New IndyCar czar Randy Bernard obviously sought and found an experienced leader to head the advisory panel that will recommend the next generation of specs for the IZOD IndyCar Series.
According to the Indianapolis Star, the job will go to Retired Air Force General William R. Looney III. This is a man who has achieved much. I am therefore encouraged by his appointment. Congratulations, Mr. Bernard!
I trust that the general will effectively keep factional interests at bay throughout the selection process. That is, after all, much of the battle.
General Looney - here's hoping that you deem significant cost reduction and control to be Jobs 1A and 1B. Drivers are for driving, not financing!
The Citizens solute you and wish you well.
Roggespierre
He's to "lead an advisory committee that will recommend the next equipment package." Why would anyone hire him for that job?
ReplyDeleteGeneral (Ret.) Looney's claim to fame, according to his published bio, is being "a recognized expert on a wide range of operations, training and acquisition matters." Anyone see a skills fit in his hire? Any competency alignment? It escapes me.
Rocketman53,
ReplyDeleteI'm just glad that they're bringing in an outsider.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of the committee will be determined by the questions that it asks and, most important, the objectives that its seeks to satisfy.
Roggespierre
According to Cavin, "IRL wants to come out of this decision with an equipment package that is celebrated for being forward-thinking as it relates to green and the future of the automotive industry."
ReplyDeleteCavin doesn't mention marketing and/or public appeal. This could all become a case of hanging a Picasso among the Rembrandts.
Unfortunately the General will already know all about sole source supply chains and spending up to budget. I hope to eat my words when I say this job is out of his realm.
Rocketman53,
ReplyDeleteDid you really think that marketing and public appeal would enter the decision-making?
I'm pretty sure the IMS/IRL thinks it has that covered after conducting an online survey in which fans were asked which design they prefer. Never mind the fact that there is scant evidence to suggest that car design has much to do with drawing fans.
In the past, that would've passed for "market research". Now let's see whether Randy Bernard has the capacity and will to do better.
Roggespierre
I like the fact that they brought in someone with no baggage attached to the series or the 500. From the way I read the announcement, he is to preside over the committee and at the end present it's findings to Randy and let him make the final decision. As RP states, jobs 1A and 1B should be significant cost reductions and cost control. His brief has nothing to do with marketing and promotion. That is more the province of the CEO to make sure those jobs are done well. Let's hope both gentlemen are up to the task(s).
ReplyDeleteMakes for an interesting summer. I look forward to his analysis. Bet some of his thoughts look at things previously presented on this and other sites.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it also be nice to have an outsider like this (or, to be greedy, an "outsider" who has a soft spot for the 500's status as a preeminent sporting institution), fulfill the role suggested here?
ReplyDeleteOnly if it can't be a certain pseudonymous blogger, of course ;)
If there continue to be laughable totals of American drivers in Indy Car and Lights (5 out of 40 at St. Pete) then does it really matter which car is chosen?
ReplyDeleteYou could put Bert Baugette (is that is name??), and most of these jokers in just about ANYTHING, and nobody is going to care.
As long as Indy Car is about ride buyers (most of which never cared about American racing until they figured out it was the only place that would take their check), then it doesn't really matter what chassis and engine package is chosen. And lowering the price, only encourages more ridebuyers (because the price will be lower) and encourages car owners to do even less to find money on their own (if that is even possible).
General Looney....good luck. Keep a hand on your wallet at all times around some of these snakes.