reversing the USGP course? take out oval turn 1?

[johnny shell]

I think that sucks. so what if the race would go in the same direction as the other Indy races?

Turn one of the oval is one of the only interesting things about that mickey mouse circuit (Schuey's words, not mine)

I think switching the direction of the track and eliminating ovel turn #1 is a dumb idea.

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/formulaone/35793/

[luvracin]

Whatever way they go they gotta keep one of the banked turns in there.

Reversing the F1 course direction to stop MotoGP guys killing themselves is a dumb idea. It's not like they're running on the same weekend.

[N. Jones]

I agree - why change when the race doesn't affect anyone but the F1 guys?

[PSfan]

Well my imagination isn't good enough to envision what f1 would look like going in the other direction at Indy, can anyone with a F1 playstation or x-box that has an f1 game that will allow you to race in the wrong direction give us idea what it would be like?

The story also suggests that the change would take place for the 08 race and beyond, does this mean indy has commited to F1 beyond 07 already?

[call_me_andrew]

I'm trying to imagine leaving the course as is and just running it in the opposite direction, and I think that would just ruin it. Going full throttle from a sweeping turn 12 to a 90 degree turn 1 is where most of the passing is generated. To run the opposite direction would give the cars a lower top speed and that long sweeping turn wouldn't make for much passing.

Solutions: Line the outside wall with hay bails for MotoGP
OR
Let MotoGP have their Mickey Mouse circuit and just run the USGP on the oval. (Take that as serously as you wish)

[ShiftingGears]

I'd prefer the MotoGP ditches Indy and the F1 ditches Indy. It's quite a dog of a track, as most rovals usually are.
SOLUTION: Send the top series to top tracks.

[johnny shell]

I mean, if they're redoing the track anyway... why not make it better?

make it something really special.

something to be proud of

[maxu05]

I would like to see a track design that would compliment both Motogp and F1. Motogp has always played 2nd fiddle to F1, so I think that just for once something good happens good for Motogp that might cause a compromise for F1, well, I think F1 should suck it in. I am sure they will figure out the best way to make it safe for Motogp, and make an interesting track layout for the cars.

[sonic_roadhog]

I recall when the Indy track was 1st designed there was a mooted idea of using the back straight as well. It always sounded like a great idea to me. Use the first 4 turns of the current track and the short back straight and then loop back to what is turn three of the oval - run reverse from there all the way back to the start finish on the banking. Sweet!

On the subject of reversing tracks does anyone know if Knockhill in Scotland still has a licence to run races both directions? That place is nuts enough but in reverse????

[K-Pu]

I think the best option is to move the race to another circuit...

Indy is not a good track for F1, and if their intentions are to quit the turn 1 then that circuit would have nothing special. There are planty of tracks in the USA, so why don´t look for another one?

And it´s the same with MotoGP. Compare the Mickey Mouse Indy with Laguna Seca. Compare the "no-banking" with the Corckscrew. If they´re to put another USA race, they should try to have a better circuit.

I know Indy means a lot to motorsport, but it isn´t the best option for Indy and for the races to use there a dull circuit, or éven worse, make the only interesting thing in that track fade away.

[call_me_andrew]

There are planty of tracks in the USA, so why don´t look for another one?

Because those tracks either lack the funds and/or the inclination to pay Bernie’s sanctioning fees.

Indy’s road course was designed to use space in the most efficient way possible.

[PSfan]

I know a little off topic, but does anyone have any details about miller motorpark, and how well it could hold an F1 event?

http://www.millermotorsportspark.com/

I first heard about this track thanks to the gumball rally, and they kept refering to it as an f1 track, shows what they know. I believe its owned by someone who has more money then he seems to know what to do with (can't think of his name, but he owns a basketball team and he seems to like to do stuff that gets him in trouble...)

I was gonna wait till after the ALMS race this year when I had a chance to see what it looked like with real race cars on it, but this seems like a good thread to bring it up... :)

[call_me_andrew]

Miller Motorsports Park is a great track, but it's about 30 miles from civilization.... literally.

[call_me_andrew]

So I've been thinking about this for a while, and just out of pure curiousity, how would you feel if the course looked like this?

(My changes are highlighted in red.)
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m315/mustang6172/itry1.jpg

[wmcot]

I know a little off topic, but does anyone have any details about miller motorpark, and how well it could hold an F1 event?

http://www.millermotorsportspark.com/

I first heard about this track thanks to the gumball rally, and they kept refering to it as an f1 track, shows what they know. I believe its owned by someone who has more money then he seems to know what to do with (can't think of his name, but he owns a basketball team and he seems to like to do stuff that gets him in trouble...)

I was gonna wait till after the ALMS race this year when I had a chance to see what it looked like with real race cars on it, but this seems like a good thread to bring it up... :)

I went to the ALMS race there last year. It's a short 30-40 minute drive from Salt Lake City depending on where you stay. I'm lucky, I live here and it's great to have a first class facility nearby. I plan to go to the ALMS again this year (have my tickets already) and the Rolex Grand Am as well as a historic sports car race/show and maybe I'll check out the NASCAR feeder series that will be here this year.

The ALMS drivers loved the course (I talked to Allan McNish personally about it.) The track has 25 turns of varying speed with wide run-off areas. It can be run in four configurations (one with less turns for NASCAR.) The straight is very long. I stood by a crewman with a radar gun and the P1 cars were hitting 172mph even in the thinner air at 4000+ feet. The pits are supposed to be up to F1 standard and the FIA has certified the track. The garages are very large and fully equipped.

I'll try to attach a few of my photos from last year's ALMS race weekend.

[wmcot]

Another photo of the ALMS race.

Please remember that last year was the first year the track was built so not too much landscaping had gone into the surrounding areas.

[wmcot]

The Highcroft Lola in the garage...

[wmcot]

One more of the quick left-right-left turn complex called "The Attitudes"

[wmcot]

The Miller Motorsports Park is owned by Larry Miller who owns the Utah Jazz NBA team as well as gobs of auto dealerships. He also has a great collection of Cobras, GT40's, Shelby Mustangs, Cobra Daytona Coupes, etc. But I doubt that he has the kind of money Bernie would want for F1!

[I am evil Homer]

What's wrong with Daytona? Has a banked section (run on the 24 hrs cirucit, undulates more than Indy and has decent facilities.

[truefan72]

They need to just start from scratch completely at a different site. They need to build a pure F1 / Moto GP track somewhere in the US, California, Atlanta, Miami area come to mind. Incorporate a long ( the longest & banked) straight in F1, another long back straigt, a couple of s turns ( perhaps a slight carousel reminiscent of Laguna and Belgium) a wide enought track for possibly multiple lines and overtaking, a figure 8 complex with the underneath tunnel structure ( like a combination of suzuka and monaco) and some slight undulation to make it intersting.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, keep Tilke far far away from the project.

My first choice would be in the Miami area. It would take full advantage of the South beach scene for fans and teams alike, and give the scenerary some character as well as phenominal weather.
Option A, street course around south beach, with indian river drive and ocean drive/collins drive as possible slower straights, or a new track on the main land , around theD olphins stadium, area

[wedge]

Indy is fine as it is.

Mario Andretti was quite right in saying that the track was originally designed to force the teams to use a compromising set up.

I know that we would prefer a true road course for the USGP but I think you guys have short term memory selection.

The first few races were very good, there good overtaking moments into T1 (JPM vs. Rubens - 2003).

Alot of cars used to make mistakes and lock up at the mickey mouse hairpins.

The ongoing tyre war and soft tyres eroded the racing at Indy. I predict we'll get it back this year and beyond.

[call_me_andrew]

What's wrong with Daytona? Has a banked section (run on the 24 hrs cirucit, undulates more than Indy and has decent facilities.

For F1 or for MotoGP?

[wmcot]

But if you're going to change the USGP location, stay away from parking lots in Las Vegas!!! Bernie seems to have some link with Las Vegas? I wonder if he doesn't have a secret plan for a Tilke track in the desert near Vegas? Plenty of room there as well as money!

[call_me_andrew]

I found this sketch of the proposed track on autosport. This would be horrible for either series.

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m315/mustang6172/badindy.jpg