Street race in Washington DC ?

[madmed]

Usa may have a street race next season
http://blog.a1teamusatv.com/

A1 GP Race in the United States: we are busy discussing, developing and planning our efforts to gain approval for a street race in our nation’s capital -Washington DC for September 2007. We would love this to be the first race of the third season of A1 GP. An A1 GP representative was in Washington DC this past week mapping out potential street courses. I enjoyed driving around with him suggesting the more scenic routes. Washington DC is a beautiful and very unique city. This would no doubt be a world-class event and we would make sure it benefits a good cause – like contributing proceeds to better the DC public school system. Although by no means done, we are all motivated to have some sort of A1 GP race in our home city. There are several other USA venues we are looking into for the 2007/2008 A1 GP Season.

[fazzaz]

Before Mr. Weidinger drives around the District, he may wish to talk to each member of the District Council, the residents and neighborhood associations, neighborhood "leaders," and so on. Then talk to the American LeMans Series. That will give him a preliminary idea of what he's up against, how many people will have their hands out, and how many will already have their attorney's number on speed dial.

The cheapest -- and probably only way such an event will ever happen -- will be to give every resident within a 25 mile radius of the event a fully paid vacation to Miami or the casinos of New Jersey; their choice, for the week of the event.

The ALMS had a great circuit set up in the RKF Stadium parking lot, everybody paid off, etc. That barely happened, and in spite of a long-term contract it lasted exactly one year.

Throught the streets...? I've worked in motorsports far too long to ever say "No way," but I'd be willing to make a small wager with some very, very large odds against this happening.

It's not a bad idea; it's just the wrong place with the wrong government with too many people having the abilities to stop it.

[madmed]

Originally Posted by fazzaz

Before Mr. Weidinger drives around the District, he may wish to talk to each member of the District Council, the residents and neighborhood associations, neighborhood "leaders," and so on. Then talk to the American LeMans Series. That will give him a preliminary idea of what he's up against, how many people will have their hands out, and how many will already have their attorney's number on speed dial.

The cheapest -- and probably only way such an event will ever happen -- will be to give every resident within a 25 mile radius of the event a fully paid vacation to Miami or the casinos of New Jersey; their choice, for the week of the event.

The ALMS had a great circuit set up in the RKF Stadium parking lot, everybody paid off, etc. That barely happened, and in spite of a long-term contract it lasted exactly one year.

Throught the streets...? I've worked in motorsports far too long to ever say "No way," but I'd be willing to make a small wager with some very, very large odds against this happening.

It's not a bad idea; it's just the wrong place with the wrong government with too many people having the abilities to stop it.

I know many street circuits in the usa (San José, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, ...). Why A1gp can't have one?

[fazzaz]

A1GP is quite welcome to have a race on a street circuit in the United States, particularly if they're willing to pay the substantial expenses involved. I just believe that such a race through the streets of Washington, D.C. will prove to be impossible.

[thebear]

Originally Posted by fazzaz

A1GP is quite welcome to have a race on a street circuit in the United States, particularly if they're willing to pay the substantial expenses involved. I just believe that such a race through the streets of Washington, D.C. will prove to be impossible.

Agreed, 100%!

[Alwaysfirst]

Even if they do get one I hope it isn't the first event. A1 GP needs to start working on the consistency & swappping venues evey year for the first 3 years doesn't help.

[Kiwi3]

Look how long it took F1 to get back to the US.

I'd be happier if A1 left it alone and concentrated on developing markets, rather than risk an expensive stateside disaster drag the series down.

[Fiorentina 1]

The Laguna Seca race was great too bad no one showed up. IMO they were charging way too much for tickets, did no promotions for the race and gave tickets away to the wrong people (people who visited the A1GP site). Real fans would pay, casual fans won't! If they charged $20 instead of $50 and gave no tickets away they would have made much more money then they did. I would have paid $20 without hesitation, so would my friend who went with me. The problem with charging $50 is that a family of 4 would have to come up with $200 to see the race. That's way too much money! If it was $80 then that's doable. And, you know both kids would want a t-shirt or hat, so at the end of the day it would have cost that family $200 bucks anyway....

This is not Dubai or Singapore that have no big time Autoracing. In the USA you are competing against Nascar, CCWS, IRL & Sportscar racing. Therefore, you better either have 1 heck of a show or make it reasonably priced. Charging $50 a ticket is way too much money. You will never bring fans that are not a 100% sure it will be worth it. And, no way will anyone bring a family to the race at that price. Either don't charge for kids, or make the tickets $20 each. You know you will make the money up with t-shirt, hats and food sales.

[Baritone2400]

Please dont play with my emotions like this, for i will join a commitee to help make this dream come true in my city. The RFK layout is still there as i pass it daily on my way to work, i just want this to happen so bad. International Racing Exposer is just what this city needs to help get out of the political shadow that it casts. i cant wait, ill be ready reguardless!!!