Let’s be real here, the “local opposition” is from Homestead/Miami Speedway and ISC whom are using the exact same scare tactics they used with downtown residents, this whole thing about a Grand Prix produces as much noise as a jet aircraft taking off and will render everyone within ear shot deaf. Homestead/ISC has $20M to $30M to spend to lobby against the existence of Formula One in Miami. They have a vested interest in seeing this not happen. That said, do we really want our Grand Prix to take place in the parking lot of Hard Rock Stadium out in Miami Gardens? Can’t see Liberty signing off on it especially after they take a tour of the neighborhood. https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/miami-stadium-race-opposition/4543619/ BHW
Hi Barton, F1 should do some detective work and expose Nascar/Homestead's attempts at derailing the GP's prospects then once they find evidence sue them for unfair business practices, virtual racketeering, fraud, and what have you, these are mafia tactics. It would serve Nascar right to eat some dust. Mind you the parking lot race around a ball stadium reminds me of the Caesar's palace GP debacle or the Meadowlands Indycar race...not quite the desired venue. Wish we could have the GP in Miami Beach oceanfront or Ft Lauderdale
And another set back... Mayor vetoes County Commissioners after protests from locals... https://www.planetf1.com/news/miami-gp-protests-suffer-major-blow/ Pollution, noise and road closures were all concerns, but those protests have suffered a major blow after Mayor Carlos Gimenez vetoed the resolution which would have blocked the use of public roads, a resolution which was passed after a county commissioners meeting on October 29th.
I cannot understand Liberty's insistence in having another street circuit in the face of such opposition.
They could upgrade an existing race track to F1 standards instead. The story of previous US street circuits isn't very good, is it?
Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, it won't matter. Anything within Homestead/NASCAR's territory they see as theirs and any dollar spent on any other for of racing and/or sport other than NASCAR is a dollar out of their pockets that they will stop at nothing to recoup and of course Formula One in South Florida is a direct threat to their empire. Their lobbying group, Better Florida Alliance, has got everyone scared to death about having F-1 in SoFla. Their scare tactics began before F-1 was even officially making inquiries in the form of an online petition which was being promoted on the Miami Herald website going back two years now. Better Florida Alliance's scare tactics include telling people that racing is going to be taking place all over Miami, the circuit going right down neighborhood streets, people camping out in front yards, noise levels equal to jet aircraft taking off rending anyone within hearing distance of the venue deaf, pollution going into unsafe levels, dogs & cats living together, all this. All I may think is, jeez all those poor deaf and dying people in Monaco, Singapore, Sochi and Azerbaijan, who's lives have been tragically cut short by watching F-1. And, the thing is, this lobbying group with right wing ties in Tallahassee seems to be winning without anyone really questioning their absurd claims or what entity is paying their bills. They couldn't get the proposed downtown venue together due to land right usage issues. Certain areas being designated as parks, etc. and Bayside being cut off from customers as they'd need to use four pedestrian bridges and show credentials at each in order to gain access to the famous shopping and dining destination and of course Better Florida Alliance telling downtown residents that their way of life will be forever ruined. This was the venue Liberty wanted, the visual of the downtown Miami skyline, water, palm trees, cruise ships, pity they couldn't make it happen. Not surprisingly, Ross suggests the use of the Hard Rock Stadium venue as he's already taken the Miami Open tennis tournament from Key Biscayne and he's looking to land other big events at the stadium. And, since he's done such a bang-up job running the Dolphins into the ground the thought is, "Sure why the **** not?". It seems like a lost cause currently. The political wrangling notwithstanding, as Marc points out, do we really want another parking lot Grand Prix in the United States? With so many great permanent circuits in the country, its incredible that none of them can pony up what it takes to host F-1 and make it happen without all the polemics. BHW
History has shown that street circuits and F-1 in the U.S. haven't been a good match. The possible exception being Long Beach but ol' Chris Pook had enough of the politics and brought CART in, the rest was history. COTA seems to have done well with the Grand Prix. The grandstands and grounds looked packed last week so good for them, it shows you don't have to put these events square in the middle of big cities in order to resonate with fans. That said, at the Miami F-1 "Fan Fest" event last year, the place was a mob scene with people standing 20 deep on the walls to see the cars fly past. They reported the crowd to be 80K but taking into consideration that's about the size of the crowd to see an NFL game and a Heat game was happening up the street that night, the crowd was likely more about 15K to 18K. Still they had to be happy with that. We'll see what happens but I'm not holding my breath on any of it. BHW
Apparently COTA was sold out. Can’t ask for much more than that. But a local was telling me that F1 and the track have been in negotiations for future races and they have been tenuous...so I wonder if Miami is either a contingency plan, or an attempt at gaining leverage in negotiations with COTA?
I was there! Was in NYC for six months to try to find sponsors... flew out to Phoenix for that race, took forever via Cleveland then had an FIA pass (my cousin Isabelle was Balestre's PA in Paris for several years) so I was able to be in the paddock and pits. I was around the first chicane when Senna and Alesi had their battle, great to see Eddie Jordan who barely noticed me the dozens of time we ran across each other when I was racing 86-89 based at Silverstone, where he also had his team, recognized me in the paddock and gave me a big smile thinking hey this kid has an FIA guest pass maybe has a budget lol! I ran into him in the street at the Monaco Historic GP 2018 last year, we chatted and I teased him with the anecdote, he just grinned. The best seats in the house were pre-booked though: they were in the local...jail. It oversaw the only real curve at the circuit (as opposed to 90 degree bends). Could not believe the signs please check in your guns at reception in hotel lobbies. Apparently the local Ostrich race had more attendance. There were very very few people watching the race...the sound was deafening due to the buildings bouncing the noise back.
Snort! I see what you did there. Vegas and New York were on the short list but Liberty really wanted Miami so that's the path they chose. New York is impossible just due to logistics. Vegas possible if they can come up with something better than a casino parking lot to race on. Vietnam is getting a GP next year and we can't get a second one off the ground. Embarrassing isn't it? BHW
Top draw anecdote Bring back Phoenix - it seems to provide a race, with or without guns. Thanks for sharing !
Compare Vietnam to an uncontrolled economy. There is not a comparison. The Viet Government will provide what is needed not subject to a debate. That’s the clear difference. The populace will not interfere.
Very true. There will be a Vietnam GP as long as the government supports it. That's the trouble with these countries with no motor racing tradition, or very little public support. They only have these very expensive races to attract foreigners, drum up tourism, and add a bit of glamour to their image. Once they have satisfied these needs, their government just pulls the plug. That's what happened to Turkey, Malaysia, Korea, etc ... and the countries Bernie did put on the calendar. Circuits in Europe and North America don't get government support and don't compete on equal terms.
I also attended that race! I got to watch that epic Senna-Alesi battle from one of the upper floors of a downtown Phoenix building.
Hello..... Long Beach anyone? I think any circuit in the US has to be a great destination. Its why Montreal is a great place to go to the GP. Awesome city. Sorry Austin but its not in the top 100 destination locations to visit in the USA. Miami however would be, as would Vegas.
I can't remember if it was the year before or the year after the Senna-Alesi battle, but one year year at the Phoenix F1 race the temperature was well into the triple digits.