ALMS Round 7: Baltimore

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by Purist

Basically, looking at the Turn 1 preparations for Baltimore this year, it looked VERY good. I can't think of another street circuit with a particularly better arrangement at Turn 1 in terms of width throughout, providing a reasonably generous corner radius, not to mention the escape/bypass road option.

Baltimore just doesn't compare to the Marina Bay Street Circuit or Valencia as far as first turns go. That's why they are in Formula 1; they must to have adequate runoff - safety measures. Plus, they are smooth enough that they don't shake cars apart.

Those two have exemplary first turns...





To run street circuits in America all the while avoiding major stackups ever other time, race organizers need to realize that they need to have adequate runoff like Singapore or Valencia. Accidents happen, I realize that - but Baltimore was a little bit ridiculous and I don't believe for a second that it was purely down to driver stupidity.

[Vepe]

Originally Posted by Beetle

Baltimore just doesn't compare to the Marina Bay Street Circuit or Valencia as far as first turns go. That's why they are in Formula 1; they must to have adequate runoff - safety measures. Plus, they are smooth enough that they don't shake cars apart.

Those two have exemplary first turns...





To run street circuits in America all the while avoiding major stackups ever other time, race organizers need to realize that they need to have adequate runoff like Singapore or Valencia. Accidents happen, I realize that - but Baltimore was a little bit ridiculous and I don't believe for a second that it was purely down to driver stupidity.

Poor comparison, since neither is an actual street circuit... Well Singapore is from turn 3 to turn 20, but Valencia is just pretending to be one.

[Purist]

As Vepe points out, Valencia wasn't laid out on actual streets, or a properly developed area. The pit complex and surrounding turns at Singapore are purpose-built. F1 also has the pull to actually get those things built. Again, those were areas that weren't built up yet.

With the relative lack of development restrictions, or even city planning, here in the US, cities here don't tend to have large, unfilled zones like that. The cities that have kept, or reclaimed, those open areas (plazas, parks, squares, etc) probably aren't going to be as receptive to hosting a street circuit motor race to begin with, and certainly not one that would use those spaces.

In the end, you have to have the space in the city to have the luxury of that run-off room. That space is rare to non-existent in the most major cities here, which are also the ones that would be modt able to support such events. Again, though, you can't use space you don't have, and bulldozing half of downtown to make it isn't an option.

[Starfish Primer]

Valencia circuit is not in the city is in an adjacent harbour area.

[StarkNaked]

I finally watched the race last night..... I sure hope I never have to watch another race on the streets of Baltimore. What a horrible waste of race cars. And what a joke of a "Race track"

[Breitling24]

Looks like it's on hiatus for a couple of years due to scheduleing conflicts.

http://jalopnik.com/even-after-a-yea...-ba-1309295661

[WolfsburgRS]

Yep, just got this in my inbox.

Andretti Sports Marketing Statement Regarding Baltimore Event

Andretti Sports Marketing learned today that Race On, the owner of the Grand Prix of Baltimore, would not return to the Charm City in 2014. Race On was unable to coordinate a workable date for the 2014 event with the multiple entities involved in scheduling. Andretti Sports Marketing worked diligently in recent weeks to coordinate and explore all alternative options on behalf of Race On.

"On behalf of all of us at Andretti Sports Marketing, we want to thank the many sponsors of our racing companies who rallied behind the Grand Prix of Baltimore. It has been our pleasure to work with Race On, the City of Baltimore, the INDYCAR Series and the American Le Mans Series. We thank all of our friends at SRT and Chrysler Group for their support of the Baltimore event as its presenting sponsor. It was a great experience working with the fans in Baltimore and the community and hopefully one day we will be back," said Michael Andretti, CEO of Andretti Sports Marketing.


Thank you,
Andretti Sports Marketing

[carsten66]

from Marshall Pruett on racer:

http://www.racer.com/cancellation-of...rticle/311651/

[fanta4]

Originally Posted by carsten66

from Marshall Pruett on racer:

http://www.racer.com/cancellation-of...rticle/311651/

So what we have here is some factual guestimations by the great Wizard of Fumes, Peter M. DeLorenzo. The sky hath indeed fallen.

[dxk1]

Originally Posted by Breitling24

Looks like it's on hiatus for a couple of years due to scheduleing conflicts.

http://jalopnik.com/even-after-a-yea...-ba-1309295661

Yep, the Baltimore Sun had a big article about it over the weekend. Had a picture of the Mayor with a long face and looking depressed. I guess the Notre Dame - Navy football game will squelch it one year and then some other event will get in the way during the other year. They will need some good luck getting back on the schedule I think.

DK