| gtguy | 10-20-2004 09:31 AM |
A second USGP site? Huh?
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Personally, I think Bernie is just goofing about, but a second USGP, given that the first isn't all that well attended, doesn't make all that sense. Two races to ignore, instead of just one? Hmmmm.
Kevin
<<British GP at Silverstone is dead - Again
An extra US race on the cards instead
The SIlverstone saga takes a new twist...
The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is finally dead after Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One promoter, decided he could do nothing more to save the nation's biggest motor race, a newspaper said here Wednesday.
Silverstone's inability to react to the fast pace of modern business means that it has lost out to one of the nations clamouring to climb on to the sports calendar of increasingly exotic locations, The Times newspaper said. [b]It is thought that Ecclestone is negotiating terms for a new Grand Prix in the United States, it added.[/b]
Ecclestone refused to be drawn on the venue, but said that he had to end the talks on Silverstone to guarantee the new event, for which promoters were ready and willing to meet his terms, the daily said. The decision will be a body-blow to the hundreds of thousands of Formula One enthusiasts in Britain who have been making Silverstone their motor racing Mecca for the past 54 years, it said.
Ecclestone told The Times he finally had to give up attempts to save the race, after the longest talks of his reign as Formula Ones promoter, because he had a new offer on the table from a consortium that needs an answer immediately.
"What could I do?" he said. "I have got an offer from another country who are looking to build a lovely venue and invest a lot of money in Formula One and they will pay the going rate. I have to give them a years notice to go ahead. If I miss that because I am still messing about with the BRDC, I would be keeping out a country that desperately wants to be in the Formula One World Championship."
What started as an argument over price boiled down to what Ecclestone said was a series of nit-picking disputes with his terms, the newspaper said.
Kevin
<<British GP at Silverstone is dead - Again
An extra US race on the cards instead
The SIlverstone saga takes a new twist...
The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is finally dead after Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One promoter, decided he could do nothing more to save the nation's biggest motor race, a newspaper said here Wednesday.
Silverstone's inability to react to the fast pace of modern business means that it has lost out to one of the nations clamouring to climb on to the sports calendar of increasingly exotic locations, The Times newspaper said. [b]It is thought that Ecclestone is negotiating terms for a new Grand Prix in the United States, it added.[/b]
Ecclestone refused to be drawn on the venue, but said that he had to end the talks on Silverstone to guarantee the new event, for which promoters were ready and willing to meet his terms, the daily said. The decision will be a body-blow to the hundreds of thousands of Formula One enthusiasts in Britain who have been making Silverstone their motor racing Mecca for the past 54 years, it said.
Ecclestone told The Times he finally had to give up attempts to save the race, after the longest talks of his reign as Formula Ones promoter, because he had a new offer on the table from a consortium that needs an answer immediately.
"What could I do?" he said. "I have got an offer from another country who are looking to build a lovely venue and invest a lot of money in Formula One and they will pay the going rate. I have to give them a years notice to go ahead. If I miss that because I am still messing about with the BRDC, I would be keeping out a country that desperately wants to be in the Formula One World Championship."
What started as an argument over price boiled down to what Ecclestone said was a series of nit-picking disputes with his terms, the newspaper said.
| TimStevens | 10-20-2004 10:00 AM |
Was just about to post this. I'd heard rumors of two new circuits in the works, one north of NYC somewhere and another outside of Las Vegas. Then there's Barber Motorsports Park, which would need a ton of new grandstands.
Was just about to buy USGP tickets... now I'm wondering if I should wait. Would be a shame to drive to IN if there's a GP a few hours south of here :)
Was just about to buy USGP tickets... now I'm wondering if I should wait. Would be a shame to drive to IN if there's a GP a few hours south of here :)
| asquaredrex | 10-20-2004 10:50 AM |
[QUOTE=gtguy]Personally, I think Bernie is just goofing about, but a second USGP, given that the first isn't all that well attended, doesn't make all that sense. Two races to ignore, instead of just one? Hmmmm.[/QUOTE]
Actually, the USGP set the highest attendance record for F1 a few years back. Never an exciting race but it makes money. I can see why Bernie would want to add an extra race here.
Actually, the USGP set the highest attendance record for F1 a few years back. Never an exciting race but it makes money. I can see why Bernie would want to add an extra race here.
| gtguy | 10-20-2004 11:42 AM |
[QUOTE=asquaredrex]Actually, the USGP set the highest attendance record for F1 a few years back. Never an exciting race but it makes money. I can see why Bernie would want to add an extra race here.[/QUOTE]
It had great attendance its first year, but has tailed off dramatically since then. And they had to give away lots of tickets that first year. I've gone each subsequent year and irrespective of what the USGP folks might tell you, it gets easier and easier to walk around, and exit in your car every year. And we know what that means.
The other thing is that, and I remember sitting at a breakfast with Max Mosley and hearing him say essentially, fans in the stands are window dressing for the TV cameras.
Kevin
It had great attendance its first year, but has tailed off dramatically since then. And they had to give away lots of tickets that first year. I've gone each subsequent year and irrespective of what the USGP folks might tell you, it gets easier and easier to walk around, and exit in your car every year. And we know what that means.
The other thing is that, and I remember sitting at a breakfast with Max Mosley and hearing him say essentially, fans in the stands are window dressing for the TV cameras.
Kevin
| TimStevens | 10-20-2004 11:45 AM |
Well, that's one reason why another USGP is a good thing: afternoon race here is primetime in the UK.
Plus, we allow limited tobacco advertising, which surely doesn't hurt.
Plus, we allow limited tobacco advertising, which surely doesn't hurt.
| Jaxx | 10-20-2004 11:49 AM |
well if were dreaming how about laguna seca
| asquaredrex | 10-20-2004 12:00 PM |
Wasn't aware of that GTGuy, my bust. I think between the Motreal race, a possible trip down to Meh-he-co for some WRC action, and MotoGP at Laguna Seca (a big :D for that!), I don't think I'll be going to any F1 races in the states...
| TimStevens | 10-20-2004 12:14 PM |
Just got to thinking... does a "new GP in the US" necessarily mean an additional one? Would a replacement USGP at a new site be "new"?
| gtguy | 10-20-2004 12:35 PM |
[QUOTE=TimStevens]Just got to thinking... does a "new GP in the US" necessarily mean an additional one? Would a replacement USGP at a new site be "new"?[/QUOTE]
Aha!
Kevin
Aha!
Kevin
| heffergm | 10-20-2004 01:53 PM |
Don't forget!
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Don't forget, MotoGP is coming back to Laguna next year... and that means lots of track upgrades.
I can't imagine that during the course of all those upgrades, they wouldn't have at least considered building to F1 standards....
I hate Indy... I'd love to see more international competition at Laguna.
I can't imagine that during the course of all those upgrades, they wouldn't have at least considered building to F1 standards....
I hate Indy... I'd love to see more international competition at Laguna.
| AutoXRex | 10-20-2004 06:59 PM |
I agree with Tim. There has been alot of talk about Indy not being a great track and that is why the fans aren't showing. This is not my opinion but rather some that I have gotten from others that were at the race in Montreal. I've also talked to some co workers from the UK that have been to many of the different venues and say Indy is the least exciting to attend.
I think that a track like Laguna would be nice. Do I hear Watkins Glen? Rumers of NY tend to point in that direction and it would fill the mold of being a real raod course that many are looking for. If it were the Glen I would be there in a heartbeat.
Marc
I think that a track like Laguna would be nice. Do I hear Watkins Glen? Rumers of NY tend to point in that direction and it would fill the mold of being a real raod course that many are looking for. If it were the Glen I would be there in a heartbeat.
Marc
| TimStevens | 10-20-2004 09:13 PM |
You and me both man, but I just don't see it. There's no way a sleepy town in NY could handle the onslaught of the F1 Circus these days.
| WMH | 10-20-2004 10:09 PM |
I'd rather like to see Laguna Seca as a stop, but a second race in the US is still highly doubtful but you can only hope.
| Clegg | 10-20-2004 10:37 PM |
Road America should be the new home to the USGP :)
Anyone drove it in an F1 sim? I race a bud on Road America in F1 Challenge (99-2002) all the time and its an awesome course for those cars... they really wind out on the straights.
Anyone drove it in an F1 sim? I race a bud on Road America in F1 Challenge (99-2002) all the time and its an awesome course for those cars... they really wind out on the straights.
| NegativeC | 10-20-2004 10:44 PM |
Laguna Seca is not a very interesting track to watch on TV, it just looks like a desert. I think they should bring it back to the streets of Phoenix again, I had a great time back in the day at those races on the roof tops of stores along the race path. More personality if you ask me.
| srf | 10-20-2004 11:32 PM |
My guess would be Vegas, since they came in second place to Indy for F1, if memory serves me correctly.
| TimStevens | 10-21-2004 07:35 AM |
[QUOTE=Clegg]Road America should be the new home to the USGP :)
Anyone drove it in an F1 sim? I race a bud on Road America in F1 Challenge (99-2002) all the time and its an awesome course for those cars... they really wind out on the straights.[/QUOTE]
If you have F1C, check out the SCC mod... I think that's what it's called. Anyway, comes with a new version of Road Atlanta which is bloody good fun.
:edit: Oops... thought you were talking about Road Atlanta, not America! Oh well, still worth the d/l ;)
Anyone drove it in an F1 sim? I race a bud on Road America in F1 Challenge (99-2002) all the time and its an awesome course for those cars... they really wind out on the straights.[/QUOTE]
If you have F1C, check out the SCC mod... I think that's what it's called. Anyway, comes with a new version of Road Atlanta which is bloody good fun.
:edit: Oops... thought you were talking about Road Atlanta, not America! Oh well, still worth the d/l ;)
| Bonzo | 10-21-2004 09:16 AM |
[QUOTE=Clegg]Road America should be the new home to the USGP :)
Anyone drove it in an F1 sim? I race a bud on Road America in F1 Challenge (99-2002) all the time and its an awesome course for those cars... they really wind out on the straights.[/QUOTE]
Not Laguna Seca!!!!!!! I believe they are tied into motoGP for two years, plus they have a very limited amount of dates they can run a race there. IIRC it's something with the county or local government owning the track.
Please let it be one the best true road courses in the US.
Please!
In reality RAmer would need a tremendous amount of work just to make the pits acceptable and then their's some possible track issues too.
I can still dream.
Personally I would rather see motoGP at Rd America tha F1.
Anyone drove it in an F1 sim? I race a bud on Road America in F1 Challenge (99-2002) all the time and its an awesome course for those cars... they really wind out on the straights.[/QUOTE]
Not Laguna Seca!!!!!!! I believe they are tied into motoGP for two years, plus they have a very limited amount of dates they can run a race there. IIRC it's something with the county or local government owning the track.
Please let it be one the best true road courses in the US.
Please!
In reality RAmer would need a tremendous amount of work just to make the pits acceptable and then their's some possible track issues too.
I can still dream.
Personally I would rather see motoGP at Rd America tha F1.
| BriDrive | 10-21-2004 10:27 AM |
I think Road Atlanta, upgraded to FIA safety specs, would be beautiful. Not gonna happen probably, but...wow.....
Honestly, it would ruin watching other races there, as the fences would all need to be pushed back, etc etc.....that's what's so good about it now IMHO. Watching sports cars shriek up and down and through the hills from as close as 10 feet away in some parts of the circuit.
Honestly, it would ruin watching other races there, as the fences would all need to be pushed back, etc etc.....that's what's so good about it now IMHO. Watching sports cars shriek up and down and through the hills from as close as 10 feet away in some parts of the circuit.
| Clegg | 10-21-2004 11:05 AM |
R Atlanta is my second favorite track in the US to R America. Its great for the Petit Lemans and such. But it has 2 ALMS races at it this year (05) doesnt it?
| BriDrive | 10-21-2004 11:14 AM |
I think so Clegg.
I haven't seen Road America in person. I need to.
BriDrive
I haven't seen Road America in person. I need to.
BriDrive
| Bonzo | 10-21-2004 11:18 AM |
My other want and prolly most logical palce to get it is Barber M-sports Complex.
I know they have been working with the fia/fim to get motoGP and that deal fell thru at the last minute.
I would seriously consider the drive to Barber. The motorcycle museum alone is worthy of a long road trip.
I know they have been working with the fia/fim to get motoGP and that deal fell thru at the last minute.
I would seriously consider the drive to Barber. The motorcycle museum alone is worthy of a long road trip.
| AutoXRex | 10-21-2004 12:24 PM |
BriDrive,
I don't think they would have to move the fences. I went to Montreal this past year and where I was sitting it was about 15 feet from the track. I was in the third row of GS11. Actually the landing at the top of the stairs in my grandstand was just about over the edge of the track. It was only back about 5 feet, if even that. Visibility was really good as even the first row of seating was above the fence line.
Just my opinion but who knows as I'm sure there will be alot of track changes no matter where they go. I think the keys to this deal is are:
1. Needs to be near a fairly large city to support all the fans
2. What track is willing to make the change to accomodate F1
Does anybody know if there was a contract with Indy as far as how many years F1 would guarantee races there? Seems to me that a track would need that to support the changes.
Marc
I don't think they would have to move the fences. I went to Montreal this past year and where I was sitting it was about 15 feet from the track. I was in the third row of GS11. Actually the landing at the top of the stairs in my grandstand was just about over the edge of the track. It was only back about 5 feet, if even that. Visibility was really good as even the first row of seating was above the fence line.
Just my opinion but who knows as I'm sure there will be alot of track changes no matter where they go. I think the keys to this deal is are:
1. Needs to be near a fairly large city to support all the fans
2. What track is willing to make the change to accomodate F1
Does anybody know if there was a contract with Indy as far as how many years F1 would guarantee races there? Seems to me that a track would need that to support the changes.
Marc
| srf | 10-21-2004 12:45 PM |
[url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3822135.stm[/url]
They had a contract through 2004, and now through 2006.
[quote]Indianapolis owner Tony George and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone have exercised an option to extend their contract by two years to 2006. [/quote]
They had a contract through 2004, and now through 2006.
[quote]Indianapolis owner Tony George and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone have exercised an option to extend their contract by two years to 2006. [/quote]
| TimStevens | 10-21-2004 01:36 PM |
Thanks, I was wondering that too.
| dave bruener | 10-21-2004 04:37 PM |
As Autoxrex stated, the track that would host an F1 race must have a city to accomidate the fans. I remember that being one reason that R Am was not even considered. Just not enough lodging, etc to handle it.
R Atlanta on the other hand should be able to handle it just fine!
R Atlanta on the other hand should be able to handle it just fine!
| AutoXRex | 10-21-2004 04:59 PM |
Maybe they should just build a F1 track here in Ct instead of a nascar one. :lol: :lol:
A buddy at work said why don't they just do a street circut in one of the major cities. This way you would only need to accomodate the pits and the rest is just temp setup. no worries about how far from a city it is because it would be right in the middle. So that would mean somwhere southern so the the streets aren't full of potholes. Leaves out NY
A buddy at work said why don't they just do a street circut in one of the major cities. This way you would only need to accomodate the pits and the rest is just temp setup. no worries about how far from a city it is because it would be right in the middle. So that would mean somwhere southern so the the streets aren't full of potholes. Leaves out NY
| srf | 10-21-2004 05:08 PM |
The teams hate street races. The logistics in terms of garage space and getting around sucks for something as busy and secretative as F1, and of course safety at street circuits is lower than at purpose-built road courses. Every year the teams whine about how much they hate Monaco. =)
| parker/slc/gc8fan | 10-22-2004 09:15 AM |
thats why laguna seca steps up, it has the legend and the quality of surface.
watkins glen would be good as-well. going back to the original usgp. when they did drive through the streets.
watkins glen would be good as-well. going back to the original usgp. when they did drive through the streets.
| remowgn | 10-23-2004 01:19 AM |
At the monterey historic races this year, I saw the Ferarri F2003 doing a couple hot laps around seca... woo, sent chills down my spine. That would truly be amazing if they could pull it off.
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