IMS and F1

[hdolan]

http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/1/078520-9021-156.html

[Turn13]

Howell acknowledged that media coverage is a "sensitive" subject between F-1 and IMS. The Speedway is believed to be near the end of its contract as host of the U.S. Grand Prix.

Popular Indy Car talk show host (and Formula 1 expert) Donald Davidson said today during his post-race show that he had to leave the race half way through and drive to a downtown studio because of F1 restrictions - they wouldn't allow him to do his usual drive-home call-in segment from the track.

He was emphatic in clarifying that it was no fault of IMS, but rather that there were certain legal things that IMS could not control. The brouhaha had only arisen the day before, and better arrangements could not be made in time.

It affected the show, too, because callers had questions to ask Donald about what they had seen, what the strategies were at certain points, and Donald had to say, "Sorry, that was during the part I missed".

And this is the guy who gives community college courses in F1 for the fans. there is hardly anyone who could better introduce the Indy 500 fans to F1.

Of course, Bernie doesn't care about the gate, but I guess TV ratings aren't that important, either? Just the sanction fee, I suppose.

It's too bad. The crowd today seemed a lot more F1-savvy, just looking at the apparel. I only saw 1 IRL hat, 1 Bristol T-shirt, and all the rest was the usual BMW/Ferrari, with a whole lot of USGP logos the last three years, too.

Back in 2000/2001 there was a lot more DE3 & JG24 stuff.

[Railbird]

I only saw 1 IRL hat, 1 Bristol T-shirt, and all the rest was the usual BMW/Ferrari, with a whole lot of USGP logos the last three years, too.


You didn't notice my CART wcfc hat T13?


well, I geuss in your case it might have been too elevated.

side note:

Great crowd today

Fun as always when the F1 fans roll into town.

[Jim Wilke]

How'd todays crowd compare to last year's? Looked pretty good and it looks like the crowd numbers are sustainable and, dare I say, profitable.

[Turn13]

NW Vista, H, J, and the infield mounds were full. South end was sparse, TT was sparse, Paddock was 75%, and it appeared E and maybe A were pretty full.

No, Bird, I didn't notice your hat, sorry

[The Beer Baron]

Originally posted by Jim Wilke
How'd todays crowd compare to last year's? Looked pretty good and it looks like the crowd numbers are sustainable and, dare I say, profitable.

looks the same as last year , though the TV dared to show more grandstands this year!

[mnkywrch]

Tower Terrace is sparse because it's the worst seat in the place for the buck.

Little wonder they're making them $30 GA seats next year.

I saw more CART stuff than NASCAR stuff. I wore a CART shirt on Friday - buried under layers of clothes.

And I'm not sure who was left in Colombia. Pretty sure they were ALL at IMS.

But I didn't see Bird.

[KevMcNJ]

looked like a good day to be @ IMS to this dirt track geek.

Gawd I wish 16th & Georgetown was about 8 hours closer!

One of the Best F1 races I've seen.

Thats not saying alot though, I've only seen about 20 or 30

Good camera angles and lots of goofy weather to mess everyones strategy up.

[LeeRoy]

Originally posted by Railbird

You didn't notice my CART wcfc hat T13?

Also they didn't notice my Hawaiian Super Prix ticket holder and lanyard.

[Defender]

I was fully regaled in my IRL hat, shirt and jacket both Saturday and Sunday. Great time. I think I liked this USGP better than any of them so far.

Regards the media...Tony and Fred and the crew are simply going to have to continue to patiently explain the way things are done in America, where the press is more professional (although it's difficult to prove that given the coverage accorded the IRL in its lifetime) than in many European countries. Bernie needs to understand that to attempt to control the media content is sleazy, cheap and oversteps the bounds. It's smarmy.

It's OK for [the F1 "circus" to be exclusionary] in Europe if they want to, but in America we do things in a little more open way. I have written a letter to Bernie with these sentiments. I thanked him for an enjoyable weekend and indicated I look for many more, but suggested he be a little more fan friendly with his series and include the media.

Otherwise 50,000 people might not be as enthusiastic to 'walk through' on a Thursday the next time.

By the way, media, where is all your outrage at being locked out of the USGP? Why aren't some of you pulling an Ed Hinton and getting the brotherhood of ego motivated to print a plethora of righteous indignation?

[IndyIRLman]

I saw some IRL and CART stuff. I wore my Hornish T-shirt. I also saw a lady wearing a ********* shirt. It had an emblem of an IRL car on fire. Pretty classy.

[The Beer Baron]

Defender, F1 is not about fan-friendliness and media-friendliness!

[Railbird]

Also they didn't notice my Hawaiian Super Prix ticket holder and lanyard.


Hey LeeRoy!


Longtime no hear from.


good to see you around

[nascarnation]

Originally posted by IndyIRLman
I I also saw a lady wearing a ********* shirt. It had an emblem of an IRL car on fire. Pretty classy.

A "CARP"WAGON GIRL?
sounds fishy to me..................why wasn't she down in Miami watching Elton John?

[Defender]

Originally posted by The Beer Baron
Defender, F1 is not about fan-friendliness and media-friendliness!

I know. And they wonder why they're not that popular here.