2015 IndyCar schedule

[TheMightyM]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Which is dead identical to F1. Except ICS doesn't have to race on new built asphaltdromes to make it happen, and abandon traditional market zones because of it

True enough. I’d put it this way: IndyCar faces much more immediate financial concerns and sees the licensing fees it could get from international races as a means to help stabilize the series in its core (U.S. and Canadian) market.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Which is dead identical to F1. Except ICS doesn't have to race on new built asphaltdromes to make it happen, and abandon traditional market zones because of it

Also as a promoter/track owner, you're not paying the sanctioning fee of $25m for the privilege of hosting a race.

[Yannick]

As far as potential international venues are concerned: does anyone of you know what is the current ownership status of Calder Park Thunderdome in Australia? Since it used to be the home base of the AUSCAR Series which ended in the early 00s, I presume it does not have a SAFER barrier yet. Is that correct?

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by Yannick

As far as potential international venues are concerned: does anyone of you know what is the current ownership status of Calder Park Thunderdome in Australia? Since it used to be the home base of the AUSCAR Series which ended in the early 00s, I presume it does not have a SAFER barrier yet. Is that correct?

It's not in the best shape. The oval hasn't been used in ages for racing and I think they even ended doing the fastrack runs on it as well. The surface is in deplorable shape due to settling of the land and the entire facility is not looking good. It's best days were over 30 years ago and yes I've been there in person.

It's not a "potential" international venue.

[Yannick]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

It's not in the best shape.

...

It's not a "potential" international venue.

Thanks for info. That's too bad.

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

It's not in the best shape. The oval hasn't been used in ages for racing and I think they even ended doing the fastrack runs on it as well. The surface is in deplorable shape due to settling of the land and the entire facility is not looking good. It's best days were over 30 years ago and yes I've been there in person.

It's not a "potential" international venue.

Very sad to see it these days in its current state with such a storied history. The track still is used for driver training, filming etc

Pity because this would be perfect for Indycar and Australian motorsport which is fairly stale at the moment. Not sure about the degree of the banking and the effect that may or may not have had with the current Indycar but food for thought.

[Yannick]

This is a question regarding the 2016 schedule that must be in the works right now. I've decided to post it in this thread because it's the most likely place apart from a 2016 schedule thread which doesn't exist yet.

Have there been any other plans for additions to the Verizon IndyCar Series calendar for 2016 besides the Boston street race that was announced a while ago for Labor Day?

I feel the series should add at least one more new event because some current races are in the last year of their contract, just in case one of the promoters would decide to drop their event.

Have you heard anything about other additions? And I'm not talking "international races" here.

[racer69]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

It's not in the best shape. The oval hasn't been used in ages for racing and I think they even ended doing the fastrack runs on it as well. The surface is in deplorable shape due to settling of the land and the entire facility is not looking good. It's best days were over 30 years ago and yes I've been there in person.

It's not a "potential" international venue.

Bob Jane did talk about trying to get CART to race there after it was built, and I recall talk of trying to team a race at the Thunderdome with the Gold Coast event to make the trip downunder more cost effective.

Kelly Racing ran their Altima V8Supercar around there last year, and the oval has been used for filming TV shows and ads recently. Fastrack still does rides around the Thunderdome in NASCARs according to their website
http://www.fastrackracing.com.au/nascar-racing/

Having said all that, i never thought the Thunderdome would have suited Indycars

[rwintle]

This won't come as much of a surprise, but in the pre-race ceremonies Charlie Johnstone (President of the Honda Indy Toronto) said that next year the race will be back to its regular mid-July date.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by rwintle

This won't come as much of a surprise, but in the pre-race ceremonies Charlie Johnstone (President of the Honda Indy Toronto) said that next year the race will be back to its regular mid-July date.

No surprise really but what is interesting is Honda's continued sponsoring of the race and future races.

With the rumours about how disgruntled they are, with the aero-kit issue and "possibly" leaving the series because of that, why would Honda bother to continue to sponsor any future races if they are no longer involved in the series?

[Salamus]

Doesn't Toyota still sponsor a race?

[Burp]

Long beach. But I think they sponsored it before and after their involvement in CART and IRL

Edit: according to wiki they have sponsored it since 1980 when F1 ran there

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Salamus

Doesn't Toyota still sponsor a race?

I see where you're coming from but the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is a tradition, an institution if you will, and Toyota's association is part of that. Toronto I think is quite different.

Granted, the race has been a perennial event except for 2008 but Honda's association with it only started 2009, when they were the sole engine supplier to IndyCar. Given the current economic climate, I don't see what benefit Honda would gain from sponsoring an IndyCar race, without some presence on the race track.

[NaBUru38]

Mark Miles is supposedly tring to add some races in late February and early March.

[Burp]

Would they be warm States races or international events? Would make sense to have a few South American rounds.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Mark Miles is supposedly tring to add some races in late February and early March.

IndyCar needs races in February and March, the last off season was ridiculously long.

[HJJ]

Speaking of the current schedule.....

http://www.racer.com/more/viewpoints...eserve-a-break

[icemachine]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

No surprise really but what is interesting is Honda's continued sponsoring of the race and future races.

With the rumours about how disgruntled they are, with the aero-kit issue and "possibly" leaving the series because of that, why would Honda bother to continue to sponsor any future races if they are no longer involved in the series?

Toronto is sponsored by the Honda Dealers of Canada, not corporate. I assume though, that if Honda pulled out as engine/aero supplier that the Dealers wouldn't be interested in maintaining title sponsorship beyond the current contract

[Salamus]

Please let this happen. Please! Road America may return.

http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/11...r-road-america

[Marcus666]

Road America will IMO save Indycar.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by icemachine

Toronto is sponsored by the Honda Dealers of Canada, not corporate. I assume though, that if Honda pulled out as engine/aero supplier that the Dealers wouldn't be interested in maintaining title sponsorship beyond the current contract

Exactly my point.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Salamus

Please let this happen. Please! Road America may return.

http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/11...r-road-america

Great if it happens.

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by Burp

Long beach. But I think they sponsored it before and after their involvement in CART and IRL

Edit: according to wiki they have sponsored it since 1980 when F1 ran there

It's actually the SoCal Toyota dealers association that sponsors the race, not Toyota. To my knowledge that has always been the case and Toyota has never chipped in a dime. The money comes out of the dealers association marketing budget.

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Very sad to see it these days in its current state with such a storied history. The track still is used for driver training, filming etc

Pity because this would be perfect for Indycar and Australian motorsport which is fairly stale at the moment. Not sure about the degree of the banking and the effect that may or may not have had with the current Indycar but food for thought.

In order to run an open wheel formula car at speed for starters the entire track surface would have to be totally rebuilt and modernized with the right track surface material. Even running a Formula Ford 2000 would be a thrill ride on such a surface. Plus you'd need to rebuild everything else and I don't see where the tens of millions are coming from to do that. It's a non starter.

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Great if it happens.

Road America previously said they'd need to only pay a $250K sanctioning fee in order to make such a race financially possible. The series is desperate so we will see if they decide to play ball.

Oh and sounds like things are rotten down in Louisiana, but then these deals that always put Billy Bob Taxpayer on the hook always end up going bad:

http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com...x-of-louisiana

Like I predicted from the beginning this NOLA race would be a bust and financial disaster and that has proven to be the case.