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Road America in Lieu of Baltimore?
Following quote from the Group IndyCar Series Schedule, from the discussion Hearsay/Rumor/Word re 2012 Schedule.
Quote - Gary Lee Cox, March 25, 2011: Re the IndyCar Series adding Road America to their 2012 schedule. Hearsay/rumor/word is the ICS wants/would like to join up with the American Le Man Series on their traditional weekend next year. The American Le Man Series is officially scheduled for a four hour Saturday race at RA on August 20 this year. In 2012 the date for the American Le Mans Series at RA will most likely/probably be Saturday August 18. Thus making Sunday August 19 available for the IndyCars.
It is my understanding that officials of the American Le Mans Series met with officials of the ICS event at Long Beach last year to begin/initiate talks re reaching a agreement re the matter of a ALMS/IICS incorporated event/weekend at RA. A agreement was not reached for 2011. End quote.
http://www.indycargarage.com/group/indycarseriesschedule/forum/topi...
I believe China being added to the 2012 IndyCar Series schedule is the reason why there is no American Le Mans/IndyCar Series incorporated weekend, event/race scheduled for Road America in 2012. The American Le Mans Series is scheduled to race at Road America on Saturday, August 18, 2012. The IndyCar Series is scheduled to race at Qingdao, China , on Sunday, August 19, 2012.
IndyCar looks iffy, at best, for Road America in 2012 - Sept. 22, 2011
It's not for a lack of interest or for lack of a title sponsor but because of the difficulty finding a date that would work.
"Mr. Bernard is working on some foreign events, maybe two Brazil races, and he doesn’t know the dates of those," Bruggenthies said Wednesday, referring to IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard. "That’s part of his business plan because those races pay for a lot of the rest of the schedule and help us. So it was more the date than the money. Absolutely.
"We wanted to put them [IICS] on the Sunday [August 19th] following American Le Mans, which I think we were the first promoter to have that double-header. That’s why we expanded the paddock (for 2007), where we literally had American Le Mans Saturday and then Champ Car on Sunday [August 12, 2007]. And I think our fans would like that. That was kind of my plan, but August was really kind of busy for Randy. That’s really the way it went."
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/130355908.html
The last major league open-wheel race on the 14 turn 4.048 mile Road America permanent purpose built road course (CCWS - August 12, 2007) was won by Sébastien Bourdais, with a average speed of 127.481mph.
Attendance at the 2007 Generac Grand Prix (Champ Car World Series) was over 100,000 people during the 4 day race weekend. Race coordinators were pleased with this result as this was the highest attendance the race had garnered since the heyday of CART racing in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
ChampCar 2007 Elkhart Lake - Voxdale partnership
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT4eTBWBtXI&feature=related
Road America - Elkhart Lake - Bruno Junqueira - Dale Coyne R
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duNKaCRm89c&feature=player_detai...
I believe there may be a small ray of hope that a ALMS/ICS incorporated weekend, event/race at Road America could still be added to the 2012 IndyCar Series schedule. That ray of hope is the cancellation of the 2012 Baltimore ALMS/ICS incorporated weekend, event/race scheduled for Labor Day weekend (hearsay, gossip, rumor, talk is Baltimore may very well be a one and done). The ALMS is currently scheduled to race at Baltimore on Saturday, September 01, 2012. The ICS on Sunday, September 02.
If the Baltimore event is actually cancelled, a ALMS/ICS incorporated weekend, event/race over the 2012 Labor Day weekend at Road America could be realized. The action required would be for the ALMS to change/move their date at Road America presently scheduled for August 18, 2012 back two weeks to September 01. The IndyCar Series adds Road America to their 2012 schedule on Sunday, September 02, replacing Baltimore.
My preference between Baltimore and Road America...Road America.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by RaceFan on -
The last line says all. Even though I'm very close to Baltimore, Road America is the place to be.
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Permalink Reply by xorpheous on -
Its stunning that an event as well attended and apparently successful as Baltimore is having problems paying the bills. I enjoyed the Baltimore race, and its a good market for IndyCar, but with the Formula 1 race coming to New Jersey soon, the Baltimore event was had a limited lifespan anyway.
I'd love to see IndyCar go to Road America, especially if paired with an ALMS event. Say what you will about the Mid-Ohio course, but that event is spectacularly popular! The joint is crowded every single year with 10s of thousands sitting on the grass in the Esses, the Keyhole, and Thunder Alley (Valley?), and more in the grandstands in the Carousel and milling around the garages. Road America could be a very similar event and share similar success.
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Permalink Reply by Iowa Guy on -
It would seem to be a very logical thing to pursue. Which is precisely why it probably won't happen...
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Permalink Reply by Linda Willareth on
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This Sunday marks the last Sunday for Wind Tunnel until late January--what a shame the network doesn't realize just how starved we are for racing info--Robin Miller could put on a fantastic winter break show--he has the contacts and he's interesting to watch--it will be a very long winter--however; I've heard from a very tight lipped bird alot of announcements will be forthcoming following Christmas. One can only speculate but I hope its all good for Indy Car. I'm beginning to think there are political crooks everywhere I look--Washington, Baltimore, Milwaukee--everywhere. Seems hard to believe a Baltimore street race could have ended up in such a mess.
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Permalink Reply by PJ Kirschbaum on
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Brats or not, I wouldnt hold my breath for an RA IICS date in 2012, or anytime soon for that matter.
The BoD at RA have 1.5 million reasons not to want one.
They make plenty of cash at the events they have right now.
Dont get me wrong, I like the idea and Id be there if it happened.
@Linda...theres no politician crook connected to the Milwaukee Mile, it was a certain CEO and his hand picked promoter that goofed that deal up.
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Permalink Reply by Gary Lee Cox on -
Road America’s premier event for 2012: June 21-23 NASCAR Nationwide Series/GRAND-AM Rolex Series.
IMO a sports car/open-wheel series incorporated weekend, event/race should be Road America’s premier annual event (American Le Mans/IndyCar Series). Sports and open-wheel cars should be ruling the roost at America’s national park of speed. Not stock cars.
The fact that there is no IndyCar Series event/race at what is most likely the number 1 fan requested road course/venue (Road America) since the merger is one large, blatant middle finger to the fans from those of authority running said series.
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Permalink Reply by RaceFan on
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There is only one racing series more popular than the Nationwide series in the U.S.A., and that's Sprint Cup.
Like it or not NASCAR racing "rules the roost".
I never looked at the CART/IRL deal as a true merger, but just as a complete failure of the CART series. Something that wouldn't happen to the IRL as long as Tony George was willing to spend the
millions in support.
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Permalink Reply by Daddy of Equalizer on
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I'd like to know how much the H/G family have spent subsidizng IRL/IICS. I have heard numbers as high as $600,000,000.
Go tell that $600,000,000 figure to Disciple/Defender and watch him have a flipping coronary screaming that it's a big lie. What a douche!!
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Permalink Reply by PJ Kirschbaum on
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GLC...actually the biggest event that RA has each year is the Kohler Invitational vintage race.
this year there was 410 cars in the ( all the ) paddock and people everywhere to see them race.
Seeing it was my first, I was amazed by what I saw. ( plus 'my' car , an old roush cup car with a short track body on it, held off one Bobby Rahal in a porsche ;) )
Even if Im not working it, I'll go back every year, it was amazing seeing 'amateurs' ( in most cases) race harder and closer than the 'aces' we see each week lol
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@ PJ - You can say you've beaten Bobby Rahal, then - COOL!! Nice going!!!
The best "amatuer beating pro" I have ever seen was in 1976 at Laguna Seca, at The IMSA event. Jackie Stewart showed up and raced a friggin Pinto in SHOWROOM STOCK!! He started last and within a few laps was in 2nd. Jackie was never able to catch the guy in first, who was in a Porsche 914. The guy in the 914 can say he beat an F1 world champion.
The historic races at Laguna Seca are big, also. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to go the last few years, for one reason or another. They get good crowds all 3 days. And a good collection of race cars.
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Permalink Reply by Linda Willareth on
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Maybe Baltimore isn't off the radar screen after all. Seems as though a small word called "politics" is in the middle of this race. I sure hope things get straightened out--this business of having one and done races--Baltimore, Milwaukee, Vegas, Kentucky is embarrassing in my opinion.
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Permalink Reply by Gary Lee Cox on
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Kentucky Speedway a one and done? The IndyCar Series raced there for twelve consecutive years (2000-2011).
The only actual/true one and done of said venues/tracks would be Baltimore if Baltimore is actually abandoned/cancelled; I.e. it is not on/a part of the 2012 IndyCar Series schedule.
Milwaukee and Las Vegas are venues/tracks that said series has raced at on and off. Said series has raced at the Milwaukee Mile seven times (2004 thru 2009, and in 2011). Said series has raced at Las Vegas Motor Speedway five times (1996 thru 2000). Said series returned to said speedway in 2011, but the event/race was abandoned/cancelled following a fifteen-car accident on lap 11.
IMO the Milwaukee Mile should be on the 2012 IndyCar Series schedule. Motorized racing events date back to 1903, a full eight years before the first Indianapolis 500, making said mile the oldest, continually operating motor speedway in the world. Said mile is a part of the heritage/history of open-wheel racing in America. Said series event/race in 2011 was the 86th race for Indy style cars at said mile. IMO said mile should be a staple event/race on said series schedule.
I fully understand attendance (15,000) was embarrassing/pathetic for the IndyCar series event at the Milwaukee Mile this year. But in past years said series has drawn very good crowds (see photos). I believe if properly promoted, like in years past, said mile could once again draw very good crowds.
Personally I could care less if the IndyCar Series Baltimore street race is abandoned/cancelled.I shall reiterate; The ALMS is currently scheduled to race at Baltimore on Saturday, September 01, 2012. The ICS on Sunday, September 02.
If the Baltimore event is actually cancelled, a ALMS/ICS incorporated weekend, event/race over the 2012 Labor Day weekend at Road America could be realized. The action required would be for the ALMS to change/move their date at Road America presently scheduled for August 18, 2012 back two weeks to September 01. The IndyCar Series adds Road America to their 2012 schedule on Sunday, September 02, replacing Baltimore.
My preference between Baltimore and Road America...Road America.
IMO like the Milwaukee Mile, Road America should be a staple event/race for said series.
IMO since its inception/origin, the management, those of authority of said series, have failed and continue to fail to make said series a notable/respectable major league racing series. Wrench is correct…said series is embarrassing.
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