Formula 1 Not Returning to Indianapolis

[G.Irish]

So motorsports' greediest man couldn't come to an agreement with the guy who ruined open wheel racing in the United States and now the USGP is no more. Apparently Bernie Ecclestone (the commercial rights holder) wanted a $30 million sanctioning fee for the USGP next year and Tony George of Indianapolis Motor Speedway was only willing to pay $15 mil.

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In a way I'm pissed because this is obviously not a move for the good of the sport, it is merely that Bernie can get that $30 mil fee from foolish national governments willing to blow taxpayer money on getting a F1 race. The countries on the horizon are India, Singapore, and South Korea (and the city of Valencia, Spain is putting up $35 mil). But, save for maybe Spain, all of those countries are going to get hosed on the deal. Judging from the empty seats at China, Bahrain, and Turkey they're not going to get anywhere near the return they think they will on hosting F1.

To be honest I'm not totally sad because I wasn't interested in Indy as a venue anyway, which is why I never went to that race. Maybe if the USGP does come back it will be at a real road course.

On the other hand I'm not holding my breath for Bernie to relent in his greed, nor for anyone else to put up the insane money to get a F1 race here with so little chance of return.

Oh well, Moto GP is a much better race series anyway. And next year they'll have two USGP's.

[Andy]

Are there any tracks in US that meet F1 specs? I can only hope for VIR?

[Kaan]

i doubt VIR would pay the money needed to get F1 to drive there.

the guy running F1 is going to end up running it into the ground.

[.RJ]

Fuck bernie.

[G.Irish]

VIR = doesn't have pit garages that open onto pit lane, track maybe not wide enough, access road too narrow, would probably need upgraded VIP areas and a dedicated helipad, not enough hotels in surrounding area

Road America = needs upgraded facilities and hotels
Sears Point = upgraded facilities and hotels, as well as track upgrades

Laguna Seca = too tight
Barber = too tight

With VIR, Road America, Road Atlanta, and Sears Point I think the upgrades could be made, the problem is finding someone to pay for them in addition to the sanctioning fee. If the sanctioning fee were $3-5 million someone could make it work, especially in the case of Road Atlanta or Sears Point which are relatively close to major cities.

But at damned near $30 million for just the sanctioning fee race you'd have to have $300+ tickets and that's going to be a tough sell. They can get away with it in Europe because F1 is established there, but not in the United States. And hell, even in Europe some of the established tracks are having trouble keeping up financially. France lost their GP for next year and England is in danger of losing theirs.

I agree though, VIR would be a great track for F1. I don't how easy it would be to pass but it would be pretty cool to see the cars take the uphill esses at 175+ mph.

[white_2kgt]

What's wrong w/ the glen? Not 'big' enough for F1? They already have big garages, capable of hosing NASCAR, fresh pavement, big arse curbs, just not a lot of runoff room, but how much is there in Spain?

[ScottyB]

i'd love to see F1 come back to the Glen.

and bernie can eat a d.

[G.Irish]

What's wrong w/ the glen? Not 'big' enough for F1? They already have big garages, capable of hosing NASCAR, fresh pavement, big arse curbs, just not a lot of runoff room, but how much is there in Spain?

Actually the Glen is a great idea, they used to run there before. And as you said, it's not like any of the street circuits would have a lot of runoff room (exhibit A: Monaco). I don't know what the track access is like or the facilities but I imagine the track surface is decent and the track has character and history.

But again the money is the problem.

[white_2kgt]

What's wrong w/ the glen? Not 'big' enough for F1? They already have big garages, capable of hosing NASCAR, fresh pavement, big arse curbs, just not a lot of runoff room, but how much is there in Spain?

Actually the Glen is a great idea, they used to run there before. And as you said, it's not like any of the street circuits would have a lot of runoff room (exhibit A: Monaco). I don't know what the track access is like or the facilities but I imagine the track surface is decent and the track has character and history.

But again the money is the problem.

Track was repaved this past winter. New curbs and everything, TONS of paved runoff in certain places now as well. Not sure what you bean by track access but they have TONS of open space (more than VIR) and actual big grandstands. Yes, F1 should run the glen. I would go.