Chief F1 Fan

. . . no more.

Media Statement: Michael P. Printup, President of Watkins Glen International - Regarding IndyCar Series Race in 2011
by Watkins Glen International on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 11:10am

“The decision has been made for the IndyCar Series to not return to Watkins Glen International in 2011. This is a joint business decision between WGI and the Indy Racing League.



I cannot speak for the series but can say that when evaluating events that we host at Watkins Glen International, there are a variety of factors that must be considered. Factors contributing to these decisions include the cost of competition, operational expense, paid attendance, both sponsor and market support, and future growth potential.



We know our track has experienced enthusiastic reviews by the competitors, drivers and fans of the IndyCar Series for the past six years. We continue to enjoy a good relationship with the Indy Racing League and will keep our door open for future discussions with the series that may make sense for both businesses beyond 2011.”

dallison

i haven't been to an event since 92, but always wanted to go to any indy race there.

F-C

I blame this Michael Printup guy.

Chief F1 Fan

Good one F-C but I suspect it is another case of the owner of the baseball saying the game is over, just like he did when Indycar split from CART. Play my way ($$$$$$$$$$$$$) or we don't come back.

F-C

Seems like Indycar dropped all the ISC tracks from their schedule. So basically there was a fallout with ISC and WG was a casualty.

Chief F1 Fan

It would seem that way F-C but read this article, every ISC track has been dealt with differently by Indycar.

http://www.the-leader.com/features/x...t-Watkins-Glen

FenixQns187

I went to school about an hour from the Glen, and I never went once. Kicking myself for that now.

Chief F1 Fan

Ithaca? Cornell?

West6MT

I was thinking about heading down to the Glen next summer to take in a race. The guys that Erik and I meet up with for the Mosport round of ALMS were down at the Glen this year, and I was talking to them about heading down next year.

I'll let you know, and we can meet up perhaps.

Unrelated,...I am torn on getting to the Abu Dhabi race at the end of the year. I am not sure the finances will be happy for that trip if I pull the trigger on a new Roubaix. decisions,......but maybe I can do both.

F-C

That's the real reason for the demise of this race. All these people that live within 300 miles of the Glen, and not one of them went.




<-

West6MT

Meh @ Indycars, I wasnt talking about going down for that. I'd head down for the Rolex series or something like that.


F'in USGP in 2012 cant come soon enough. Never been to Texas.

F-C

Same here. If it was IndyCar in the 90s, I'd be there in a heart beat. The new 2012 spec formula doesn't seem that exciting either.

Chief F1 Fan

Open wheels around the Glen are unmatched anywhere else in the U.S.

FenixQns187

Nope, Elmira.

Chief F1 Fan

So why didn't you ever go beotch?

Start: New York, New York, United States
End: Watkins Glen, Schuyler, New York, United States
Total Distance: 253.7 Miles
Estimated Total Time: 4 hours, 3 minutes

You had 47 miles to spare by my calculations.

F-C

Sir, I plead the fifth.

InWI

Road America is my vote for the best road course in North America. IRL dropped it also. They are going back to the Milwaukee Mile next year.

Chief F1 Fan

and Road America held how many F1 races? Zero. The Glen wins

InWI

So with your logic Long Beach > Road America? Don't think so. All that painted Armco at Watkins Glen, it's so attractive.

Chief F1 Fan

ok, flawed logic. How about b/c the Glen is THE home of roadracing in the U.S.? Seriously, it was started there

F-C

I thought US road racing was started with the Vanderbilt Cup on Long Island.

InWI

Both the Glen and Road America are great US courses that had their origin on public roads. I had a chance to go to the Glen in the early 70's for the USGP, passed it up, wished I gone even though the trip had a few "fines" for my friends that went. One thing I like about RA is the fact that the track has hardly changed in 50+ years. A true testiment to a great design. As for F1, I'll be in Austin if it happens!

dallison

the race used to be run through part of the town back in the day. I have a painting from gillespie and he has some great pics of the open wheel cars from back then.

dallison

the track is great to drive on and doesn't seem as engineered to be like other tracks like most are today.

Chief F1 Fan

I drove it last October in my BMW (w/ fresh snows on it) This year I'm taking the Z. My brother is on the board for the Motorsports Hall of Fame. I have to get to that place one of these days. I won't tell InWi what EFR said about Road America over dinner.

InWI

Not sure who/what EFR is but hey I'm a big fella. Spill the beans. Have to admit I'm partial to Road America, used to crew for a friend with a B-Production Vette in the 70's. The last few years I've had my 900 Z1 Kawasaki on the track during the Superbike races for the "cycle parade". The best "parade" was 7 hard laps riding with a guy in a 1000cc Honda.

F-C

Elliot Forbes Robinson?