It may if you call the Big Apple home. http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_print_article.php?fes_art_id=35755 Think of how much more exciting F1 would be with 5 or even 10 more cars on the grid? To get them, F1 will have to make it worth some big company's time. How about Porsche, Audi, or Volkswagen??? These big names only get involved if the U.S. has a race and a fan base. New York would be a great place to start.
I think it would be absolutely awesome to witness F1 cars screaming down the streets of New York, however the possibility of it actually happening sounds a bit slim.
I doubt they would shut down streets for F1. Heck, even when hollywood shut down street corners for Will Smith's movie, the locals wouldn't stop cursing and giving him (and the crew) the bird. Best to avoid that place imo. Chicago's waterfront would be MUCH nicer. That includes both the people and scenery.
I live in NY, trust me, they shut down streets for anything. Mr Bloomberg doesn't care what the locals think, especially if it brings in revenue. They only thing I would see as a problem is the streets themselves. I hate driving in manhattan because the roads are in bad shape, I doubt they'd repave for a race but you never know. A street circuit in Chicago makes no sense. For that take it back to Indy.
According to an article in last month's Motorsport Magazine, F1 is the most watched television sporting event in the world - nearly three times that of the English Premiere League which is second. It is also the #1 revenue producing sport in the world and the thrid highest in profits (behind the NFL and MLB). It also employs the world's highest paid athlete (sans endorsements) - Kimi Raikkonen - at $47 million a year. Too small???
Yep. However that viewing audience is outside the US. Bernie wants the night GPs to match that audience's viewing scheduals. Which tells us a lot. You guys are all tucked up in bed when he wants them to run. You're not going to see another US GP until there's some major money to be made from it. i.e. Not anytime soon.
i pray it'll happen everyday of my lie, but let's face facts it'll never happen. the sport is just not big enough in the US to warrant such a spectacle, at least here in NY. shame I have friends who are into cars and still no absolutely nothing about F1 and no matter how I try to make them watch they refuse.
My point exactly... NYC has all the sports x2, and its still small potatoes.... Bernie wishes he could get NYC... but again ... NYC is way too big and important vs. F-1... what would NYC get out of an F-1 Race? More publicity? as if the business, shopping, night life, broadway, gourmet food, fashion, diamonds, skyscrapers, home of all the major USA networks, entertainment center, and one of the biggest cities in the USA is not enough? oh yes an F-1 race would make NYC whole again! Hmmm... lets see NYC is going to pay Bernie et all 24 -30 Million US to host a race that is basically a fringe sport in the USA? close down major streets, erect grand stands etc... for what a big loss? Sorry my friend it aint gonna happen! Now maybe they could race in the Bronx... I'm sure some of the taxi drivers would give Hamilton a run for his money!!!
But the Olympics would?? Does NYC need the Olympics more than an F1 race? Why did the city bid so aggressively on the 2010 games if it is so "above" international competition. I would be willing to bet that one F1 weekend would out-gross the entire Olympics and would cost a lot less. I have never lived in NYC. But it seems to try to be the biggest and best at everything. It tries to secure bragging rights and bills itself as the greatest city in the world. So why is a place like Bahrain (no offense to those who live in Bahrian) outbidding it for an F1 race?? I assume you have been to a race. Nearly 400,000 fans went through Indianapolis in 2007. I was there. If a race was in NYC, international fans would build their entire year around it. You don't need American fans to make a race a financial success. Just ask Tony George. Have you seen the literally hundreds of thousands of people that descend on the venue. Have you seen the 4-5 miles of vendors that open shop and sell. All of those people have to stay, eat and play somewhere. You think NYC doesn't want that? Those speedy taxi drivers you brag about would disagree with you. Sorry, but you sound like one of those uninformed Americans that thinks the NFL is more popular worldwide than soccer.
Dude, I dont know who you are, or where you live, but I am not "one of those uninformed Americans" First off, I have been to over 100 F-1 races, all around the world, been following F-1 since birth... literally have been to every US GP since 1968, untill 2001... been to Indy and frankly was not impressed. all those fans and vendors you talk about, dont really add up to a financial wind fall for Tony George... just ask him how much he made from F-1 - the answer is nothing, it cost him in the end to hold the races. that's why there is no US GP. If you have not noticed, its not a sport any more its a business... and its all about MONEY$$$$$$$$$$$$. As for the Olympics, that has traditionally commanded world attention, and is a true bragging right. If F-1 were such a bragging right for a developed conuntry, why would Britan not pony up the money to save the race for silverstone? or Why is France not holding a race in Paris? for that matter why not Berlin at a revamped Avus? or Rome etc... the reason my friend is that it does not matter... if you are Malaysia, with no real motorsports history, then F-1 is a big deal, If you are China and are trying to get main streamed... then F-1 is an easy way to get world wide attention... especially if you dont have any other world class sports... My point is that NYC does not need F-1, I think it niave to think that the folks in controll of NYC are going to look at F-1 and be super impressed that Bernie and the circus have decided they would like to come and play in NYC. EVERYBODY wants to go to NYC... have you tried to book a hotel room in Manhatten lately? $500 a night at the Hampton inn? on a Wed night? if you want to stay at a real hotel you are looking at $850 or more per night... and they are booked up weeks - months in advance... and that is with a recession going on. As for being an uninformed American, Just so you know, I can speak read and write, French, Italian, German and beleive it or not English... ( my spelling is terrible in all languages) and lived in Europe for several years... So not all Americans are fat slobs & cheesburger, Beer and NFL & NASCAR loving people (although, I do like the Steelers!!!). I feel pretty qualifed to comment on F-1 having done business with Allsport and Bernie back in the 90's. NYC and F-1 is a pipe dream!
I'd love for an F1 race to happen in NYC, I'd only have to hop on a train/bus and be at the site in an hour. The chances of it happening are rather slim though, NYC streets can barely hold regular cars let alone F1 cars and the fan base in NYC is maybe a few thousand people. The only real upside is that the event would probably receive major sponsors from NYC companies.
"Dude"??? I never said you weren't a "real" F1 fan or that you were a "fat slob" so stop being so defensive. And with all due respect, how does speaking 4 languages but mastering none make you an expert on anything?? We will have to agree to disagree about this. I won't engage in a pissing contest.
Bring it to Long Beach here in LA. We have the races down here every year (Champ Car, ALMS, Formula Drift, Formula Atlantic...) and it would be awesome if we could get a GP here in Long Beach!
"you sound like one of those uninformed Americans that thinks the NFL is more popular worldwide than soccer." I think this phrase waved the red flag to me... written by you. I dont want to piss on anyone, but I will stand up for my statements. I am an American and very informed. more so than it seem you are. Cheers!
