cars firegeezer on 13 Jul 2007 07:25 pm
F-1 Leaves Indy
AFTER HOSTING THE FORMULA-1 RACING PROGRAM for eight years, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway declined to renew the sanction for next year.
The primary cause of failing to get an agreement with the F-1 circuit was the amount of “sanctioning” money that was being asked for. IRS president Tony George offered $15 million but there are national governments who desire a PR activity that are willing to pay $30 million to host one of the races.
The first race at Indy in 2000 drew 200,000 spectators in what is still the largest-ever box office for any F-1 event. However, it leveled off to around 100, 000 shortly after. That’s still large by F-1 standards, but enthusiasm in the U. S. is mostly lacking for it.
The arrogant and quixotic antics of the F-1 operators rubbed most Americans the wrong way. Drivers and team officials refused to allow access to the American press for interviews. In the 2002 race the leader, Michael Schumacher backed off on the homestretch and threw the win to his teammate Rubens Barrichello. An openly-rigged finish just doesn’t sit well with Americans.
Another fiasco on the part of the circus troupe in 2005 pretty well eliminated any hope of expanding the fan base in this country. Just minutes before the race began, tire manufacturer Michelin stated that their tires were not safe to use at the track. After all 20 cars took the parade lap, the 14 that were shod with Michelins pulled into pit row and left only six cars remaining to stage a “race” for two hours.
The Indianapolis Star has the full STORY.
Firegeezer adds: Speedway CEO Tony George made the usual mumblings about how there is hope that F-1 will return in the future, and the local economy benefited from them being here, etc., etc., etc. But I don’t think you’ll be seeing the F-1 circuit running in the U. S. again for another 20 years. And to that I say “Good riddance. Don’t let the garage door hit you in the tail wing.”
