A modern F1 car would be easily flatout all the way from The 90 degree to The Loop. Entry to The Loop would be similar to Turn 1 at Suzuka, i.e. gradual lift with a hint of braking. It would be quite scary. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Putting flame suit on....... I have a different idea: Why not have the USGP just be an oval race? It seems our new high dollar tracks are built that way for NASCAR anyway. Would the cars have to be modified too much? I think it could be an interesting stop for F1's calander, something different. It would probally attract more interest from the typical American NASCAR fan who would otherwise pass on F1. They could compare lap times to NASCAR and Indy cars, and it would be a new challange for the drivers. Also, a chance for them to actually pass each other on the track, maybe teams that are always at the back of the pack could have a better chance of being in the hunt. With this, Indy, Daytona, and California Speedway are all potentials.
I say keep it at Indy, it's pretty cheap to attend, all the history, you can sit anywhere Thurs. Fri. Sat. If not there then Miami at Homestead, build a road course either at the present track our a new one nearby, there's plenty of room, southbeach nightlife, etc.
Unfortunately, they will have to keep it at Indy. For now. As I sat there yesterday, I thought about how "unsexy" it was to be watching a race there. I go to Road America about 5 times a year to watch races. I know....I am spoiled. But, when you are put into an environment as rich as that one, when you go to a motorplex, it just can't compare. With that being said, I vote for Road America. In reality, it will never happen. They don't have the hotel facilities to make it work. Maybe they could if they could get F1 to agree that the hotels in the Fox Valley could suffice (they could) but would be a 30-45 minute drive to the track. I don't think it will move though. A city course would be great, but anyplace you go would require about 50 million in roadwork alone to bring it up to standards. Even Road America would have to redo a LOT of their track.
Bill, Have you had the experience of driving Road Atlanta. We ran Formula Ford 1 year and then Formula Atlantic for three...breathtaking flat out under the bridge, blind apex then down the hill out to the old pit entrance and onto the straight! What a course!
My vote is for Vegas, but that's only because I grew up in Vegas and use any excuse I can to go back. God I love that city. Mark
The venue has to more than just a good track, it has to be in a city with international appeal. I think having it in Florida would attract more European tourists. Also, I don't think they will ever have more than one stop in the US. I'm sure if Bernie had his way, there would be no USGP at all.
It will stay in Indy for a few more years if not for the long term imo. Waaaaay too many factors for a new/existing track including a street race) to meet F1 requirements.
My first choice would be to return it to Watkins Glen in Late September - August.. I think Corning and surrounding areas would absorb the 100,000 plus fans that would attend, the area has the same charm as Monza, lakes, soft mountains, etc... and with the modern higways its not too far from NYC... all the drivers could chopper in in about 1.5 - 2 hours.. from NYC...but they would neve have the money to fix the Glen for F-1... we would be talking Millions for track and Garages Paddock complex... If you are going to move it from Indy... which for me is the right place now a days... I would move it to Long Beach or Detroit.. Bell Isle... I think It needs to go to a place that had the race before ... if it were a new track... I would also say Road Atlanta...VERY challenging, but again would need huge investment in safety and hospitalty, Garage Paddock etc... but you are close to Major city, airport etc..I would love to see it happen but I know it will not!
Long Beach would never happen because I believe ChampCar owns the race they have out in the city. Unless the city wants to shut down for another weekend, and could they under that contract with ChampCar? Vegas, baby. It would be Monte Carlo of the Americas in its appeal, sexiness, and potential road course.
Emotional chioces which will never happen: Road America, Road Atlanta, Sears point, The Glen, Laguna, etc Possible places to hope for: Street courses in Vegas, Chicago, Miami, or similar large city with the infrastructure and atmopshere to resemble a Monaco/Montreal and anxillary entertainment to support all aspects of the event. Places I hope it never goes: Daytona, California, Homestead, some parking lot that Trump owns Which if any of these places have the $ to either update existing tracks or build a track and take the gamble...none. And even if some city took the chance to build a permenant track, they'd build a sterile cookie cutter desgin that wouldn't make it any better than INDY. If the USGP moves, it needs to be to a great place/event or it will be dead forever. I personally think that the big wigs of F1 simply like to keep the heat on the USGP so that they don't get too comfortable. The U.S. has a pretty substaintial fan base with lots $ to spend. I really don't think they want to turn their back on that potential. As a side note, I wasn't there and probably wont be back for a long time, but somehow INDY seemed less streile than in years past.
I was in Corning last week, the town can not absorb the fan base for an F1 race nor have enough space for all of the teams.
Branson MO (lol) Seriously, the only clear-cut logical choices are NY, Indy, Vegas or even Long Beach, after considering population (that would really attend) and lodging. Don't get me wrong - I'd LOVE to have it at Elkhart Lake, Atlanta or Mid-Ohio, hell, even Brainerd MN, but it just can't happen there - even if someone spent 20 million to upgrade facilities. Dallas and Phoenix are out....
What??? Have you ever driven Watkin's Glen? 3.4 miles long with a 1/2 mile long back straight, how is the Glen "way too tight?" Don't post on subjects you know nothing about, the Glen would be a great venue for these cars. Laguna would be amazing, but its just not feasible. The corkscrew is too dangerous and difficult to make the track possible to run. Infineon would be nice but it's really not suited to F1 cars, it is too tight and has too many turns for its length. It is also not a very safe track for these cars. I say bring it back to the Glen or keep it at Indy.
