Quote:
Originally Posted by HighParker
There were fewer grandstands than ever, but the ones that remained appeared full. Maybe it looked better, but I'm not convinced it actually was a larger crowd or that there has been any real improvement in the disappointingly small crowds since the race returned the year after the IRL/ChampCar merger. The perception is that it has been kept alive by promoters who attempt to cut expenses as much as possible to break even. Apart from e-mails to previous ticket buyers, there's no advertising that I see or hear until about 3 weeks before the race. It seems doubtful they would be able to pay for needed repaving and other road work, while the city would find it difficult to justify doing it solely for the race promoters. Along with the new hotel, now there are also more events with larger crowds (at the stadium, amphitheatre across the road, and other buildings) who find the barriers and fences to be an annoyance for the month preceding the race, and would not miss it.
On the other hand, Mosport is owned by billionaire Carlo Fidani, who likely won't have much trouble making some improvements to his track if he wants to attract an IndyCar event. |
Thanks for that, some interesting reads in the links. And that last Racing North article (about repaving) confirms that the existing deal with the city is only through 2017 (not 2018 as in the Toronto Sun article I listed above). The first article, about containing costs, is old (2012) but it's pretty obvious to anyone who's been to the event (or worked it) that cost cutting has been ongoing since then too.
All very worrying to me, as one who loves this event, but doom 'n gloom predictions surrounding this race are nothing new. I guess that the time to negotiate a new deal with the city is now. NASCAR Pinty's Series is signed up as a supporting race through 2018 (
http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/more...-major-sponsor), but I guess that means nothing if the event ceases to exist before then(!).