2014 United SportsCar Racing schedule - which circuits to drop? - Page 5

HJJ · 7 Apr 2013, 01:27 (Ref:3230137)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FCYTravis

The ALMS race at Mid-Ohio was pulled at the last minute because of a date conflict with the new Nationwide race... which was going to be scheduled whenever the hell NASCAR wanted it to be scheduled.

No it wasn't, it was because it was cheaper for Mid-Ohio to have a "double header" than have ALMS there as part of a shared weekend.

FordCosworthPanoz · 7 Apr 2013, 03:28 (Ref:3230156)

Barber is a cool enough track but choosing between it and Road Atlanta is no contest.

FCYTravis · 7 Apr 2013, 03:35 (Ref:3230158)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HJJ

No it wasn't, it was because it was cheaper for Mid-Ohio to have a "double header" than have ALMS there as part of a shared weekend.

Ah, I must have drawn the wrong inference. Thanks.

BrentJackson · 7 Apr 2013, 04:12 (Ref:3230171)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purist

One track in the middle of the country that would be nice to see developed into a proper, professional road racing facility is High Plains Raceway east of Denver. Take a look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-ICYk4tdb8

Having watched that video and researched the facility, I'm inclined to agree with you on this one. The layout of that place looks like a quite good drivers' track, a Barber Park in Colorado. Certainly worth some consideration, no question.

JHamilton · 7 Apr 2013, 06:02 (Ref:3230197)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HJJ

Latest print edition of Autoweek says expect Kansas on the schedule in '14.

I saw that too. This was the quote: "Assuming the 2014 schedule contains Daytona International Speedway; Sebring; Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta; and probably Long Beach Calif.; Indianapolis, Austin, Texas; and Kansas Speedway-Kansas is the poster track for modern NASCAR speedways-that could leave as few as three races for the rest of the tracks."

So he left Watkins Glen off the list which tells me this guy doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground. That would be par for the course for Autoweak. Back to coaster duty for that rag.

Oh, and that is not my punctuation in the quote, that is how it was printed.

NaBUru38 · 19 Jul 2013, 15:03 (Ref:3279400)

Marshall Pruett has some news on the USR schedule:

Quote:

Going to happen
1: Daytona, Rolex 24
2: Sebring, 12 Hour
3: Watkins Glen
4: Road Atlanta (Petit Le Mans)

Also said to be happening
5: Kansas

Very likely
6: Long Beach
7: Laguna Seca
8: Detroit
9: Indianapolis
10: Road America
11: Austin

Might happen
12: Baltimore
13: Lime Rock
14: VIR

"Mosport has rarely been mentioned in backroom conversations"

Choosing Indianapolis and Kansas over Baltimore, Lime Rock and Mosport seems a very bad idea to me.

Ephaeton · 19 Jul 2013, 15:26 (Ref:3279408)

Rovals. Riding right into ridiculousness from the very beginning. You gotta hand it to the USCR guys, they definitely know how to **** up. Hats off!

BullMan · 19 Jul 2013, 15:38 (Ref:3279412)

****ing Kansas. So stupid. I hope nobody shows up.

David Land · 19 Jul 2013, 16:31 (Ref:3279415)

Indianapolis makes sense, Kansas does not.

Rodger Davies · 19 Jul 2013, 16:46 (Ref:3279420)

what is the logic behind Kansas? It it a theoretical 'untapped market' or one that's not served by another venue, or are the owners of it paying for events or something?

I can understand the logic behind Indianapolis, but Kansas just seems a very random choice of venue when you've got established events such as Baltimore or classic circuits such as VIR.

BullMan · 19 Jul 2013, 16:49 (Ref:3279421)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodger Davies

what is the logic behind Kansas? It it a theoretical 'untapped market' or one that's not served by another venue, or are the owners of it paying for events or something?

I can understand the logic behind Indianapolis, but Kansas just seems a very random choice of venue when you've got established events such as Baltimore or classic circuits such as VIR.

The logic is that it's owned by NASCAR so all 4 people that show up will give their money straight to them. No other reason. A buddy of mine lives in KC and says he's going to Road America instead of some Kansas oval.

freeballin · 19 Jul 2013, 16:50 (Ref:3279422)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullMan

****ing Kansas. So stupid. I hope nobody shows up.

It won't matter. Kansas is on the schedule this year, and no one will show up.

David Land · 19 Jul 2013, 17:25 (Ref:3279434)

New marketing speak for the USCR:

Come out and watch the brand new USCR Daytona Prototypes run in a line for two hours at exciting tracks like Kansas Speedway! The fans spoke and we listened!

**joeb** · 19 Jul 2013, 17:27 (Ref:3279435)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullMan

The logic is that it's owned by NASCAR so all 4 people that show up will give their money straight to them. No other reason. A buddy of mine lives in KC and says he's going to Road America instead of some Kansas oval.

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeballin

It won't matter. Kansas is on the schedule this year, and no one will show up.

If USCR were truly running a business here, an event with little to no attendance would not be welcomed back on to the schedule. There are plenty of venues with recent history of hosting Alms/ga events that will be left out in 2014. hopefully those venues will be given a chance when Kansas is a flop

Ephaeton · 19 Jul 2013, 17:29 (Ref:3279436)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

hopefully those venues will be given a chance when Kansas is a flop

So you're counting on them getting it wrong in their first shot AND learn from their mistakes afterwards?

The first definitely is a given, the second seems quite a leap of faith given over a decade of evidence to the contrary..

Beetle · 19 Jul 2013, 18:29 (Ref:3279460)

It would be an utter shame to see Mosport go. Also, I'm very surprised that they're set on Kansas Speedway... it's more boring than the Iowa infield road course. Of course, it is NASCAR-owned.

But I think everyone is being a bit too cynical about something still taking its first steps. It looks very promising... I'll admit that the Kansas choice was a bad call, but don't shoot it down before it gets off the ground. I'm glad they are still "considering" VIR... it's the best of the "might happen" events. I'd also add Mid-Ohio to the "might happen" events... it's run by the ALMS, USCR, and NASCAR, so there is no reason whatsoever that it shouldn't be included.

I think we can speculate on a preliminary schedule...

1. 24 Hours of Daytona - January 25-26
2. 12 Hours of Sebring - March 15
3. Long Beach - April
4. Laguna Seca - May
5. Detroit - June
6. 6 Hours of the Glen - June
7. Indianapolis - July
8. Road America - August
9. Kansas Speedway - August
10. Circuit of the Americas - September
11. Petit Le Mans - October

I'm supposing we'll see a schedule of about 12-15, with the most likely candidates being Mid-Ohio, Lime Rock, Baltimore, and VIR.

Then again, the series would be a whole lot better if somehow they managed 20 races, with Sonoma, Miller, Portland, Barber, and Mosport.

Ephaeton · 19 Jul 2013, 18:48 (Ref:3279468)

..right. and teams whining that they won't be able to pay more than 10 races with current updates (quote of same article). To be taken with a chunk of salt, obviously. Teams will always whine that stuff is too expensive, I guess...

Matt · 19 Jul 2013, 20:14 (Ref:3279489)

The Kansas layout looks boring, but they haven't even run on it yet...who knows, it might put on some stellar racing.

Beetle · 19 Jul 2013, 20:58 (Ref:3279498)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

The Kansas layout looks boring, but they haven't even run on it yet...who knows, it might put on some stellar racing.

That's the spirit...

Here's a quick clip, not the best quality but it gives you the idea...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWvF55sXqHA

Purist · 19 Jul 2013, 23:46 (Ref:3279537)

I think you're missing the point, on a number of counts.

This isn't, for 2013, nor does it sound like it would be for USCR in 2014, a combined event with NASCAR. As such, the standalone dates rather limit you. And whoever picked the Kansas race to be in August was INSANE. You also won't have the "help" of some fraction of the NASCAR crowd maybe being there for the Sportscar race.

I want to go north anyway this time of year, and as far as the tracks go, I'll pick Road America to go to in a heartbeat over any roval. Kansas being included means that another good, classic course won't be. That's not a price worth paying, especially given the slate of courses that could/will be left off no matter what.

And how in the hell is Kansas in August going to do better commercially than Mosport would likely do?! Mosport is one of the best road courses on the continent, with plenty of Sportscar history, and it draws crowds in quite well right now.

Also, unless you're going to revive Talladega or Monza, you've already got the roval to beat just about all others in most respects: Daytona. What's the value in including a cheap imitation, by comparison, on the calendar?

And it's not as if rovals have a stellar history of longevity in Sportscar racing, especially in recent years. If they were so great and well-received, how come all of these have been dropped by Can-Am, IMSA, ALMS, and/or GA?
1. Texas World Speedway
2. Talladega Superspeedway
3. Pocono Int'l Raceway
4. Ontario Motor Speedway
5. Michigan Int'l Speedway
6. Charlotte Motor Speedway
7. Atlanta Motor Speedway
8. Phoenix Int'l Raceway
9. Las Vegas Motor Speedway
10. Pikes Peak Int'l Raceway
11. Homestead Speedway
12. Texas Motor Speedway
13. California Speedway
14. Iowa Speedway

Why would you want to bake in summer in a metal seat that you may have to stick to, depending on your ticket? Additionally, why would you choose to bake out in the open, on the flat (both the track being flat, and having no elevated viewing option), in an RV parking lot in the infield?

As for Indy, I understand it better, but still, it's hardly a good layout. It will be a traffic nightmare, at least through the first sector of the lap. There's really only the one good overtaking point for passing same-class traffic, and that spot (Turn 1) suffers from the critical flaw that its exit is MUCH narrower than its entry. (Anybody recall what almost always happened in Turn 1 on Lap 1 at Cleveland?)

Finally, at least for now, rovals are going to suffer from the problem that they look AWFUL on TV, because you NEVER fill the stands to anywhere near capacity. For an entity (NASCAR) that has been so intent on building what it sees as a positive image, it's almost astounding that they've missed the unquestionably BAD image of bare aluminum for as far as the eye can see!

jeast · 19 Jul 2013, 23:58 (Ref:3279541)

How about getting rid of Daytona it just come with to much baggage(NASCAR) lol I'm obviously joking I like the 24 and live in Daytona.

Lagunaseca_4life · 20 Jul 2013, 02:35 (Ref:3279566)

ughh why the hell do they want to keep Kansas and indy.it just so stupid to keep those tracks in favor of dropping classics.why not drop those rovals and add tracks like sonoma and vir.if daytona wasnt as historic to the sport id say drop that one to."A five-hour drive from Long Beach to race the following weekend in Monterey is also expected. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca currently hosts separate ALMS and Grand-Am rounds, and with Mazda holding interests in both series, the USCR is currently expected to make a single SoCal-to-NorCal swing through the West Coast during its inaugural season."UUGGHH i hope they dont fall within one week of each other, if they do it might not fit my budget or vacation and makes for a boring year after that with no sportscar action for the rest of the year in cali.why do they gotta **** everything up!?!?

jasonjessica09 · 20 Jul 2013, 02:43 (Ref:3279567)

I'm with everybody that Kansas is stupid to keep around. Indianapolis HAS to go. USCR has no business being a support race for anybody so I am encouraged that I hear it is not 100% sure thing it will be on the schedule. I'm wondering if how the turn out for the Grand am race is will determine USCR if they want to drop it. Maybe they are looking for a reason to drop Indy. I hope nobody shows up for the Grand am race for Indy then. It will improve the chances that indy will get dropped next year.

If you are thinking about attending grand am at indy, please reconsider and don't show up!

David Land · 20 Jul 2013, 02:56 (Ref:3279570)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonjessica09

I'm with everybody that Kansas is stupid to keep around. Indianapolis HAS to go. USCR has no business being a support race for anybody so I am encouraged that I hear it is not 100% sure thing it will be on the schedule. I'm wondering if how the turn out for the Grand am race is will determine USCR if they want to drop it. Maybe they are looking for a reason to drop Indy. I hope nobody shows up for the Grand am race for Indy then. It will improve the chances that indy will get dropped next year.

If you are thinking about attending grand am at indy, please reconsider and don't show up!

I happen to enjoy sportscars in my backyard, I will be attending this year and in 2014.

jasonjessica09 · 20 Jul 2013, 03:13 (Ref:3279571)

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Land

I happen to enjoy sportscars in my backyard, I will be attending this year and in 2014.

I hope there won't be a race in 2014 for a local Indianapolis person to go to.

View Poll Results: Which circuits would you drop? (4-8 options please)
Mid-Ohio	8	9.76%
Lime Rock	29	35.37%
Mosport	5	6.10%
Austin	10	12.20%
Barber	36	43.90%
Indianapolis	44	53.66%
Virginia	14	17.07%
New Jersey	57	69.51%
Long Beach	23	28.05%
Detroit	37	45.12%
Baltimore	47	57.32%
Houston	64	78.05%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 82. You may not vote on this poll

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