http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns20776.html There are discussions going on with the aim of taking Formula 1 to a purpose-built racing circuit near Palm Springs. The appearance, albeit fleeting, of Chris Pook in the paddock at Monza set tongues wagging. Pook was the man who created the Long Beach Grand Prix back in the 1970s and went on to ran CART between 2001 and 2003. He then retired to Palm Springs but has remained close to Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. The United States Grand Prix is a name that is now believed to be owned by Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but that does not mean that we could not see a Californian Grand Prix in the future.
If I remember right Peter W. said something about it returning to the US in 2110? I hope it gets more support than what it got at Indy. but if the truth is known, I really don't think it will last here no matter where they have it at. I hate it that it can't get enough support to be, not the biggest racing sport in the US, but just enough to survive. Hopefully this time it will be different, but I wouldn't bet my life on it.
The USGP needs to be a track that they can have a race. Something like Road Atlanta or Road America. In regard to support for the race, remember there were over 200,000 at the first IndyGP. Then it started to get less and less. WHY? Forget the dumb, there is no US driver, crap. The US race fan has so many choices, (NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA, etc.) that they want bang for there buck. Most race fans aren't into the cutting edge technology that F1 provides. They want value for their dollar. At the Canadian GP, for 400 dollars, you get a good seat for 3 days. At Watkins Glen, you get Grand-Am racing, with multiple support races, an autograph session, live entertainment, free food provided by the main sponsor, full access to the garage areas and many other add-ons for an entire weekend for about 100 dollars. And that includes your camping location. F1 has seemed to have forgotten the fans. Maybe where there is not a lot of options, this is fine, but not in the US.
You know I can agree with you on a little bit of that, but not all of it. I remember when I went to the race in Sept. 2000 outside the track there were all kinds of things going on, you could get anything you wanted from food to shirts and all in between. I remember even inside you could get pretty much the same thing, but not as much of a selection as outside the track. I remember they had some nice displays of different cars there and if I remember right, Ralph S. was there singing autographs. Indy. has the nice museum there also. I would tend to lean more towards it being there aren't enough fans here to support it, maybe then Florida or California would be a better part of the US to have it in. I think Indy. has NASCAR and IndyCar pretty much in the palm of there hands, I mean that is the biggest race in both those leagues, isn't it? Maybe a different part of the US would help also, like California or Florida.
Agreed and there is nothing I would love more than to see a grand prix at Road America but there is no way that the track or surrounding area would be approved any time soon by the FIA. There are no garages, no video boards, etc. The area around it is nice and beautiful but unless everyone stays in Chicago and helicopters in, I don't see enough accomodations for everyone.
Considering there is no track near Palm Springs... and the planning and construction of any such facility would take at least 5-6 years... I dont see it. a street circuit? Dunno.
I don't see how a street circuit could happen here in Palm Springs. No roads for it. I can barely drive a street car on the roads as they are! I think Vegas is the most likely choice. Plenty of land to build a course. Seems like a no brainer. Palm Springs and surrounding area would never handle the crowd at the level of service expected. xraygun 2006 Coupe Cambiocorsa
You know, I'd attend a GP in Palm Springs, simply for the outstanding examples of mid-century modern architecture.
WOOPS! WOW, you are the only one that caught that...lol...lol...sorry, my mistake, I think I wanted to say 2010.
It looks like Palm Springs is out unless they build the circuit, which I really can't see happening, so what about Watkins Glen where it was held in the 70's?
Agreed. And I always liked the 2-day pass for $25 on Friday and Saturday. I know the organizers have budgetary needs, but I'd be interested to know how big of a crowd they need to draw to be considered successful. I went to Indy from 2000-2005, and every year there was a little less to look at, including the racing "mall" inside the track and the merchandise booths outside. I thought it was cool when they had autograph sessions, but I was never going to wait in that madness to meet Ralf. I'd rather see SpeedTV do a live setup, like they do at NASCAR races. They could even set up across the street where the RVs are for a festive atmosphere. But I still think Indy offers the best combination of positives to host the race. Some day, when Bernie is 3 feet underground the heads of F1 will realize that a race needs to stay put to build a following. The downside to Indy is that it now carries the stigma of the 6-car tire debacle and being perceived as a failure without knowing why.
First things, first~ There are facilities near Palm Springs currently. They are privately owned so getting a public sanctioned race there is out of the question. Next~ Up until about 10 years ago, there were vintage car races in Palm Springs. Those races have been moved to San Diego North Island Navy Base. (In fact, the races are Sep. 19-21!) There were a few problems with safety @ the street course in Palm Springs that led to fatalities. (Yes, you can move 8 "k"rails with an authentic 427 AC Cobra, but it'll kill you doing it.) Third~ and this is a biggie! There is a racing facility being built (as I type this) that will be a complex consisting of 8 different courses. (some are dirtbike courses) but 1 of them is a 2.2 mile road course. It is on an indian reservation that has a very large casino. It'll also have a full 1/4 mile drag strip. The facility is in North Sandy Eggo County. I'm giving these details a little bit premature but I figured you might as we ll be up to date. It seems the "Indians" are more receptive to race tracks with all the environmental regs now. (Having one's own "sovereignty" has it's advantages!)
The problem with the USGP at Indy making money was not about crowds. Yes, its true that the crowds were never as big as they were the first year, but the grandstands were hardly empty. No, the problem was the revenue break-down for all interested parties, and the resulting tiny piece of that pie that the venue typically gets for an F1 race, (thanks Bernie). Although its true that the US race fans have many choices for their racing dollar, the issue here is not one of them demanding bang for their buck, but the venue realizing that regardless of interest, their profit margin for an F1 race just isnt worth it, especially compared to US racing events. This is reason that most are reporting that the current negotiations for any future event at Indy, must include a more equitable breakdown of the costing, since the profits of the race dont include the venue for a F1 event. If (and these are some big ifs!) IMS could get Bernie to agree to a long-term contract that would have him pony up some discounts or assistance toward the costs of setting up the event, AND a title sponsor could be found that would commit to a long-term, (five years at least) contract to promote the event, then the USGP would actually be secure from a financial perspective. This of course would assume similar or better ticket sales as years past, (a pretty good bet) so that the venue could count on those revenues. All of this is independent of any discussions regarding weather you liked Indy as a track, venue, etc. This is just based upon historical numbers and reported discussions between the interested parties of the USGP event. Also, I would disagree regarding any "stigma" Indy carries regarding the so-called tire debacle. In fact, if anyone was carrying a stigma over this it was Michelin and/or the FIA. Michelin won back alot the following year with its free tickets refund deal. Most media reported that the fans were by and large, not of-put the following season, and the crowds were considered pretty good. I have gone to all of the USGP's at Indy, and I would say that none could be considered bad, or seemed unsuccessful, short of the previously mentioned tire debacle. In fact, I went to the Hungaroring as well, and although Hungarian fans are pretty awesome and the racing great, I was somewhat surprised at the facilities, and it only made me realize more what a nice facility IMS is.
i heard f1 was orginaly going to be at road america in wisc.,but there wern't enough hotel rooms and no large close-by airport
I don't think it will actually happen. I'm still hoping for it to be at Laguna Seca. They can hold the RED BULL US MOTO GP, ALMS and in the past Champ Car. Why wouldn't they be able to have an F1 race there? I will have to investigate!!!! But, Anywhere is good with me. I will end up going no matter where it ends up being.
