... and what about this report 2 days ago?.... New bidder emerges for US Grand Prix ESPNF1 Staff May 23, 2010 The Monticello Motor Club circuit near New York A report in the Toronto Sun has indicated there is another bid on the table to host a US Grand Prix. Ari Strauss, president of the Monticello Motor Club, a road course near New York, released a letter after meeting with Bernie Ecclestone about hosting the event. "A few months ago, Bill McMichael [the club's chairman] and I met with Bernie Ecclestone," Strauss said. "We discussed the terms for an exclusive 10-year United States Grand Prix to be hosted at MMC. Shortly thereafter, Hermann Tilke, the chief engineer and circuit designer for F1, spent time at MMC and confirmed that our track and surrounding properties, with some expansion and minor track modifications, is an excellent location for a Grand Prix. "Since receiving a letter of understanding from FOM confirming their hope to bring the US Grand Prix to Monticello, Bill and I have continued to secure the backing and support of local, state, and federal politicians and organisations." Ecclestone has made no secret of his desire to have a race neat Manhattan, and in the that regard the MMC is not ideal as it is situated about 75 miles from the city, in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. The club's website states: "The track is 4.1 miles and includes 22 unique turns and 12 distinct configurations ... with over 1.5 miles of straights, the Monticello Motor Club has some of the fastest track segments available in the world." "Securing F1 is like winning the Olympics," Strauss told the paper. "Competition is fierce, and this is not a done deal. While the prospect of F1 at MMC is exciting, we remain focused on our core business: The club and its members."
But that is the easiest and most easily predicted reaction from Bernie... so the hard deliverable he has to FOTA cannot simply be to try, it must be to deliver a race. It's certainly possible... it could have been in Indy these last years - it was all about money. So Bernie bleating about inability to put it together reduces to a simple "I wasn't willing to pay that much" (or not get paid that much, as it were). Since FOTA splitting would have meant a much more serious dent in Bernies revenue, FOTA obviously knew this was something they could compel Bernie to agree to. I'm sure they did... they aren't bumbling idiots Bernie has too many prospects dangling money in front of him to be working this hard on a USGP. His only out may be to give the race to someone else and let it fail - but I think FOTA is smart enough to account for that as well. In the end, I believe this is just a negotiation ploy, and we will have a 2012 USGP at Indianapolis.
As always. So he goes to FOTA with; - "The yanks will pay $X for the race." OR - "We can go to Russia/India/BF nowhere and make $10X - What'cha think boys?" This argument may have been on thinner ice if the manufacturers were still involved, but not so much now. Gotta say, +1 - Two years hence isn't adding up for me either if I'm honest. As long as we've got one in 2012, I'll be satisfied. Cheers, Ian
Very likely, double bingo. But then, it was Tony George that appreciated F1. The current batch of IMS principals do not seem to understand anything that turns right. I really enjoy oval track racing, but my point is, who at IMS cares about F1? Anybody?
Much better than NY or Indy. A step in the right direction if it isn't too hot. But, my feeling is... it ain't gonna happen so I'm not going to waste my time thinking about it.
After reconsideration, I still think it's WRONG, but I also came to the above same conclusion, so no sense wasting more time on this far out play...
The Austin airport cannot even handle SXSW traffic, they won't be able to handle the USGP traffic. ABIA is really small due to it being a former air force base, the southeast is a bit ghetto in my opinion. I agree with what SRTMike said.
I heard the Broken Spoke was going to be used for the Paddock CLub ! On a serious note much as I'd love to see a USGP reading this thread it all feels incredibly similar to the Donington debacle with Hellmand in the Simon Gillett role - I just can't believe Bernie would let the wool be pulled over his eyes twice in such quick succession especially in the same context
Bernie didn't have the wool pulled over his eyes. He used Donington to get what he wanted from Silverstone. If I were a hotelier in Indianapolis I would be very happy with this announcement as it sounds like Bernie is serious about there being a USGP. It's just a shame that he has to raise the hopes of people in Texas, the same way he did to those at Donington. Remember this? http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/7/8039.html
I said this before...no way this place gets an F1 Race. Great track for club racing and track days, but in the middle of EGYPT. 90 miles from NYC? What about roads in for traffic for 100k drivers coming in to see the race. No place to park, etc etc etc. Watkins is much better suited, and they will never get a race again either. MB
I really hope we are not being used. I can tell you it has generated quite a bit of excitement here. My office phone, cell phone, text message, email went to the redline yesterday with folks contacting me wanting to know if I knew any more details......strangely no phone calls from the press even local and we are the only "real" road racing entity in Central Texas with real championships under our belt. I know Tavo, but I have not seen or heard from him in at least 10 years or longer. Last time I saw him we both had our karts down at the track in New Braufels. He was trying to make it and move his way up into pro racing. He was in a series driving a Formula Ford where he had secured sponsorship from a local Chevy dealer here in Austin. That kind of translates being able to "sell sh**t to the Pope". The State of Texas is involved somehow as I would find it hard to believe the Comptroller of Texas making a press release (early at that) if there was not something cooking. There is a ton of cash in this area and if people get behind it instead of doubting it I think it could happen. The time table to secure land, pull permits, move dirt, build the facility, build the infrastructure seems extremely optimistic IMHO if not impossible and would drive the cost up 3 to 4 times I suspect to fulfill the timeline presented....but maybe a few of those Sheiks in Abu Dabi are tired of the desert. They sure moved mountains of sand in short periods with more money than G.
A high 8 figure number uesd at the Glen could turn that place around. A couple high end resort hotels, trackside condos, aircraft/helicoptor access with some track changes. Bring the USGP back to where it belongs. Oh, and if not, then Indy is fine by me!
No way is Watkins more suited. I've raced there MANY times. Getting in and out of that track is a nightmare not to mention you have zero runoff everywhere. It would require as much dinero as building from scratch counting the infrastructure possibly. I-35 brings in San Antonio and Dallas (also Mexico), I-10, US71, US290 bring in Houston and west Texas Tollway 130 is the fast bypass from Georgetown that links the airport and where I would think this thing might be going in towards Kyle/Buda....away from city permiting.
Frankly Road Atlanta would have been my pick for a proper road course that already exists is a bad mutha and is FIA legal right now and the busiest international airport in the world.
