F1 governing body leery of plan for track in Austin

[HappyTexan]

In today's Statesman..hasn't worked out financially in other cities, including Dallas.
But somehow, someway..it WILL work out for Austin ??
After reading the article, I'm of the opinion that we should say "Thanks, but no thanks".

Formula One's history in U.S. plagued with problems

[SickOfCalifornia]

Most American fans don't like or "get" F1 racing - which has more to do with the technology, engineering, and set-up than the actual race itself. Most F1 races feature very little passing, and not much "action" - at least as far as American fans are concerned. The European fans are content to watch the drivers handle the tough conditions and simply admire the way they, for example, handle elevation changes. In America we want a competition and we want passing on the track. That's one of the many reasons NASCAR is so popular here - on Memorial Day, the Coke 600 gets huge ratings, and Americans will even watch the Indy 500... but the Grand Prix of Monaco is barely a footnote.

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by SickOfCalifornia

Most American fans don't like or "get" F1 racing - which has more to do with the technology, engineering, and set-up than the actual race itself. Most F1 races feature very little passing, and not much "action" - at least as far as American fans are concerned. The European fans are content to watch the drivers handle the tough conditions and simply admire the way they, for example, handle elevation changes.

Actually, most F1 fans, even the most avid, think the races have become too boring.

[Exiled Texan]

I'd do a *** if this didn't happen.

[achtungpv]

Originally Posted by karlsch

Actually, most F1 fans, even the most avid, think the races have become too boring.

I heard that just a couple years ago there was an entire season with just 1 or 2 lead changes on the course in all the races combined. That sounds exciting!

[woodinvilleguy]

Originally Posted by SickOfCalifornia

Most American fans don't like or "get" F1 racing - which has more to do with the technology, engineering, and set-up than the actual race itself. Most F1 races feature very little passing, and not much "action" - at least as far as American fans are concerned. The European fans are content to watch the drivers handle the tough conditions and simply admire the way they, for example, handle elevation changes. In America we want a competition and we want passing on the track. That's one of the many reasons NASCAR is so popular here - on Memorial Day, the Coke 600 gets huge ratings, and Americans will even watch the Indy 500... but the Grand Prix of Monaco is barely a footnote.

Maybe they get confused by cars turning left and right?

[austinnerd]

Originally Posted by SickOfCalifornia

Most American fans don't like or "get" F1 racing - which has more to do with the technology, engineering, and set-up than the actual race itself. Most F1 races feature very little passing, and not much "action" - at least as far as American fans are concerned. The European fans are content to watch the drivers handle the tough conditions and simply admire the way they, for example, handle elevation changes. In America we want a competition and we want passing on the track. That's one of the many reasons NASCAR is so popular here - on Memorial Day, the Coke 600 gets huge ratings, and Americans will even watch the Indy 500... but the Grand Prix of Monaco is barely a footnote.

Being somewhat topical, it's interesting how this compares to other events that other parts of the world hold near and dear that Americans don't "get", namely soccer/football and the Tour de France. Both are incredibly popular outside the US, but within the US are generally derided as having "not enough action". Now the TdF has become a bit more popular here in the States (and esp. here in Austin) with the ascension of Lance Armstrong, but other than having a fleeting interest in how Lance is doing, most non-bikers I run into really still do not follow "The Tour".

And similarly with tv ratings, while NASCAR certainly stomps any F1 race here in the states, world wide, F1 races easily best any US based races for total viewership (this is why F1 is such big business outside the US).

I don't know if this is really going to happen here in Austin or not. I'm certainly all for it, but I'd also would be happy with any Texas venue. My gut feel, alas, is that this will eventually fall through. It's just really hard to imagine the numbers working out in favor of having it here without some major concessions on Bernie's part (and it's not like he's known for such things).