Austin WEC in doubt - Page 2

FLGTFAN · 22 Jan 2014, 02:46 (Ref:3356921)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyson Mazda

Road Atlanta (Georgia), Sebring (Florida), and Daytona (Florida) are probably all in the Top 10 of highest attended sports car races in the World.

And are all part of the NASCAR empire now.

Maelochs · 22 Jan 2014, 04:25 (Ref:3356940)

And all will be hosting their traditional endurance races .... TUSC Ho!

schmidder · 22 Jan 2014, 07:20 (Ref:3356954)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagunaseca_4life

Damn right! That would be amazing.

It's what laguna seca needs after losing champ car, motogp, and now alms/grand am. With the Rolex historics being its only major event now and the tusk draw yet to be known. I really worry for lagunas future as it is not a privatly owned track but a part of the monterey county park system.

Unless Mazda pays more or both Rolex and tusk have big draws at higher prices, laguna seca will need atleast another big attendance event like wec or Indy car....

Wec at laguna would be really nice, or even at road America.has there been any updates to the wec/cota delema?

Development is encroaching....hate to even think it, but just like Riverside, at some point, real estate value (ocean proximity, views, etc in the case of Fort Ord) could spell disaster for old precious gem...

Bandicoot17 · 22 Jan 2014, 07:42 (Ref:3356959)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyson Mazda

Road Atlanta (Georgia), Sebring (Florida), and Daytona (Florida) are probably all in the Top 10 of highest attended sports car races in the World.

Maybe 'south' was the wrong term. Looking at a map it would appear so anyway. I think those of us in the UK have a different idea of what's sought US lol.
From what I've heard from chatting to some of my mates in America, it's things like Nascar and 'football' that are big in the Texas area and surrounding states. It was reported that a large number (something like 40%-50% IIRC) fans at the F1 were from Mexico.
All things combined it seems to me that there might not be a large enough 'local' fanbase and with the other sports they watch maybe the casual fan isn't as likely to go and watch on a 'whim'.

Mal · 22 Jan 2014, 07:43 (Ref:3356960)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyson Mazda

Road Atlanta (Georgia), Sebring (Florida), and Daytona (Florida) are probably all in the Top 10 of highest attended sports car races in the World.

Surely they are all top 5 ... Le Mans is obviously top and the only other sportscar race that comes close would be Nurburgring.

TF110 · 22 Jan 2014, 07:44 (Ref:3356961)

I like Laguna Seca, but dont see the wec going there for a few reasons. If I were to pick a track they would go, it'd be Road America.

JoestForEver · 22 Jan 2014, 08:11 (Ref:3356966)

Agreed. Panoz would like it

otisdog · 22 Jan 2014, 15:05 (Ref:3357090)

Quote:

Originally Posted by schmidder

Development is encroaching....hate to even think it, but just like Riverside, at some point, real estate value (ocean proximity, views, etc in the case of Fort Ord) could spell disaster for old precious gem...

The saving grace about Laguna Seca is that it is a county park. There is little chance that they level a park for more homes. The noise issue is another thing...

JHamilton · 22 Jan 2014, 17:21 (Ref:3357127)

It doesn't matter what track they go to, they have to pair with TUSC. Otherwise no one will show up. The WEC will be back, they just have to get over who is or isn't the support event and focus on building that brand in the US. Currently, we do not see the races on TV and that is where it has to start.

Beetle · 22 Jan 2014, 19:13 (Ref:3357168)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeast

Sebring is a great experience even if it's just a NASCAR race now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLGTFAN

And are all part of the NASCAR empire now.

--

Anyway, CoTA is the 'best' track in North America. The circuit itself is extremely wide, which is optimal for multiclass racing, has excellent, spotless, ultramodern paddock facilities, and countless luxury accommodations readily available within a 20 minute drive from Downtown Austin. Finally, the amount of major metropolitan areas close by, and therefore a large potential spectator pool, is truly staggering:

- Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos (approx. pop: 1,700,000)
- San Antonio–New Braunfels (approx. pop: 2,100,000)
- Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown (approx. pop: 6,000,000)
- Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington (approx. pop: 6,500,000)

That's over 16 million people on tap for the race. Getting them to come is a different story.

TimRTC · 22 Jan 2014, 20:51 (Ref:3357187)

I do hope this double-header goes ahead, I might well be able to go. Got a few days off to take and no-one else has September booked.

Plus since the race is supposed to be on a Saturday, hop in the car straight after the event and drive through to Dallas for the last day of the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals.

TF110 · 22 Jan 2014, 21:12 (Ref:3357193)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHamilton

It doesn't matter what track they go to, they have to pair with TUSC. Otherwise no one will show up. The WEC will be back, they just have to get over who is or isn't the support event and focus on building that brand in the US. Currently, we do not see the races on TV and that is where it has to start.

They need to advertise. Posters and commercials and billboards etc. Porsche vs. Audi vs. Toyota will sell, but people need to know where and when.

ACFlinn · 22 Jan 2014, 23:05 (Ref:3357226)

Quote:

Originally Posted by schmidder

Development is encroaching....hate to even think it, but just like Riverside, at some point, real estate value (ocean proximity, views, etc in the case of Fort Ord) could spell disaster for old precious gem...

I'm not so sure about that. Portland International Raceway, which is owned by the city and continues to face most of those same issues, lost most of it's big pro events (CART, pro sports cars, Trans-Am, etc.) yet still manages to pay the bills, and fund essential repairs and upgrades with money derived primarily from amateur car clubs and other automotive events.

I'm not saying I want that to happen to Laguna Seca (the current situation at PIR is a bit of a shame). But it wouldn't necessarily signal the end for the raceway.

Laguna Seca is much better off (look at privately owned Riverside) as a public property.

Andy Flinn

JacobP · 23 Jan 2014, 07:51 (Ref:3357291)

Why can't TUSCC organize a joint event with WEC? I am not talking about double race weekend. Let them have one six hour race together. To control the number of cars on the TUSCC side only GTLM and P2/DP cars will take part in WEC race (and the GTD/PC can have a shorter "support" race). I think this could get the fans interested. This is what they should have done in Austin last year.

Mal · 23 Jan 2014, 09:14 (Ref:3357316)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JacobP

Why can't TUSCC organize a joint event with WEC? I am not talking about double race weekend. Let them have one six hour race together. To control the number of cars on the TUSCC side only GTLM and P2/DP cars will take part in WEC race (and the GTD/PC can have a shorter "support" race). I think this could get the fans interested. This is what they should have done in Austin last year.

Too many cars.....

but they could do a joint weekend with P2/DP /GTLM and WEC P1/2 & GTLM in one race then a seperate GTAM GTD PC race ...... now that would be fun!

Maelochs · 23 Jan 2014, 11:17 (Ref:3357364)

I ‘d imagine WEC teams don’t want to be beat to the podium (or be beaten off the track and into the tires) by cars from another series who are scoring points in another series, but could still steal the glory and/or end a WEC team’s day.

I’d also think TUSC wouldn’t like seeing its P2s and DPs get spanked by the WEC P2s on better rubber and with all the latest updates.

Plus the scoring would be a nightmare, and the podium ceremony would be about as long as the race itself. (Sebring tried that in 2012 (I think.)

With TUSC’s acceptance of split-grid races, there aren’t any real problems on that score—as you say, all P-cars and GTLM could run the A-Main, and the rest could run the support race the day before. WEC might finally get to see some U.S. fans—unfortunately, those U.S. fans would get to see the WEC cars sweep the podium in the P-classes, likely.

GTLM would be … the way it should be—the best teams and cars in the world head-to-head.

Brake dust · 23 Jan 2014, 12:05 (Ref:3357380)

While COTA is wide, it's not critical for multi class racing. The ILMC raced at Imola and there were no full course cautions. Speaking of full course cautions, its my big concern with Laguna. Seems like with the ALMS, there was a full course caution every 10 laps! Hopefully with the FIA, we wouldn't see that if WEC ran there.

Still like Mid Ohio. The fan base is there. WEC could run with the Pirelli World Challenge or for that matter with Indy car.

TF110 · 23 Jan 2014, 20:50 (Ref:3357594)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maelochs

I ‘d imagine WEC teams don’t want to be beat to the podium (or be beaten off the track and into the tires) by cars from another series who are scoring points in another series, but could still steal the glory and/or end a WEC team’s day.

I’d also think TUSC wouldn’t like seeing its P2s and DPs get spanked by the WEC P2s on better rubber and with all the latest updates.

Plus the scoring would be a nightmare, and the podium ceremony would be about as long as the race itself. (Sebring tried that in 2012 (I think.)

With TUSC’s acceptance of split-grid races, there aren’t any real problems on that score—as you say, all P-cars and GTLM could run the A-Main, and the rest could run the support race the day before. WEC might finally get to see some U.S. fans—unfortunately, those U.S. fans would get to see the WEC cars sweep the podium in the P-classes, likely.

GTLM would be … the way it should be—the best teams and cars in the world head-to-head.

With one series using totally different pit stop rules. Changing tires and refueling at once would see the tusc cars with an obvious advantage of time spent off track.

FordCosworthPanoz · 24 Jan 2014, 04:07 (Ref:3357787)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Woodbury

If the WEC Austin race is in doubt, why not Laguna Seca?

-$$$$$

-Run-offs aren't the size of TESCO parking lots

-$$$$$$$$

-$$$$$$$$

Did I mention money?

FordCosworthPanoz · 24 Jan 2014, 04:09 (Ref:3357789)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JacobP

Why can't TUSCC organize a joint event with WEC? I am not talking about double race weekend. Let them have one six hour race together. To control the number of cars on the TUSCC side only GTLM and P2/DP cars will take part in WEC race (and the GTD/PC can have a shorter "support" race). I think this could get the fans interested. This is what they should have done in Austin last year.

As stated, too many cars and they get treated as a secondary class (P1s racing overall) despite a significantly larger number of people attending their race as well as watching it on television in the states.

nkoske · 24 Jan 2014, 18:53 (Ref:3358180)

The CotA issue last year was simple. If you lived in the area and only had one day to go which day would you chose? Saturday where you see all the cars that came to the track, a qualifying, and a bunch of races or Sunday where all there was all day was a single race. On top of that ALMS promotes in the US the WEC doesn't. What did they expect?

TimRTC · 31 Jan 2014, 21:31 (Ref:3362706)

http://www.fiawec.com/en/news/final-...dar-_1655.html

Austin Saturday race confirmed. Best get my flights planned...

Beetle · 1 Feb 2014, 06:15 (Ref:3362825)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimRTC

http://www.fiawec.com/en/news/final-...dar-_1655.html

Austin Saturday race confirmed. Best get my flights planned...

Great news for southerners in the U.S. Well, the few thousand of them that will attend, anyway.

Breitling24 · 1 Feb 2014, 06:29 (Ref:3362826)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beetle

Great news for southerners in the U.S. Well, the few thousand of them that will attend, anyway.

...and those "southern" Californians that will be planning on going back.

Holt · 1 Feb 2014, 07:11 (Ref:3362831)

I'll start investigating whether or not I can make the trip

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