Looks like we'll all have to go to Montreal next year | FerrariChat
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Looks like we'll all have to go to Montreal next year

Discussion in 'Texas' started by GrigioGuy, Jul 12, 2007.

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  1. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    #1 GrigioGuy, Jul 12, 2007
    No 2008 USGP at Indy

    http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070712/SPORTS01/707120523


    A stormy eight-year relationship between Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Formula One ended today with the announcement the international racing series would not return in 2008.

    IMS chairman Tony George and F-1 boss Bernie Ecclestone could not reach an agreement on a sanctioning fee to continue the U.S. Grand Prix. George had set today as a deadline for a new contract.

    Track spokesman Ron Green said both sides are leaving the door open for possible future events.

    The relationship deteriorated dramatically after the 2005 race when only six cars competed because of safety concerns over Michelin tires.

    The decision leaves the U.S. without an F-1 event and follows failed attempts at other venues, including Long Beach, Calif., Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Phoenix. Ecclestone has explored putting a race in Las Vegas but no agreement has been announced.

    The Speedway's 2.6-mile road course won't go unused next year. MotoGP, the motorcycle equivalent of Formula One, is scheduled to visit in September 2008.
     
  2. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

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    #2 speedy_sam, Jul 12, 2007
    Sad.

    Indy was a cheap and great racetrack to go to. I went in '03 and '04 and witnessed two fantastic races. Maybe it doesn't have the party atmosphere like Montreal but it did give fans an opportunity to walk all across the track to see the cars at various corners. The folks are friendly and did I mention the tickets were cheap.

    The only part I hated was the stupid hairpins - decent for photography but really a silly design.
     
  3. scarlet_racer

    scarlet_racer Karting

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    #3 scarlet_racer, Jul 12, 2007
    yup, now its Montreal or Europe, or Brazil.
     
  4. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #4 rob lay, Jul 12, 2007
    Montreal IMHO is best described over Indy as 25% better, but 100% more expensive. I enjoyed the more passionate European flare and the city, but airfare a little more expensive, tickets alot more expensive, and hotels about the same.

    Indy was the Corvette of F1 races. Good performance for the money. :D
     
  5. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 jimpo1, Jul 13, 2007
    It turns out that my wife has a vendor that happens to sponsor a particular F1 team. I'm hopeful that I'll get to go next year, with some 'backstage' passes!

    I'll miss Indy as it was easy and cheap, Montreal was neither.
     
  6. mgtr1990

    mgtr1990 Formula 3

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    #6 mgtr1990, Jul 13, 2007
    With Trans Atlantic fare deals it would almost be better to catch one of the European races make it a vacation as well.
     
  7. WJHMH

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 WJHMH, Jul 13, 2007
    Well at least I got to attend the USGP in 2006.
     
  8. 1_can_dream

    1_can_dream F1 Veteran

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    #8 1_can_dream, Jul 13, 2007
    I was planning on making Indy my first F1 race next year, looks like I might need to save a bit more and join you guys up in Canada.
     
  9. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

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    #9 jknight, Jul 13, 2007
    We've been doing this for several years - making a long weekend out of the various venues. By far the absolute best racing for your money is NOT F1 but LMS.

    Carol
     
  10. WDR328

    WDR328 Formula 3

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    #10 WDR328, Jul 13, 2007
    The biggest problem with Canada is that it was sold out this year and last. So if you are going to get your $250+ tickets you had probably better hurry. One other aspect of the Canadian venue is that you had better look at the track map VERY carefully, because what you buy is where you will sit ALL WEEKEND! They do not allow seat migration at all.
    The city is a gas! Big party atmosphere building up to and post race weekend. The food is tremendous, but like the lodging it is a bit on the expensive side.
    We went there two years ago and enjoyed it, inspite of record heat during that time. We were thinking of doing Montreal again especially after experiencing the poor turn out for this years USGP.
     
  11. 1_can_dream

    1_can_dream F1 Veteran

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    #11 1_can_dream, Jul 14, 2007
    I'm debating between this and a trip to Europe. The Europe would be a vacation that I'd save up over the entire school year and hopefully could throw an F1 race in there. Sounds like Canada is a bit of a hassle logistics wise.
     
  12. 1_can_dream

    1_can_dream F1 Veteran

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    #12 1_can_dream, Jul 14, 2007
    After watching many hours of LMS this year I hope to go there soon.
     
  13. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

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    #13 jknight, Jul 14, 2007
    Hi Kyle - I was referring to the Le Mans Series, not the biggie. We went to the Monza race in April - got the "discovery" package for 150€ (included entry, VIP parking, lunch Sat & Sun, catalog, posters, stickers) and pitwalk 25€. Had access to all cars in the paddocks - LMS cars, CER (Classic endurance racing), World Series by Renault (Formula Renault), 207 Spider Cup (Renault), Superstars (Jaguar, Audi RS4, BMW M5, BMW 550i), driver autograph session, you could get right at the back of most garages on pit lane and friendly folks. You could go anywhere and sit in any stand on the Monza track for the 1000 KM race. Entry was 50 cars (P1, P2, GT1, GT2). If you went to Houston in April - very similar only much larger scale.

    We've taken a different approach to Montreal the times we've gone. Best seats were just as they come around the hairpin (22 or 24?) - those go quickly. We stayed in Laval (very reasonably priced Sheraton) drove short distance to subway (super Wal-Mart adjacent to parking lot), subway to the race, did take subway to Peel Street for dinner at New Town (reservations must, they had two seatings), subway back. Very easy commuting and easy access to the airport. Airfare to Montreal right now is running about 463USD pp out of DFW - who knows what the future brings but at least it's a idea for filling the piggy bank.

    Carol
     

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