INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY: 2009 USGP Still Possible

Well, I admire his optimism. But I gotta say I wouldn't hold out too much hope in this economy for a company to plunk down (How many?) millions on a race that not too many around here care about. F1 hasn't exactly burrowed its way into the hearts of America, and right now the only thing most people know about the USGP is that one year only 6 cars started.

 

F1 has apparently reviewed and approved the changes made to the road course for the MotoGP. That at least is some good news.

Agree with the sponsor issue. F1's mgmt bad mouthing the US market and the fiasco of a couple of years ago doesn't bode well for a sponsor wanting to crawl in bed with them.

 

Again, just that one little thing stands in the way, money! It seems like anyone stepping up would go into it losing their @ss, hence no takers so far.

 

See, now if I was a Bill Gates, I'd throw some money at it. What the hey!

 

+1 Yeah, why not? ... get a bit of notoriety for their ECU co-developed with McLaren (Mercedes), I wonder: can an F1 constructor sponsor a race?

 

Steve Jobs could sell one of his submarines and foot the bill too.

 

I was reading in Montreal how many millions the GP brings to the city every year. It is THE biggest money maker for the city year round. The GP was sold out this year, but I'm sure if there was a budget deficit, the mayor would rightfully jump into the gap. Bottom line is $$$ in the hands of the citizens of Montreal.

For the life of me I don't understand why the city of Indianapolis wouldn't want to subsidize the USGP as well. Last time I heard numbers, the difference between Tony George and Bernie was 4 millions. The GP pumps over 40 millions into the local economy. 10% of that is precisely the gap. And that doesn't even include all the free buzz and publicity the town gets.

Or if all else fails: Add a temporary USGP tax to everything sold over the GP weekend. I bet that'll cover some expenses.

Having no GP just makes no economic sense.

 

Ron Green quoted in F1 Complete:
"We believe a return of formula one to our calendar, especially during our centennial ERA, the period between 2009-2011, would be appropriate."
http://www.f1complete.com/content/view/9075/900/

Although I still hold out hope for 2009, I think 2010 or 11 might be more realistic.

 

I think this is where we post a picture of George with that perpetual dumbfounded look on his face.

 

All I have.
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Indianapolis isn't high profile enough for F1 which is why I believe it failed there. They need to have a las vegas street race, or perhaps a miami street race man that would be so cool.

 

I respectfully disagree with you on this one. Indy has the experience and track to host this event with minimal effort and minimal discomfort on the local citizens and businesses. That makes it ideal in my book. I think the biggest problem was the track layout was not ideal. F1 doesn't like LONG straights and the speeds associated with them. With the changes to the track for MotoGP, I think it better fits the F1 style. Need to get an F1 Driver to actually test on it to see what they thing. Also run it in revers of what they did previous, just like MotoGP will do. Track changes look good in person. Give it another chance. Besides, its in my backyard, so I getto sleep in my own bed.

Vegas Baby is more interested in gaming revenue. Not so sure they will want their precious Strip blocked off for days to a week and the resulting traffic nightmares and potential loss of gaming revenue as the gamers go to other places due to easy of access.

I don't have an arguement either way for Miami.

Too bad F1 can't have more than 2 races in North America.

 

I disagree:

- F1 is not very popular in the US regardless of where you have it, so Indy is as good/bad as any place for the US fans. Maybe a real tourist destination as you mention would help, but only so far.
- I still think the majority of F1 visitors are from either Europe or South America and for them Indianapolis is a sacred ground. As is Le Mans to us. While they probably enjoy the benefits of Vegas and Miami, they come to the US for the race and having it on hollow ground is really as good as it gets.
- For the teams it doesn't really matter where it is, as long as there as a USGP covering their biggest car sales market in the world. The fact that Indy is "just South" of the Canadian GP helps with the logistics and is considered a plus. Moving it to Vegas or Miami would complicate matters.

 

I blame Tony for a lot of things (like the split of Indycars even if OldGuy disagrees with me). But I don't really blame him for not having a USGP. He did everything he could by providing a track infrastructure Bernie requested and by swallowing some of the deficit.

If there is blame to go around, then a) to Bernie for not seeing the bigger picture (get your money from Asia, but leave the teams the biggest car market in the world) and b) to the mayor of Indianapolis for not stepping up to the plate.

 

+1
For those that have never been to Indianapolis, it is not cornfields surrounding some rickety, wooden train station like in the old western movies. Great downtown district. Number of really nice restaurants. Lots of hotels of all caliper. Plus the Speedway. You can't help but get this feeling in your gut as you approach this place and then walk inside. Its huge and full of history. History you are about to witness unfold.

All the visitors I see from out of the country sure seem to have an amazing time while they are here. Those from South America are an absolute hoot!

+1
Bernie is more into bending people over than thinking about the race, the teams, the markets. He is into the power. As long as that is his focus, he will do what HE wants and not what is best for the sport, the teams, the fans and the markets. Time for a change in management.

 

I think that is where I would expect Tony to step up and do some arm-twisting.

 

indy is the spot for me, accessible cheap great viewing. what else, did i miss important items

 

I hope F1 comes back to Indy before any other site in the US. There's just something really cool about seeing the F1 cars at the Speedway.

 

With the US dollar in the toilet Indy would be such a bargin for the Europeans to travel to and attend the race. We should be all over the foreign tourist money. Alot of money is there to be made indeed! I always thought indy had the largest F1 attendance. Heck raise the price of the tickets a few bucks and they are still a steal. I find it difficult to beleive this is all over the lack of a sponser. I thinks its just plain greed and Bernie getting his feelings hurt last year when he saw the Indy 500 billboards and not F1 billboards on the way to the track. Bernie might feel better if he just chilled out a little and maybe hung out with us F chatters at the bar instead of counting coins in his hotel room all night.

I'll hold my breath but not for long.

 

That visual wasn't a stretch at all, actually seemed quite natural.