Will Sportscar Racing Benefit from the high cost of F1?

[jhansen]

I'm curious what all of you think about this concept. It is no secret that the cost of Formula 1 is incredibly high. A number of people including myself wonder how long this rate of spending can continue. It is mind boggeling to me that the return on investment is worth it to the manufacturers involved (i.e. BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, etc). I suppose it is, or they wouldn't do it. This is undoubtedly linked to TV exposure.

My primary question is this: at some point will the manufacturers walk away from F1 and will sportscar racing as a whole benefit from this?

[FIRE]

I think they can benefit from smaller manufacturers (i.e. Nissan, Mazda, Volvo) who cannot afford a F1 project.

F1 is the #1 autosport so I think big manufacturers will stay in F1.

[JAG]

Sportscars won't benefit directly from manufactuers leaving F1, they will however benefit from manufactuers reducing there F1 budgets and having a wider range of race programmes.

In the late 1990s manufactuers but all there resources into F1 and are now realising it does not guarantee succes, and they need to race in other series, along with F1.

[dretceterini]

Without the kind of effort spent on marketing and promotion that F1, NASCAR and other sports spends, sportscar racing will never be as popular.

[krt917]

Originally posted by JAG
Sportscars won't benefit directly from manufactuers leaving F1, they will however benefit from manufactuers reducing there F1 budgets and having a wider range of race programmes.

This is what I hope for. It's one of the reasons I really feel it is about time costs were cut in F1.

Agree with dretceterini that decent exposure for other formulas would probably help too.

[skycafe]

My word,what does being an associate sponsor on a lower level F1 car cost? You could probably buy an Audi and run entire American or European series, plus Le Mans.

The cost of admissions to F1 races just astonishes me. They will soon price themselves out of almost any market.

I hope it does flow to sports cars, and we get a strong global interest going.

[Fogelhund]

Originally posted by FIRE
I think they can benefit from smaller manufacturers (i.e. Nissan, Mazda, Volvo) who cannot afford a F1 project.

Did you mean Renault, Ford & Ford?

[Mal]

I think it is already happening to a point with Ford (ie Aston Martin) & Ferrari (ie Maserati) already announcing works backed efforts. But it apears to be in addition to F1 and using a different brand. The difference is the coming coordinated rules, and if this coordination continues to give manufacturers the global marketing window then more will no doubt get involved.
It is no coincidence that the FIA GT has taken the series to China and Middle East opening up those huge markets at the same time as more manufacturers get involved.

[FIRE]

Originally posted by Fogelhund
Did you mean Renault, Ford & Ford?

Nissan, Mazda and Volvo have without help from Renault, Ford & Ford not the money to do a F1 project.

[independent]

Although this is not perfectly on topic, I think it could have implications for the future of F1 in Europe and the fans reaction to this philosophy for the future. Hopefully creating an opportunity for Sportscar racing to bring the fans in.

here is the link: http://www.autoweek.com/motorsportsnews/index.mv


"Ecclestone pledges Asian commitment, wants VW in F1


Formula One group principal Bernie Ecclestone has again emphasized his determination to increase the presence of Formula One in Asia and North America, at the expense of “traditional fixtures in Europe.”
“We’ll have to cancel some of the European races sooner or later,” he said. “Our sponsors want us in growing markets, and Europe isn’t a growing market. As I see it, Europe will be part of the third world in 10 years, while Asia and America will be dominating the world. We must be established there.”

Ecclestone also said he believed it was time the Volkswagen Group, the German automobile manufacturer, committed itself to an F1 program. “Volkswagen is the market leader in China,” he said. “The growing popularity of F1 in China shouldn’t be an argument for Volkswagen not to get involved.”

[Fogelhund]

"Ecclestone pledges Asian commitment, wants VW in F1

Pompous idiot isn't he? I want Porsche in Sportscars.. does that make it so?

FIRE - my post was just to demonstrate how few corporate groups there are left in the auto world.

[Tim Northcutt]

What amazes me is why someone like Minardi spent $53 million last season to sit on the back of the grid in every race????

They could race at least 10 sportscars (prototypes) on Very Healthy...actually Very Extravagant.... budgets and still have money left over!!!!!

The difference is that they would be competitive in those 10 prototypes....extremely competitive with a $5 million budget per car

Instead, they are flushing it away with nothing to show for it....

[pirenzo]

Originally posted by Tim Northcutt
What amazes me is why someone like Minardi spent $53 million last season to sit on the back of the grid in every race????

They could race at least 10 sportscars (prototypes) on Very Healthy...actually Very Extravagant.... budgets and still have money left over!!!!!

The difference is that they would be competitive in those 10 prototypes....extremely competitive with a $5 million budget per car

Instead, they are flushing it away with nothing to show for it....

Someone has to be at the back...

[Tim Northcutt]

I agree, Pirenzo...

But I could find much cheaper ways to run at the back than to blow $53 million doing it...

That's insane....

[jhansen]

I tend to agree with you Tim. I'd rather be competitive. Same thing with McNish, why not return to sportscars than buy a ride at Jordan?

I do feel there is one key point here. Could Paul Stoddart raise $53 million to spend in sportscars? I don't know the breakdown of that money, some comes from European Aviation, which is his I believe. But not all of it is his. When it comes to attracting sponsors to sportscar racing, its a bit tougher. Hopefully with the future success of LMES and closer ties between the ACO and FIA GT we will see this situation improve.