srika

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpa...s_art_id=32111

it was inevitable.

dom

lol @ F1 shooting itself in the foot.

fdl

So are they moving it to a different location, or simply killing the race in the US.

uzzmaan

the article on Espn mentions Bernie saying there's a possibility of a race in either NY or Vegas, but I don't see that happening in '08

uzzmaan

From The Guardian

F-C

stangg172004

damn!

ilitig8

Moved, finding venues is not a problem, keeping the calender down to a workable number of races is.

fsttyms1

That FUCKING sucks. Bernie is a f'ing idiot. (dont ask me how i really feel)

Billiam

IMO, finding venues is a significant issue. F1 will not even consider racing at tracks unless the facilities there are up to certain set of expectations (permanent garages, media centers, etc...). There are very few tracks in the U.S. that either have those facilities or are willing to shell out the $'s necessary to construct them.

Edward'TLS

I guess it doesn't hurt much. There isn't even one existing single F1 team nor F1 engine supplier that is based in the US.

hrj

iTrader: (1)

^

TodaSi

But all the engine manufacturers largest market is in the USA, Toyota, BMW, Honda, Ferrari, Mercedes, even Renault is thinking of returning to the states.

ChrismanTSX

Well, all this means is that it won't be at Indy. there's another promoter trying to organize a US Grand Prix somewhere else...

I'm thinking it was Vegas, but I can't find an article on this...

Chief F1 Fan

OK Bernie, if you say so . . . . The brands sold here marketed by F1 are a different story: Ferrari loses exposure to its largest market; ditto BMW just to name two. This shit pisses me off b/c if you've ever been to Indy for the race, the drivers are out walking around in public and you can actually talk to them w/o buying a 5000 F1 Paddock Club pass!

Bearcat94

^^

So, if F1 was never run or never again broadcast in the US, you think that Ferrari, BMW and Mercedes would lose sales and/or US Market Position and/or US Brand Awareness? Get real. F1 adds very little (if any) to the manufacturers brand in the US.

That said, I want F1 in the US and I wish they could get back on a "mainstream" channel (i.e. ESPN, ABC, Fox). Not for the manufacturers "exposure", but for the racing. Bringing F1 to Indy, as an icon of American Motorsports, was a great idea. From that perspective, it'll be hard to find anyplace better.

Edward'TLS

Toyota and Honda cars sell by themselves in the US given the lack of competition from the US car makers. BMW, Ferrari, and Mercedes cars also sell by themselves since they are the recoginized luxury brands that people go after. Ferrari even has a two-year wait for it's new cars. So being able to host a race in Indy may not mean much to them.

fsttyms1

The point is is US is their largest market

Bearcat94

^^

So What? If F1 was never mentioned in the US again, it would STILL be their largest market.

IOW - F1 add's nothing (or next to nothing) to those manufacturer's ability to market their product in the US.

I don't see a mass uprising and revolt in the US because Renault doesn't sell cars here. And I don't see that Volvo, Saab, Porsche or Aston-Martin have any problem selling cars here - even though they are not in F1.


Look at it this way: If BMW, Ferrari, etc thought the lack of an F1 race in the US would seriously damage sales or brand equity, they'd put up money to keep a race here. Why don't they make the investment? - No Payoff.

F23A4

If you mean NYC, that will likely NEVER happen. New Yorkers are just not into motorsports nor will they tolerate any city streets being tied up for auto racing.

ilitig8

I think I misunderstood his post. I thought he was asking if it was being moved to another venue in the "world" not another US venue! There isn't a single venue in the US that is even close to meeting F1 standards (except Indy). The closest ones are 25-50 million bucks aways from standard. What I was refering to Beriie has no problem finding venues willing to meet his standard he has several waiting in the wings as all time. He can fill his calender with no issues, Suzuka and Imola are just two that are sitting and waiting at any given time.

As for rumors Vegas has been linked heavily since 2004 or 2005 but it is just that a rumor.

Indy was a commercial failure because of the "cheap" ticket prices IMHO. It was about time when the attendance hit a lull at about 90-100K to raise prices more in line with the rest of the GPs in 2006 but with the 2005 tire debacle it was impossible. Next year it might have worked but we will never know.

As for Bernie being an idiot, I can't see it, he bought F1 when it was at its nadir, about to go under and become a history lesson and brought it back to being one of the 3-4 most watched sports in the world. He has made billions (with a B) from this turn around and saved F1 in the process. You can hate Bernie for his actions with F1 but it is likely only becaise of Bernie that you have something to complain about!

R J Poseidon 6

Although you are correct about the States being the largest market, Renault is already here ................... Nissan.