If F1 leaves the Indy 500 what to do?

Question

I shouldnt care but they did build a road course at the track just for that series. Should the George family open the road course to the Champ series or Nascar?

Answer 1

Formula One is not leaving Indianapolis; there isn't another circuit in the U.S. that comes close to FIA standards and no circuit owner will invest the money needed to bring it up to standard, then pay Bernard Charles Ecclestone upwards of $15 million in sanctioning fees and depend on ticket sales to cover the expenses.
Forget about the idea of a race on a temporary circuit in Las Vegas; the last temporary circuit in the U.S., Phoenix, was a disaster. Phoenix was probably one if the worst tracks ever to host an F1 race. I remember Thierry Boutsen telling us that there wasn't one good corner on that track.
All that talk from Bernie about getting nothing from the U.S., having more viewers in Malta than the U.S., was just that, talk. It was designed to get ink (space) in newspapers and magazines, and it seems it did.
True, Indianapolis Motor Speedway needed a major renovation (the old media centre was like a bunker and there were no garages along pit row), but too much money was spent building the road circuit, new pagoda, garages ... to abandon/boot out F1.
It won't happen this weekend, but look for an announcement in a few weeks that the U.S. Grand Prix will continue to be held at Indianapolis.

Answer 2

I wouln't do anything, because the world and racing will go on. NASCAR is already there and maybe they could race on the oval and again on the F1 course. But don't expect Tony George to let CART come back. George wants all of the Indy fame and fortune that goes with it for himself.

Thierry Boutsen, "not one good corner," now that is funny! Been awhile since I saw the race. Yeah, I don't doubt they all thought so, because that street track was indeed a farce. I just think it is funny that Boutsen said it, because he wasn't known as one of the best in F1. Usually the guys who aren't any good at a track complain about it and the car, too, whereas guys like Senna just go out and win the race. Poor Boutsen. He was a nice guy, but I only remember him winning one F1 race. Most everyone either crashed or quit because it was raining hard, and he stayed out and won what was left of the race. When he got back to the garage to celebrate with his Williams team, he found they had already packed up and left.

Answer 3

The Indianapolis circuit, built for F1 racing, combines the ultra-high speed of a section of about one-third of the oval with the twisty, low-speed inside section. This combination made this circuit a tricky one for aerodynamicists and tire manufacturers.
Bernie Ecclestone stated in an interview last week that if Formula 1 stopped coming to Indianapolis, it wouldn't be a big loss. Plus BE wants the 2007 season to have 20 races and there are more than 8 eager candidates. With Spa coming back on the calendar and the Japanese GP moving out of Suzuka, there might be just 2 slots if Indy is kicked out.

Answer 4

If F1 leaves Indy? F1 moves on. Indy's a bit of an odd track. There are quite a few current F1 drivers who dislike driving there. Can you say Ralf Schumacher? hahaha. I'm sure there are other tracks in other parts of the world who would gladly hold the race. But it would be a loss for the city as its reported that local economic impact of the Grand Prix at more than $100 million each year.

Answer 5

Tony George had his falling out with Champ Car years ago which spawned IRL. He felt that CART was becoming to international and to high priced. So what's up with F1 at the Brickyard? If anything F1 should be enticed back to Long Beach, California where it could share a venue similar in geography to Monaco. Tony George and the rest of his clan can have the also rans.

Answer 6

NASCAR IS THE BEST MOTORSPORT EVER!!!!!!!!
GO DALE EARNHARDT JR.!!!!!!!! # 8!!!!!!!!