Just when you thought things were on the up, hey, no, less of that optimism!
With the fantastic announcement of the return to Road America, since 2007, we were teased with the media speculation of Phoenix (first potential race since 2005) in the morning. Then comes the afternoon, and the announcement that there is no agreement between Indycar and ACS a.k.a Fontana for 2016. Sigh, the race which provided the largest talking points and buzz around a race outside of the Indy 500 was done, for now. In an Interview with Push to Pass Podcast, track president Dave Allen, he said they were working hard on securing a new date for next year, but one which suited them, which for anyone who went in July would want it to work for them too! Sadly Labor Day won't cut it.
With the fantastic announcement of the return to Road America, since 2007, we were teased with the media speculation of Phoenix (first potential race since 2005) in the morning. Then comes the afternoon, and the announcement that there is no agreement between Indycar and ACS a.k.a Fontana for 2016. Sigh, the race which provided the largest talking points and buzz around a race outside of the Indy 500 was done, for now. In an Interview with Push to Pass Podcast, track president Dave Allen, he said they were working hard on securing a new date for next year, but one which suited them, which for anyone who went in July would want it to work for them too! Sadly Labor Day won't cut it.
High temps, low crowds, no race (C.Jones)
Can we just pause for a moment and remember the track which brought us record lead changes, overtaking galore, some 3,173, close racing, controversy and some all round spectacular action which left some fans, and drivers divided on the race.
...
So where do we sit for the 2016, what's in?
13th March - St. Petersburg (S)
17th April - Long Beach (S)
14th May - IMS (R)
29th May - Indy 500 (O)
4th June - Detroit (S)
5th June - Detroit (S)
4th September - Boston (S)
What is likely to be in? Barber in late March or April seems to be a good fit for them. Texas Motor Speedway highly likely after the Detroit weekend (11th June). Toronto will be back in a more familiar place too, somewhere in early to mid July, whether it returns to the double header format is unknown, if I was the series, I'd be pushing for this, numbers right? The popular short oval at Iowa should be ok too, but how many times do we question this, around the time of the Toronto race. Into August, and I would happily bet my house on a return to Mid Ohio, on the early weekend, after a stellar race and turnout this year. It is fairly safe to bookend August with Sonoma too (although as a personal preference, I would love to see Indycar transverse the rolling hills with green banks, as seen in Simon Pagenaud's visor cam video for Racer).
So in review, same old, and actually some pretty good date equity too with tracks and races that have been around for some time.
Now that leaves us with the questionable races from the schedule this year. New Orleans, immersed in legal disputes over payments with the promoters seems to leave this in a soggy mess, much like this years race. Yes, a tad harsh, from the testing at the track things did look promising but to no avail as Louisiana's finest clouds deposited on the track and wrecked what chance we had to see the fast flowing track in full swing. Do we see it again down the line? Not likely, but never say never.
Milwaukee... Some say that the return of Road America has all but killed any chance of the historic mile oval returning. The series says otherwise and are efforting to bring it back once again (from the brink). New promoters will be needed as Andretti SM have scaled back operations. Hi Roger, Chip, anyone?
...
So where do we sit for the 2016, what's in?
13th March - St. Petersburg (S)
17th April - Long Beach (S)
14th May - IMS (R)
29th May - Indy 500 (O)
4th June - Detroit (S)
5th June - Detroit (S)
4th September - Boston (S)
What is likely to be in? Barber in late March or April seems to be a good fit for them. Texas Motor Speedway highly likely after the Detroit weekend (11th June). Toronto will be back in a more familiar place too, somewhere in early to mid July, whether it returns to the double header format is unknown, if I was the series, I'd be pushing for this, numbers right? The popular short oval at Iowa should be ok too, but how many times do we question this, around the time of the Toronto race. Into August, and I would happily bet my house on a return to Mid Ohio, on the early weekend, after a stellar race and turnout this year. It is fairly safe to bookend August with Sonoma too (although as a personal preference, I would love to see Indycar transverse the rolling hills with green banks, as seen in Simon Pagenaud's visor cam video for Racer).
So in review, same old, and actually some pretty good date equity too with tracks and races that have been around for some time.
Now that leaves us with the questionable races from the schedule this year. New Orleans, immersed in legal disputes over payments with the promoters seems to leave this in a soggy mess, much like this years race. Yes, a tad harsh, from the testing at the track things did look promising but to no avail as Louisiana's finest clouds deposited on the track and wrecked what chance we had to see the fast flowing track in full swing. Do we see it again down the line? Not likely, but never say never.
Milwaukee... Some say that the return of Road America has all but killed any chance of the historic mile oval returning. The series says otherwise and are efforting to bring it back once again (from the brink). New promoters will be needed as Andretti SM have scaled back operations. Hi Roger, Chip, anyone?
Something akin to this could secure a return (poconoraceway.com)
Pocono, a much heralded return in 2013, half decent crowd followed by a not so decent crowd last year, and with a very (very) limited on track schedule for the Indycar race weekend, this one worries me. AOWR first visited the tricky triangle in 1971, ran through 1989, followed by a substantial break. I would hate to see this happen to another track steeped in Indycar heritage. Pack those stands! CEO Brandon Igdalsky is a fan, but he is also a businessman.
So the 500 mile'rs outside of Indy could be gone in 2016.
Now the optimistic happy type bit. Hello Road America (seriously check out the 4 day ticket deal), nice to see you again. Hello Boston, big market, North East race, Labor Day, eHarmony couldn't have matched it better. Hello-ish Phoenix, talk of a return to to Arizona for the first time since 2005 are in advanced talks, just the dollars to agree on, it is as close as to appear on the Wikipedia page for Indycar in 2016 schedule... I am also a big fan of having a oval race too before the Indy 500. And how about starting in February at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, rumoured among media and Indycar officials, would provide a great chance to compare the on track product of Indycar and Formula One in a similar time-scale. Recently reported in Racer, Jay Frye (Chief Revenue Officer for Hulman and former NASCAR team manager) is in talks with other ISC tracks as well including Richmond and Homestead, you can join the dots right?
The series is on an upswing at the moment, talk, buzz, TV ratings, one can hope that the situation is even better in twelve months time, parties can talk and be less restrictive.
So there is your... *excrement* sandwich, baloney or bologna? Good news next right?
So the 500 mile'rs outside of Indy could be gone in 2016.
Now the optimistic happy type bit. Hello Road America (seriously check out the 4 day ticket deal), nice to see you again. Hello Boston, big market, North East race, Labor Day, eHarmony couldn't have matched it better. Hello-ish Phoenix, talk of a return to to Arizona for the first time since 2005 are in advanced talks, just the dollars to agree on, it is as close as to appear on the Wikipedia page for Indycar in 2016 schedule... I am also a big fan of having a oval race too before the Indy 500. And how about starting in February at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, rumoured among media and Indycar officials, would provide a great chance to compare the on track product of Indycar and Formula One in a similar time-scale. Recently reported in Racer, Jay Frye (Chief Revenue Officer for Hulman and former NASCAR team manager) is in talks with other ISC tracks as well including Richmond and Homestead, you can join the dots right?
The series is on an upswing at the moment, talk, buzz, TV ratings, one can hope that the situation is even better in twelve months time, parties can talk and be less restrictive.
So there is your... *excrement* sandwich, baloney or bologna? Good news next right?
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