It is being reported that though the 2012 season is not close to being over, the IndyCar series is looking to next season and hoping to have the schedule finalized by September. The series is also reportedly hoping to have 19 races on that 2013 schedule. Though there may be a number of new tracks coming to the schedule, there are some tracks that will not be. Reports indicate that Road America and Michigan International Speedway are not under consideration. Although there had been rumors of a race through the streets of Chicago, that race has also been nixed.
Though the series is not actively looking to schedule a race in China anytime soon, the series is still reportedly looking internationally. No final decision has been made but the series is considering adding an additional race in Canada. This would be a third race for the country and it would likely be close enough that some fans from the United States could still travel to the race. Nothing has been set in stone and the schedule is still very much up in the air.
The scheduling problems have combine with another problem to increase the stress to the IndyCar organization. The other major problem involves the engines used in the series. Before the beginning of the series, the organization contracted with Honda, Chevrolet and Lotus to provide engines to the teams. Each manufacturer was to get an approximately equal share of the teams. It quickly became apparent that Lotus was not living up to the standards set by Honda and Chevrolet. Lotus has just one team left and the engines are much slower than the others. Hopefully, the series will be working to ensure that this is also solved.
Hopefully the series will be successful. I would think that due to the loss of China and the series dropping under 16 races this season, the title sponsor would be unhappy. Between the lack of races and the engine disaster that took place this year, IndyCar may be in trouble if the organization cannot turn things around in 2013. IndyCar's predecessors have not fared well in the long run and it is starting to look as though IndyCar will not either. As a fan, it would be disappointing to see the series fail, but it is downright depressing to see drivers try to race when their engine isn't up to par and to see races fall off the schedule.
Kristin Watt has been a fan of motorsports since she was a young girl and she watched NASCAR races with her mother. That love of NASCAR quickly evolved into a great enjoyment of many different motorsports including everything from local dirt track action to the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans to the adrenaline rush of the extreme motocross events. She has been following motorsports for many years.
