U.S. Grand Prix-View...Speedvision

[Mr.S]

There is a new show on speedvision called formula 1 US grand prix view, I just watched it and it's good. They showed computer sims of the track, and they had a long peice on McLaren, they had alot on crash testing of the cars and such. They also had a long peice on how David Coulthard keeps in shape, jetskiing, biking. I think it might be a weekly thing because they said next time they would show the inner workings of the Jordan team.

The interesting thing was it still had that American flavour of overconfidence. The track designers were telling of how the track was at least equal to any Euro track, and how "good old American know how" made it that way. All in all it was worth watching.

The show is on again at 11:00pm Eastern and 8:00pm Pacific.
More info at http://www.speedvision.com

[EERO]

Thanks, for the heads up, M. S.-I had forgotten it was on-I've got the tempermental ole VCR set.

[Mr.S]

Your welcome ERRO.
To anyone who has gone around that track either in simulations or in games, what do you think? My opinion is that other then the banked oval corner the track is horrible! There are very little no passing opportunities; you would think that they could have done a better job. If your going to build a modern circuit I would make it so there are allot of opportunities, and several high-speed corners to add spice. Ah-well this is the same sport that brought in grooved tires, remember.

[Mr.S]

By the way tell me what you think of the show.

[Jay]

Mr.S, I have driven a few laps (that's all I can stand) of the circuit in GP2 and I agree with you completely.

The one speedway turn is a lot of fun. There is a slight bump on the exit which just adds to it. However the rest of the track is dull and boring. There is one AND ONLY ONE place where you might think of pulling off a pass. It is a 90 degree corner at the end of the too short back straight.

I thought this was a bad idea all along. There are go-lart tracks that are much more interesting than the one they built. They should have upgraded Watkins Glen, or one of the other US tracks for an F1 race. Or gone back to Long Beach.

I am afraid the US GP will be a train after the first corner. I am also a tad worried about what will happen if a car crashes on the oval turn. F1 cars are not designed for that sort of impact.

[Minardi fan]

I started this one a while ago, but I love an argument .

The US GP track is probably THE worst on the calendar, at least as bad as the current rotters Malaysia and Spain. It's stupidly short, twisty, and FLAT, with nothing exciting bar the last turn which in itself isn't that thrilling. It's a typical modern circuit - short, with silly corners joining little straights, and nowhere to overtake. There's virtually nothing of merit at Indianapolis.

And if the Americans think it compares to such Euro tracks as Spa, the A1-Ring, Monza or the Nurburgring, they have another thing coming...

[Jared]

I agree with you. The track is not that great. It is just a typical late-1990's, early-2000's F1 track.

I agree with Jay that they should have gone to a REAL road course like Watkins Glen or Road America.

As for the Speedvision show, I thought it was great. Very well-produced.

[botsquad]

HHF on his visit to IMS.

"We like the challenge very much, and we like the opportunity to race in Indianapolis for such a traditional racetrack," he said. "The way people react here, the atmosphere is pretty good here."

Frentzen said the Indianapolis circuit includes places to pass, particularly at the end of each long straight. Also, he noted teams can run high-downforce or low-downforce setups or full or lower fuels levels depending on whether they want to make one or two pit stops. This will have a bearing on passing potential, he said.

"There could be overtaking out of Turn 1, up to 2, and at 3 there are some overtaking possibilities," he said. "I think the racetrack will give us some opportunities there."

Frentzen said he did not calculate the number of gearshifts necessary during his drive-around but added it will be quickly figured out during a computer simulation run.

"For me, this racetrack has a very famous history," he said. "For me, it's a great pleasure to race here in Indianapolis for, first of all, my first time in America. So that's going to be my first taste in America here in racing.

"It's very different from the racetracks in Formula One that I've seen before. For me, I'm impressed with the way they race. I've never raced on oval so it's a different world. But I find it a perfect compromise racing on ovals combined with the Formula One standards as well."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

as why bernie chose indy. lots of caysh of course. plus
ims brings lots of extra media. it could lay the foundation for a return of more us events. just like when we had the glen and the beach.

[Jay]

HHF was visting Indy for a Promo for the US GP, so of course he is not going to tell the truth about the circuit.

You'll need to go to someone who is not afraid to speak out on the quality of a circuit, even when politics is involved.

I am waiting for Jacques Villeneuve's comments.

Actually, now that I think about it, the track is a lot like Catalunya in Spain without the grade changes. I would expect a similarly exciting race at Indy.

I don't think that there will be anymore US GPs though. It cost a ton of money to stage an F1 race, and 1 race per country is enough, even if it is the US.

However, the facilities are supposed to be immaculate, so if you don't have to drive on the track, you may like the circuit!

[Neil C]

Originally posted by Jay
You'll need to go to someone who is not afraid to speak out on the quality of a circuit, even when politics is involved.

I am waiting for Jacques Villeneuve's comments.

Jacques made comments during the Fox broadcast of the 2nd or 3rd race this year. He was mostly complimentary of the course.

[Jay]

How does he know? He has never driven on it.

Jacques was just basing his comments on his previous experiences at Indy, which were good.

All of this has motivated me to take another look at the circuit. You can pass on the first corner if you are ahead of the car before you brake for the first corner. Otherwise it is a huge gamble. Now that I take a second look at it, I don't think there is ANYWHERE to pass on the infield course. It is just too tight, and the backstraight is too short to get a run on another car. The infield course is essentially Monaco without the barriers. It's that tight!

I think many of the drivers comments so far have been that they are just elated to be racing at Indianapolis. Whether the infield track they are racing on is exciting or not is not important...yet.

I don't think we will hear any negative comments till after the race, when the drivers are no longer on American soil.

[Liz]

I saw that show today. The one thing that struck me was how often Tony George (pardon me for mentioning That Name) bragged about his paddock club and non-racing facilities, and how he very determinedly brushed Jackie Stewart off when Stewart tried to make some non-gushing comments about the track.

The show was interesting. I agree with Jay - the track is typical boring F1 American crud, and will not be interesting to watch. The track has been designed for sponsors, not for race fans. As usual.

I give this race 3 years tops and then it will die for lack of interest and F1 will not be staged in the USA again for 10 years or so until Bernie dies and Tony George is put away somewhere.

[jb]

i try not to support The Inheritor in any way! wonder who invited him to goodwood (as shown in autoweek)

[EERO]

Welcome jb, I didn't know anyone still read "Autoweek'. I used to love it years ago...(ahh pointless nostalgia from the old fogey.)

Liz, I had the same thought about "The Inheritor" when he was speaking to Stewart. What I found even funnier was the expression of the face of the designer as Stewart was questioning the design, its a face I've seen many times in Design meetings, "You pathetic moron so lacking in vision, how dare you NOT visualize the creation of my genius. I AM THE DESIGNER AND I HAVE SPOKEN"

I was dissappointed by the simulations, I thought that the track looked rather dull. Its a Mickey mouse course and will be the death of F1 in the States-All in all, a massively ill-conceived evdeavour.

[botsquad]

perhaps the newness of the track will lead to better competiton. and there is, of course, the last corner.
carrying speed thru that section should will vary greatly from setup to setup. and it is a corner with a past.

[Minardi fan]

Whats one corner when you can have an entire circuit steeped with history such as Spa???

[botsquad]

well, of course, spa is spa. ims is really about as different as u can get.(and don't forget all the strip clubs on the north side). bernie has taken a chance.
but come on, backdooring turn one at indy? you gotta love it.

[JAM]

Hi there,

I was reading your comments about the Indianapolis F1 track and I would like to give my little input. I am not a big fun of video games so I can't tell you how good is the Indianapolis track in a simulator. However, I had the opportunity 2 weeks ago to do a couple of laps on the Indianapolis F1 race track while visiting the circuit in preparation of the USGP. I believe that the track is excellent and it will allow great racing. I have been in many European race tracks(Spa, Silverstone, Monza, and Hockenheim) as well as Brazil, Argentina, Suzuka (Japan) and Malaysia and I believe that Indy will add to the colorful and interesting world of F1. It will bring a new challenge to the drivers and the combination of road and oval is really interesting. I also visit the different grandstands location as well as the VIP Club, the garage area and the tower. My opinion is that the track and facilities are fantastic and for the lucky ones who plan to be there, be ready for a great event.

[botsquad]

jam:

just wondering, what were u driving?

an MP4-15 ?

or dodge dart?

[JAM]

Hi Botsquad,

You are a funny one. I wish I could had been in the MP4-15, or at least in the MP4-98T but I was in a vehicle that is closely related to the MP4-15. Nevertheless, Still a great experience.

[botsquad]

jam:

cool. how about trading tix to the race for some knee-slappers?

[Jay]

We'll see.