(from autosport) The United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis will only return to the Formula One calendar in the future if it makes financial sense for the circuit, insists track boss Tony George. The Indianapolis event is absent from the calendar this year for the first time since 2000, with George and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone having failed to reach agreement over a new deal last winter. Although there has been some speculation in recent weeks that the race could return to the schedule as soon as 2009, George is more cautious about the situation. He has made it clear that unless the event can attract enough sponsorship interest to make it financially viable then there is little hope of a return. Although circuits get no revenue from race title sponsors or trackside advertising, it could be possible for George to change the financial terms that Ecclestone wants if he can bring sponsors to the table. Speaking in an interview with Indianapolis radio station 1070 The Fan Radio, George said that he hoped that talks with potential sponsors could result in a package being put together to present to Ecclestone. "It really all depends on finding the right sponsor partners for Formula One to come back," said George about the future of the event. "We need to improve the financial performance of the event in order to justify bringing it back. "We won't do that without sponsorship. So we're talking to some folks that may have interest, and that could happen as early as 2009 if we can go to Bernie with a proposal."
Its time to take the US GP some where else in the United States. They lost a fine and great tradition having it at Indy. I'm sure some other Race track in the US would love to host it.
I agree, but who else has the money, a proper track, and the accomidations to support such a massive event. I would to see the USGP at Leguna Seca or Road America, but I just don't think it's going to happen. Mark
Indy got the MotoGP race this year, and from what I understand signed up for several years. Laguna will also host a MotoGP race this year, but I think it's the last year for same, they've been losing money on the event because they can only handle about 70k in spectators, and that isn't enough to adequately fund the race. Same deal for formula 1, they can't get enough people in to make it profitable. If you are going to have a forumla 1 race here, you need a track that can draw hundreds of thousands of spectators, and those are few and far between. Indy comes to mind, as does Daytona, Atlanta, Fontana, etc., however, except for Daytona, I don't see any of the other racetracks with sufficient assets to be able to fund that race. Art
Not to burst any bubbles, but Indy is the only place with the facilities and the potential money to continue with a USGP. The criteria is overwhelming, and none of the circuits mentioned would qualify without a total rebuild. Then there is the hotel and transportation requirements that knocks all of them out of the running. At this point, our best hope is Indianapolis. Personally, I would rather see a USGP at Indy, than none at all.
Brian, its nearing 1 AM, the bar is closing, the only available woman you can find at this late time is a questionable 5 on a scale of 10. But you know she will eliminate the sludge build up in your system. And you are not running well because of this. Whatta ya do? Another shot of tequilla, and you close your eyes and go for it. Couple of hours, no more sludge. Possibly little bumps will appear in a week or two on your stick shift, but a little spray of Windex will cure anything. A chance you take to have a clean runnng system. This is called a BTN. Better Than Nothing. This applies to Indy. Its a BTN. ;}
nice way of putting it Ron but, i thought there was a proposal to have the race in Vegas. i don't know how the impact of having an F1 race in the US is, but all i know is i have to wake up at 1 am to watch the race
With the merger of CART & Indy Car that gives George to opportunity to run 2 races a year at Indy. The 500 in May and using the GP course later in the year for another race and no need to pay Bernie's extortion fees. There is one group with the money if they choose to host an F1 race and that is the Frances. They own a lot of different tracks, Daytona could probably host it without much modifications. (If F1 would run in banking steeper than the old Monza track). I'd prefer the Glen, but that would require A LOT of money.
Rumors that the Dutch financial groupIng is about ready to sign as the major sponsor. They already sponsor Spa and ? - Malaysia. They have altered the Mickey Mouse corners and will run Moto GP anti clockwise. TG says the F1 cars could do the same. To go over this all again makes my head hurt. Indy is the only viable facility and location.
If I had any say and I don't. I would go for Las Vegas. It has the airport, hotel rooms and I'm sure the town would love a F1 event.
Imagine a Vegas street course...at night! I don't care if it takes until 2015 if they could cook something like that up. All the hotels along the Strip would offer a view of the race...it would be amazing.
Hell what a post Ron, can't make my mind up with that... USA need's a F1 race IMO , I'd go Vegas at a drop of a hat love the place.
Bernie told the Indianapolis Business Journal that despite all the talk about Vegas and other venues, only Indy is turn key ready to go and was optimistic about a future there. The IBJ also revealed some firms working on a title sponsorship deal, which of course is part of what killed the past deal, now there are firms competing for the rights, so you guys better learn to love Indy. See you here in 2009. Bill
Vegas, I love Vegas and go at least twice a year. But it won't happen and shouldn't. 1. Street races suck in todays world of safety. Dual barriers everywhere. You can't see. 2. So many people would be in rooms the promoters couldn't get premium on tickets in stands. And all you would see from your room is flashes of car going by. 3. Vegas is packed on weekends. They don't need to shut down the strip to get people there. The Casino's would have a fit. The idea was floated and the business community was against it. 4. Granted, it's not F1, but the Vegas Champ Car race in the streets last year was a bust. Our Cab driver didn't know where to go and the best view was the top of a parking garage where the homeless slept. All these other natural terrain courses like The Glen or Mid-Ohio or any of them. There on 2 lane roads. Ask those at Laguna how long it takes to get in and out with 70K at the Moto GP. Indy F1 always had 100K plus. 125K plus in the first years. The only thing that hurt attendance in the last 2 years was the tire fiasco in 2005. Hotel accommodation's? You think they would spring up overnight in these rural areas. Ok, there's 5 good reasons and my head hurts.
Indy is still the best and only place for a USGP. and I still think the problem was not F1 and not the speedway, it was the city of Indianapolise, its just not a major media market. and last year when I saw the Indy 500 banners still up all around the city during the USGP, I could understand F1s position. had this same track been in a top 5 market (NY, LA, Chicago, Dallas, or D.C) there would have been plenty of sponsor money.
Just FYI, Indianapolis voters made a major change in city gov't last fall. If the race does return it will be interesting to see what priority the new admin puts in promoting the events. As always Tony G will refuse subsidaries and retain his self sufficiencies, but there are many things the community can do besides throw money at it.
Seems like one problem with a USGP, period. Money. It doesn't sound like that hurdle will be crossed any time soon.
Ditto. They should re-configure the track a little to make it more interesting. Also, Tony could probably get away with doubling the cost for the Friday-Saturday ticket to $50. I still think it's one of the best bargains out there.
I'm biased, but I want the USGP back in Indy. Love having it in the backyard. I'll be at the Speedway this weekend and looking forward to getting a live glimpse of the construction on the modified course down in the 500 Turn 1 area. Glad they were finally able and willing to give up the inside first turn stands to add in more turns to the road course. Wished that back when they added in the USGP track, they sacrificed more infield. A few holes of golf within the famed oval is kind of cool, but its a race track first. Tony George...if you are listening, I want to see: a) IRL run two races 1) Indy 500 on the oval, 2) IRL on the road course b) MotoGP c) USGP with assorted support races throughout the weekend d) NASCAR, even though I'm not going, but I'll watch it on TV And if I can be really greedy, e) ALMS on the road course mixed in there somewhere
I'm also a big fan of F1 at Indy. Like it or not, it's one of the very best races on the calendar for the fans actually at the track, attendance was great by F1 standards, and the tickets are some of the cheapest for great seats. Here's hoping 2009 happens!
This is just about money and power. pure and simple. Burnee and Tony is a good ol fashioned p!ssin contest.
