Grand Prix of 'meri-cuh! 2013 (New Jersey)

**truefan72** · 16th Jun 12, 04:06

Originally Posted by DexDexter

One thing that may help F1 grow in the States is the ever-increasing Hispanic population. Many of them know what F1 is and have heard about Sennas and Piquets etc.

you are wrong on that point.
The burgeoning Hispanic population is not from 30-55 yr old males flowing into the country, but from american born kids and young adults of Hispanic origin.
They are actually more interested in the traditional US sports and even baseball struggles to appeal to these kids. Let alone Soccer, let alone F1. That's like saying Irish and Italian american kids love rugby and soccer respectively...they don't

**jarrambide** · 16th Jun 12, 04:42

Originally Posted by truefan72

you are wrong on that point.
The burgeoning Hispanic population is not from 30-55 yr old males flowing into the country, but from american born kids and young adults of Hispanic origin.
They are actually more interested in the traditional US sports and even baseball struggles to appeal to these kids. Let alone Soccer, let alone F1. That's like saying Irish and Italian american kids love rugby and soccer respectively...they don't

I think you are wrong, they do love soccer, they just don't like Major League Soccer, have you seen the ratings for the Mexican League?, another thing is that thye love any Mexican superstar, just like at that Chicharito guy, which is good but overrated if you ask me, I am curious to see if Sergio Perez will change the tv ratings in the US.

**Mia 01** · 16th Jun 12, 13:15

will this event ever get the go?

**Hawkmoon** · 16th Jun 12, 13:37

Originally Posted by henners88

I've been to Italy a few times and many people seem to believe Ferrari is like a religion to most of the population, but in my experience F1 is more popular in the north of the country with people in the south not so bothered. Football appears more important and more passionately followed in a greater proportion in my experience there. I think what people want you to believe on forums is very different to what is actually true.

If we only look at the motorsport fans in Italy I think it's safe to say that Ferrari and F1 are preeminent. If we look at the motorsports fans in the US then F1 is barely an after thought compared to NASCAR and probably doesn't even rate higher than Indy Cars. F1 will never be the preeminent form of motorsport in the US as NASCAR is on the TV every weekend and F1 just once a year. F1 is nothing more than an expensive novelty and the only reason to race there is because it has a large consumer base.

**D28** · 16th Jun 12, 15:17

Originally Posted by Hawkmoon

.. F1 will never be the preeminent form of motorsport in the US as NASCAR is on the TV every weekend and F1 just once a year. F1 is nothing more than an expensive novelty and the only reason to race there is because it has a large consumer base.

This is essentially correct. In 1980 when F1 left Watkins Glen, NASCAR was only a niche sport, popular in the South East. Few would have predicted it would become the preeminent series, eclipsing Indy Car and road racing. NASCAR overcame its regional base with brilliant marketing strategy aided by a complete lack of any strategy for Indy Car and certainly F1. I can think of only one urban, or street circuit NASCAR visits, they have a Nationwide race at circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. The other circuits involve people actually driving to the race, or like Indy they are permanent tracks in or near a city.
They clearly aim their product at people who drive and own motor vehicles.
The other advantage NASCAR has is greatly reduced expenses and hence ticket prices, making it affordable for a large slice of the populace.

These are realities F1 must deal with in attempting to gain a toehold in USA. Perhaps they need a complete overhaul of their marketing plan, but this will have to wait for the end of Bernies's stewardship IMO.

**DexDexter** · 16th Jun 12, 16:09

Originally Posted by henners88

I've been to Italy a few times and many people seem to believe Ferrari is like a religion to most of the population, but in my experience F1 is more popular in the north of the country with people in the south not so bothered. Football appears more important and more passionately followed in a greater proportion in my experience there. I think what people want you to believe on forums is very different to what is actually true.

I agree, based on my travels in the south.

**Dave B** · 16th Jun 12, 17:22

Originally Posted by henners88

I've been to Italy a few times and many people seem to believe Ferrari is like a religion to most of the population, but in my experience F1 is more popular in the north of the country with people in the south not so bothered. Football appears more important and more passionately followed in a greater proportion in my experience there. I think what people want you to believe on forums is very different to what is actually true.

The one time I went to Italy, the owner of the guest house we frequented in the village of Lesmo didn't know there was a Grand Prix on that weekend. Make of that what you will.

**DexDexter** · 16th Jun 12, 17:39

Originally Posted by Dave B

The one time I went to Italy, the owner of the guest house we frequented in the village of Lesmo didn't know there was a Grand Prix on that weekend. Make of that what you will.

There are many sports-related stereotypes. Personally an interesting one for me is that us Finns are somehow mad about rallying, that's often brought up by foreigners. Neste Rally Finland attracts a lot of spectators but rallying in itself is not a big sport in this country.

**call_me_andrew** · 25th Jun 12, 02:22

F1 Chief Bernie Ecclestone not optimistic about New Jersey race happening next year | From the Marbles - Yahoo! Sports

Is Bernie stupid or something?

Usually when a buisnessman isn't certain about something, he reveals nothing to the public, but not our Bernie.

**jarrambide** · 25th Jun 12, 02:28

Originally Posted by call_me_andrew

F1 Chief Bernie Ecclestone not optimistic about New Jersey race happening next year | From the Marbles - Yahoo! Sports

Is Bernie stupid or something?

Usually when a buisnessman isn't certain about something, he reveals nothing to the public, but not our Bernie.

He is anything but stupid, that is how he plays hardball, if he wants something, he threats publicly with the race not happening.

**schmenke** · 25th Jun 12, 15:18

Does Bernie not say something similar about all new venues?

**anthonyvop** · 25th Jun 12, 23:16

Originally Posted by truefan72

you are wrong on that point.
The burgeoning Hispanic population is not from 30-55 yr old males flowing into the country, but from american born kids and young adults of Hispanic origin.
They are actually more interested in the traditional US sports and even baseball struggles to appeal to these kids. Let alone Soccer, let alone F1. That's like saying Irish and Italian american kids love rugby and soccer respectively...they don't

You do know that MLB set all-time attendance records last year...don't ya? The NFL still rules the roost and all those new "Extreme" sports have pretty much remained stagnant.

**steveaki13** · 26th Jun 12, 21:58

It does seem Bernie plays the same game for every new track that comes along.

Announces the race and how it will be great for F1 and the operators are doing great things.

Then says nah its rubbish they can't hold a race. They need to work quicker and invest more.

Then it normally ends up complete and him complementing what a wonderful job the organisors have done.

Bernie = Mind Games.

**TheFamousEccles** · 27th Jun 12, 00:49

Originally Posted by aki13

It does seem Bernie plays the same game for every new track that comes along.

Announces the race and how it will be great for F1 and the operators are doing great things.

Then says nah its rubbish they can't hold a race. They need to work quicker and invest more.

Then it normally ends up complete and him complementing what a wonderful job the organisors have done.

Bernie = Mind Games.

Has it ever been so....