I know this has been discussed in the past, but I don't think a poll has been conducted yet. I personally would love to see the f1 cars embarrass CART at Laguna. Regardless of whether or not you think it will happen, vote YES if you want it to happen!
F1 wont do Laguna... not enuf runoff space and they need a larger facility. There was talk about F1 comming to Sears but they would need to rework turn 10 as there needs to be more runoff..... that would require changing the public road behind the wall. Big pain in the ass.
Even though it probably wont happen at Laguna, I would LOVE for F1 to come to any other suitable American track. Is there any other track on the west coast that would work?
Since CART does race there with the current runoffs do you think it is more of a function of the facilities being updated to F1 standards?
There is enough interest in the San Francisco area in F-1 as one of the major backers of F-1 is an SF based bank and I'm sure they'd love to see an event in their own back yard. No one may tell me that Laguna Seca is any worse then Hungary or Silverstone in terms of safety and runoff areas. They have made an F-1 type garage at Laguna, there are plans to improve the circuit and there seems to be no shortage of money there now with the involvement of Mazda (Ford). If F-1 is to succeed in America, it needs another event but what it needs even more is a high profile name like Jeff Gordon to get into the ranks to really bring F-1 the American attention it deserves. BHW
I think its definate. America is getting another GP. Bernie has been in talks with various financial backers over there. I think the rumour is that San Fran is going to get it. I don't believe it but that's what my mate who works in F-1 reckons. Time will tell. Also, be on the lookout for another WRC round for the USA.
Sure. Long Beach street circuit hosted F1 races for years before CART. California Speedway would be fine also, I'm sure. One of the problems for promoters is the huge amount of guaranteed money Bernie demands. That's why Long Beach dropped F1 and went to CART. Gary
A close friend ran Laguna Seca for many years. He had significant talks with Bernie, but they went nowhere. Remember, Laguna is run by SCAMP, which exists to support local charities. How do you explain to your board members that their favorite charities will get nothing because the race is not profitable, yet you are paying a British imp millions of dollars for the right to hold the race?
they should not go there. f1 should be at Mid-Ohio Raceway. or maybe thats just cause i live in Ohio mmmmmmmmmmmmm.......................?????
Road America. The muckety mucks could stay at the resort in Kohler (heck, maybe they could stay in Chi) and chopper over to the track. The Glen would be fun, but it seems to me there's not nearly enough run-off room. Or, even better, Cleveland - yes, the airport. Might even see a few passes there. Mid-Ohio is a nice track (in pro format, without the stupid kink), but too tight IMO for F1. Please, no more rovals. And no more street races, let Monaco stand alone.
A F1 Grand Prix on a road circuit in Manhattan or somewhere in NYC would be real nice though. All those people packed in those high rises and temporary stands on the sides of the street. Just imagine all those people getting a taste of what real racing is about. It would be just that ticket the US needs to develop an American team with an American driver. Fingers crossed! One day!
Anyone seen the FIA rules regarding the various tracks? I don't think that Sears is capable of being made into compliance without major changes. The AMA used a slightly difference track this year, avoided traditional turns 8, 9, etc. Much safer. If the space behind 11 could be increased, maybe that would work, however the issue will be turn 1, they would need a lot more space behind it to comply with the FIA. Laguna is so far out of compliance, that I don't think it could be modified. The corkscrew is a prime example of a corner that isn't fixable. Thank god I never fell there, it's too easy to get hurt there. Art
NYC - no f1 car will survive the pot-holes. Plus, they should throw a cabbie in for the mix of it! --Dan
I've watched G.P.s at Watkins Glen, Long Beach, Detroit and Montreal, and I've seen other road races at Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca. To me Watkins Glen is still the ideal venue for a G.P. Unfortunately the amount of money that would be needed to bring the Glen up to modern standards is undoubtedly prohibitive, so it will continue to be just a dream.............
North American GP at Road America or Road Atlanta; and Mexico GP at one of the tracks in California that can be brought to spec. Laguna Seca would be great; but getting it to spec may certainly be an issue.
Lets not forget the location of the last F1 race in the US prior to Indy...... Phoenix, AZ the track was super narrow, had no run off, the pits err were the pits. I think that with a little bit of money and cash comming into Laguna Seca that F1 can race at the track. HMMMMM Just the sight and sound of MS going flat out and up shifting down the Cork Screw
As much as I like that idea, Road America lacks too much to be considered: No infrastructure for the teams, not enough stands for the fans and no hotels to sleep in. Aside from that the track would be too dangerous for F1. Canada corner e.g. has barely any run off area and they would probably arrive there with top speeds. Also Road America is not very wide. I never raced Laguna, so can't talk about that, but the infrastructure and hotel facilities definitely lack there as well.
Road America is the finest race track in America because it's both very fast AND very tight, has tremendous elevation changes, and it's a beautiful facility. I'd love to see the cars going through the Kink and the sound through Thunder Valley would be awesome. Lodging is not that big an issue, Milwaukee, Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, the Fox River cities and Green Bay are all within an hour. You think Silverstone has any close by lodging? The Experimental Aircraft Association holds a fly in each year in Oshkosh that brings in 250,000 people. That said, the track ownership would never entertain the idea because of the money required.
There are a few new tracks, that Mosport track looks great, and the updates to VIR are really impressive as well. I agree Road America is as good as it gets in North America. I do love LS though, and would not mind a race there. Anything would be better than these dull cookie cutter Tilke tracks that are popping up everywhere.
I like Tilke's approach to pits and grandstands, but he totally misses the boat on elevation changes.
I competely agree, the facilities at his new tracks are amazing, but as you say the miss the boat when it comes to what really counts-- the circuit. Not only are the flat as a board but also the lack of 5th and 6th gear corners kills me. Apparently modern F1 cars need long straights and heavy braking to have a chance to overtake, fine. That doesn't mean the every single corner on the track needs to be 2nd or 3rd gear. I'm so glad Spa is back on the calendar this year.
I read in an interview with him that the 2nd and 3rd gear corners are predominant so the spectators/TV/sponsors get to see the cars better and longer and because of safety. And I have to say they're still better than chicanes. Problem is, the cars get faster and faster (see other tire thread). Having said that, yes, I'm totally thrilled to have Spa back. A real race track.
