From: james@Bridge.COM (James Montebello)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.sport
Subject: Re: RA for the USGP (Was: Road America comments)
Date: 26 Aug 92 15:55:46 GMT
Organization: Bridge Information Systems

In article <183209@pyramid.pyramid.com> danjones@pyrps5.eng.pyramid.com (Dan Jones) writes:
>Yes, Road America would be a very appropriate track to host a GP given the
>track, tradition, etc, but these are the '90s.  Now days, F1 has other 
>priorities such as the making things soft for the folks who count :-) (those
>connected people, not necessarily the long term fans).  While I'm not familar 
>with the Elkhart Lake area, it seems to me, its not a very urban kind of place.
>Even in Europe, Dijon, Magny-Cours, and in Japan, Accropolis (sp?) have or 
>are failing this way.  In the US, FISA has been looking to an urban venue and
>that is just not going the work with Elkhart Lake.  
>
>I think Laguna Seca is the only answer and would like to bet that it will
>happen within the next three years.

I would hardly call Laguna Seca an "urban venue".

Given Elkhart's proximity to Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee and the Twin
Cities in MN, I'd say that the amount of population within a given
distance is pretty much the same for Road America and Laguna. Remember,
Laguna is about an hour and a half away from the south Bay area,
probably three or more hours from the north Bay. The combined
population of Seaside, Monterey and Salinas is pretty small.

Also, FISA looks at the track from a different perspective than we do.
While Laguna "the track" is wonderful, Laguna "the set of support
facilities" is not. Track access is somewhat cramped. Stuffing more
than 50,000 spectators into the track is difficult. Paddock access is
impossible on race weekend. The lack of permanent pit facilities is a
*big* minus. There are very few areas than can be used to house VIPs
and other schmoozing parties (no condos at the track, no private boxes,
a general lack of press facilities). I've never been to Elkhart, so
I can't comment on it. If it, too, lacks these things, then you can
forget having a GP there, as well. 

Temporary tracks are generally forgiven these sorts of things (but,
then, the history of temp. tracks proves they are short-lived as GP
venues. Monaco is a very special exception.); however, permanent tracks
are expected to have them today. As Dan says, this is the '90s :-).

Finally, due to suburban sprawl, the closing of the surrounding Army
base, and whining neighbors, Laguna may not be around within three
years. So the whole point may be moot.

Until the US has a track on par with the European tracks, complete
with glittering pit and press areas, condos, private boxes, and good 
access to a nearby metropolis, the USGP will be in political limbo.
FISA cares little for "tradition" or "the long-term fan". They want
to feel important and well cared for. They also want big bucks. 
Since the US lacks a strong political voice with FISA and has no
promotor who is willing or able to fill FISA's needs, we don't
have a GP and we probably won't get one anytime soon. 
-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
james montebello (james@bridge.com)         'my employer has no opinions'		
"If we don't succeed, then we run the risk of failure." -Dan Quayle 
Newsgroups: rec.autos.sport