The promoter of the scheduled Champ Car finale in Phoenix has cancelled the event.
Champ Car simultaneously confirmed that its race that was originally scheduled for China in May... postponed... and then tentatively scheduled for later in the season... has also been "postponed"... again, to 2008.
Said Champ Car boss Steve Johnson: "The failure of our previous China promoter -- since replaced -- to materially comply with our agreement forced us to miss our May date, and we have been unable to secure an appropriate 2007 replacement date with our new promoter."
Since announcing its 17-race calendar prior to the start of the season, Champ Car has seen almost 20% of its dates fall off the schedule. Can you imagine if the Toronto Maple Leafs just didn't show up for 14 of their 80 announced games? Big league sports leagues and series don't operate in this manner.
How are teams supposed to sell sponsorship packages when the series' schedule amounts to nothing more than a 'wish list'? Credibility plays a big role in companies' decisions to get involved in a sponsorship program. Beyond just writing cheques, there are marketing and promotional programs that depend on events actually taking place.
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UPDATE (12:42 P.M.): Thanks to Anonymous for the heads-up on my Freudian slip... I initially credited the Champ Car quote regarding the ultimate cancellation of the event in China to "Charlie Johnson", instead of "Steve Johnson". I'm heading to the "Argument Department" for some "Abuse".
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