There Will Be An Indy USGP In '08. Right? Right?

There Will Be An Indy USGP In '08. Right? Right?


nope!

I hope not....... indy!..track would blow for bikes anyhow... let them have their circle jerk races and Formula Nap1 races..pricks.

Miller all the way

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There Will Be An Indy USGP In '08. Right? Right?

by dean adams
Tuesday, June 19, 2007

If you're hopeful that the proposed USGP at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will happen next year then the last few weeks have been slightly disconcerting.

At one time it was well-known that IMS was days away from making an announcement about their MotoGP event, but something prevented it from happening.

Since then there has been little more than a stony silence on the Indy USGP front. And what little has been emanating from IMS hasn't been overwhelmingly optimistic about a motorcycle race there in '08, with Speedway President Joie Chitwood reportedly expressing doubts about the event.

Indianapolis Speedway works on a scale unknown in motorcycle racing—their Brickyard 400 NASCAR event attracts over 400,000 spectators and the Indy 500 once brought in double that number, or more. Moreover, two of their three big events (NASCAR, Indy 500 and F1) happen within a short window of one another, so when insiders suggest one of the factors exacerbating a solid MotoGP plan is simply IMS's spring and summer schedule, it's entirely plausible that they've been too busy to pursue MotoGP.

Insiders say now that the IMS schedule is freeing up they will begin due diligence with Dorna and get a plan in place to modify the track so it can hold a MotoGP event.

However, a report on Dave Despain's Wind Tunnel talk show Sunday evening had it that IMS President Joie Chitwood has had reservations about MotoGP at his facility for some time because of a fear of low ticket sales (presumably on an Indy scale, not a motorcycle race scale).

It's well-known that Chitwood and his boss, IMS's Tony George, are currently negotiating with Berni Eccelstone regarding the future of F1 at Indy.

It's not hard to imagine that if IMS starts getting static from Dorna regarding the MotoGP event, that perhaps they'll just turn the switch off.

Two non-IMS persons with direct knowledge of the situation rated the chances of the Indy USGP happening in '08 as 'still fairly strong'.

I think the only real plus of having Indy is it may increase the odds of getting the 125 and 250 classes to Laguna if they run it the weekend before or after Laguna.

I'm also for Miller.

i hope it falls through, because i thing the people there are not interested in bikes,so screw them.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ Jun 20 2007, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i hope it falls through, because i thing the people there are not interested in bikes,so screw them.

but Rog...i'm interested in bikes...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Jun 20 2007, 06:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>but Rog...i'm interested in bikes...
i think indy want more than just you through the gate.
i ment nascrap indy fans not americans in general. by the sounds of it they could get 200.000 people there but harp on about how they get double that on nascrap races

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ Jun 20 2007, 12:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i think indy want more than just you through the gate.

i don't know Rog....i can be a pretty fun dude with a few beers.

I'm kind of with Rog on this one. In all honesty there are other tracks in North America more interesting than the Indy layout and they don't sound real interested in doing MotoGP so screw them. Tony George in my opinion is the reason open wheel racing in America is in the crapper right now. We've discussed this before I believe they want a round in the East/Midwest area then a round on the West Coast with Laguna. If in fact they decide to have two races here in North America, I would love to see Elkart Lake host this race, but in my fantasy world I would like to see my favorite track Virginia International Raceway get the date. Of course neither of these tracks would meet the safety requirements. I think however Miller Motorsports park in Utah could host the round, but that is a little further West.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (L8Braker @ Jun 20 2007, 06:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm kind of with Rog on this one. In all honesty there are other tracks in North America more interesting than the Indy layout and they don't sound real interested in doing MotoGP so screw them. Tony George in my opinion is the reason open wheel racing in America is in the crapper right now. We've discussed this before I believe they want a round in the East/Midwest area then a round on the West Coast with Laguna. If in fact they decide to have two races here in North America, I would love to see Elkart Lake host this race, but in my fantasy world I would like to see my favorite track Virginia International Raceway get the date. Of course neither of these tracks would meet the safety requirements. I think however Miller Motorsports park in Utah could host the round, but that is a little further West.
Couldn't agree more, 100% spot on. Bring the second USGP to Road America and Tony George killed open-wheel racing in the US.

Don't be so sure about the safety concerns at Road America, they have just completed the first stage of changes at the course which included removing the Billy Mitchell bridge in the turn 13 area creating much more run off. Run off room has been added in many other sections as well. The facility is looking into making changes to the Kettle Bottoms where the most danger lies, they hope to have made some sort of progress on the area by next year. Once this happens, I see no reason why the track would not meet expectations.

Word on the street at the F1 race last weekend was September 08
I dont have a link, just talking to locals at the bar saturday nite

Geographically,the best place would be Barber or Road Atlanta.Barber is allready making changes in the track to accomodate WSB next year.They are straitning the back section to allow for much more speed.Very technical track and an awesome facility.The GP that went to Laguna was supposed to go to Barber but the ..... Mayor of Birmingham got in a pissing contest with Barber himself over a million dollars that was pledged by Barber for some restoration project in return for some special considerations when he was planning the track.They let a half billion dollar event get away because of a pissing contest.The track is in compliance with Gp standards after the rear stretch reconfiguration and i hope they are gearing up for a run at Gp. AMA,WSB and GP would be freaking awesome just 200 miles from home.Atlanta would be the .... because of the City itself.There is a lot to do and women everywhere.Its a transient city and chicks from all over the south flock there for employment opportunities.The track would be great but would never pass safety standards and im not sure if Panoz is willing to spend 5-6 million to get it up to snuff.But damn what a fast track it would be on a Gp bike.It is blazing fast on a Superbike.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (fasteddy @ Jun 20 2007, 05:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Word on the street at the F1 race last weekend was September 08
I dont have a link, just talking to locals at the bar saturday nite
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/motogp/38222/ Conflicting reports? I have to say, after watching the F1 this weekend [good race!]they could make this work just fine with the right input. The track will be redesigned so the layout should change quite a bit, but god damn that place is huge. I say see ya in Indy.

I've only started watching the AMA series this year and its hard for me to choose a track when the racing is so dull.

I thought Barber was a pretty cool track, something that had a bit of character. I saw a race a few years back at Road Atlanta, that track was pretty good too.

I'd really like to see the VIR race, checked out the track online, .... it looks fast as hell. What configuration do the AMA guys race? The full course with MotoGP would be the ...., its about the same length as the Shanghai circuit. Pity it won't happen.

How much of the infield at Indy are they going to change to suit bikes? Everything looks like it will stay flat and ordinary. To be honest if the racing is good I don't give a .... where they have it.

IMO I believe as of right now the only competent place to have a usgp is Laguna. Maybe some of you have not lived in that area but it is the sport bike capital of the U.S, it was an easy choice because that track was made for motorcycles and the interest is huge in that area, its the only place besides miller that meets any type of regulations. Miller could host a MotoGP but its in the middle of damn Utah. Not enough facilities and interest. I can see how they can force Indy into the schedule because there would probably be good interest there but theres no ....... way in hell Motogp will go up on the oval straight. They will have to do millions of dollars of reconfiguration to even be considered for a MotoGP event. This opinion came after seeing F1 there and knowing that Dorna would not let any rider come close to that wall.

why even have another US event one is enough there are SOOOOOO many better circuits that are made with GPs in mind in the rest of the world where they actually like Motogp more

all in all

Laguna is ENOUGH

I mean I dont want to watch them ride around inside a big FLAT oval

I'm not sure if Motogp needs a 2nd race in the US - a race at Brands Hatch now that would be cool!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Noodlerizer @ Jun 21 2007, 07:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>IMO I believe as of right now the only competent place to have a usgp is Laguna. Maybe some of you have not lived in that area but it is the sport bike capital of the U.S, it was an easy choice because that track was made for motorcycles and the interest is huge in that area, its the only place besides miller that meets any type of regulations. Miller could host a MotoGP but its in the middle of damn Utah. Not enough facilities and interest. I can see how they can force Indy into the schedule because there would probably be good interest there but theres no ....... way in hell Motogp will go up on the oval straight. They will have to do millions of dollars of reconfiguration to even be considered for a MotoGP event. This opinion came after seeing F1 there and knowing that Dorna would not let any rider come close to that wall.
Miller would be a great place for a USGP, they might actually hit sixth gear. No offense to Laguna, very cool track but it is too tight for GPs. As far as facilities go, Miller is state of the art, on par with Laguna, if not better. Road America is also undergoing changes to improve facilities. And having surrounding areas to support the race, obviously you can't match Cannery Row for atmosphere anywhere in the US when it comes to road racing. Each round has its own atmosphere with its own off-track hang outs and that's fine. Because in reality, do we really go to Laguna so we can hang at Cannery Row? I don't, maybe that's just me.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (krazy91 @ Jun 21 2007, 01:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>why even have another US event one is enough there are SOOOOOO many better circuits that are made with GPs in mind in the rest of the world where they actually like Motogp more

all in all

Laguna is ENOUGH

I mean I dont want to watch them ride around inside a big FLAT oval
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Valerian @ Jun 21 2007, 09:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm not sure if Motogp needs a 2nd race in the US - a race at Brands Hatch now that would be cool!
God forbid they try to tap potentially the biggest sportbike market in the world. It's not as if people living in the midwest of eastern portion of the country can just hop in the car for a few hours and be there. It's a big country. If people show up and it's a successful event, why not have a second round? I don't understand this US phobia, it really boggles my mind.

We have one GP and no WSB while Italy gets one GP (two if you lump in Misano but I won't) and two WSB events (three if you add Misano) and England gets one GP and three WSB rounds.

I seriously do not understand why people don't want a second USGP. I understand that it's a world championship and all parts of the world should be represented but if there are already multiple stops in a single country, then why not in the states. Laguna has been a tremendously successful event, sellout crowds every day since it began. I don't see why a second leg would be any different. Maybe it's those rose colored glasses I've been wearing...

Racing politics and circuit critiques aside, I am dying to see MotoGP at Indy because I can actually afford to go. Well, I can get to Elkhart Lake, too, so either would be fantastic....from a totally selfish point of view.

MILLER!!! the best we have to offer right now imo. road america would be good... to remote tho... u know Ooost. VIR would be fantastic. only 4 hours from me. but we know thats not going to happen. barber would be good. only 13 hours from me. possibility with the changes. road atlanta only 12 hours from me. but as said above the money wont be spent for the massive upgrades needed. .... indy! but i will be there if gps come!!!

you cant compare italy to us in regards to Motogp, that would be like me saying I want 2 nascar races in my home country (italy) Motogp and football are THE most popular sport

Usa is more like

MLB, NFL, GOLF, Nascar, NHL, etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc, motogp

there is history of the sport there, Now Im not saying I think italy should always have 2 or anything, I live in japan right now and Im not even saying they should have two here even tho Suzuka was/is a great circuit, Im just saying there are other countries in the world that have had GPs before with facilities that are better and more history with GP

I completely understand what you are saying. I just think the potential is here to support a second. Also, there should be a second Japanese round ar Suzuka. The best track in the world.