Mexico City Attendance Watch

[NismoZ]

I know ChampCar fans eagerly look forward to big crowds each year at the Mexico City race and speculation has already estimated a 350,000 gate this year, but...I don't know where that "huge" crowd of over 100,000 was yesterday. Main straight was fairly empty, stadium was nearly empty, the big stands out back WERE empty. Didn't even sell tickets for those! I suppose the stands behind the pits had a lot of people, but there were few camera angles that showed that. What I'm saying is, there had better be a LOT of people at the race today, because the attendance looks to be a disappointment so far. I'm aware of the so-called conspiracy to "pull a Montreal" in an attempt to get a NASCAB/HRL date, but doesn't CC have this place 'til '09 or something like that? Forsythe sounded upset when he explained the city owns the place and they were taking down stands and blocking off others. What's going on, anyway?

[Methanolandbrats]

Mexico City is in the middle of nowhere.

[NismoZ]

Stated reason is "construction", but what are they building? It isn't more stands for the race track.

[KLang]

Attendence in no way influences my enjoyment of a race on TV. As long as the promotors are happy, who cares?

Is really necessary to have attendence threads here? You should be able to get your fill over at TF. After all that is the home of all the Champ Car attendence experts .

[Methanolandbrats]

Why yes, as long as natural terrain road courses are being abandoned in favor of urban block parties because of "attendance", there must be attendance threads.

[cart7]

Why yes, as long as natural terrain road courses are being abandoned in favor of urban block parties because of "attendance", there must be attendance threads.

I agree, from what I'm seeing so far the attendance is pretty thin.

[nissan gtp]

main stands look full for the race

[fourrunner]

Crowd is just fine !

[RTKar]

Mexico City is in the middle of nowhere.

:rofl:

[NismoZ]

271,559 down from 350+ last year.

[oddlycalm]

The Rolex Grand Am proved it doesn't draw any better in Mexico than in the US. A pair of Atlantics races would have been a much better IMO.

oc

[stroker]

Is it possible the lack of any Mexican driver with a serious chance to win had something to do with it?

[FRANKY]

Is it possible the lack of any Mexican driver with a serious chance to win had something to do with it?

I doubt it.

[NismoZ]

22 million people, but only .25 mil can afford a ticket. Maybe the city should just open up the park for a nominal fee and sell FOOD! Should be some profit in that.

[Sean O'Gorman]

Is it possible the lack of any Mexican driver with a serious chance to win had something to do with it?

Undoubtedly. Do you think all those Mexicans went to the NASCAR race because they are big stock car fans?

[NismoZ]

And their guy qualified on the POLE! What an amazing stroke of LUCK!!

[racer2c]

271,559 down from 350+ last year.

271K +, Champ Car is DOOMED! WHAT are WE to DO? :cry:

[Dr. Corkski]

I doubt it.Correct. They were obviously boycotting the race because of the RHR firing. :gomer:

[NismoZ]

Gee,2c, you've never overreacted before! :D I just don't want to see too many more lose 23% from year to year. (fake construction reasons or not)

[racer2c]

Ah shucks, thanx for readin'. :gomer:

So in five years at a drop of 23% per year that will still be twice as big as your average IRL race. :gomer:

[NismoZ]

See, that silver lining is always there if we look hard enough. I just took a 25% cut in pay, but I still make more than my wife! ;)