When Formula One first arrived at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway several years ago, during a sit-down press conference I raised my hand and asked Bernie Ecclestone, as head of FOM (Formula One Management), “What is the total purse of this race and how much will the winning team receive?” Brusque Bernie refused to answer, asking instead, “Would I want one and all to know how much money I made?” After years of probing — but no confirmation — it appears there has long been no prize money, as such, in F-1. It is generally believed that, under terms of the Concorde Agreement, which binds all teams with FOM, each team gets a predetermined (not necessarily equal) percentage of the overall revenues each race generates, regardless of where its cars finish. Drivers are then paid on whatever terms they negotiated with their team owners. That’s why there are never prize money listings published after an F-1 event. Now it appears the Indy Racing League is seriously looking at adopting a similar policy. Created by its competition division head Brian Barnhart the IRL calls it “A redistribution of prize money.” Though a formal announcement — contingent on agreement by owner Tony George — is not due for several weeks, it is proposed for all 2008 IRL races except the Indy 500, that instead of prize money each team would get an identical percentage of what was formerly the race purse, drivers then being paid privately by team owners. In addition, the Indy 500 purse would increase by 20 percent and the IRL would pay a season-ending bonus of $1 million to the points-leading team with lesser amounts to the runner-up and third-place teams. This is said to be what is now on the table. If adopted, it would benefit smaller teams and, hopefully, attract new owners to the league. Big question: Will Tony George sign off on this major change?

High hopes in Millville.  In Ye Ed’s long association with U.S. motorsport, there has never been a more overwhelming and enthusiastic response by state, county and local politicians, along with Main Street businessmen, to a new raceway than that accorded New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, N.J., for which formal ground breaking took place last week. The civic support for this $110 million project is astounding, as citizens of consequence of this city of 27,000 voiced not only wholehearted approval of the project, but high expectations as well. The Millville facility is on a 708-acre parcel of flatland adjacent the Millville Airport that is being developed in three phases by its principals Harvey Siegel, Lee Brahin and Richard “RJ” Valentine. Plans include two side-by-side unconnected road courses, Thunderbolt Raceway and Lightning Raceway, off-road capability, karting facilities and a three-quarter-mile oval track in addition to competitor and spectator amenities. An opening race is planned for June of next year. It is with deep appreciation and understanding of the responsibilities associated with the Economaki name appearing on the Press Center, I support and wish this new venture all the best.  

Insiders say the recent switch to Toyota by Joe Gibbs Racing is of deep concern to Chevy, as Gibbs and his No. 1 engine builder Mark Cronquist long have had access to GM’s ever evolving  engine technology, which might be applied to the engines they will use in their Toyota Camrys next year. GM’s R-07 engine has been the subject of intense development since 1998 and Cronquist has been along every step of the way. 

Drivers say the Car of Tomorrow acts differently in the high-speed draft than the car in use during recent seasons. These reports came after high-speed test runs at Talladega. Kurt Busch indicated the draft is now easier to get into, but also easier to “fall out of.” At tracks like Daytona and Talladega, NASCAR’s two fastest, draft savvy is an essential part of performing well. And a gaffe during a pit stop at those tracks can leave a contending car hopelessly out of the draft. No news yet, but the Talladega test runs might well trigger a change in restrictor-plate size, say those in the know.

Thanks to Toyota, its President Jim Aust and National Motorsports Manager Les Unger, ye ed was seated at the Toyota table for last week’s 22nd annual Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis Great Sports Legends Dinner at New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel. Everyone was dazed when one diner bid $200,000 for an item on auction. Its Silent Auction listed more than 3,000 items but only three auto racing related, two Dale Earnhardt photos and one Richard Petty photo. In all, the night generated over many thousands of dollars for the charity. It was nice renewing acquaintances with Ina Broeman, a Buoniconti director who played a significant role in auto racing years ago as a Philip Morris Co. executive.

Busy, busy, busy. Roger Penske, who never skips a weekend race wherever his NASCAR or IRL cars are competing, but during the week is CEO of Penske Automotive Group, a giant consortium of auto dealerships both here and abroad. Starting next March, Penske Automotive Group will start selling the Mercedes-Benz-built Smart Car ForTwo in this country and may face competition from a VW-built Smart ForTwo sized car. This tiny design kicked off in Canada in a big way with sales treble early estimates. If all this were not enough, Penske recently met with executives of Fiat S.p.A. to propose his company serve as the sales entity for its planned return of the Alfa-Romeo car line to this country, a role said to be coveted by Maserati. Hang in there Roger.

Think auto racing is dangerous? Try air racing. The National Air Racing Group reported four fatal crashes among members in July.

A pat on the back for the Champ Car World series for its new “Hands on the Wheel” safe driving campaign. Its focus is on the growing tendency of those drivers who send text messages on their hand-held devices while in traffic. One other deserving of credit is Charlotte lawyer Michael A. DeMayo who, for the fifth straight year, has given $25,000 to local high schools so seniors can continue their education. Last year he gave five $5,000 gifts; this year 10 $2,500 gifts. Safe driving is a principal goal of DeMayo.

After this year’s Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti revealed his interest in NASCAR, wiseguys in the pits forecast more Indy 500 winners driving in the 2008 Daytona 500 than in next year’s Indy 500. And I wonder what beer Chip Ganassi is drinking these days now that Coors Light has opted not to renew its sponsorship of his No. 40 Nextel Cup car after 14 years.

When charitably oriented AutoWeek writer Al Pearce gave Tony Stewart a crash helmet he spent months getting autographed by every living Indy 500 winner, Stewart wrote $5,000 charity checks at Pearce’s behest, one each to The Victory Junction Gang and to the Kyle Petty Charity Ride. It took Pearce ages to get all 26 autographs on the helmet, going so far as to waiting for hours at the Miami Airport for Emerson Fittipaldi, who signed the helmet during the brief stop his Brazilian-bound flight made there.

When a couple is married 66 years and still going strong, it rates newspaper coverage. Such is the case of Ruth and Russell Elder of Noblesville, Ind., who celebrated their double 6 anniversary last month. Elder shot racing photos for this newspaper for 30 years before hanging up his cameras. Our congratulations to both.

Our thanks to AARWBA and Dusty Brandel for the kind words about this newspaper’s new Web site in ImPRESSions, the organization’s newsletter. The club’s annual All-America Team Dinner is Jan. 12 in Indianapolis, at which long-time team owner Carl Haas will receive the AARWBA “Pioneer in Racing” award. Plan now to attend.

Sept. 17 was another sad day for fans of the all-but-gone New Bremen (Ohio) Speedway. The track, which had lain dormant for 27 years, was alive with activity as work crews began dismantling what remained of the once immaculate half-mile asphalt oval. No word yet on what will become of the property. New Bremen Speedway hosted its first auto race on Aug. 21, 1926, and its last on Sept. 1, 1980.

Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle is conducting its annual driver search, which seeks future NASCAR drivers. The driver-development program is affiliated with eight organizations and 21 race teams dedicated to developing drivers. Sutton expects to receive more than 500 resumes and will narrow his choices to approximately 20 drivers, who will get the opportunity to test Oct. 19-21 at a California race track. Drivers ages 12 to 21 can find out more about the program and how to submit their resumes by visiting www.winners-circle-racing.com.

More than 30,000 drag-racing fans attended the recent Dragstock IV sanctioned by the ADRL at Rockingham (N.C.) Dragway. Jason Scruggs became the first door slammer to make a pass at better than 200 miles per hour (205.13) in an eighth of a mile, but lost to Josh Hernandez in the final. He drove a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette replica, while Hernandez wheeled a replica 1957 Chevy Bel Air.