2012
Which religions will we include?
The Indiana Senate last week approved a bill that would allow public schools to teach creationism, as long as they include theories from multiple religions.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
If you say so
In an opinion piece we published Thursday, state Rep. Mike Karickhoff announced why he voted against “right-to-work” legislation. His reason: The community told him to.

February 5, 2012
Cheers and jeers - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012
Karickhoff acted ‘cowardly’

The Rev. Robin Wentworth Mayer and Horst G. Mayer of Kokomo send the Jeer for state Rep. Mike Karickhoff’s silence during the “right-to-work” debate:

“Mr. Karickhoff, for someone who’s new to office, you’ve certainly learned the art of talking out of both sides of your mouth.

February 3, 2012
Let’s drug test our lawmakers
Perhaps it’s appropriate that a measure passed by the Indiana House this week would ask not only welfare recipients but Indiana lawmakers to consent to a drug test.

February 3, 2012
Editorial - Feb. 2, 2012: Peru delivers a message
The issue: Peru’s collection of $20,000 last year from property owners who failed to keep their yards mowed.

Our view: Aggressive enforcement can help a city’s finances, but the benefits go beyond dollars and cents.

February 2, 2012
Karickhoff: Reason behind my ‘right-to-work’ vote
There is no doubt the “right-to-work” debate has brought mixed emotions, not only to our state but District 30 as well. There were only a handful of House Republicans who did not vote in support of this legislation. Let me explain why I felt it was necessary for me to vote in opposition to right to work.

February 2, 2012
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Discussion

Hoosiers would enjoy Grand-Am

Site Map

Contact Us