Bernie Blows It
 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070712/ap_on_sp_bk_ne/car_f1_indianapolis

Is F1's goose cooked?

It'll make Ralf Schumacher happy ;-)

It's not just the US GP, the French GP is out, Silverstone is out when the contract runs out, Imola is under threat, Bernie keeps adding more lucrative deals instead... F1 is going global and forgetting its roots...

I think the sooner ol' Bernie dies, the better F1 will be. To me, he has never been about racing, only putting on a show, a promoter. He'd do as well with soccer. That's his job. I'd like to see a fresh approach.

As many know, I support wingless cars. I also support unlimited development. If a tiny engine costs a billion dollars to make, so be it. We'll never see privateers as we once did anyway. And, I think teams should be able to buy whatever powerplant they wish from whomever, but they should make their own cars. This is what sets F1 apart from any other series. Sorry I digressed there.

If Ecclestone has had anything to do with the rules, I'd be surprised. As I understand it, the rules are done by the FIA.

Very disappointing all around particularly for the European and South American fans. This year, it appeared there were many more fans from other countries than in the past 7 years I've attended. The us/euro exchange rate was great for them plus seat pricing was so reasonable. Too bad b/c fan attendance from so many different countries is the essence of F1 or was, at least in the US.

87 blk coupe

There will be a USGP...maybe Vegas. That's my prediction. Vegas has the cash that will help fund a race. Tony George may not have been great to work with. (The CART folks might have something to say about that.) It sounds like he was trying to force Bernie into a deal and Bernie was weighing options. (That's what I got out of that article.)

Bernie isn't perfect for F1, but he's not doing too badly..if one judges his performance by the seats fill race to race.

If they do Las Vegas let's hope the venue is better than it was before, in the Caesar's Palace parking lot.

Word today is that there wont be a F1 race in the US next year. Sad, but Bernie goes where the money is and its not here.

From SuperbikePlanet.com

Indy: We Never Thought MotoGP Would Replace F1
motogp 'will bring diverse audience to indianapolis'
by dean adams
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Tony George said today that their plan was never to have a MotoGP round replace F1, that they hoped to have both events.

George said in Indy's press conference: "I know, as much as having Formula One has meant to the economic success of this city, I think if we have a motorcycle race, it will substantially be perceived as an international event that bring a diverse audience to this city that it has never seen before. They're considered separately by us; internally, I never considered that a motorcycle race would take the place of Formula One in the event Formula One never came back to the Speedway. Obviously, if we have a motorcycle race, it's because we considered it independently and as a fourth event, not a replacement event. Should that come to be, it will be a great opportunity for the city, a city that can pride itself on world-class motorsports events."

ENDS

No F1 At Indy In 2008
ushering in the motogp era?
by dean adams
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The news burning up the wires this morning is that Indianapolis Motor Speedway and F1 Supremo Berni Eccelstone have agreed to not hold an F1 race at Indy next year.

The scene seems to be set for Indianapolis to announce their MotoGP event, which will run on the F1 roadcourse (backwards and with modifications).

Local Indy press reports suggest the switch from F1 to MotoGP by Indy will give the track an opportunity to actually make money on an international race. With the sanction fee for an F1 race costing a reported $10-15 million dollars, and the sanction fee on MotoGP--again reported--to cost just $1-2 million, Indy could gross nine million dollars if 150,000 spectators pay $60 each to attend the US MotoGP event (their math, not ours).

Sure, this sounds like crazy math but once you step away from the insane math of F1, all things seem possible.

European sources indicate that Indy's MotoGP event will include the 125 and 250 machines.

ENDS

I would love to see MotoGP at Indy...and would definitely go. There is a very fast growing population of motorcycle riders from what I can tell (repli-racers especially). It would be something the Midwestern riders could look forward to, without the added expense of flying to California.

I was going to get tickets for F1 next year. No more.

I'm not going to bother if it's in New York or Las Vegas.

There is not enough time this year for anyone, (NY or Vagas) to put together the kind of venue that Bernie demands. No USGP for 08. I'm hoping it will be back for 09. Meanwhile I'll enjoy the Moto version. I was at the Moto race in 05 at Laguna Seca and it was a blast.

They've been working on a MotoGP deal for months. First race ever held at Indianapolis was a MC race, big anniversary coming up, Tony George has said he'd like to see it happen. Laguna-Seca has non-exclusive rights for MotoGP through 2009(?), so there is the possibilty of 2 US MotoGP rounds.

Recent events airing on CBS instead of Speed including this weekend s race in Germany and next weeks at Laguna Seca seem to suggest there is growing support for MC roadracing. Too bad AMA can't seem to pull it together.

I've been to the last two rounds at Laguna, and the we're going again this year. As much as I like F1 and ALMS, there's something about those MotoGP bikes......

Sorry for hijacking Legion....

I see this as relevant to the discussion. What one racing series does often influences another--or preempts another as venues are booked.

Love him or hate him, IMO Tony George did the right thing to tell Bernie to piss off.

Make that three networks (well 2 1/2) getting in on MotoGP. CBS has aired two or three races this season, Speed covers the balance and The Red Bull USGP from Laguna will be on FOX.

I believe the 3 day total from Laguna last year was about 150K spectators. They are limited with parking, gate access, etc. and I think that # was considered sold out, same with the year before. I think tickets are still available this year due to the record heat that plagued the race last year and the parking / bus / traffic issue.

I don't think a higher 3 day total at Indy is too far fetched.

The one issue they were working on was scheduling, as if I recall there wasn't much room in the 2nd half of the season to add a date, however there is probably room in the schedule for a June event.

Agree with all the above. The sooner Bernie goes, the better. Max Mosley as well.

I would support going back to real gear shifters as well. Flipping a paddle on a steering wheel is nothing when compared to shifting 40 times driving around Monaco. Unlock this V8 engine BS and let the constructors use any engine they wish.

Oh, for a time machine. I can only imagine what it was like when Phil Hill won the title....

Indy sucked as a road course anyway. If only they could go back to the Glen or to Road America, or Laguna, or ...... Any REAL road course. Alas, not to be.

''Bernie goes, the better. Max Mosley as well.''

+1 BERNIE IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY
NOT THE SPORT
OR THE DRIVERS OR TEAMS
JUST THE MONEY

Too bad Long Beach isn't in the cards - that was always a lot of fun.

There are only two or three players in the US to stage this. George was one, Penske or the France family is the other. If they really want a F1 race in the US they should probably let NASCAR promote and stage it - namely at Daytona. You could have NASCAR on Saturday and F1 on Sunday. NASCAR's promotional and marketing skill could help the sport in the US.

BTW, Phil Hill is one of the few drivers to have one GP's in both a front engined and rear engined F1 car. He won at Monza in 1959 - the last time a front engined F1 car won a GP.