[DOF_power]

Formula 1 pirouettes into the ground.

By Peter M. De Lorenzo

Detroit. First there was Max Mosely's plan to shove a common specification, "equalized" engine package down the throats of the Formula 1 manufacturers. That plan - allegedly designed to cut costs - could and should spell the end of the once prestigious form of motorsport by sentencing it to a static netherworld of regressive technological development and worse, flat-out irrelevancy. Mosely's "spec car" plan alone threatens to send the participating F1 manufacturers to a new racing entity of their own design, and deservedly so because it is so hapless, ill-timed and dim-witted. But, not content to derail the enterprise altogether by their wildly out of touch incompetence, the powers that be in F1 have come up with yet another new way to insult manufacturers - and fans - alike.

The brainiacs in the World Motor Sport Council met in Paris yesterday and came up with a brilliant solution to end F1's problems altogether in the North American market, and that is to drop the Canadian Grand Prix from the schedule in 2009, effectively eliminating Grand Prix racing from this market completely.

This is what F1 does to its competing manufacturers in North America - still, despite all the negativity - the most important market for BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari in the world? This is what Formula 1 does to its most knowledgeable (and rabid) fans in Canada, the people who have enthusiastically supported Formula 1 for years?

Simply incredible.

Formula 1 fans in the U.S. have grown used to the idea that Bernie's Greed Circus will appear within our boundaries only on occasion, at least when the price is right, anyway. We don't blame Tony George for balking at Bernie's obscene and outright usurious fee structure, because in the end, it's just not worth it to expend that kind of money for what is inevitably and more often than not a decidedly mediocre show. We're enthralled with the way F1 used to be way back when, not what it has become. But to throw the Canadian fans under the bus? Simply unconscionable.

At this point in time the only form of Grand Prix racing that's actually worth the effort from where I sit is MotoGP. And guess what? The MotoGP organizers have seen fit to schedule two races on U.S. soil because they understand what an important market looks like and treat it - and its fans - accordingly.

What a refreshingly visionary concept.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

Formula 1 pirouettes into the ground.

By Peter M. De Lorenzo

Detroit. First there was Max Mosely's plan to shove a common specification, "equalized" engine package down the throats of the Formula 1 manufacturers. That plan - allegedly designed to cut costs - could and should spell the end of the once prestigious form of motorsport by sentencing it to a static netherworld of regressive technological development and worse, flat-out irrelevancy. Mosely's "spec car" plan alone threatens to send the participating F1 manufacturers to a new racing entity of their own design, and deservedly so because it is so hapless, ill-timed and dim-witted. But, not content to derail the enterprise altogether by their wildly out of touch incompetence, the powers that be in F1 have come up with yet another new way to insult manufacturers - and fans - alike.

The brainiacs in the World Motor Sport Council met in Paris yesterday and came up with a brilliant solution to end F1's problems altogether in the North American market, and that is to drop the Canadian Grand Prix from the schedule in 2009, effectively eliminating Grand Prix racing from this market completely.

This is what F1 does to its competing manufacturers in North America - still, despite all the negativity - the most important market for BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari in the world? This is what Formula 1 does to its most knowledgeable (and rabid) fans in Canada, the people who have enthusiastically supported Formula 1 for years?

Simply incredible.

Formula 1 fans in the U.S. have grown used to the idea that Bernie's Greed Circus will appear within our boundaries only on occasion, at least when the price is right, anyway. We don't blame Tony George for balking at Bernie's obscene and outright usurious fee structure, because in the end, it's just not worth it to expend that kind of money for what is inevitably and more often than not a decidedly mediocre show. We're enthralled with the way F1 used to be way back when, not what it has become. But to throw the Canadian fans under the bus? Simply unconscionable.

At this point in time the only form of Grand Prix racing that's actually worth the effort from where I sit is MotoGP. And guess what? The MotoGP organizers have seen fit to schedule two races on U.S. soil because they understand what an important market looks like and treat it - and its fans - accordingly.

What a refreshingly visionary concept.

Are you absolutely sure that the powers which run F1 aren't former government bureaucrats whose logic processes are below even the already marginal standards of [any country's] government? They seem to operate under the mantra that there is no problem they can't make worse by legislation.

[DOF_power]

I don't know about this "can't make (it any) worse".
I've thought it for years but somehow they found ways each and every time. That's what(/the only thing) they excel at.

[onearmsteve]

all reports from the Indianapolis media last month said the MotoGP event was a joy to cover and almost the complete opposite of an F1 race.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by onearmsteve

all reports from the Indianapolis media last month said the MotoGP event was a joy to cover and almost the complete opposite of an F1 race.

I read all the articles the Indpls Star had on-line on the MotoGP weekend and that was the distinct impression I got.

I think the tire fiasco and the boycott soured a lot of people on F1 and the Brickyard.

I grew up in the Indianapolis area and when I was a kid most of the middle class people I knew had lives which revolved around two things, high school basketball and motor racing of ANY type. Since they broke B-ball up into division I've heard that round ball has dropped in interest and the Colts have taken its place but motor racing is still a major talking point in any bar or barber shop.

So, what you report surprises me not in the least. Believe me, if F1 were to return it would be welcomed and the race fans in Indy would again go ga-ga.

[onearmsteve]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I read all the articles the Indpls Star had on-line on the MotoGP weekend and that was the distinct impression I got.

I think the tire fiasco and the boycott soured a lot of people on F1 and the Brickyard.

I grew up in the Indianapolis area and when I was a kid most of the middle class people I knew had lives which revolved around two things, high school basketball and motor racing of ANY type. Since they broke B-ball up into division I've heard that round ball has dropped in interest and the Colts have taken its place but motor racing is still a major talking point in any bar or barber shop.

So, what you report surprises me not in the least. Believe me, if F1 were to return it would be welcomed and the race fans in Indy would again go ga-ga.

i think i've said this before, but i spend a great deal of time in Indy myself as it's where my family is from. and have been around the sports scene for as long as i can remember.

you are absolutely correct that the Colts are the hot item in town. and in case you needed proof, check out the stadium they just had built. of course, there's controversy around that as well. racing is still number one. it's hard to go there and there not be a race a local dirt track, even during the week.

i don't doubt for a second that if Money1 were to return to Indy, we'd be making the trip up there for it.

bob, whereabouts are you from in the town? my uncle lives off of 84th and College and we have cousins on the south and east sides.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by onearmsteve

bob, whereabouts are you from in the town? my uncle lives off of 84th and College and we have cousins on the south and east sides.

I'm originally from Anderson but had cousins I spent a lot of time in the summer with, who lived on Thompson Rd between Hywy 31 (East St) and Madison Ave. They graduated from Southport.

[onearmsteve]

ah yes. i love that little quarter mile high banked track up there in Anderson.

i have yet to make it there for the Mini 500 or whatever it's called the night before the 500, but i have to imagine 11 rows of 3 of sprint cars on a track like that is absolutely nuts.