http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/ Autoblog Comments for Indianapolis loses F1, gains MotoGP in 2008! http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/Jul 16th 2007 4:23PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/There's just not as much fanfare for the F1 race as the 500 or 400 receives. I can understand why though. After the Michelin debacle, I was surprised to hear it was coming back.
]]>Jul 16th 2007 4:35PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/
Sucks though, since the people that blew into town every year for the race spent a lot more than the fans for the other races, and were a good time to hang out with.

Oddly, this track woul've been more exciting to watch the F1 race on... the first turn always took out a few cars on the first lap, and the last two turns were worthless (caused the high speeds that in turn caused the tire debacle)

If F1 were to return, it would be a lot better to watch on this track.]]>Jul 16th 2007 4:43PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/
I also enjoyed having some people coming in from other countries for the race. It was nice to have some international exposure. Unfortunately, there do seem to be a lot of people around here who don't like the "foreigners."

Just a little silly story: At last year's USGP, my friends from Minnesota and I were leaving the track on Saturday after watching the other races and were walking along the fence when a shirtless, drunken redneck asked us through the fence if he could get a light for his cigarette. We just quietly told him "sorry, we don't smoke" and kept walking. He yelled back at us as we walked away, saying "You don't smoke? It's downright un-American to not smoke!" and "you f***in' foreigners can go back! To hell with you!" We've referred to him as "The Great American Ambassador" ever since. It was both funny and embarrassing at the same time. I can't help but wonder if Bernie Ecclestone met with him during the discussions on the USGP's return... lol!]]>Jul 16th 2007 5:23PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/
I seriously doubt many are going to miss F1 though. It's not what it used to be, for me anyway. Having said that, it would be cool if they did a night race in the streets of Manhattan or something. Imagine the Party! F1's expansion into new markets may even bring an end to Silverstone I hear. Now that would be a real shame.

bye-bye F1, it was nice knowing you.

]]>Jul 16th 2007 5:07PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/
by the way, Motogp in Laguna Seca is on July 22-23. make sure you watch it live on Speed TV from 4pm - 5pm or replay on ABC on July 30 1pm - 2pm.

Go Nicky Hayden, Rossi and Colin Edward! ]]>Jul 16th 2007 5:20PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/Jul 17th 2007 8:08AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/Jul 16th 2007 5:24PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/Jul 16th 2007 5:32PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/Jul 16th 2007 5:58PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/
The sad thing is not as many ppl pay attention to it in the US. ppl farther watch cars that only make left turns for hrs instead of watch one hr of motogp race that full of excitement and surprise.

One thing I like motogp better than F1 is that you normally dont see drivers pass each other in F1, driver who took pole positions are mostly predicted to win the race, but in motogp you will see riders take over leading position back and fore, or leading rider crashing their bikes. Especially rider like Valentino Rossi, which dont like to take pole position but he can actually advanced his position from 7 to being No.1 . It's truely amazing races!]]>Jul 16th 2007 6:31PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/
I think MotoGP will do better than F1 per expectations.]]>Jul 16th 2007 6:38PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/
Can they please take the MotoGP race away from Laguna Seca now so Laguna Seca can put the curbing back to normal?

The corkscrews lost its teeth when they changed it for MotoGP, and with the new (flat) curbing on the inside of turns now, they cut 2-3 seconds off the lap times for cars. It's absurd.]]>Jul 16th 2007 6:55PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/Jul 16th 2007 7:18PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/Jul 16th 2007 7:21PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/WooHOO that MotoGP is here!

MotoGP has a massive following, with most races bringing in 90K-100K fans. Can't imagine what the parking lots are going to look like with nothing but bikes every where.... Its going to be insane for sure. Also, I am very happy to see that they have added more turns to the track. Its going to be quite an interesting race for sure. Hopefully Michelin will bring the correct tires, lol. ]]>Jul 16th 2007 7:55PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/Jul 16th 2007 8:03PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/
It's a shame I couldn't make it up to IMS to see the V10s and now it's a bigger shame I will never even get to see the V8s at IMS. I guess I will have to tuck it all the way to Canada. Canada has a better track layout anyways.]]>Jul 16th 2007 11:02PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/Jul 16th 2007 8:49PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/indianapolis-loses-f1-gains-motogp-in-2008/
I believe this will pull in a bigger draw than F1 because there are FIVE Americans in MotoGP (and they're actually doing well) as opposed to one in F1.

The comment about the 'redneck' and how it's 'un-american' to not smoke is rather hilarious and just shows the ignorance of some people. I'm in France for work right now and tons more people smoke here than back in the states. Well, I guess if you never leave the trailer park....]]>Jul 17th 2007 3:28AM