Mike Conway 'retires' from Oval racing......

[mountainstar]

Smart man. Back in the day when there was money, fame and prestige in the sport, some were willing to take the risks for that. These days there is no money in it and very, very few people watch or care, so you have to ask what the point is? There are plenty of other motorsports that you can get your jollies from as a driver without so much risk. From drivers I have talked to that have raced irl cars, no one has ever found them much "fun" or challenging in a positive way.

Also he's already been in a back brace once, so he knows the possibilities.

My understanding is he comes from a moneyed background, so probably the family said it's time to knock it off and take up being involved in the family biz and you can still race sportscars or something.

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by rich07

I think he's tremendously brave to come out and say this. I take my hat off to him.

I think brave is strapping yourself into one of these cars.

Stepping out of one for good is an act of self preservation and wisdom.

The risks were not worth the reward.

[Mystery]

Good decision. Can easily see him in an LMP1 if he wants to be.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

I think brave is strapping yourself into one of these cars.

Stepping out of one for good is an act of self preservation and wisdom.

The risks were not worth the reward.

In all fairness, the DW12 was a vast improvement on Dallara's previous incarnation and it produced some great racing but it's not a Lola or a Reynard.

[Yannick]

I have seen somebody on another forum suggest Mike Conway should share a ride with Ed Carpenter. On 2nd thought, this seems like a good idea because both are proven race winners on their track type of choice.

[fieldodreams79]

I don't blame Mike one bit. Kudos to him.

It's been pointed out, but other than having your name and face put on the Borg-Warner Trophy, what's the point?

Come race sportscars; we need all the help we can get right now.

[Peat]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Come race sportscars; we need all the help we can get right now.

Really? I got the impression that as of 2014, there'd already be alot of driver's out of work.

[Paradise City]

He'll probably wander around abit like an itinerant Paul Tracy.

He may assess his options in NASCAR. Peddling a Cup car around an oval is a different proposition to OW oval racing although that said tracks like 'dega are still hair-raising!

[Flavio Galtieri]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

I think brave is strapping yourself into one of these cars.

Stepping out of one for good is an act of self preservation and wisdom.

The risks were not worth the reward.

I totally agree.

Conway doesn't and never has needed the money. I think he's made the right decision for him and in doing so maybe freed up a place for a driver who does.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by Peat

Really? I got the impression that as of 2014, there'd already be alot of driver's out of work.

Touché

[bjohnsonsmith]

Good luck in where ever his racing career takes him.

[lauder]

I'm late picking this one up, and I've never been a big MC fan. However, it takes a braver man to walk away than one who does not. He's had a good and varied career, so the very best of luck to him wherever he goes. If only Senna had done the same.