US F1 Update

Dan40 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don

Wayne.....agree. It was also mentioned the politics etc of F1 would not be appealing. But now that there will be a US Team, might open up the opportunity that did not exist before, even though the learning curve would be very high. Kyle sure would be a different personality in F1.

Believe Jeff tested at Indy in a F1 car ( BMW ? ) a few years ago and w/o much practice turned very respectable lap times.

Might also help in returning a F1 race to the US

The only thing needed for a US race is MONEY! I'm old enough and fortunate enough to have attended many F1 races in the US. From Watkins Glen to the last fiasco in Dallas. Did not make the last Detroit race. But my understanding is that the promoter must pick up the tab for driver appearance money, freight for shipping the cars, air, hotel, and expenses for all the team members, 100% of the venue expenses, and the prize money.

Just an aside, I attended a school at the Glen prior to a F1 race. The guest instructors were C Shelby, J Clark and S Moss!! Shelby brought along a Daytona coupe and a Le Mans GT. LIFE is GOOD!

Don · #2 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 01:23 PM

Dan40....

" But my understanding is that the promoter must pick up the tab for driver appearance money, freight for shipping the cars, air, hotel, and expenses for all the team members, 100% of the venue expenses, and the prize money "

Same understanding that you mention, George @ Indy could no longer afford the cost , with no help from Bernie, and had to cancel future races. Especially true since the newer tracks receive Government subsidy, maybe another use for the TARP funds.

Mentioned that the vendors/suppliers are not pleased with not having North America & US races, a big part of their market. Do not recall if Canada was able to get their date for 2010 race

Wayne Maybury · #3 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 01:30 PM

Dan, it looks like the Canadian Grand Prix is returning to Montreal next year. Bernie dropped Montreal in2009 when he thought that he could get lots more money in Turkey which turned out to be a total disaster. A lot of American F1 fans have attended the Montreal race over the years.

The car companies definitly want to have at least one race in North America and preferably 2, one in Canada and one in the US but with Bernie it is $$$$$$$.

Wayne

Wayne Maybury · #4 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 08:23 AM

I heard that Toyota is going to officially announce today or tomorrow that they are pulling out of F1. Budget cuts, budget cuts, if Toyota can't afford an F1 team I have to wonder, who can?????

Wayne

Wayne Maybury · #5 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 07:11 AM

It's official, Toyota is out of F1, so is BMW and Bridgestone (tire supplier, not a team). Of course Honda dropped out last year but several new teams have signed on for the 2010 season.

Wayne

Don · #6 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 08:10 AM

" F1 tensions resume after Toyota exit Racing series "
Date 2009-11-04
By Motorsport.com/GMM

" F1's governing body has expressed "concern" about Toyota's decision to quit the sport.

The Japanese carmaker only recently signed the new Concorde Agreement; a document binding the teams and the commercial rights holders with the FIA until 2012. "

Article:

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=351380

Don · #7 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 08:10 AM

.......with video

" Welcome to the world of US F1 Team! You are about to meet the first American F1 team to design and build its cars in the U.S.A. since Dan Gurney did so with his Eagle back in the ‘60s. A lot has changed since then.Or has it? "

http://www.usgpe.com/

http://www.usgpe.com/charlotte.html

Don · #8 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 09:30 AM

Seems there have been conflicting reports on the demise of the US F1 Team, but from MotorSport.com:

US F1 car to make test debut on American soil
Racing series F1 : Date 2010-01-08
By Motorsport.com/GMM

" The first US F1 car will make its debut on an American circuit, it was announced on Friday.

The Charlotte based team's sporting director Peter Windsor told the official F1 website that the FIA has granted special dispensation to allow winter testing for US F1 away from the normal European group sessions.

"Because we are a new team and start everything from zero the first time we will run the car will be in the United States at the Barber Motorsport Park in Alabama, the circuit that was nominated by the FIA for us," he said.

Windsor added that the maiden test will take place "at the beginning of February", but was not more specific.

He said the FIA dispensation allows for three tests in the US, before the car is shipped to Spain "to do some testing there before we fly out to Bahrain".

It has been reported in recent days that Argentine driver Jose Maria Lopez is close to finalising his sponsorship package for one US F1 race seat, while the Briton James Rossiter is rumoured to be in contention for the other.

Said Windsor: "We are very close to announcing our drivers. We've been talking to some great racing drivers over the last couple of months -- and it is very difficult choosing from the good drivers that are around.

"I think there are still a lot and the difficult thing is to choose only two out of ten that are available. It's a difficult job and I hate having to do that. We have not signed our forward deals yet in terms of the contracts, but we are pretty near to announcing," he added. "