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Bobby Rahal was a championship driver, but as CART's new boss he faces even tougher challenges.
By KEVIN KELLY
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 15, 2000
Bobby Rahal spent 17 years going as fast as he could in an open-wheel race car.
His 24 career wins and 18 pole positions show that knack for speed.
Nothing, however, can compare to the breakneck four weeks he has spent as the interim president and chief executive officer for CART.
"It's been tremendously busy just because being new to the job, you've got to hit the ground running," Rahal, a three-time series champion, said last week.
"It seems as though I'm trying to cram six months worth of work into one month just because we don't want to delay and I really can't afford, and the company can't afford, a long get-acquainted process."
Since Rahal replaced Andrew Craig, who resigned on June 16, the 47-year-old's life has only become busier.
Detroit, Portland, Dallas, Memphis, New York, Rahal has spent as much time in an airplane as he has on the ground.
He has made schedule announcements, met with sponsors, held conferences with stockholders and attended three races as co-owner of a two-car team.
He and David Letterman own Team Rahal, which fields cars driven by Max Papis and Kenny Brack.
"I knew it was going to take a lot of work," said Rahal, who retired as a driver in 1998. "I don't know you could ever know quite how much it is until you get in it. Certainly, I knew it was going to be busy."
From that experience in racing, Rahal knew what issues faced the series when he took the job.
He knew what it was like to drive, own a team and deal with sponsor and investor concerns.
"I don't know if that's a prerequisite," Rahal said. "I don't think it hurts. The racing business is really a business of relationships. Racing is relationships. Whether it's the teams, the drivers, the promoters or the sponsors, it's a very personal business."
Though his primary focus is getting the 2001 schedule finalized, Rahal understands the 4-year-old split between CART and Indy Racing needs to be addressed.
On the Monday following his hiring, he called Tony George, president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IRL founder.
"There's been a lot of great minds trying to create some kind of resolution on both sides," Rahal said. "It just isn't happening. Now does that mean it's not going to? I don't think so.
"There are some beliefs that are firmly held on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's side. There's some beliefs that are firmly held by constituents on our side. As I've said before, if we and the Russians are friends these days that you've got to believe that the two sides in Indy Car racing could get together."
Still, Rahal isn't sold on the thought that CART and Indy Racing need each other to survive.
"I'm not sure that two can't coexist," he said. "I think certainly the fans want to see some mobility, more both sides competing against each other at least in one event. The most obvious one would be Indianapolis."
CART teams have been granted time off to compete in the Indy 500 -- 1999 series champion Juan Montoya won the race in May -- meaning focus has turned to more pressing issues.
There's a television contract for 2002 and beyond being negotiated. There's the concern there aren't enough American drivers . There has been talk, by Rahal, of slowing cars down by as many as 150 horsepower next season.
"People love this business and love this sport and they want to see it prosper," he said. "I think that's a great testimonial to our sport that it can weather some of the ups and downs and that it can keep people interested enough to help it grow again."
Since Rahal has been on the job, two tracks -- in Homestead and St. Louis -- were dropped from the schedule.
In their place are a street circuit event in Monterrey, Mexico, and oval races in Rockingham, England, Lausitzring, Germany, and Texas Motor Speedway.
For the most part, those involved in the sport have applauded Rahal's quick action.
"I think there is a bit of a honeymoon period," said Cal Wells, owner of the PPI Motorsports team. "There's a lot of excitement. Some of us were comfortable with Andrew, but there needed to be a dramatic change and (Rahal) is the right choice."
Papis added: "Bobby is great to drive for because he was a driver. He understands my perspective as a driver on issues and he is a great resource of knowledge for me. Since he became the CEO of CART, I don't see him as often but I can still call on his experience any time I need it."
But even Rahal doesn't know how long he'll stay and keep the frantic pace.
"Right now, I'm just thinking about getting the things done that we need to get done," he said. "It's taking all my energy to stay focused on the here and nows. I'm not even worried about what's going to happen four or five months from now."
AGE: 47.
BIRTHDATE: Jan. 10, 1953 in Medina, Ohio.
OCCUPATION: President and chief executive officer of CART, co-owner of Kenny Brack and Max Papis' cars at Team Rahal.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Replaced Andrew Craig as CART's CEO on June 16
Three-time CART champion (1986, 1987, 1992)
1986 Indianapolis 500 winner
First rookie owner/driver to win series title (1992)
Founded Team Rahal after the 1995 season
Ranks first in career starts (265), second in career earnings, third in laps led, fourth in wins (24) and fifth in pole positions (18)