06-20-2005, 10:24 AM
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#81 (permalink)
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Quote:
F1 disgraces Indy, disrespects few American fans it still has
On Sunday, in front of the racing world, Formula One spit in the face of the small group of American supporters it had left.
As a Hoosier, an American and a racing fan, I'm as outraged as they come.
Thanks to a tire concern few Americans will ever give two hoots about, the glorious United States Grand Prix was a race of six cars. Twenty cars were supposed to run, but 14 refused to race.
What was the problem, exactly?
Michelin didn't come prepared? Turn 13 wasn't safe, or slow, enough? The Federation wouldn't allow a chicane? Sanction this, sanction that?
Whatever!
Americans, including this one, couldn't care less.
Your tires weren't ready. We understand, but we still don't care.
Excuses are what we expect from disgruntled employees and worthless uncles, not from a multi-million dollar industry that fans pay hundreds of dollars to watch. To be unprepared is unacceptable.
Simply put, American's don't want your excuses, or your problems. They wanted a race.
America's attention is powered competition. Americans all insist on value for their money. Perhaps most importantly in this case - especially in Indiana - Americans demand a respect for the most hollowed racing circuit in the world.
Sunday, the United States Grand Prix provided none of it.
The only thing it provided was an uppity attitude - the same one the preppy kid carried in high school that got him shoved in a locker.
Great job F1, now you've done it. You've finally figured out how to capture the intrigue of the biggest market in the world. Only problem is the intrigue is on the wrong side of the spectrum.
Rather than be excited next year for the race, Americans will laugh at the suggestion that it even be called a race.
You want a race, call Danica Patrick, Dan Wheldon and the rest of the 2005 Indianapolis 500 field and start taking notes. You want a race, call NASCAR, where the good old boys laugh in the face of tire wear.
Hell, you want a race, call the local YMCA Kid's Mini Marathon organizers and they'll provide a more entertaining show than the crap you called the U.S. Grand Prix.
So what's next for the USGP?
Hopefully nothing.
The only possible positive thing that can, and should, come out of this debacle is a lifelong ban of Formula One at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was a kingdom built by milk drinking and brick crossing, not flag waving and temper tantrums.
Joie Chitwood, president and chief operating officer at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was asked after the race if the damage done on Sunday was repairable.
"I hope it is. I'm not sure; I hope it is," he said.
If the Speedway intends to save face, it should never again allow the faces of Formula One near the Speedway.
F1 claims the best - fastest and most technological - racing in the world.
Fine. Keep it.
Just keep it out of America. And please keep it out of Indianapolis, forever.
Greg Fallon is a sports columnist for The Star Press.
http://www.thestarpress.com/articles...-7343-006.html
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what do u think of this, is it that bad? or can F1 comeback,
hopefully not in Indy becasue its a terrible track for F1, but usa have a bunch of other tracks that would be better for F1 |
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