US return a 'crucial' priority for FOTA

Why not race at Watkins Glen? It's within driving distance of some of the biggest cities in the Northeast- Baltimore, NYC, Philly, and a pretty big city Cleveland. Plus it is driveable from Toronto.
I don't know where else you could find a track within range of 4 major cities.

 

Having attended 8 F1 GP's there, all I can say it doesn't cut the mustard. Not enough hotel rooms, not located off of major interstates, no major jet friendly airport really close. And the circuit needs major revamping to bring it up to current F1 standards, and I doubt if NASCAR would spend the money.

On the other hand, the area is absolutely beautiful. I do remember arriving once for Friday practice, and there was snow on the ground.

 

Those are all great points. It is basically in the middle of nowhere. It is like the dot in the Target symbol.

 

That's another reason I'm making a note to watch the IndyCar race there on July 5th.
If they can make those beasties run around that course, ...

But I doubt the track owners would cough up the kind of money Bernie would want.
Or build a row of garage-mahals. Or a throne room for Bernie and pals.

Indy has the facilities already. (Including more seats than any other F1 venue.) Bernie just has to get over not being the only game in town. If you schedule the USGP for two weeks after memorial day, there *will* still be posters from the 500 around. Live with it.

Bernie would probably be happier with a track that isn't used for anything except F1. But nobody is going to build a track to Bernie's spec just for one race a year, pending Bernie's getting along with the owner.

Too much ego, not enough racing.

But it'd be a kick to see the USGP go back to the Glen, just for the nostalgia value.

 

I would agree... Watkins Glen is the spiritual home of F-1 in the USA. If they do come back they need to do it on the east coast or California... Las Vegas, Dallas, etc... just dont work... you either need it at a place like Road Atlanta, or Watkins Glen where its established... or go to a place like Laguna Seca... I vote for Road Atlanta for selfish reasons, but I would love to go back to the Glen... been to every F-1 race there since 1968.

 

The Glen wont' work because of the safety issues with the track. They would have to do some major renovations of the track for F1 to come back there. Plus I don't think NASCAR would let something bigger than their redneck series to come to one of their tracks. Plus the infastructure of the area around Watkins Glen would never support the crowds or teams of F1.

Road Atlanta would be great and I could see F1 being ran there. They at least have made a lot of safety improvements to that track in the last 15 years to attract a race like that. Road Atlanta though doesn't have the viewing areas or parking infastructure to make it work. I don't think all the super rich F1 races attract would like to get some GA red clay dust all over their fancy suits or fancy cars. ;-)

 

+1!

 

I wish I still had the picture I shot of a Lambo up to it's axles in the mud at Silverstone many years back..... It hadn't moved by the time we left, but we were pretty sure it wasn't getting out without a tow..... The BRDC will claim "it's all a part of the charm of Silverstone!" of course

Cheers,
Ian

 

The Mini Killer Clarkson drove on TopGear.

 

Atlanta would be great, but Road Atlanta doesn't come close to working as an F1 circuit. The last turn, would have to disappear.

 

Actually the Speedway did not want the USGP so close to the Indy 500 because they said they needed at least one month to convert from the oval to the road course. Where ever the USGP, I would prefer it to be in October, timed with the the race in Brazil.

All of this talk about cutting costs, I would think that transporting the entire F1 circus out of Europe to whereever is rather expensive. So why the Middle East at the start of the season and then again at the end? How about, starting in the Middle East, going to Europe, then North and South America, and finishing back in Europe for the finale?

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=248719

I am wondering how this will affect the potential of a USGP. I am not so sure it will be positive.

 

I think it works perfect. As for red clay, etc... F-1 does not care about the fans, all they would need is a fancy club paddock for the sponsors and a place to fly choppers in and out of close the the track... you could be at PDK and or Hartsfield in 30 min by chopper... back in your lear and on your way home in less than 2 hours.

Track is great, freshly paved etc... so may be they need some paved run off... of any permenant track in the USA it has the right ingredients... Watkins Glen does as well... but with the Nascar connection that makes it difficult... they do have plenty of room up there for "improvments".... plenty of space which Road Atlanta does not.

 

As long as Bernie's there, a NAGP will be a backburner. Bernie needs to depart on the flight ahead of Max, imho.

LdM pushing for a USGP due to the imminent arrival of the Pleemoth Roda Ronner Cinquecento makes sense (it will be off the wall successful here), I'll have to put my faith in Fiat's Canuck to push for Montreal.....

 

one sentence,NEW YORK GRAND PRIX,Times Square Street.

 

Have you been to NYC recently ? the cabbies will eat the F1 drivers alive in and around Time Square.

 

Now that T George is out, Indy can be back in the pix. George & Ecclestone were at odds. I have to say I sided with George on that dispute.

I still say a street race in downtown Chicago would be totally awesome!

Dave

 

Welp, the good news is that FOTA's got big power now and ROI pressures mean that they're going to demand *and get* a USGP.

The bad news is... I honestly don't think we have a single good track on this continent that'll work for F1 without major investment. That's awfully unlikely in these tight times, though it does present a huge opportunity for someone. Indy is as close as it gets and has a proven record but the track just isn't very good. Still, I'd go there in a heartbeat!

On a side note: Tony George just stepped down yesterday. Anyone have an educated thought on how this impacts a future USGP?

 

This constant "Indy bashing" is getting a little old IMHO. [Yes, I did note you said you'd go in a heartbeat] - It's not Spa or Silverstone, but other than the mickey-mouse section at the end, which I believe has been improved (for the MotoGP guys IIRC?) it's got some good corners, some *great* viewing locations all over the place and access isn't too bad. It puts more loading into the left rear tires than anywhere else and there is a little overtaking going in to turn one..... It seats a shed load of people and it's got "name recognition" here in the States like nowhere else. I'd for sure go back as well!

Las Vegas? - Does anyone remember the friggin' parking lot they ran on before? Long Beach? - Looks like a fun track to drive, but as a spectator you get to see what, 2 corners at best? NYC? - Pipe dream [Someone would get killed trying to deliver pizza IMHO]. I'd *love* to see it back at the Glen, but it just doesn't cut it by todays "standards". Laguna? - Might be doable if a bunch of $ got spent but the locals there are a real problem......

It's Indy or nothing IMHO.

Cheers,
Ian

 

You know what... who says the track specs have to be the same for F-1 in the states? I mean do you really have to revamp the entire place just to hold one race a year? I think that is a problem for F-1 too... they require too much from the track and promoter and they cant make any money... seems to me everybody will have to make less and be happy with it.

I vote for Indy or Road Atlanta, or Laguna Seca...Sebring would also be great but otherwise there are no other tracks that have a pull...

I think if George is out, that is not good for F-1... why would the Hulman family want to lose more money???

 

x2

 

If you can run an LMP1 on a track, you can an f1 car there as well. That "modern track standard" notion that Bernie feeds people is baloney (IMO.)

 

Paul Newman's idea... Floyd Bennet Field. A grand prix in NYC... maybe one day.
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