New Host For USGP?

How about Road America? That would be a brilliant venue...

 

Miller Motorsports park in 2011 perhaps?

 

What about Miami? Great atmosphere, plenty of hotels, international airport, etc.

 

In Las Vegas, on a brand new 1st class track built by the multi-billion dollar casino resorts, right on the other side of I-15 from Mandalay Bay.... nothing else in the US would touch that.

 

So, the innevitable has happened and Ecclestone has announced that there won't be any US GP in 2008, since' nobody else came forward' (sic).
Is it a bad thing or not?

From a purely practical point of view, it will cost more for Ecclestone to bring his circus to Montreal for the Canadian GP, since the transatlantic cost won't be shared by the 2 venues. That must be the least of his problems, though...

From a commercial point of view, not running in the USA is a slap in the face for sponsors who are denied of a show on what is still the biggest world market. China is far more populated, but the average 'disposable income' is negligible compared to the States.

The USA have already 2 (strong?) domestic open-wheel series, that would be even better if they could merge, with a season-long features programme, plenty of household names and some US drivers.

F1 is a one-show-only with one unfortunate US driver as back-marker. Not much to exite the US fans. I don't think that the US will miss F1 and the feeling must be mutual too.

 

Some Europeans have a hard-on for the US (especially the French but others too). Any opportunity to stick it to the US they do it. Combine that with a jerk like Tony George in p!ssing contest with Bernie. Guess who's gonna lose in that deal. My daddy always told me you can't win in a p!ssin contest with a skunk!

I voted for Laguna Seca but can we get 200,000 fans in there?

 

I was afraid this was going to happen.

 

Miller would be great, but it needs to improve dramatically in order for the circus to come to town.

Miller is still in its infancy but it is amazing for what it is. It will only get better and should be a great track for years to come.

 

Truly, no disrespect to the fine people of Indianapolis, but the city isn't exactly the place I'd choose in the U.S. if I had to host several hundred thousand semi-well-to-do foreigners and show them a slice of America. There are some beautiful parts of downtown but there isn't anything to do! The downtown area that caters to the race fans is all of four blocks, and minus the race itself, a guest feels like the city has no interest in the event. While Indy is a historical circuit, there are other cities better suited to hosting F1 in the US. Miami, New York and Las Vegas immediately come to mind as entertaining hosts, although Phoenix, Detroit, Long Beach and Dallas have hosted F1 in the U.S. before. Some of these cities would need a lot of infrastructure investment to host a Formula 1 event, but the other attractions they offer would boost turnout.

On another note, Indy's F1 history has been awkward not just for the tire debacle and the race two weeks after 9/11, but also in terms of convenience and scheduling. I've been only three times since it's been held, but those have been in September, July and June. Is it this hard to settle on a date? I was pleased that that in 2005 Indianapolis did a great job of hosting easy-to-attend automotive events the Saturday prior to the race, (Concours d'Elegance in particular,) but this year I arrived Saturday only to learn everything had been done on Friday. This left my friend and I with nothing to do but eat, drink and wait for Sunday. I can eat and drink back home in Atlanta... The next U.S. city that decides to step up to hosting F1, (and meet's Bernie's criteria,) will hopefully make a bigger and more enjoyable event of the weekend.

 

I heard something interesting on the local news here in Orlando. There's a plan to build a new basketball arena for the Magic, but supposedly it will be large enough to hold a superbowl even though there is no NFL team in Orlando. Some people want it to remain downtown where the current arena is located and something like 60% of season ticket holders are against moving the arena on the southwest side of town.

Now this southwest area of town is better known as International Drive. The designers of the arena want to build the arena there and a grand prix circuit. First time I've heard news of this. I don't know exactly where they would buy property for it looking at satellite pictures...

Edit: Article written earlier today. Guess some plans have changed since I heard of it a few days ago. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-idrive1307jul13,0,5009727.story

edit #2: SpeedTV forums said something about ChampCar. Maybe the track can be used for F1...pic attached.

Here's a satellite picture of the current location: http://wikimapia.org/#y=28434883&x=-81453323&z=14&l=0&m=a&v=2
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Everyone wants it in their backyard

Seriously, are there any places really stepping up trying to solicit F1? Is it really that profitable considering the investment and no guarantees they'll stick around either that or o'l Bernie will do a "stick up" down the road? Seems kind of quiet out there if you ask me. You'd think there'd be places falling all over themselves, like those trying to host the Olympics and we'd hear about it.

 

USGP in Orlando? Somebody's been spending too much time in FANTASYLAND. LMAO

 

I'd like to see a race in Hawaii. Great scenery, but you'll probably get a boat load of environmentalists saying that the noise of the F1 car messes with the Jurassic Park waterfalls. lol

You mean Disney World's Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland. Get that right!

 

Yes.

Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland.

 

Walter Elias Disney World's Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland.

 

Again, nothing comes close to Vegas as far as an international F1 fan destination... not even close.

 

Not even NYC? I hear that place is a pretty international destination. If you know what I'm sayin'. Many rich people there as well so F1 should blend in.

 

Before you go to Orlando...Read this

http://www.alternativereel.com/conspiracy/Delusions_of_Grandeur.html

 

Check out the last one:

Thanks a lot, Bernie and Max...

 

laguna seca will never happen it was deemed to hazerdous for motogp what do you think F1 will say. The best option is a las vegas street race!

 

At night !

 

To screw European viewers as well!

 

Can I suggest Road Atlanta? I know it would not happen, but weather, city, access etc... are all there... you could have the race any time... spring or fall, and the track is great... the facility is not... but Don Panoz could reach in and pay $200Million and get it just right.... with Hamilton being Black...Atlanta would be the perfect place to capitalize on his success in the USA... capital of Black America.

 

I second the vote for Road Atlanta....It has it all.