Thursday, July 12, 2007
USGP Cancelled for 2008
The 2008 United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis has been canceled indefinitely. Bernie Ecclestone and Tony George were unable to come up with terms to continue the streak after 8 consecutive seasons.
Even after revising the track to avoid further tire problems, a.k.a. the 2005 Michelin disaster, the track seemed to be low on the favorites list of F1 drivers and Bernie alike.
Norbert Haug believes this is a major blow to F1 given that the United States is the number one market in the world for Mercedes-Benz.
Another issue is the estimated $100 million dollar dent this will put in the city of Indianapolis economy. The strife between the IMS and the city began at the tracks inception in 1909 when the city planning commission denied the request to build the track within the city limits.
But really is this is about nothing more than one person wanting to make more money than another. Ultimately F1 fans pay the price, regardless.
Some quotes from other FormulaPod F1 fans:
MAC:
"We didn't reach an agreement... Let's see if we miss America," Ecclestone told Reuters.
7/12/07 11:13 AM
"It has been a pleasure having the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis, and I hope that as we approach our Centennial Era at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, an opportunity might present itself that would allow its return."
7/12/07 11:13 AM
....yeah, like Bernie dying.
. . . .
The west isn't Bernie's cup of tea anymore. I expect Silverstone to be dropped, Magny Cours to get the official axe and maybe even Monza
7/12/07 12:15 PM
They might walk away from Spa, too
7/12/07 12:15 PM
He doesn't seem to have any sense of loyalty or tradition
__
Jim Hunter:
I certainly hoped they would make significant revisions to the circuit and keep the race at Indy, but the circuit as is was bad because it never really gave the fans a chance to see the full potential of modern day F1 cars and drivers. I'd also hoped they would move the race back to the fall and latter part of the schedule.
My guess is that he was trying to say this: F1 has not broken the US market partially because it has yet to find its niche here. Much of that is due to the "spectacle" as much as it is the sport. I think that he felt Indy fell short on both counts. The circuit was one of the weakest, most mickey mouse on the calendar, while being a nice city with nice people . . . the culture of Indy lacked in spectacle. Therefore, if F1 could truly find a home in the US that allowed the spectacle and sport to flourish, more Americans would take notice.
I can't help but wonder if Tilke has a circuit design in the works that will be constructed outside of Las Vegas.
---
Well, let's hope there is a Herman Tilke designed track in the works for Vegas. It it were combined with a cutting edge hotel, it could be the beginning of FormulaOnederland.
Indianapolis Star Article on USGP at Indy 2008
Speed TV Article on USGP 2008 Cancellation
Reuters Ariticle on F1 Cancellation at USGP
Even after revising the track to avoid further tire problems, a.k.a. the 2005 Michelin disaster, the track seemed to be low on the favorites list of F1 drivers and Bernie alike.
Norbert Haug believes this is a major blow to F1 given that the United States is the number one market in the world for Mercedes-Benz.
Another issue is the estimated $100 million dollar dent this will put in the city of Indianapolis economy. The strife between the IMS and the city began at the tracks inception in 1909 when the city planning commission denied the request to build the track within the city limits.
But really is this is about nothing more than one person wanting to make more money than another. Ultimately F1 fans pay the price, regardless.
Some quotes from other FormulaPod F1 fans:
MAC:
"We didn't reach an agreement... Let's see if we miss America," Ecclestone told Reuters.
7/12/07 11:13 AM
"It has been a pleasure having the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis, and I hope that as we approach our Centennial Era at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, an opportunity might present itself that would allow its return."
7/12/07 11:13 AM
....yeah, like Bernie dying.
. . . .
The west isn't Bernie's cup of tea anymore. I expect Silverstone to be dropped, Magny Cours to get the official axe and maybe even Monza
7/12/07 12:15 PM
They might walk away from Spa, too
7/12/07 12:15 PM
He doesn't seem to have any sense of loyalty or tradition
__
Jim Hunter:
I certainly hoped they would make significant revisions to the circuit and keep the race at Indy, but the circuit as is was bad because it never really gave the fans a chance to see the full potential of modern day F1 cars and drivers. I'd also hoped they would move the race back to the fall and latter part of the schedule.
My guess is that he was trying to say this: F1 has not broken the US market partially because it has yet to find its niche here. Much of that is due to the "spectacle" as much as it is the sport. I think that he felt Indy fell short on both counts. The circuit was one of the weakest, most mickey mouse on the calendar, while being a nice city with nice people . . . the culture of Indy lacked in spectacle. Therefore, if F1 could truly find a home in the US that allowed the spectacle and sport to flourish, more Americans would take notice.
I can't help but wonder if Tilke has a circuit design in the works that will be constructed outside of Las Vegas.
---
Well, let's hope there is a Herman Tilke designed track in the works for Vegas. It it were combined with a cutting edge hotel, it could be the beginning of FormulaOnederland.
Indianapolis Star Article on USGP at Indy 2008
Speed TV Article on USGP 2008 Cancellation
Reuters Ariticle on F1 Cancellation at USGP
Labels: 2008, bernie, cancelled, f1 podcast, grand prix, herman tilke, ims, indy, tony george, usgp
