| Author | Message | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Intermediate Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 1117 Registered: 3-2002 |
What's the problem with Laguna? Are you guys kidding me? Have you ever seen it? It's too damn nice of a track, that's the problem. Where is the FIA supposed to stick the chicanes? (Other than 'up their rears', that is). And all that elevation change is a real turnoff to the requisite B-Minus-List celebrities who parade around like kings and queens. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1506 Registered: 10-2002 |
Actually haven't mentioned Laguna. It'd be a superb location for F1. Spectacular scenery and in car crazy Calif. Good combination. Hey, if tiny Germany or Italy get two GPs, we ought to have some of our own: Glen, Indy, Seca ...dream on | ||
| thomas daniels (Castex)
New member Username: Castex Post Number: 31 Registered: 6-2003 |
I think Andreas might have mentioned it, but what's the matter with Laguna Seca? | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2637 Registered: 9-2001 |
If there is to be only one F1 race in the USA, then Indy is the place. But, I think Vegas would make a great second race if they build a nice road course to FIA specs. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1466 Registered: 10-2002 |
While the US can certainly do better than a parking lot in Vegas, I have to say I did like the track. Granted it was more go-kart than F1, but it was a street circuit after all. Unforgiving concrete walls like Monaco's armco. I miss such races in F1's calendar. But you're right, the Reutemann, Piquet, Laffite (if I remember correctly) duell deserved a more classic venue than this. Below is a picture I was able to snatch from the airplane (1 week before the GP, bad timing on my part):  | ||
| Warren Dodge (Spiderman)
New member Username: Spiderman Post Number: 45 Registered: 11-2001 |
Remember when the race was in Las Vegas before? It was a disaster and made us look like fools. The Glen was right for the time, as was Detroit and Long Beach. The future is at Indy. I have been to both Monaco and Indy and really got to experience the full GP effect at the Speedway. Enjoy it while it lasts because nothing is definite while Bernie is at the helm. | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Intermediate Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 1070 Registered: 3-2002 |
Every time this subject comes up, Las Vegas is thrown into the rumor mill as a likely race location. That would be a great trip, but if they tried to coordinate the North American races, that would mean moving Montreal into the Spring or Fall. I'd hate to imagine returning the race to crappy, cold weather. | ||
| Rikky Alessi (Ralessi)
Junior Member Username: Ralessi Post Number: 212 Registered: 5-2002 |
Did anyone read one of Bernie's old interviews? I think it was on AtlasF1, maybe not. But he was talking about a GP of NY... with the cars blasting around the trade centers, etc. That would have been very neat... maybe there is still a chance? | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1273 Registered: 10-2002 |
F1 in San Francisco would be fantastic. And given the car crazyness of the Calif folks, it might even be a hit. I'd certainly fly there for it. American drivers, that can actually drive? Yeah, there are a few. Phil Hill and Mario Andretti come to mind and in more modern times Jeff Gordon and maybe Townsend one day? Obviously you're hitting a nerve since there was last year's effort by Red Bull and Eddie Underacheever to find some US talent and it would certainly be good for the sport if they find one. So far it appears, that the US open racing world has helped more the 'foreigners' like Villeneuve and Montoya to walk up through the ranks. But with almost 300 mio people and racing everywhere there has to be a talent coming out eventually. Just like soccer. The US has to come up with a great team eventually... | ||
| Anthony_Ferrari (Anthony_ferrari)
Member Username: Anthony_ferrari Post Number: 297 Registered: 11-2002 |
Here's a link to a story about the Grand Prix of San Francisco. I think it's pretty unlikely to happen but I think 2 US races makes sense. F1 needs drivers from the US. Are there any americans that can drive real racing cars? (I'll duck and cover now!  ): http://www.pitpass.com/news2/news.cfm?newsid=6265 | ||
| Geronimo S. Realzola (Geronimo)
New member Username: Geronimo Post Number: 18 Registered: 1-2003 |
Craig, The race for me was exciting. Going around Monaco in an F1 car, centimeters from a coffin,in my humble opinion is not boring. Although trading paint is as exciting. Keep watching you'll get hooked. FORZA FERRARI! | ||
| Craig A (Milo)
Member Username: Milo Post Number: 280 Registered: 4-2003 |
OK... I just showed my ignorance of track locations... DOH! For some reason I always thought Watkins Glen was in California. Not sure why... heck I grew up with NASCAR every Sunday, you'd think I'd know that. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1262 Registered: 10-2002 |
THE GLEN!!!! | ||
| Craig A (Milo)
Member Username: Milo Post Number: 278 Registered: 4-2003 |
If it goes to the left coast then that makes the trek a little more difficult being I'm in NC and flying is not on my list of favorite things to do. What, if any, options are open on the east coast? | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1259 Registered: 10-2002 |
The US being the world's biggest car market, there is a good chance for the race to stay in the US. Perhaps not at Indy (wouldn't mind seeing it elsewhere). What they ought to do is combine the US GP with the Canadian GP so the teams don't have to travel as much (now they combine it somewhat with the Japanese GP). Maybe with Spa and Zeltweg gone, there is a chance for a reshuffling of the GP calendar for next year. Personally I'd love to see the Glen being brought up to F1 specs. Or a neat street race like Long Beach would be cool. Or of course the cork screw, hehe. And if it stays at Indy, oh well, then I'll continue my annual tradition. | ||
| Craig A (Milo)
Member Username: Milo Post Number: 276 Registered: 4-2003 |
Thanks for the info... Hopefully there will always be an F1 in the US. I may grow to really like it and may want to go every year. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1257 Registered: 10-2002 |
Pls keep in mind, that the Indy contract with F1 only runs for this and next year. There is no guaranteed F1 race in 2005 and thereafter. Hopefully it will stay in Indy, but you never know. Spa and Zeltweg were tracks with a lot of tradition and now they're gone. So carpe diem while it lasts. PS: I'll be in Indy this year. Again. | ||
| Craig A (Milo)
Member Username: Milo Post Number: 274 Registered: 4-2003 |
I thought about going to Indy as well but I doubt it will be this year. Maybe next year. | ||
| Lee Pierce (Leepierce)
Junior Member Username: Leepierce Post Number: 131 Registered: 1-2003 |
Hey...just caught this thread, and I'm having the same awakening (or attempt thereof) to racing as Craig, being a recent Ferrari owner. I found the Monaco race exciting for about the first 30 minutes. Once the novelty wore off, it was kind of bland. Seriously considering the USGP this year, just a 6 hour drive north of me. Looking forward to meeting some folks if I go. | ||
| Craig A (Milo)
Junior Member Username: Milo Post Number: 239 Registered: 4-2003 |
You make a good point Rob... America is all about instant gratification, fast pace, lots of action. One of the things I had to get used to when in Italy was how long it took to eat a meal. Here we eat supper in 20 minutes and move on. In Italy it is the event of the evening and lasts 2 hours. If you really look at football (American) the scores are usually really 3-2 (21-14). Still a bit more scoring than soccer but not that much more. It's those vicious hits by the linebacker on a QB that makes it soooo much fun to watch. As for F1... passing is action and I like action. No passing = No action = Boring. IMHO. FWIW I don't watch baseball either. I sleep to baseball a lot but rarely watch it. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1177 Registered: 10-2002 |
"you're still not claming Britain as part of Europe?" You might want to ask the Brits that question. They so far successfully refused to accept the Euro. Cricket is regional, just like Boule or Boggia. I think after F1 and soccer you should mention Tennis as a European sport. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5173 Registered: 12-2000 |
I guess it's more of a British colonies thing... India, UK, South Africa, Australia... you're still not claming Britain as part of Europe?  I've always enjoyed European sports more than American sports... F1, Cycling, Track & Field. Don't have time to watch Soccer, but games I've attended were great fun. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1176 Registered: 10-2002 |
Rob you got a point there, although I would have phrased it slightly different: For Europeans the build up to the event is just as entertaining. Soccer is in that way a lot like F1: It is all about strategy and the attempt to score/pass. You rarely do, when it happens it is so much more meaningful. There are dozens of passes in oval racing and many baskets in the NBA, but they are meaningless in the overall scheme. A F1 pass matters, so does a soccer goal. Cricket a European thing? Where did you get that idea? Anyway. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5172 Registered: 12-2000 |
I think it's the sports culture of Americans vs. Europeans. The most popular sports in America are Basketball, Football, and Baseball. Baseball has the least of action, but still, high scoring highly active games. Europe's favorite sports are Football (Soccer), Cricket, and F1 Racing. It all goes hand in hand. Europeans like long periods of "hoo hum" and then anything that really does happen is just that more intense... GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLL!!!!!!!!! | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Intermediate Member Username: Ross Post Number: 1256 Registered: 3-2002 |
like the others have said, monaco is very exciting if you know what to look for. remember that they are averaging 100mph over the course, threading the needle the whole time !!!! if you want to see more passing, then catch the usa gp at indy, there shud be some good passing at the end of the straight. | ||
| PSk (Psk)
Member Username: Psk Post Number: 481 Registered: 11-2002 |
Monaco was fantastic this year. Montoya and Kimi were just going for it and you have to appreciate how hard it is to drive that fast and that close to the barriers for 70 or so laps. The concentration and risk of a disaster is very real ... and thus you never know what is going to happen. It also is very hard on the car as many gear changes per lap, and bumps, etc. Aparently in qualifying (in the old correct method) if your car had not brushed all four wheels with the barrier you were not trying hard or fast enough ... I think people who have raced cars appreciate the skill involved with Monaco more than others. I would love to do a lap of Monaco more than any other track because it is not a silly slow street circuit but a bloody fast (in some places) flowing blind circuit. Many street circuits have stupid 90 degree corners followed by more 90 degree corners and just don't flow ... but not Monaco! I raced street circuits in NZ, and my eyes were so wide that I could not believe it, but that was nothing compared to an F1 car in an even narrower track with less visibility. What a challenge!! Passing, yep very difficult but you pass at Monaco by pushing the guy infront into a mistake, just like any other track. F1 is not about passing but instead is a high speed chess game, with the potential for passes. You don't see many on any track, and random easy passing like the bikes do does not always make a interesting race, watching drivers or riders push each other and their machines to higher limits is ... that is F1. Positions change by strategy and race pace and ocassionally via on track passing. A car is very wide and thus it is easy to block ... on almost any track, even at my humble club level racing. Pete | ||
| Jack Habits (Ferraristuff)
Member Username: Ferraristuff Post Number: 762 Registered: 4-2003 |
Watching Monaco on TV can be quite boring, I fully agree. BUT... BEING there and watching the race? There's not a single race that compares to it, IMHO. The sound, the entourage, the atmosphere, hoping that YOUR driver won't hit the barriers.... Driving down from Menton to Monaco on Saturday morning, seeing the sun come up, hearing some of the cars warming up while looking down on Monaco... There's really NOTHING that compares to that for me. Jack | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 499 Registered: 4-2003 |
Craig, Watch some more races, it gets much better. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1153 Registered: 10-2002 |
Another reason why Monaco is still in the calendar: This is where a lot of the sponsorship deals are made and sealed. This is the best place to cater to your VIP guests and let them enjoy the spectacle from the top of your/their yacht in the harbour. | ||
| Ken A (Zff)
Junior Member Username: Zff Post Number: 66 Registered: 12-2002 |
Craig, I'm a big F1 fan and I'd have to agree that it was a somewhat boring race. Monaco has it's usual nail-biting tension... will someone hit a wall? Will the cars make it to the end of the race? ...but I wouldn't necessary call it "excitement". The drivers who finished 1st and 2nd -- Juan Pablo Montoya (blue/white Williams BMW) and Kimi Raikkonen (black/silver McLaren Mercedes) had some really fierce battles last year. Toward the end of the race, I was hoping the two of them would start mixing it up again... I know it's Monaco, but these two have been fearless in the past. It woulda been something to see. The in-car shots were amazing... to see how fast they were going down the insanely narrow roads and blind turns. The shot of the cars going over the curbs near the swimming pool (I think) looked like artificially speeded-up footage. | ||
| MFZ (Kiyoharu)
Member Username: Kiyoharu Post Number: 284 Registered: 2-2003 |
Monaco isn't exactly a good first race to watch if you are just starting to appreciate F1. I personally find the track boring for all the obvious reasons. The only reason it's still in the racing calendar is because of the glamor and historic significance. Even then, at least two years of the GP back in the 1950's was run to sports car rules. I bet given a choice, the racers would love to skip this one. | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 703 Registered: 11-2002 |
>>Two times World Champion Nelson Piquet compared racing a F1 through the narrow streets of Monaco as 'flying a helicopter in your living room'.<< Hahaha...That's awesome. Oh and don't forget Craig...THAT SOUND! Cheers | ||
| Craig A (Milo)
Junior Member Username: Milo Post Number: 206 Registered: 4-2003 |
Well for what it's worth I'm no NASCAR fan either. I'm trying F1 for a couple reasons. One being I'm now a Ferrari owner and I want to see where my car's characteristics were born. Second it's road racing and to me this is much more challenging for drivers and should be more exciting for fans. Andreas, I've never looked at from that standpoint. I must admit I was a bit amazed watching MS make up 12 seconds in the last 12 laps at Monaco. The man can evidently drive at the edge of the envelope. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1151 Registered: 10-2002 |
Definitely more passing or attempts to do so. The interesting part about Monaco is to see how long they can last without the cars breaking down or the driver making a crucial error. Two times World Champion Nelson Piquet compared racing a F1 through the narrow streets of Monaco as 'flying a helicopter in your living room'. Last year's race had Schumacer tailgating Coulthard for the longest time in the final stage and he didn't get by. Was that boring? Heck no! It was not about passing but whether either man would make that crucial mistake. A chicken game so to speak. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Advanced Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 3833 Registered: 9-2001 |
it ain't nascar like but it should have more passing | ||
| Craig A (Milo)
Junior Member Username: Milo Post Number: 204 Registered: 4-2003 |
Marking my calendar then for Canada. Should I expect more racing with this one? | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Advanced Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 3830 Registered: 9-2001 |
you are correct about monaco | ||
| Craig A (Milo)
Junior Member Username: Milo Post Number: 201 Registered: 4-2003 |
I watched the Monaco GP Sunday morning on Speedvision here in North Carolina. I can sum it up in one word - Boring. I'm not one to make complete decisions based on one viewing and I figure I'll watch one or two more to see if Monaco just happens to be a boring track. Why boring? I don't recall not one competitive pass in this race. An F1 race seems to be decided at qualifying and who has the fastest pit stops. I'm not looking to get the flames started here but is there something more to F1 racing that I overlooked. I do have to admit that the cars going through the tunnel sounded awesome. |