2012 Schedule silly season thread

**MDS** · 19th Jun 11, 04:41

It’s summer, the schedule should be released in two to three months so let the speculation begin. I’ve heard from someone on a team that they have been told to prepare a budget for 18 races next year, and there will be at least two new dates. One date will replace Motegi and the other new date. Everything points to Houston being the new addition, but supposedly Porto Allegro is all but done, also and they’re in talks with both California and Chicago to replace Motegi.

Projected 2012 Izod Indy Car Schedule

March 25 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
April 8 Honda Grand Prix of Alabama
April 15 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
April 29 Sao Palo Indy 300
May 27 Indianapolis 500
June 3 The Milwaukee Mile
June 9 Firestone Twin 275s
June 25 Iowa Corn Indy 250
July 8 Streets of Toronto
July 22 Streets of Edmonton
Aug 5 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Aug 12 New Hampshire Motorspeedway
Aug 26 Infineon Raceway
Sept. 2 Streets of Baltimore
Sept. 16 California Motor Speedway
Sept. 30 Kentucky Speedway
Oct. 7 Streets of Houston, Reliant Stadium
Oct. 14 Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Tracks in Bold have a contract signed for 2012, although other than Indy and Long Beach the dates are not confirmed.

There shouldn’t be a lot of changes to the schedule, organizers know that consistency is the key to building events. I think The Milwaukee Mile will get its traditional date on the schedule back, but that’s just my opinion at the moment.

A number of the event titles should change. I’ve heard that both Lotus and Chevy are going to title sponsor at least one race each. I think Honda is going to give up one of the Canadian rounds to a Canadian sponsor and from what I’ve heard it’s almost a lock that one of GM’s brands will be the name sponsor of the Baltimore race next year.

In related news Octane, the promoters of Edmonton and the F-1 race at Montreal are sniffing around the Toronto Grand Prix. Also look out for the pre-season testing schedule, the 2012 off season is going to be far more extensive than the previous two. Look for two to three official tests with both ovals and roads. Seabring, Barber, Vegas, and Phoenix are the obvious choices but we'll probably see a track that's not on the schedule as a test track in 2012. If you see Road Atlanta, Arizona Motorsport Park or the Austin track on the schedule its most likely a tryout.

**Scotty G.** · 22nd Jun 11, 00:51

Originally Posted by MDS

Projected 2012 Izod Indy Car Schedule

March 25 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
April 8 Honda Grand Prix of Alabama
April 15 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
April 29 Sao Palo Indy 300
May 27 Indianapolis 500
June 3 The Milwaukee Mile
June 9 Firestone Twin 275s
June 25 Iowa Corn Indy 250
July 8 Streets of Toronto
July 22 Streets of Edmonton
Aug 5 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Aug 12 New Hampshire Motorspeedway
Aug 26 Infineon Raceway
Sept. 2 Streets of Baltimore
Sept. 16 California Motor Speedway
Sept. 30 Kentucky Speedway
Oct. 7 Streets of Houston, Reliant Stadium
Oct. 14 Las Vegas Motor Speedway

19 races.

8 ovals. 10 street/roads.

Milwaukee, Motegi and Sears Point off the schedule.

Houston, Road America, Chicago and Phoenix (possibly paired with the NASCAR Cup race??) are added.

8 ovals (9 races with Texas doing the 2 race thing again) will be Indianapolis, Texas, Iowa, Chicago, Kentucky, Las Vegas, Loudon and Phoenix.

10 road/streets are Long Beach, St. Pete, Baltimore, Houston, Toronto, Edmonton, Brazil, Elkhart Lake, Birmingham and Mid Ohio.

**numanoid** · 22nd Jun 11, 19:16

I hope they keep Milwaukee. Chicago would be a nice addition.

**Pat Wiatrowski** · 23rd Jun 11, 17:19

I doubt you will see Road America on the schedule.

**Dr. Krogshöj** · 24th Jun 11, 17:09

Milwaukee was by far the best race this year in my opinion. Overtaking wasn't easy, but there still a lot of passing on track. It is spectacular for the fans challanging for the drivers. It would be a shame to loose it again.

**00steven** · 24th Jun 11, 17:16

Originally Posted by Pat Wiatrowski

I doubt you will see Road America on the schedule.

I don't know, Speed's Robin Miller has reported that many of the series top drivers are telling Randy Bernard that he should seriously consider putting the race on the 2012 schedule. Bernard has also stated that he would like to see a return to the circut. So I guess we'll see...

**Pat Wiatrowski** · 24th Jun 11, 18:27

Originally Posted by 00steven

I don't know, Speed's Robin Miller has reported that many of the series top drivers are telling Randy Bernard that he should seriously consider putting the race on the 2012 schedule. Bernard has also stated that he would like to see a return to the circut. So I guess we'll see...

Just maybe those drivers should be talking to the stockholders of Road America.

**heliocastroneves#3** · 4th Aug 11, 13:21

Someone told me Randy Bernard wants to have a calendar with at least 20 races. I don't believe that this will happen next year, but if it's gonna happen I think this will be the calendar:

01. Streets of St. Petersburg - Road course
02. Barber Motorsports Park - Road course
03. Streets of Long Beach - Road course
04. Streets of Sao Paulo - Road course
05. 96th Indianapolis 500 - Oval
06. The Milwaukee Mile - Oval
07. Texas Motor Speedway Race #1 - Oval
08. Texas Motor Speedway Race #2 - Oval
09. Iowa Speedway Race #1 - Oval
10. Iowa Speedway Race #2 - Oval
11. Streets of Toronto - Road course
12. Road America, Elkhart Lake - Road course
13. Edmonton City Centre Airport - Road course
14. New Hampshire Motor Speedway - Oval
15. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course - Road course
16. Infineon Raceway - Road course
17. Houston Reliant Park - Road course
18. Kentucky Speedway - Oval
19. Chicagoland Speedway - Oval
20. Auto Club Speedway, Fontana - Oval
21. Phoenix International Raceway - Oval
22. Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Oval

If this is gonna happen we have a good balanced schedule.

**ICWS** · 4th Aug 11, 18:50

Originally Posted by schumacher180

Someone told me Randy Bernard wants to have a calendar with at least 20 races. I don't believe that this will happen next year, but if it's gonna happen I think this will be the calendar:

01. Streets of St. Petersburg - Road course
02. Barber Motorsports Park - Road course
03. Streets of Long Beach - Road course
04. Streets of Sao Paulo - Road course
05. 96th Indianapolis 500 - Oval
06. The Milwaukee Mile - Oval
07. Texas Motor Speedway Race #1 - Oval
08. Texas Motor Speedway Race #2 - Oval
09. Iowa Speedway Race #1 - Oval
10. Iowa Speedway Race #2 - Oval
11. Streets of Toronto - Road course
12. Road America, Elkhart Lake - Road course
13. Edmonton City Centre Airport - Road course
14. New Hampshire Motor Speedway - Oval
15. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course - Road course
16. Infineon Raceway - Road course
17. Houston Reliant Park - Road course
18. Kentucky Speedway - Oval
19. Chicagoland Speedway - Oval
20. Auto Club Speedway, Fontana - Oval
21. Phoenix International Raceway - Oval
22. Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Oval

If this is gonna happen we have a good balanced schedule.

Where's Baltimore?

**NY2IA** · 4th Aug 11, 19:13

Such a shame Watkins Glen is not back on the schedule.

**nigelred5** · 4th Aug 11, 20:12

Originally Posted by ICWS

Where's Baltimore?

Beat me to it. I seriously doubt it will be a one and done, though I can already see a couple potential track changes.

**garyshell** · 4th Aug 11, 21:34

Originally Posted by Starter

Part way between Wash. DC and Philly.

I was waiting for that...

Gary

**00steven** · 4th Aug 11, 23:08

Originally Posted by NY2IA

Such a shame Watkins Glen is not back on the schedule.

I completely agree. It's my favorite road race.

**nigelred5** · 5th Aug 11, 02:28

Originally Posted by garyshell

I was waiting for that...

Gary

I resisted earlier........

**ICWS** · 5th Aug 11, 05:24

Originally Posted by Starter

Part way between Wash. DC and Philly.

Pardon me,

"What about the Baltimore race?"

**ICWS** · 6th Aug 11, 06:53

Ultimately, I think that the schedule will be between at least 16 and at most 19 races. I'm unfortunately doubtful that Road America and Phoenix will be added. I think Chicagoland and/or Houston may be added, but I'm not 100% confident about those two races. Milwaukee is a 50/50 situation, but I hope it stays on the schedule (hopefully moved back to the weekend after the Indy 500).

Here's what I think the schedule may be (questionable races in bold):

1. St. Petersburg
2. Houston
3. Birmingham
3. Long Beach
5. Sao Paulo
6. Indianapolis
7. Milwaukee
8. Texas
9. Iowa
10. Chicagoland
11. Toronto
12. Edmonton
13. Mid-Ohio
14. New Hampshire
15. Sonoma
16. Baltimore
17. Fontana
18. Kentucky
19. Las Vegas

If they can get all 19 of those races on the schedule, I think that would be a good schedule for next year.

**elan 02** · 8th Aug 11, 03:45

Who thinks Laguna Seca should take Sonomas spot. I know, neither have good passing zones. I just think with LS history and the natural beauty of the area it should be reconsidered. The Andretti hairpin and the corkscrew blows away anything Sonoma offers

**mr_swiss** · 8th Aug 11, 17:12

Originally Posted by elan 02

Who thinks Laguna Seca should take Sonomas spot. I know, neither have good passing zones. I just think with LS history and the natural beauty of the area it should be reconsidered. The Andretti hairpin and the corkscrew blows away anything Sonoma offers

I'd love to see Laguna Seca back on the schedule.
Great viewing form the hill side, nice to get up close at the corkscrew.
Laguna has always been a great weekend trip.
Count me in the next time they race there.

**00steven** · 8th Aug 11, 18:06

Originally Posted by elan 02

Who thinks Laguna Seca should take Sonomas spot. I know, neither have good passing zones. I just think with LS history and the natural beauty of the area it should be reconsidered. The Andretti hairpin and the corkscrew blows away anything Sonoma offers

I love Leguna Seca! It should be raced on over Sonoma.

**Scotty G.** · 10th Aug 11, 15:39

2012 schedule:

OVALS (10)- Indianapolis, Texas (2), Iowa, Loudon, Kentucky, Las Vegas, Fontana, Chicago and Richmond

ROAD/STREETS (10)- Long Beach, Brazil, St. Pete, Birmingham, Mid-Ohio, Edmonton, Toronto, Sonoma, Elkhart Lake, Houston

Japan, Milwaukee and Baltimore are dumped.

Possible dates (appoximate):

Early March- St. Pete
Mid March- Houston
Late March- Barber
Early April- Long Beach
Late April- Brazil
Late May- Indianapolis
Early June- Texas
Mid June- Iowa
Late June- Richmond
Early July- Toronto
Mid July- Edmonton
Late July- Chicago
Early August- Mid Ohio
Mid August- Loudon
Late August- Sonoma
Early September- Elkhart Lake
Late September- Kentucky
Early October- Fontana
Mid October- Las Vegas