For the past 10 years I have said Jalopnik is the National Enquirer of Auto Journalism. I have refused to click on the site with the hope that one day it will die a miserable death of bankruptcy. I can't say anything more than that....
Its more than that. Its a combination of government and business working together and getting things moved quickly when they have to. Its unlike any other place I've lived that way. A real "can do" attitude on both sides, combined with a large and skilled local workforce. Do they make mistakes? Sure. But overall they really try to find a solution that both business and government will find mutually acceptable to their goals. The one big criticism is "too much". There's construction all over the city, not just the Strip. Its relentless and annoying.
I know its uncomfortable for some, including me, that the sport is taking on a new dimension of entertainment value beyond just "the race". But in today's world, its all entertainment now. You click on a video and if you don't like it in 5 seconds you click off. How many of us have said F1 races have become boring? Vegas did that with Ice Hockey. The traditionalists hated it but the fans really love it. More fun for the $$$. Add a bit or sparkle and what is boring becomes entertaining. Its all about the eyeballs because that's what keeps the racers racing.
Like Bob said, this is the quiet period for Vegas leading up to the Christmas season for Asians. There will be more customers in Vegas this weekend because of the race than there would be without it. The F1 calendar has a bit for everyone. The classic tracks for the die hard racers, the city circuits for the celebrity set, the exotic locations for the world travelers. If the championship was in play this season everyone would be excited for this race.
They just had SEMA in Vegas. Those I know that went didn't say it was poor turn out or that the construction was a major problem.
The "Netflix Cup" F1 drivers playing golf with PGA Tour players at The Wynn Golf Club.... streamed live on Netflix Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Doesn't seem to be a complete lap but damn for the drivers' sake I hope they turn off or at least way down all the super bright advertisement signs lining the course. At night those have to sear eyeballs.
I saw an interesting video today on how they built the paddock area in only 11 months. As soon as they acquired the grounds they ordered long lead time items such as escalators before the design was finished. Then instead of using steel construction it was faster to use concrete. Lastly they had 2 crews working in each end that met in the middle so they had space to work without getting in each others way. Something like 11,000 permits had to be approved and it was all done digitally. It’s really amazing.
The Sphere is going nuts this morning with new advertising. Lots of clever new graphics. The ad guys are really having fun. The Chrome ad is a beach ball of their logo being run around by F1 cars driving around the surface.
That's so awesome. I love this show cars. Las Vegas gets spoiled. I've been to GPs where the hosting city didn't bother to put anything on display.
No. Valencia was the worst. Recent years in Austin were abismal too (with College Football dominating in town). Budapest was meager pickings as well and forget Spa (well, there's no town of size nearby to begin with). Milan is disappointing too. Early years of COTA when Austin embraced the GP were great. Montreal is great, Monaco of course and Barcelona. I'm probably forgetting a few.
I was at Phoenix. It was pretty pitiful. Even the early days of Long Beach didn't have much. In those days the city of Long Beach itself wasn't much to talk about.
Phoenix was not much of a race aside from Alesi twice passing Senna. The sounds of real F1 engines racing through a concrete canyon--V8s, V10s, V12s--were magnificent.
