Pacific Rim Championship

[Oldtony]

Whoa Duke, I think that is much too complicated right now. Maybe sometime down the track.
Dont think GP2, A1GP, FRV6A or AF3 have any cred so not a problem. F Nippon only has cred in Japan.
The whole basis of this suggestion was to overcome 2 problems:
1: If AOW doesn't do something to maintain it's toe hold in Asia Pacific right away, it will be gone, probably for ever.
2: The contract with Chicago means that is designated as the final so points after that count for either nothing or next years series. Next year is too far away, and no points leaves the Montegi and Surfers rounds with no cred.
3: Geography and climate mean the majority of North American races must be held April-October. No exposure in between. Asia Pacific gives lounge room exposure in that "winter of discontent".
4: Some in the US may have an attitude that only the US counts but many don't and the series having an international exposure gives it better marketing potential.
5: The races are mostly already there, why let them wither away?

Keep it simple year 1, but get started and it will grow.

[Dutton]

Originally Posted by Teretonga

Canada 3 Toronto, Edmonton, Ste Jovite/Mosport

Why would you make it a choice between St/ Jovite and Mosport? They both deserve an automatic spot, as far as I am concerned.

If that were so, then, if 3 were to be the limit, Toronto is not required as Mosport is not far from there.

Edmonton should be included because it is successful and offers some western representation (I also happen to live three hours south, so there is a bit of self-centredness to this aspect).

The thing I really want to know is why you offer St. Jovite and Mosport as an either or? It just makes no sense to me at all.

[Amar7605]

Formula 1 has races in Australia, China, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia. Can an IRL Pacific Rim Championship coexist in such a climate right now?

[Oldtony]

Amar. F1 is not the flavour of the month among Australians right now due to the actions of the Viagra Dwarf. It is virtually certain to disappear in 2010, and it is rapidly loosing support. Aus already hosts Surfers. Japan Hosts one F1 race in a big Market. It is already commited to Montegi
Singapore and Malaysia are not Pacific Rim and are probably not good markets until they get sick of Bernie too.
China is a future option but not right now.
The only new race being suggested right now is NZ and the Kiwi's would walk on glass to attend a proper open wheeler race. It is in their heritage. (McLaren Hulme Amon Mcrae Dixon etc)

[Teretonga]

Dutton

The thing I really want to know is why you offer St. Jovite and Mosport as an either or? It just makes no sense to me at all.

I'm not trying to be offensive Dutton. It is not a finite list. I just looked at the calendar and dropped in three events. Edmonton is successful, Toronto is a major street race/in the city spectacular, so if there were only three you may have to choose between Mosport and Ste Jovite...

I'd be happy to see six Canadian races if they were all financially viable...
Edmonton, Toronto, Ste Jovite, Mosport, Montreal, Vancouver.....

[mountainstar]

Mosport, which I haven't seen yet, I hear is unsafe for fast open wheel cars.

Toronto I would have doubts about returning as the staff has been axed. You would have to start totally anew for 2009 and it's unlikely to happen.

I doubt the irl would go to mont tremblant.

Vancouver, nothing on the horizon there.

Looks like Edmonton is it.

[Dutton]

I guess Mosport could be argued to be dangerous for it, but I doubt it can be much different to St. Jovite in that regard (I've never visited the latter [only seen it on the God Box], though, so may well be incorrect). Mosport is a bit dangerous in general, I suppose: I'd certainly prefer the series didn't visit if the alternative is it being altered.

Any particular reason you don't think IRL would go to St. Jovite? It being not only freeloading Canada, but French freeloaders at that, ? I ask out of genuine interest (I'm not trying to be antagonistic, or anything).

I don't see anything happening in BC - if it did, then certainly not Vancouver.

I would certainly hope Edmonton would get a slot.

What is the deal RE confirmed Canadian rounds? Are there any? I think I knew once upon a time, but forget.

[Amar7605]

Originally Posted by Oldtony

Amar. F1 is not the flavour of the month among Australians right now due to the actions of the Viagra Dwarf. It is virtually certain to disappear in 2010, and it is rapidly loosing support. Aus already hosts Surfers. Japan Hosts one F1 race in a big Market. It is already commited to Montegi
Singapore and Malaysia are not Pacific Rim and are probably not good markets until they get sick of Bernie too.
China is a future option but not right now.
The only new race being suggested right now is NZ and the Kiwi's would walk on glass to attend a proper open wheeler race. It is in their heritage. (McLaren Hulme Amon Mcrae Dixon etc)

A race in New Zealand would be great. And I am sure that it would be profitable!

[icemachine]

The only semi confirmed Canadian Round is Edmonton, if Northlands can convince city council to allow its move to 1 week later as they race at Mid-Ohio that week

Toronto is out in favour of The Glen, St. Jovite out as they race at Richmond

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by Dutton

I guess Mosport could be argued to be dangerous for it, but I doubt it can be much different to St. Jovite in that regard (I've never visited the latter [only seen it on the God Box], though, so may well be incorrect). Mosport is a bit dangerous in general, I suppose: I'd certainly prefer the series didn't visit if the alternative is it being altered.

Any particular reason you don't think IRL would go to St. Jovite? It being not only freeloading Canada, but French freeloaders at that, ? I ask out of genuine interest (I'm not trying to be antagonistic, or anything).

I don't see anything happening in BC - if it did, then certainly not Vancouver.

I would certainly hope Edmonton would get a slot.

What is the deal RE confirmed Canadian rounds? Are there any? I think I knew once upon a time, but forget.

Mont Tremblant was nearly rebuilt to safety accommodate modern open wheel cars, so no problem there. I just don't think it's a big enough market that the irl would consider. That's my instinct.

Mosport I remember paul collins detailed in recent months in a thread here about the associated issues with that. Again, regardless of safety issues, it is probably too small of a market for the irl to take an interest in.

Edmonton will be the only survivor in Canada.

[Dutton]

Ah, well, if there must be only one, well, I guess the one three hours away will have to do.

[icemachine]

Mosport is less than 1 hour away from Toronto, but without decent promotion it won't pull any more people than a race at Watkins Glen.

St. Jovite is a little over an hour from Montreal, 2 from Ottawa/Gatineau. Of course without Tags, Ranger, Seabass or an Atlantics race, I doubt there'd be much support

[Amar7605]

No, you can't get rid of Toronto. It's an open-wheel staple!

[icemachine]

With Toronto gone for this year I doubt it will ever return, considering the NIMBY attitude of so many, coupled with a left wing city council

[Amar7605]

That really stinks if that's the case.

[Oldtony]

The season is up on the website. No Gold Coast or Mexico, or anything else after Chicago listed so they are obviously honoring the IRL contract with them.
Just what is TG going to do to give the remainder of the races a bit of credibility?
Do you get the impression that he might be chucking the baby out with the bathwater?

[JohnSSC]

No, he isn't chucking anything out. Acquiring and then integrating portions of another race series into your own series is not an easy thing to do. I am sure there are contractual issues along with the ongoing concerns about the local government providing the $$ to cover the costs associated with setting up the street circuit.

We are talking substantial costs here, insofar as getting to Australia are concerned. The Mexico race is complicated by the declining interest there. Another factor is that there still may be some involvement by Forsythe as he once owned the promotion rights for the Mexico race. I do not know if this is still the case.

You will note that Long Beach is not on the schedule and Edmonton was to be added as well (I think).

What we need here is a bit of patience and allow the Series, the teams, the sponsors and the venues some time to work things out properly.

[Amar7605]

I'll bet that Surfers Paradise will have a race this year, even if the IRL makes it an exhibition race.

[Oldtony]

Surfers will definitely race this year but the IRL attendance will become a sort of minor support event for the Taxis.
The problem is that the TG group seems to be so inward looking that they are risking loosing the established overseas market thar CCWS had.
Someone in that organisation please get off your ***** and think beyond the USA.

[JohnSSC]

If the series is not strong in the USA, it won't be appearing anywhere off-shore. You have to have a strong core before you can build off of that.

I appreciate the loyalty the fans in Australia are showing and I think the race should be on the schedule as well, but we can't risk losing the entire thing because the reach exceeded the grasp initially.

[mountainstar]

Surfers is a well established, successful race that is a valuable addition to the calendar.

Right now though open wheel racing in the USA is near dead. The recent "merger" announcement was greeted by the American public with all the excitement of ordering a whopper from the burger king drive thru. Whatever news came out of that was buried and forgotten by the next day and Americans went back to watching "Pinks" on speed and Nascar. Champcar fans rolled off to Sebring for the ALMS. Irl fans wondered what the hell happened to the "vision".

If I was running the show, I'd get the house in order and start rebuilding the American fan base and quick. Then maybe a few years down the road, think more about the international fan base. I think trooping off overseas is a waste of time right now. You end up with huge logistical, bureaucratic, and marketing challenges and headaches they really don't need right now. Look at champcars struggles with international races. The FIA doesn't want us, so you can expect road blocks at every turn. Coordinating logistics and marketing while 12,000 miles away is difficult. Plus sorting out all the travel, etc. etc. etc.

Why race in Taupo, NZ or Eastern Creek, NSW in front of 40,000 people when you can travel a few hours down the road to Nashville or Detroit and race in front of the same number of people?

[Kiwi3]

Originally Posted by Oldtony

Amar. F1 is not the flavour of the month among Australians right now due to the actions of the Viagra Dwarf. It is virtually certain to disappear in 2010, and it is rapidly loosing support. Aus already hosts Surfers. Japan Hosts one F1 race in a big Market. It is already commited to Montegi
Singapore and Malaysia are not Pacific Rim and are probably not good markets until they get sick of Bernie too.
China is a future option but not right now.
The only new race being suggested right now is NZ and the Kiwi's would walk on glass to attend a proper open wheeler race. It is in their heritage. (McLaren Hulme Amon Mcrae Dixon etc)

You are severely underestimating the profile that A1GP has in NZ and the credability that it is rapidly gaining worldwide. The NZ race in Taupo is well promoted and has a very professional team behind it. Consider also the V8's in Hamilton and this would be by far the worst off of three events in a very small market.

China is not an option any time in the foreseeable future unless you want to throw money away.

F1 has developed huge popularity across East Asia (largest crowd at Sepang over the weekend since perhaps the event began) and that won't change any time soon. Japan has Honda, Toyota, Sato and Nakajima in F1, good luck going up against that.

I don't see many openings for the IRL in Asia at all except for the established races at Surfers Paridise and one race in Japan. Considering that the IRL has a lot of work to do to rebuild in North America, it would surely be foolhardy to distract that effort.