Indianapolis F1 GP

[jack]

was anyone at the race? just read the highlights and it sounded like quite an event...

[jack]

was anyone at the race? just read the highlights and it sounded like quite an event...

[Matt Ahl]

That race was an absolute disgrace. I don't think the US deserves a GP, especially one hosted by Tony George. 2 crashes and they didn't sweep the track. Then crashes resulting from tire FOD, and Ralf's 5 minutes of sitting alone in the car. A corner worker should have been at the car's side in seconds; the race should have been red flagged. Then the ambulence had to drive the length of the track to get to the car, what if there had been a fire, would everyone have just watched him burn to death.

I love F1, but after this race I don't think we deserve a GP.

[Chase]

In partial agreeance with the above, yet I still feel like F1 needs to get america more involved and get more american drivers trained and competitive enough to make it gain popularity over other choice racing leagues...
There is so much potential for F1 in America if higher-up people would do things the correct way. That race had definite downfalls including the fact that menardi gained points due to the fact that only 8 cars remained at the end. and the previously stated stuff. We are seriously allowing F1 dissapear from america if we don't do something to turn this thing around.

[Matt Ahl]

IMHO they need to have a set of traveling FIA officials, and standardized training for all courseworkers. Simple things like this would have prevented the fiasco that we call the 2004 US GP.

[jack]

yeah, it bums me out that alonso got a falt, im a renault fan myself. seems like i should be rooting for minardi instead?? http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Mosley: here come the V8's...

[Denny Trimble]

I don't think it's a problem with the higher-ups who promote and broadcast the races, it's a problem with the average US citizen.

Formula 1, aren't those cars from France or something? Oh wait, there's going to be a Professional Wrestling match in the infield during the 3rd caution of the NASCAR race tonight, I can't miss that! http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Charlie]

Ah, all you WA guys are just mad because the GP of Japan is closer. http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

I missed it, went in 2002 and 2003, hope to be back in 05!

[Chase]

wow they sound like that up there too damn i don't ever want to hear stereotype about alabama again... http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[jack]

yeah, i think denny is on to something, stupid nascar!

mosley says the cars need to be slower so it looks like v8's now. mabye that will attract those nascar fans http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif if only they used pushrods too...

oh yeah, thats flat, not falt.

[Bob T]

My turn to chime in...

Let me first start by saying this: 1) I am a fan of both Formula 1 and NASCAR and 2) There is no doubt that Formula 1 cars and drivers are far superior to any other form of racing.

NASCAR's Appeal comes from 2 things:
1) It's close racing
2) It's American heritage - It started here with bootleggers running liquor across the border in their modified cars running from the cops and progressed to local dirt tracks to the tracks they run now. Unfortunately Formula 1 can't match that in the American market but they can definately do something about number 1

Formula 1's problem in the American market comes from the fact that BEST DRIVER + BEST MANUFACTURER = BORING RACING. Americans are more interested in watching people PASSING and racing each other, particularly in the top 5. Let's face it guys, right now in Formula 1 you don't get that, the only time the cars are bunched up like they are in NASCAR are at the start of a race. I agree with Charlie that they need more american drivers. But first they need to level the playing field. Unless you're an engineer and love watching it for the cars, the small subplots and when McLaren is going to blow another engine, it's not all that exciting to see Schumacher get the pole, pull away from everyone and win every race. I've spoken with a lot of people who said they used to watch it but stopped because they got bored of watching Schumacher win every race. If they bring the cars closer together and make them race each other along with the track then I think you would see a lot more people watching it.

[Charlie]

Close racing is great.

But people watch and are addicted to golf, tennis, hell there are lots of boring sports out there that are much more popular than F1 in the states.

The coverage you see of those IMO 'non-action' sports are of all the American talent. American tennis players are who Americans talk about when they talk about tennis. Both because they are good, and because they are American.

If an American started winning in F1 it would have an amazing effect I promise you. And it wouldn't matter how close the race was. http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Eddie Martin]

If you want top class international motorsport with lots of passing and action, look at Moto GP. The battle between Rossi, Gibernau, Biaggi and the rest has been great this year.
We are lucky in Oz that we can get the majority of good motorsport on free to air tv.

[Bob T]

I realize that American drivers would help a great deal, I agree with Charlie 100% on that one. I just think that rules changes to bring the field closer together would be a more immediate step. As for Moto GP, can't really comment because I don't watch or follow it.

[jack]

even with shumi killin' at every race, i still think f1 is exciting and fun to watch and i still root for renault, but thats just me. mabye because i know more about it than the "average american", i dont know...

[Charlie]

The MotoGp races this year have been incredible, I agree with Eddie. If you're missing out-check the SPEED channel listings. Definitely worth watching.

[jack]

looks like ralf cracked a vertabrae and is out for the rest of the season...talk about close call

[Eddie Martin]

I think now ralf is out gene will start to make montoya work a bit. Its about time williams got some drivers with some motivation. I think it will be webber and davidson or fisichella (spelling) for the williams seats next year.

Ralf will probably go to toyota but why you would employ him i have no idea. he has been slow and unenthusiastic for a long time. He belongs in a bottom of field dtm car.