Re-Versus effect?

Okay, so it is Saturday night and not Thursday when I am posting this entry. The best laid plans can occasionally be put to rest, I think.

Which is then a perfect transition into the main topic of the week's blog: VERSUS's debut of IndyCar coverage at St. Petersburg.

The negativity out of the way first. I was not sold on the deal initially, but to jump ship for abominable ratings after the first race of a 10-year contract is more or less absurd. That being said, the expected ratings plunge occurred with a drop to a 0.3, down from a 1.1 on ESPN for the season opener (at Homestead, an oval) last year. This was also down 60 percent from last year's St. Pete event.

There are a couple ways to explain it. Cynically, barring a major change in philosophy from the Indy-centrism that populates those involved with day-to-day operations of IndyCar, or a desire to grow the sport beyond its diminutive and shrinking fan base (who, granted, are still loyal, erudite, and passionate to a fault), those ratings are representative and don't have a huge chance at significant gains.

Or optimistically, its that VERSUS doesn't yet have the name recognition as an ESPN or a SPEED and despite its distinct and noticeable promotional efforts, just isn't as accessible. That can change.

There is also the corresponding problem that with low ratings, the ROI for any potential sponsors, both new or current, is minimal to continue or pursue further investment. Especially in this economy.

But that being said, hopefully, sponsors tuned in to see the quality of the VERSUS broadcast, which far and away was the best IndyCar has been treated in the last dozen years versus what ABC/ESPN has had to offer.

The network committed nine hours to IndyCar coverage from Saturday night to Monday, the highlight of course a three-hour block on Sunday that was extended a further 20 minutes into the next program for interviews of the top eight (eight!) drivers.

The announcers had good chemistry for a first time out, even though Bob Jenkins still isn't immune from the odd name slip-up or two. He did at least have the enthusiasm that has been missing the last few years with the rather droll Marty Reid. The new pit reporters are solid - Lindy Thackston in particular is a great hire as she seemed very much on the ball on debut.

There was also coverage of most, if not all, 22 cars in the race at some point (Mike Conway not withstanding as his race only lasted until turn two of the first lap), plus a variety of great camera angles and an adoption of one of ABC/ESPN's rare assets, the "Side-by-Side" feature now dubbed "Indy Nonstop" that allowed viewers to still watch the action during commercials.

Bottom line, the ratings are abysmal for now, but on the bright side, IndyCar may have just found a partner that gives them the time of day and is an active promoter of their product. Conceivably the ratings have nowhere to go but up. Over time, it may have more positive effects than I originally anticipated. For that, a tip of the cap.

Elsewhere it was a very busy weekend race-wise. At St. Pete, Junior Strous, former Atlantic shoe, pulled off an impressive sweep of the Indy Lights doubleheader. Acura's P1 scored their inevitable first overall victory in ALMS with Patron Highcroft Racing. One of their co-drivers, Scott Sharp, is also in the news for returning to Indianapolis with Patron backing for Panther Racing.

In F1, due to Bernie Ecclestone's somewhat hypocritical notion of accommodating the European television audience while he snatches races from under their nose, the Malaysian Grand Prix was stopped after only 32 laps because of darkness and torrential downpour. It started at dusk and was always going to have a shower as they're quite persistent in Malaysia at that time.

Winners were Jenson Button again - never have those words been uttered or dreamt during his F1 career - but received only half points for his efforts. Jeff Gordon returned to victory lane in NASCAR - after 47 races, since 2007 - for the first time at the Texas Motor Speedway. JG looks good this year but the last time I said that he tanked during the Chase and Jimmie Johnson won it all, so I'm not making any predictions.

The proverbial word that rhymes with slit will hit the fan this week in two places. The ruling on "Diffuser-gate" is on April 14 where the fates of Brawn, Toyota and Williams will be known.

Elswehere jury deliberation in the sad case of two-time Indy 500 champ Helio Castroneves is set to begin Monday on whether he is guilty of tax evasion and hiding money in an off-shore account. It's a wish the ebullient Brazilian isn't going to be nicknamed "Jailio" henceforth, but all signs point to that being the case.

If not, we may see Helio back behind the wheel soon. The Indy 500 entry list is slated for release next week. Another busy weekend will feature the always enjoyable Long Beach slate of events with IndyCar (assuming the Crapwagoneers don't protest the race, which is always a possibility), Indy Lights, ALMS and Pro/Celebs running.

NASCAR is back after a week off, in my hometown of Phoenix (transplanted in Milwaukee, I won't be present at either of these enjoyable west coast events I frequented when younger), while F1 races in China with cars that may be altered as a result of the diffuser results.

Articles for the week:
Junior Strous's sweep at St. Pete: http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=323224&FS=INDYLIGHTS
Abuse up in Milwaukee as a result of the economy:
http://media.www.marquettetribune.org/media/storage/paper1130/news/2009/04/07/News/Rise-In.Milwaukee.Domestic.Abuse-3698960.shtml


Happy Easter and out for now. Cheers.

Resuscitation and a New Year

As it has been an eternity since I have last updated the Feelin' Dizzy blog, there has been much to report.

A ridiculously busy school year is less than a month from conclusion in which I have met a wealth of fantastic new people in exploits both campaign volunteering and reporting for the school paper, The Marquette Tribune.

It's been a great year for me with much exciting news for the future, as a lot of things for 2009 are very much up in the air at the moment. In all likelihood expect this to be a Thursday blog from here on out, but I can't say that is set in stone yet.

Of course blogs seemingly have taken a backseat to Twitter (I don't Tweet... yet... in case you were wondering) and Facebook has changed twice within the last seven months. Life goes on and it's about keeping up with the changes.

As this is mainly a racing blog though, I focus on the new motorsports season. It is really kicking into high gear this weekend, with F1, IndyCar, NASCAR, ALMS, Indy Lights, GP2, WRC, NHRA, and LMS in action.

Formula One began their new era (or a return to an era of bygone?) with slicks, KERS, new aero and seriously reduced downforce with a lack of the gadgets that have sprouted up in recent years, and the daft proposals of Mr. Ecclestone that no-one appreciated and were eventually rejected.

And there was also the ascendance of Brawn GP in Melbourne. From an organization of individuals hanging in the balance as their future was still to be determined, to a miracle 1-2 finish from the front row. A wonderful thing to see as these things don't happen in modern F1.

For Jenson Button, it must have felt like a new career after a couple seasons in the doldrums. The fickle British press, I hope, has not forgotten Jense was in F1 the last two seasons since he seems a better proposition than Lewis this season...

And with only hours until the second round, in Malaysia, where rain beckons, it has been a stormy start for the defending World Champion. The new McLaren is off pace to begin with and Lewis still made it interesting in Australia by improving to 4th by the flag. That was just the start of the madness.

Originally Trulli had 25 secs added, then the radio transcript fell through of what Lewis heard to do versus what he reported to the stewards. And for that indiscretion, he was disqualified. Yet the blame was passed on to a senior team member who was asked to resign after 35 years with the team. I haven't seen enough of this to claim I know what exactly what was going on but it has caused Lewis to have some serious unrest in terms of his place as a sportsman.

Moving stateside and St. Pete is the center of attention this weekend for American racing. IndyCar ends its seven-month long hibernation - roughly the same as this blog - this weekend. A tumultuous off-season littered with many of the similar pitfalls as Champ Car had in its dying years did at least get some good news with three late deals to boast the field to a respectable 22 for this weekend.

With no Milka and Marty, really Stanton Barrett is the only no-hoper out there and since he was good enough for Jack Roush in NASCAR's Nationwide Series at one point, I think he can improve with perennial underdog team owner Greg Beck and veteran engineer Owen Snyder.

And great to see that of the top 14 on the grid, 12 have former CART/Champ Car experience. That should tell you something right there - especially when Graham Rahal and Justin Wilson lock out the front row in cars their teams have only had a year to work on versus five that veteran IndyCar teams have had.

I digress, and will sadly admit my appreciation for the former series. But IndyCar is what we have now and they do appear to be taking some steps in the right direction.

Versus may not get better ratings or be as accessible but they do seem to be making a concerted effort in promoting the series with its coverage, ads, and multimedia content. IZOD, too, has launched a major multi-platform marketing assault which no company has done for open-wheel in my 13 years watching it. It was unfortunate for its driver, Ryan Hunter-Reay, to be sidelined until now but a deal did get done.

The off-season over, it's time to cheer up with the sound of racing emerging after a winter dominated by economic unrest, a lack of good news until very late in the going and frigid temperatures.

My article of today's Indy Lights race from St. Petersburg: http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=323077

Out for now... cheers.