By Luc Fradette
The merger between the former Champ Car and the IRL seems to have had some positive impact on the now unified open-wheel series.
Numbers released this week by the IndyCar series show gains, although modest, were made. At-track merchandise sales were up 25 per cent compared to 2007, according to Main Gate, the league's merchandising agent.
Average viewership was 1.55 million, up from 1.4 million in 2007 while the on-track competition was better also after each series struggled for years to get 18 cars on the grid; this year's IndyCar Series averaged 26 cars at each race.
But a sure sign of improvement would be to have a primary sponsor on board for 2009 and things are starting to look up. Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division, said the IRL is close to signing a "very big company" to be the series' presenting sponsor.
The merger between the former Champ Car and the IRL seems to have had some positive impact on the now unified open-wheel series.
Numbers released this week by the IndyCar series show gains, although modest, were made. At-track merchandise sales were up 25 per cent compared to 2007, according to Main Gate, the league's merchandising agent.
Average viewership was 1.55 million, up from 1.4 million in 2007 while the on-track competition was better also after each series struggled for years to get 18 cars on the grid; this year's IndyCar Series averaged 26 cars at each race.
But a sure sign of improvement would be to have a primary sponsor on board for 2009 and things are starting to look up. Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division, said the IRL is close to signing a "very big company" to be the series' presenting sponsor.