F1 at Indy in the news again 11-30-07

It should return its bloody stupid not having a USA GP..

 

Thanks for the update, interesting and promising.

I said all along that the USGP will return: Next year people will realize what it means not to have the GP. People meaning the F1 sponsors with vital interests in the US market (read car manufacturers) and the local economy of Indy, that (according to this article) misses out on 100 million in revenue. All of this will create pressure on Bernie and Tony to get back together and negotiate a new deal.

I can't blame Tony much for paying about 5 mio USD every race out of his pocket and it sounds unfair that he has to carry the burden alone while the region gets a 100 million benefit. Maybe a special tax on local restaurants and hotels over the GP weekend could subsidize Tony's loss.

At the same time it would behoove Bernie to not be so greedy: He makes plenty of profit on all the new countries knocking on his door to get a GP to put their city's name on the map. Also I think he has realized meanwhile that Indy is the only viable option. Las Vegas or a NASCAR oval was nothing more than a pipe dream for F1.

Anyhow, I am a firm believer in the forces of the market and they will eventually correct this problem.

 

The region definitely gains from the GP with mostly every hotel being booked and the city filled with tourists/race fans. How hard would it be for the city of Indy to chip in 5 mill or the state for that matter. Some politicians are being cheap and are actually hurting the region. Hopefully, they'll see that this year when there is no US Grand Prix and book it before it goes somewhere else in the US.

 

F1 in Las Vegas a pipe dream? Please. The cart track could be configured easily, or another excellent street track could easily be erected in the newer Las Vegas strip area. Matter of fact, the strip is closed this weekend for some event. It happens all the time, and there is no city in the US more well equipped for travelers from all corners of the world.

 

Personally I'd love to see a GP in Las Vegas, but the reality is, that so far absolutely nothing has happened. And Bernie was allegedly seriously looking into it. Vegas got so many things going, a GP is just another event. Indy got exactly 3 events. They could use the extra dough.

Could it be done? Absolutely. Is there enough will and momentum to make it happen in Las Vegas? I seriously doubt it.

 

I say F1 should come back pretty much anywhere in the United States EXCEPT Indy. Boring place. Locals don't seem to know much about F1 - while in Indy for its first F1, the local sports broadcasters were tongue tied, except to make comments like "Hey Bob, there sure are a lot of foreigners in town now, aren't there?" and, "It will sure be different seeing all of those cars going around the wrong way." Those are virtually exact quotes -- pretty pathetic for a place that calls itself the "Racing Capital of the World."

I'm rooting for Laguna Seca, Sears Point, or, dare I say it, Watkins Glen. How about reviving the old two races for the USA idea?

Mark

 

Night race in Vegas might attract more interest. Even then if it’s in the summer, not too hot and Vegas does look a LOT better at night.

 

It would be too dangerous at night in Vegas. Some would hit a hooker...

 

we sat at the table next to Massa, Todt, etc. at a restaurant this past Indy F1 race (holy **** was that cool!).
Bernie came over, chatted with the boys.
A buddy of mine, who knows the guy who helped Bernie make his first bunch of millions, approached Bernie and they chatted for about 5 minutes.
My buddy asked him about Vegas, and he basically said no way.
for what that is worth...

 

Could not disagree more!
Great thing about Indy is that it is smaller.
Spend the weekend there for the race, go out... you WILL run into all sorts of people!
I spoke with Scott Speed at a bar one evening, we saw Fische walking down the street, and my group ate next to Todt, Massa. Bernie and Flavio came over for awhile.
Go to Vegas or anywhere else, and you will NEVER see these guys. Indy provides us serfs with some access...
plus, Indy is close to Chicago!

 

If Indianapolis, is too much of a "hick-town," for the F1 folks, maybe we should resurrect the VANDERBILT CUP? I recalled that the races were held in the wilds of Long Island, NY. Did a little research on it and it was also held in many other American cities, like Savannah, San Francisco, etc.

CART, has all rights to the Vanderbilt Cup, name these days, and a uniting of it, and F1, would make an interesting USGP. This is kinda tongue and cheek, but when you think of the race and US History of GP Racing in America, it has some relevence., really!

Here's a bit of history on the Vanderbilt Cup, and it's past locations and Winners;

http://www.deepthrottle.com/History/vanderbilt_winners.shtml

Ciao...Paolo

 

I very much enjoyed the USGP while at Indianapolis. Downtown in the evening was fun, and the track is first class. I hope it returns in 2009.

As I have said before, there are NO other exisiting facilities in the USA that could host an F1 without being completely rebulit. In that case you might as well build a new track where there are the best flights to Europe and South America and an abundance of hotel rooms. Not to mention plenty of distractions for the wives and kids while you are at the track.

That would be Orlando.

 

I'd like to see it come back, my 2006 experience was fantastic & I felt bad about missing out all those years. It would be completely stupid not to.

 

I love Vegas but. Race weekend at Super Max.
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i like the banking on Indy as well as the long straight. but i hate those slow corners in the midfield section. totally pointless.

 

The slow corners are being reconfigured for Moto GP in Sept. 2008.

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

One thing to think about regarding Vegas..

The Casinos weren't happy when Champ Car came to town. They thought it would be a good idea, bringing people into town and all. But as it turned out, the Casinos noticed a big drop when things were happening on track. From what I understand, the increased amount of people for the race didn't offset the drop in revenue caused when people went to watch the race.

Some of you may have better info on this.

 

Vegas for F1 failed before, it would fail again.

For F1 to be successful inthe US, it needs to be a permanent facility, with great airport access from Europe and South America, and plenty of hotel rooms. A beach nearby would be nice.

Like Orlando or Miami.

 

Solution: Bet on the race.

 

I'm not sure if its the same crowd. I don't really see too many Europeans at Champcar races. Talking with waiters and waitresses over the years in my vists to the USGP, they all say the same thing, the Americans buy beer, but the Europeans buy wine, its them that spend the big money.

 

If TG can't make it make $ sense, how could anyone else in the US do it without government subsidies. How could investors build a track to FIA standards and look at the 2007 season and say I'm in and not be insane. I'm not insane and i will invest in Bernie's vision. I just can't see enough F1 investor nuts out there. I'm positive Rodger Penske won't be in line.

You do understand TG is burning Holman family moola while others need a bottom line that makes sense to move forward. And if Tg can keep F1 in the US, he deserves some forgiveness for f**king up US open wheel. It's his only redemption.

 

EXACTLY !

I've been saying that for the last 2 years - as I watch Indy bleed money (empty grandstands), I figured there is no way it could continue...

I want one here - anywhere - I'd love to see it - BUT - would YOU do it with YOUR money if you knew full-well you were going to LOSE money ? No.

Tony - the France's - Bruton - Humpy - ALL of them - are only going to do it if they can PROFIT from it. Racing isn't like it was 40 years ago when a promoter could put together $50,000 and have a BIG race 'for the love of it'.

 

You are correct about Tony subsidizing F1.

Wasn't Tony that ruined open wheeled racing in the US. It was team owners that thought they could participate AND fairly run a series. No successful series is run by team owners, they all have a czar, king, whatever you call them. I blame today and always will blame Pissnke, Pricktrick, and Gn******* for their selfish actions. You do not have to like Tony's arrogance and personality, but he does have a series today that puts on a good show.

Controlling the Indy 500 helps, but I look forward for the day that Chump Car fails and folds and stops trying to be an American version of F1. Then we might have a successful American open wheel series.