Who thinks F1 should try Laguna Seca?

mid ohio is the place where they should go. its a great course but might not be big enough but who cares.

 

I live in Ohio too, and liked racing at Mid Ohio, but there is NO comparison between Mid Ohio and Road America. Mid Ohio is a club track that grew, Road America was built as a big time racing track from the start.

 

So what chance is there of F1 coming to Road America? Anyone?

 

>>>that track doesn't even cut it as a decent CART track let alone an F1 >>>Track
>>>no way

My thoughts exactly. Replace "that track" for just about any track in the U.S. with the exception of the new Indy track.

 

Absolutely no chance. The risk and the dollars are just too great.

That said, never say never. Who would have thought that boring track at Indy would get on the schedule? Some big Wisconsin sponsor decides to throw away $250 million on sponsoring an F1 race and who knows what might happen.

"Welcome to the Harley Davidson US Grand Prix North!"

 

Summit Point.

They can dine at "Chez Summit".

Bernie can stay at the Shoney's Inn in Winchester or the Turf Motel in Charlestown.

Plenty of run-off.

What's not to like???

 

Having just been to Silverstone I have to say Indy grows on me. I have been bashing it for its flatness and still think they could do a better job given the space (just get rid of the silly golf course). But I have to say, the stadium section is unique in the world and it does have its place in the current F1 calendar.

Places like Spa beat it hands down, but it does stand its own compared to other places.

 

Especially with Hockenheim being neutered, that front straight at Indy is now a unique test for the F1 cars. I personally like Indy track, although this year's event wasn't run very well (the medial response to Ralf-- they can't exit out the entrance to pit lane?!!?)

 

How sad that this marvelous course was dumped by Ecclestone and then bought by the France combine.

I saw my first race ever at the Glen over forty years ago, the 1963 USGP
(Graham Hill won), on a glorious fall day. Let me tell you there is nothing like the Finger Lakes in early autumn, not even Vermont and Maine.

No offense to those living in flyover country but the USGP belongs where the sophisticated race fans are, that means the East and West Coasts.

 

I think a street race like Long Beach is more viable than Laguna and more exciting sort of like Monaco GP!

 

Definitely more viable. Not sure about the fun part, but would still make for a good race.

I would like to see another street race in F1 as they are very different from road courses: No margin for error. Survival of the best.

 

There may be some merits in a 2nd venue in the States and I heard Governator of Kalifornia is behind it. I'd like to see an F1 race in CA. There are a lot of race fans here and can generate good revenue for the State.

 

Good thread ! ...I think a 2nd GP is necessary to maintain interest in F1 within
the USA. And while Road America would be a good choice - don't you think it is too close in proximity to Indy ? Either a left or right coast race would be demographically (advertisers) more attractive. As well as drawing more track attendance overall - when aggregating both US races. The dynamics of the Glen (elevation,layout) were great in its day, but the cars became too fast and are much faster thru turns now. I think a left coast race would do wonders for F1 popularity in the US...then get a sustainable American driver,not a 1-2 yr guest driver.

 

There is only one choice-Road America! Let's see who really has the biggest balls approaching Turn 5, or thru the kink at 300kph...Oooooh, I'm salivating! C'mon Bernie, we're waiting....

 

I have to agree (other than the snobby comment about flyover country) about the Glen. I attended every GP there from 1971 till the last in 1980. What a place! Yes, there is no place like the Finger Lakes on a glorious fall day, but let the weather take a turn for the worse and that place is dreadful! Still, I'd go back in a heartbeat.

 

With the exception of Monaco I think street racing like Long Beach is the worst. No chance of passing unless someone hits the wall. No visibility because they are racing down a chainlink chute. Not enough width anywhere on the course.

Just don't see the excitement in restricting the racing possibilities of an already (yawn) borderline (yawn) boring series lacking stiff competition in the ranks.

These cars need to be out in the open and running some big high speed banks as well the 2/3 gear hairpins with room for real racing moves by the drivers as well strategy.

Tired of , "Well, should we do two pit stops or three this time? Maybe we should fake one?"

 

Will be awesome to watch for qualifying but might processional during the race... So I would vote No

 

I vote Road America along with the earlier posters. The track can definitely handle F1. It's one of the most beautiful and challenging road courses in the world with plenty of space and great spectator viewing. Yes there would have to be modifications made to the pit & paddock areas and expansion for F1 type VIP viewing along with all the other accoutrements that Bernie and F1 demands but the potential is certainly there. As for being in close proximity to Indy, it's no different than the European circuits and I think adds a neat cache. I often think that people forget the rich automotive and racing heritage that exists here in the midwest. It would be an awesome draw. The other question is how long will Indy remain on the F1 calendar?

http://www.roadamerica.com/2004/maps/map_track_580w.htm

 

How bout like a balls out race down i95 or something that would be intresting.

Ive only been watching F1 for the last 2 years. But I dont really like the Indy track, even though it has the long straight, its a boring track IMO. I would like to see a street race. I also think they need the race to come to either of the Coasts. I know alot of people that would like to go but wouldnt like to take the trip all the way to Indy. W/e just my .02

 

As it would happen, I was at Laguna Seca racing this past weekend and actually brought up this very issue with one of the track guys. He said it was at one point under heavy consideration, but the track failed to meet the requirements because of runoff space in some turns and also because there aren't enough hotels close to the track.

A crying shame, IMO. It is unfortunate that within 3 or 4 years the track will be facing shutdown. The construction of those new pricey apartments near the track has already forced the racing school to put restrictive exhausts on all of their race cars, and apparently the only real moneymaker remaining is the historic race. With chances high that Laguna Seca will lose that race, there's some serious cause for concern.The way I understand it, so long as the track still has the historic race (or possibly Moto GP) it has a fighting chance as the chamber of commerce will not let it be shut down. But most of the guys at the track said that the construction of the fancy apartments in such close proximity is a nail in the coffin.

 

Bummer. Another part of the US's history lost

Track was there first ... appartments should fcnk off

Pete

 

Some fat cat in Vegas should build a F1 compliant track with a casio in the infield . They could have betting on qualifying and the race. Vegas already has the hotels and intrastructure in place to handle the 100,000+ fans that would come to see the race.

 

I have always thought the same thing. What a great track. Its like 4 miles long.

 

Thats a good thought.