Bye Bye USGP at Indy
07-12-2007, 12:05 PM
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Bye Bye USGP at Indy
Formula One Will Not Return to Indy
Game over for USGP
By MAC MORRISON
AutoWeek | Published 07/12/07, 11:56 am et
The United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will not be on the 2008 Formula One schedule after eight consecutive events since 2000. IMS set a July 12 deadline for a decision on the race's future during June's USGP race weekend, after F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone made disparaging comments about the event before declining to sign an extension on the spot.
"After several discussions, Bernie Ecclestone and I were unable to agree how to keep Formula One in Indianapolis for the near term," IMS CEO Tony George said. "However, we have agreed to leave the door open for a potential future date.
"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."
It is unclear whether the loss of Indy means F1 will not return to the U.S. at all. Ecclestone met recently with billionaire developer Steve Wynn in Las Vegas to discuss the possibility of a Vegas race in 2008. Results of that meeting are unknown.
Game over for USGP
By MAC MORRISON
AutoWeek | Published 07/12/07, 11:56 am et
The United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will not be on the 2008 Formula One schedule after eight consecutive events since 2000. IMS set a July 12 deadline for a decision on the race's future during June's USGP race weekend, after F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone made disparaging comments about the event before declining to sign an extension on the spot.
"After several discussions, Bernie Ecclestone and I were unable to agree how to keep Formula One in Indianapolis for the near term," IMS CEO Tony George said. "However, we have agreed to leave the door open for a potential future date.
"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."
It is unclear whether the loss of Indy means F1 will not return to the U.S. at all. Ecclestone met recently with billionaire developer Steve Wynn in Las Vegas to discuss the possibility of a Vegas race in 2008. Results of that meeting are unknown.
07-12-2007, 01:11 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
Bernard Charles "Bernie" Ecclestone - born October 29, 1930
What kind of 'opportunity' do you suppose Mr. George anticipates?
.
07-12-2007, 01:18 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
There is a bright side.......soon to be announced that The MotoGp boys will be at Indy for 2008 w/ a tentative September date. Now that is entertainment. (not that I don't like F1)
07-12-2007, 03:09 PM
#7
Bernie is a tool! The upside is that he's not a spring chicken and won't be around forever.
That said, IMS is not a great track for F1. I'd much rather see a natural terrain road course than the micky mouse roval at Indy. Now, all we need is for someone really stinking wealthy to step up and make that happen.
That said, IMS is not a great track for F1. I'd much rather see a natural terrain road course than the micky mouse roval at Indy. Now, all we need is for someone really stinking wealthy to step up and make that happen.
07-12-2007, 03:21 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
Bernie is living proof that there are more horses a$$es than there are horses....
He goes around pocketing as much money as he can, oversees an inane rule set that makes every race a procession... This is all about the money and Bernie doesn't understand a win/win relationship one whupped him upside the haid....
As far as F1 being any serious entertainment value, or even decent racing, it is a lost cause. And this is coming from someone who went to all of the F1 races here in Indy... Will be sorry to see it go, but won't really miss it.
As far as Tony George is concerned, look at what he laid out to make the Indy track F1 "compatible". And what did he get for it... Only what he could bring in from the gate. No TV revenue share, nothing else. And the ticket prices weren't high, and still the public didn't come. And this is in a community that lives and breaths racing. If it was a good show, the seats would have been full. As it was the attendence was palty by NASCAR or IRL standards. If that's all you are going to get, it simply just doesn't make dollars or sense. Tony doesn't run the track as a welfare program for Bernie. Tony simply said enough is enough, if I can't make any money I am not about to take the risk (evey time you open the track you take a risk of a lawsuit) and it isn't about being greedy. The rumors about town were that Tony wasn't looking to make a killing, just that Bernie wouldn't even let the race get close to breaking even...
He goes around pocketing as much money as he can, oversees an inane rule set that makes every race a procession... This is all about the money and Bernie doesn't understand a win/win relationship one whupped him upside the haid....
As far as F1 being any serious entertainment value, or even decent racing, it is a lost cause. And this is coming from someone who went to all of the F1 races here in Indy... Will be sorry to see it go, but won't really miss it.
As far as Tony George is concerned, look at what he laid out to make the Indy track F1 "compatible". And what did he get for it... Only what he could bring in from the gate. No TV revenue share, nothing else. And the ticket prices weren't high, and still the public didn't come. And this is in a community that lives and breaths racing. If it was a good show, the seats would have been full. As it was the attendence was palty by NASCAR or IRL standards. If that's all you are going to get, it simply just doesn't make dollars or sense. Tony doesn't run the track as a welfare program for Bernie. Tony simply said enough is enough, if I can't make any money I am not about to take the risk (evey time you open the track you take a risk of a lawsuit) and it isn't about being greedy. The rumors about town were that Tony wasn't looking to make a killing, just that Bernie wouldn't even let the race get close to breaking even...
Last edited by Solofast; 07-12-2007 at 03:30 PM.
07-12-2007, 04:14 PM
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Bernie's not happy unless it's a government funded track.
And, sadly, there's enough countries willing to cater to his whims.
On the bright side, perhaps this will be what we need to edge the IRL and Champcar to come back together.
And, sadly, there's enough countries willing to cater to his whims.
On the bright side, perhaps this will be what we need to edge the IRL and Champcar to come back together.
07-12-2007, 04:48 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
We need those two to get back together. There isn't enough open wheel fan base in the US to properly support both. NASCAR is way too popular (for now) for two separate series to compete with and have a chance.
07-12-2007, 04:48 PM
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Burning Brakes
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I have watched FI a long time. I went to this year's USGP in Indy, and one in the late 70's at Watkins Glen. In short (IMO only), the cars are technically marvelous things, the drivers are overrated, many of the fans are obnoxious, and the races tend to be boring. I enjoyed the Porsche Cup race more at Indy than the F1. If Bernie is happier in Europe and Asia, then at least two of us will be happy if he stays there.
talk about a "horses ***".....
07-12-2007, 06:19 PM
#14
Safety Car
I went to all of the Indy F1 races 2000-2007. Made it a family event- Mom (she's 77), brothers, my 2 kids and anyone else I had room for. I loved it................................BUT, turnout was low each year. 
The facilities at Indy are atrocious. Go to any Bruton Smith track as a comparison....Indy is pathetic. Shame.
The best place for the F1 circus is Vegas. Glitz, Glam and bright lights.
Since Bernie was talking nite races...Las Vegas is doable if they can setup the lighting. F1 cars on the strip!!
Bernie E. is a genius. GP racing was a ragtag band of teams, much like ChampCar, in the early eighties. Then Bernie took over (he was team owner of Brabham). With Bernie came discipline and business sense (entertainment
) to the sport. He made hundreds of millions for team owners, many millions for drivers and billions for himself.
The facilities at Indy are atrocious. Go to any Bruton Smith track as a comparison....Indy is pathetic. Shame.
The best place for the F1 circus is Vegas. Glitz, Glam and bright lights.
Since Bernie was talking nite races...Las Vegas is doable if they can setup the lighting. F1 cars on the strip!!
Bernie E. is a genius. GP racing was a ragtag band of teams, much like ChampCar, in the early eighties. Then Bernie took over (he was team owner of Brabham). With Bernie came discipline and business sense (entertainment
) to the sport. He made hundreds of millions for team owners, many millions for drivers and billions for himself.
07-12-2007, 11:49 PM
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Road America, Laguna Seca, Miller or Road Atlanta would be really cool spots...The truth is that those of us in the U.S. that are F-1 fans are a really small minority so there is not a lot of TV money and almost no gate money to pay for the event. The tickets for the US GP are the cheapest F1 seats in the world by hundreds of dollars. I was invited to the Aussie GP and asked what the tickets cost.. how about $800- (US $720) for the weekend? In Europe they have similar pricing for decent seats. I think that you will find that in most of the other stops it brings a huge regional benefit in both spending and prestige to offset the fees that the FIA and F1 enterprises collect as subsidized by the local government. That is unlikely in the US for anything but the Ricky Bobby show however.
Bernie is the 5th richest person in the UK last time I looked, closely followed by J.K. Rowling (ask your tweenager) and trailing only a few mega business types. Not bad for a guy who used to stretch his budget to make the grid...
Age has nothing to do with it, he has venues lined up for a race and they have lots of money to spend. Many great tracks are not on the card any more like South Africa, Holland, Argentina, Mexico and Austria. There are still 16 races...
Wondering how many fans there are? Look at this meager thread and try posting that the Daytona 500 will never happen again and check the numbers....
Last edited by Tintin; 07-13-2007 at 10:04 AM.
07-14-2007, 02:01 AM
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Melting Slicks
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http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto...perbike/38724/
No F1 in Indy:
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/formulaone/38701/
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/formulaone/38692/
07-14-2007, 07:06 AM
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BIG IDIOT
DOnt forget ppl there are the OTHER NON-RACE track things the FOM wants and needs.
BIG BIG 5 STAR REASORT HOTEL Casenios for the Billionaire Asian and Mid-Eastern dignataries and SPONSORS.
Private air ports near the track.
Governments that fall all over King Burnie, FOM and the German Banks that hold the notes on FOM.
If is far more then a great race track.
Last edited by AU N EGL; 07-14-2007 at 07:12 AM.
07-14-2007, 09:14 AM
#20
Safety Car
Yes. Bernie was miffed because he had to overnite in Chicago - due to the lack of "appropriate" hotels in Indy. There was talk of rehabing the surrounding area of IMS.