Everso Biggyballies wrote: ↑5 years ago
The Glen hosted the USGP then every year up to 1975 after which the USGP fell from the calendar for nearly a decade, replaced by the East and West variants before returning for a USGP Dallas one off.
The USGP East was still at the Glen until 1980.
Good point. Thanks.
Don't forget the EPIC Caesar's Palace parking lot.
SB83 wrote: ↑5 years ago
Why don't they consider Watkins for a US GP? The track's safety standards have been brought up considerably recently, although I'm not sure if it's up to whatever grade the FIA want for F1. However, looking at tracks like Azerbaijan and Monaco, or even Montreal as they are in the present day, I don't see how Watkins is possibly more dangerous. Thing is, a race in New York has to hold tremendous value for F1 and there's a perfect track there for it where the series already has so much history.
The track has been upgraded, but the pits are nowhere near the standards that F1 needs. However, they are perfect for Indy and NASCAR. Basically, its a wall with painted squares (google NASCAR pits). The garages are farther toward the center of the track.
I've also been to the Glen many times for the F1 race (my dad used to take me) and the town infrastructure used to not support the people/crowds (road sizes, hotels, restaurants, etc). And it's about 3 to 4 hours outside NYC. Perhaps that has changed, but I doubt it.
Needless to say, I'd love to see a race there again, but it will take a lot of work and investment to make it happen.
SB83 wrote: ↑5 years ago
Why don't they consider Watkins for a US GP? The track's safety standards have been brought up considerably recently, although I'm not sure if it's up to whatever grade the FIA want for F1. However, looking at tracks like Azerbaijan and Monaco, or even Montreal as they are in the present day, I don't see how Watkins is possibly more dangerous. Thing is, a race in New York has to hold tremendous value for F1 and there's a perfect track there for it where the series already has so much history.
The track has been upgraded, but the pits are nowhere near the standards that F1 needs. However, they are perfect for Indy and NASCAR. Basically, its a wall with painted squares (google NASCAR pits). The garages are farther toward the center of the track.
I've also been to the Glen many times for the F1 race (my dad used to take me) and the town infrastructure used to not support the people/crowds (road sizes, hotels, restaurants, etc). And it's about 3 to 4 hours outside NYC. Perhaps that has changed, but I doubt it.
Needless to say, I'd love to see a race there again, but it will take a lot of work and investment to make it happen.
Ah yes, forgot it doesn't have actual garages, just a pitlane.
And several NASCAR drivers are not that impressed by these Armco barriers. Ryan Newman said a few years ago that they are good enough for Indy car, but that they barely can withstand high-velocity impacts of 3400lbs NASCAR vehicles.
Brian Redman: "Mr. Fangio, how do you come so fast?" "More throttle, less brakes...."
I don't know why we have never had a serious attempt at putting an F1 race at Laguna Seca. I would love it! It's one of the best tracks in the world. Perhaps it's considered too dangerous? There have been fatalities at the track in Indycar.
XcraigX wrote: ↑5 years ago
I don't know why we have never had a serious attempt at putting an F1 race at Laguna Seca. I would love it! It's one of the best tracks in the world. Perhaps it's considered too dangerous? There have been fatalities at the track in Indycar.
Too narrow, facilities not up to scratch, track nearly always bankrupt, etc etc.
XcraigX wrote: ↑5 years ago
I don't know why we have never had a serious attempt at putting an F1 race at Laguna Seca. I would love it! It's one of the best tracks in the world. Perhaps it's considered too dangerous? There have been fatalities at the track in Indycar.
Too narrow, facilities not up to scratch, track nearly always bankrupt, etc etc.
Not up to scratch, simply.
Interestingly - I found this on Wiki:
In 1989, the year following the last Formula One race in Detroit, choices for a new location for the United States Grand Prix came down to Laguna Seca and Phoenix. The aforementioned 1988 improvements to the track were made in part to lure the F1 race. In the final decision, Laguna Seca was thought to be too remote and too small for an F1 crowd, and so Phoenix was granted the Grand Prix.
Yes I agree this track would have been F1-worthy during the mid-80s / early 90s but I presume it hasn't got the infrastructure (paddock, pits etc) to support modern day F1 events. However, I do think the track is not any narrower than Imola is so on that basis I wouldn't say it is too narrow.
Laguna is also too bummpy for F1.... I remember when Toyota went there with their F1 car to break the outright track record they said it was way too bumpy for F1. A bit like IIRC BMW / Heidfeld said about the Nordscleife when they did their track demo in their F1 days.
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I would love to see F1 competitively racing at Laguna Seca, the issues outlined above, too narrow, too bumpy, pits not up to scratch, could all be fixed, while retaining the character of the track, but that is not the direction F1 is going, F1/Liberty want all new tracks or new hybrid street circuits, so we are unlikely to see new races at existing tracks. IMO I think F1 in the US should be in the north of the country, instead of in the middle of NASCAR country like Texas and Florida.
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myownalias wrote: ↑5 years ago
I would love to see F1 competitively racing at Laguna Seca, the issues outlined above, too narrow, too bumpy, pits not up to scratch, could all be fixed, while retaining the character of the track, but that is not the direction F1 is going, F1/Liberty want all new tracks or new hybrid street circuits, so we are unlikely to see new races at existing tracks. IMO I think F1 in the US should be in the north of the country, instead of in the middle of NASCAR country like Texas and Florida.
Ah, I don't know. I mean, I'd rather see racing at COTA, flawed as it may be, than some nondescript street circuit. Plus I'd rather see them stay in Texas than head into Indycar territory. Plus the event at COTA is selling pretty well, isn't it?
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