No more USGP (at Indy, at least)

[TC]

Looks like the last USGP has been run for a while - F1 will not return to Indy in 2008 and beyond. I don't understand - the USGP draws as many or more fans that most F1 races. The recent British GP drew fewer fans than the most recent USGP. I've been to the USGP a couple of times - the crowds were huge and the events were well run.

Ecclestone is an idiot - IMO. He recently made comments that F1 has no sponsorship from US companies. Let's see, Marlboro has probably been the single largest sponsor for the past 10 year running. Their Ferrari sponsorship for 2007 is reportedly $50m, for about 3 or 4 races where their name can actually be put on the car. Mobile (Mobile1) is the second largest sponsor of McLaren. FedEx, Intel and HP are also large sponsors. With the exception of Renault, the US is probably the largest single market for every manufacturer in F1 - Toyota, Honda, BMW, M/B and Ferrari.

 

[NSXrunner]

Same as always he just wants more money. Oh well...it was fun while it lasted. :smile:

 

[docjohn]

America/Canada to Bernie its all North America:frown:

 

[TC]

Bernie must like Canada better because he doesn't bitch about the fact that there are few/no Canadian sponsors, no Canadian teams, no Canadian drivers, etc.

John, have you ever been to the USGP? I went a couple of times in the V10 era - the noise from the engines in canyon of stands on both sides of the front straight was worth the price of admission.

 

[ChopsJazz]

If we can get enough cash together to bring Neo from Australia, maybe we can start a "Bring F1 to the US" fund too! :wink:

 

[BD]

More people, but less revenue generated. The tickets are cheap at Indy, which is not good for F1 image.

 

[NO TKTS]

IMS is replacing F1 with MotoGP (announced this morning).

 

[blodi]

I am really sorry to see this. I have been to 6 of the 8 USGP's and loved every minute of it. Looks like I will be driving the NSX to Canada next summer. I hope they figure out their differences and bring it back soon.

 

[DocL]

How much money will the track lose. They had to build new paddocks and tower to F1's specifications.

 

[the nsxnut]

More people, but less revenue generated. The tickets are cheap at Indy, which is not good for F1 image.

Hmmm, not accurate... USGP tix ranged from $65-$180. Avg attendance was 150K-180K spectators. (comparo, last week's BGP saw about 75K live attendance.)

I WAS a renewing season ticket holder for the USGP, for the last 8 years.

How much money will the track lose. They had to build new paddocks and tower to F1's specifications.

Tony G. spent about $30m on the F1 facilities in the 1999 renovation at Indy... yeah, he probably got burned by Bernie...

 

[NSXrunner]

NASCAR wins!

*hides under desk*

Sorry guys just teasing. :tongue: :biggrin: I say we just take Bernie and take his Andy Warhol looking rear end, tell him the 80's called and they want their look back. Then go beat some sense into him. :biggrin:

 

[docjohn]

Bernie must like Canada better because he doesn't bitch about the fact that there are few/no Canadian sponsors, no Canadian teams, no Canadian drivers, etc.

John, have you ever been to the USGP? I went a couple of times in the V10 era - the noise from the engines in canyon of stands on both sides of the front straight was worth the price of admission.

Nope I never made the treck.I can only imagine what that first sensation would be to hear those motors close up.

 

[BD]

Hmmm, not accurate... USGP tix ranged from $65-$180. Avg attendance was 150K-180K spectators. (comparo, last week's BGP saw about 75K live attendance.)

My point exactly, tickets are cheap, too many people show up, and not enough revenue generated through that many people.

 

[myopicpaideia]

My point exactly, tickets are cheap, too many people show up, and not enough revenue generated through that many people.

Really, so about $20.2 million in ticket sales alone (not to mention probably more than this in merchandise alone + concessions) is less total revenues than those generated by the 75k who attended the BGP? That would mean that those tickets (for an equivalent ticket at Indy) would have to be at least averaging $270 USD each. And each person would have to spend more than twice as much on merchandise and concessions. I don't buy that, my friend. I wish it were just a matter of logical number crunching. In reality the reason for this amounts to two very large egos, nothing more, which is very sad. Bernie is just an a-hole, it is a ridiculous f-you gesture on his part. I'd be willing to wager quite a bit that the US is one of the highest contributing nations in F1 in sponsorships, media rights, and actual GP revenue moneys of any of the participating nations.

While it is true that most of the US-based companies sponsoring the sport are huge multinational corps, they are US companies. Bernie needs to get his head out of his arse. Mostly I'm just pissed off. I was planning on going to the 2008 USGP for the first time. At least I am going to China in October!

Eh...what crap though...

 

[myopicpaideia]

From the official F1 site on July 27, 2007:

Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, has confirmed the calendar for the 2008 world championship. The addition of races in Singapore and Valencia in Spain, combined with the omission of a US Grand Prix, makes for 18 rounds - one more than in 2007.

The Australian Grand Prix will kick off proceedings on March 16, followed by Malaysia and Bahrain, before the championship heads to Europe. Turkey has been brought forward to May, while the sole North American round in Canada provisionally retains its traditional June slot.

The Valencia race, to be known as the European Grand Prix, will take place in August, while the other new event, the first-ever Formula One night race, will be staged in Singapore in late September. The season will finish in Brazil at the start of November.

The 2008 calendar in full:

16 Mar Australia
23 Mar Malaysia
6 Apr Bahrain
27 Apr Spain
11 May Turkey
25 May Monaco
8 Jun Canada*
22 Jun France
6 Jul Great Britain
20 Jul Germany
3 Aug Hungary
24 Aug Europe**
7 Sep Italy
14 Sep Belgium
28 Sep Singapore**
12 Oct China
19 Oct Japan
2 Nov Brazil

*Provisional
**Subject to circuit approval

It's now official...

 

[Juice]

So the US is the only country to be cut out of F1. Wow. That says a lot about Bernie's lack of interest in the USA.

 

[Meeyatch1]

I will see you guys in Canada. Maybe we will throw a party up there to match the one we had here this year! At least in Canada we are on the lake (woo-hoo!!) Where in Canada will the race be in 2008? Montreal?

~ Mitch ~

 

[swbatte]

This is a terrible move given F1's attempt to grow its fanbase. Montreal is a fantastic venue. I went the last year of the V10s and intend on going back soon. You'll have a blast if you go. It's not just the race but the whole city really gets F1 fever.

It wouldn't surprise me to see F1 return to the USA at a western track someday.

 

[Juice]

It wouldn't surprise me to see F1 return to the USA at a western track someday.

From what I heard, BE is wanting a special track to be built in the desert outside of Las Vegas, similar to what Dubai is having done. Las Vegas has more draw than Indianapolis, but the racing architecture just isn't there. However, the money to build such a thing certainly does exist there, probably more than anywhere else in the USA.

 

[myopicpaideia]

That would be the single most awesome thing to happen, ever. I could drive there...it would be a dream come true! Plus another awesome track to go to with a local racing club...

 

[NSXrunner]

I can always dream but...they could always bring it back to Laguna Seca. :smile: Probably not going to hapen though as the grandstand isn't big enough for Ecclestone's wallet. :frown:

 

[swbatte]

That would be the single most awesome thing to happen, ever. I could drive there...it would be a dream come true! Plus another awesome track to go to with a local racing club...

Everything is in place. All they need to do is build a track. The casinos could easily do this. A hundred million for a World Class facility. Loose change to some of the bigger players. I'd go in a heart beat.

I can always dream but...they could always bring it back to Laguna Seca. :smile: Probably not going to hapen though as the grandstand isn't big enough for Ecclestone's wallet. :frown:

You are reading the other half of my mind. I'd love to see F1 there. I know exactly which turn I'd buy my seat at.

 

[myopicpaideia]

Everything is in place. All they need to do is build a track. The casinos could easily do this. A hundred million for a World Class facility. Loose change to some of the bigger players. I'd go in a heart beat.



You are reading the other half of my mind. I'd love to see F1 there. I know exactly which turn I'd buy my seat at.

Hmmm...could it be the corkscrew?!?!? :wink:

 

[PhiAlpha44]

I'm glad I was able to see the final USGP in a while. I am happy they are bringing MOTO GP to Indy next year though. I get to ride the Repsol up this year.

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[Juice]

I'm glad I was able to see the final USGP in a while. I am happy they are bringing MOTO GP to Indy next year though. I get to ride the Repsol up this year.

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Love that bike, man!