Over recent months I have seen a growing theme on Formula One race weekends, particularly during the latter stages of qualifying and the race about the complaints over tyres, tyre management, fuel management and in general drivers spending too long ‘protecting’ their tyres, which is not the formula that many of us grew up with and hooked us in the first place.
If this is you, and, well, even if it isn't you, take a look at another major motorsport event taking place on the weekend of the Monaco Grand Prix, the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500. When I started following F1 I was aware of the race but did not have access to follow the Indycar series (CART or IRL as it was during the late 90’s and 00’s), It may only of been fifteen years ago, but if you look back at the basic four / five terrestrial channels we had and relying on three paragraphs of a teletext page report, times, they have-a-changed.
Now in the age with online news, social media, online streaming and finally forking out the monthly subscription for Sky Sports (pre 2013) if you look, you will find. Nothing much escapes these days. From a personal viewpoint I started watching the Indycar series again after the unification in 2008. First went in 2010 and again in 2012 (managed to fit in the Qualification weekend too which is well worth if you can too).
So enough about me, how about a few more opinions from those who have been more often, watched longer or experienced more? I asked on twitter “In less than 140 characters, why should a potential newbie watch the Indy 500?” Not just on television this coming Sunday, but about making the trip too...
Carl Lyon @LifeBeginsAt220
Nothing, NOTHING compares to Indycars running at INDY. The month of May is my X-mass. I shed tears of joy when I go thru the gates
Ang @ang_adj
To feel the rumble vibrate in your chest, hear the roar in your ears, see cars come this close to the wall & not touch it. Heaven
BCW Supplies @BCWSupplies
Lap 1 is one of the most amazing moments in sports - speed, fear, anticipation and a quarter of a million fans on their feet!
Kevin Watson @kevinandcompany
It is a once in a lifetime experience...even if you do it more than once.
Cat Lee Roy @catleeroy
A track like no other! takes your breath away
Mike gunning @eagle1bandit
It will amaze you and make you tingle like a little kid waiting for Santa Claus
Mark Laue @madmax481439
Largest one day sporting event in the world
Carl Lyon @LifeBeginsAt220
It is real race cars running real fast real close to each other and the wall WITH OUT TOUCHING! #LifeBeginsAt220mph
Gary Todd @ridesbygary
The speed, noise, tradition, people. It's a once in a life time experience, you can experience every year. It's May in Indiana!
David Martin @1102boomsoon
Historic track, Milk!!!, brushing the wall at 366kph,passing galore!
If this is you, and, well, even if it isn't you, take a look at another major motorsport event taking place on the weekend of the Monaco Grand Prix, the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500. When I started following F1 I was aware of the race but did not have access to follow the Indycar series (CART or IRL as it was during the late 90’s and 00’s), It may only of been fifteen years ago, but if you look back at the basic four / five terrestrial channels we had and relying on three paragraphs of a teletext page report, times, they have-a-changed.
Now in the age with online news, social media, online streaming and finally forking out the monthly subscription for Sky Sports (pre 2013) if you look, you will find. Nothing much escapes these days. From a personal viewpoint I started watching the Indycar series again after the unification in 2008. First went in 2010 and again in 2012 (managed to fit in the Qualification weekend too which is well worth if you can too).
So enough about me, how about a few more opinions from those who have been more often, watched longer or experienced more? I asked on twitter “In less than 140 characters, why should a potential newbie watch the Indy 500?” Not just on television this coming Sunday, but about making the trip too...
Carl Lyon @LifeBeginsAt220
Nothing, NOTHING compares to Indycars running at INDY. The month of May is my X-mass. I shed tears of joy when I go thru the gates
Ang @ang_adj
To feel the rumble vibrate in your chest, hear the roar in your ears, see cars come this close to the wall & not touch it. Heaven
BCW Supplies @BCWSupplies
Lap 1 is one of the most amazing moments in sports - speed, fear, anticipation and a quarter of a million fans on their feet!
Kevin Watson @kevinandcompany
It is a once in a lifetime experience...even if you do it more than once.
Cat Lee Roy @catleeroy
A track like no other! takes your breath away
Mike gunning @eagle1bandit
It will amaze you and make you tingle like a little kid waiting for Santa Claus
Mark Laue @madmax481439
Largest one day sporting event in the world
Carl Lyon @LifeBeginsAt220
It is real race cars running real fast real close to each other and the wall WITH OUT TOUCHING! #LifeBeginsAt220mph
Gary Todd @ridesbygary
The speed, noise, tradition, people. It's a once in a life time experience, you can experience every year. It's May in Indiana!
David Martin @1102boomsoon
Historic track, Milk!!!, brushing the wall at 366kph,passing galore!
LeeAnne Nash @sponsorchic
Because the difference in a lap at 220 and one at 225mph is only 1 second... and enormous amount of courage
Robert Zagorac @rzagorac
There is no other race that comes close to the action, speed and history that the Indy 500 has.
Tony Laurenzana @dukedynamite
Most of the drivers are young and easy to like. You can grow as a fan alongside the drivers growing their success.
Amy @OpenWheelMom
It is the pinnacle of racing, the most exciting 500 miles to ever be driven with cars going 224 mph plus.
Ben Haddleton @bmgh85
Sato, Sato, SATO, SATO, SATOOO, SAAAAAATTTOOOOOOOO
Indy Racing Fan @indyracingfan
500 miles of speed, prestige, history, tradition, emotion and drama
Kieran Brughelli @KieranBrughelli
The history, the drive for immortality, the process of massaging a race car, laying everything on the line to do all of the above
Carsten S. @71Gonzo71
Because it’s the most awesome race circuit around right now. You don’t fall asleep like you do at F1.
Tom Firth @tfirth392
Because the drivers have so much respect for each other on track and because it's the greatest spectacle in racing!
Scott James @ScottJames23 This...about sums it up for me. Drivers hanging it all out...all the time
Because the difference in a lap at 220 and one at 225mph is only 1 second... and enormous amount of courage
Robert Zagorac @rzagorac
There is no other race that comes close to the action, speed and history that the Indy 500 has.
Tony Laurenzana @dukedynamite
Most of the drivers are young and easy to like. You can grow as a fan alongside the drivers growing their success.
Amy @OpenWheelMom
It is the pinnacle of racing, the most exciting 500 miles to ever be driven with cars going 224 mph plus.
Ben Haddleton @bmgh85
Sato, Sato, SATO, SATO, SATOOO, SAAAAAATTTOOOOOOOO
Indy Racing Fan @indyracingfan
500 miles of speed, prestige, history, tradition, emotion and drama
Kieran Brughelli @KieranBrughelli
The history, the drive for immortality, the process of massaging a race car, laying everything on the line to do all of the above
Carsten S. @71Gonzo71
Because it’s the most awesome race circuit around right now. You don’t fall asleep like you do at F1.
Tom Firth @tfirth392
Because the drivers have so much respect for each other on track and because it's the greatest spectacle in racing!
Scott James @ScottJames23 This...about sums it up for me. Drivers hanging it all out...all the time
Deb Drake @debirlfan
Because if they're a newbie, then they've obviously missed the last 96 Indy 500s!
Megan K Bickel @megankbickel
Tradition, speed, excitement, personalities, technology, community, multi-national yet uniquely American.
Rebecca F. @hermione278
Daly.(Clearly a fan! Ed.)
Jay Tee @Breakingfree086
Newbies need to watch because there is truly nothing on this planet like it. Every emotion possible races through your body!
Vincent Venegas @vindesigns2013
It's not only the greatest race in the world it may be the most drama filled intense sporting event!!! Never a dull moment!!!
Rick Cuellar @Rick_Cuellar
History in the making. Two guys in the field that can claim their 4th win. Will be tough b/c the racing is tougher than ever.
BryanBe 500Extremist @bryanbe75
You won't see faster, closer racing during the entire calendar year. It's loud, dangerous, and you won't want to miss a lap!
F1InPubscast @F1InPubscast
In a Sanitised world it's nice to see some cars push the upper limits of speed. There's a reason why this race stands strong while all around it falls to pieces, it is one of the few legendary races left. Currently it is not running at full strength, but eras at the speedway are transitory, it always weathers the storm.
Allie @emerald_229
Lots of passing and the best chance to see a Brit win a big motor race this year?
Daniel Fawcett @DanTheManF1
It's not just cars driving round an oval. It's exciting, dramatic & unpredictable. You will spend the full 500 miles on the edge of your seat.
Lem @91lem
It's, quite simply, the greatest motor race in the world.
rantingYoof @rantingyoof
It is simply like no other experience. Even those with no interest in motorsport notice and appreciate the atmosphere.
Ewan Marshall @EwanMarshall
Sato Turn 1 2012, expected the unexpected.
Ashley Redman @DJRedders
Tension, drama, action, excitement, tears of disappointment, tears of joy, from the beginning to the final lap.
Johanna H @writebend
Because it will be a perfect antidote to Formula One with flat out, balls out, real RACING!!
You can watch the Indianapolis 500 on 26th May on ESPN UK, four and a half hours of coverage. Click here for more channel information on ESPN UK. Check your local listings for your broadcaster for details. And maybe one day, take the trip across... you will not be disappointed.
Because if they're a newbie, then they've obviously missed the last 96 Indy 500s!
Megan K Bickel @megankbickel
Tradition, speed, excitement, personalities, technology, community, multi-national yet uniquely American.
Rebecca F. @hermione278
Daly.(Clearly a fan! Ed.)
Jay Tee @Breakingfree086
Newbies need to watch because there is truly nothing on this planet like it. Every emotion possible races through your body!
Vincent Venegas @vindesigns2013
It's not only the greatest race in the world it may be the most drama filled intense sporting event!!! Never a dull moment!!!
Rick Cuellar @Rick_Cuellar
History in the making. Two guys in the field that can claim their 4th win. Will be tough b/c the racing is tougher than ever.
BryanBe 500Extremist @bryanbe75
You won't see faster, closer racing during the entire calendar year. It's loud, dangerous, and you won't want to miss a lap!
F1InPubscast @F1InPubscast
In a Sanitised world it's nice to see some cars push the upper limits of speed. There's a reason why this race stands strong while all around it falls to pieces, it is one of the few legendary races left. Currently it is not running at full strength, but eras at the speedway are transitory, it always weathers the storm.
Allie @emerald_229
Lots of passing and the best chance to see a Brit win a big motor race this year?
Daniel Fawcett @DanTheManF1
It's not just cars driving round an oval. It's exciting, dramatic & unpredictable. You will spend the full 500 miles on the edge of your seat.
Lem @91lem
It's, quite simply, the greatest motor race in the world.
rantingYoof @rantingyoof
It is simply like no other experience. Even those with no interest in motorsport notice and appreciate the atmosphere.
Ewan Marshall @EwanMarshall
Sato Turn 1 2012, expected the unexpected.
Ashley Redman @DJRedders
Tension, drama, action, excitement, tears of disappointment, tears of joy, from the beginning to the final lap.
Johanna H @writebend
Because it will be a perfect antidote to Formula One with flat out, balls out, real RACING!!
You can watch the Indianapolis 500 on 26th May on ESPN UK, four and a half hours of coverage. Click here for more channel information on ESPN UK. Check your local listings for your broadcaster for details. And maybe one day, take the trip across... you will not be disappointed.
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