Here's the story, to make way for the Moto GP they are going to reconfigure the track. This new design will become the new F1 circuit too. THE BIG FEAR is this new layout may remove the oval section of the circuit, at least for the bikes. http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/motogp/35528/
I hope they get rid of the stupid consecutive hairpins while they are at it. The oval needs to be there for F1 in keeping with history.
This is pretty big news on other boards, but not to much play here. I guess we have to wait to see the layout first to make a judgement. The banking is the only thing unique about Indy on the F1 circuit, get rid of that and whats the big deal about coming to Indy. At that point its the city thats more important to the attraction and for that I'll take Montreal over Indy.
Vegas!!! It could be like the 80s when Nelson Piquet strutted around Caesar's in a full length mink cape throwing dice with a smokin hot girl on each arm. Ah the good ole days...
i hope they don't remove the oval and the long straight. as far as i'm concerned, Tilke has already done massive damage to Hockenheim.
Take away the oval section and it's just another infield "slot car" track. (It's about 75% that as is.)
This may be selfish, but I hope they never take it away from Laguna Seca. MotoGp is by far my favorite race to watch there. The threat of another MotoGP location may even force Monterey County and California to put more money in to the track and the facilities at Laguna Seca
Amen to that! Without a press pass, there is NO other place to get decent photographs. I had to get there about 3 hours before qualifying last year to get a good spot. I usually sit in a seet for the race and stay at photographers' hill for practice and qualifying. I assume that you are going to be there this year. We'll have to meet up at the hill! -John
Sure thing. We probably stood there not far from each other last year. I usually go there one hour before the Saturday practice. I'm always right at the fence so nobody gets in front (not counting the stewards). At that spot I can always make sure to get the entire field one by one. Once that's complete I can venture out to other spots around the track for more "risky" shots.
another link confirming the story http://www.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/070225150009.shtml
Do you actully think that Indy managment will build all new pits for F1 just because of motoGP? I really doubt that the profits from motoGP would warrant that. What this means is either F1 will be dumped from Indy after 2007, or the bikes will have their own S/F line and the F1 cars stay as they are now.
Yeah, I don't think money is a problem for Indy. They can easily make $3+ million on admission, plus there is also parking and other profits. Plus I presume they must get some money from motoGP and TV rights. I don't see why not, they have the opportunity to make some nice money and attract new fans to the raceway.
My guess is that they would still use the portion of the straight in front of the pits, but get on later than they do now (ie, after turn 1). The slot-car track comment seems spot on to me.
