A1GP Laguna Seca race flooded out

[cameraman]

Due to flood damage to the track the A1GP race has been cancelled.

Several of the run off areas have been washed out by the recent rains and track officials have declared the course unsafe.

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=27251



Hopefully this is just an excuse to cancel it due to lack of ticket sales.

Anybody know if the track really is damaged?

[pchall]

Hopefully this is just an excuse to cancel it due to lack of ticket sales.

Anybody know if the track really is damaged?

No idea if the rains have done any damage. But, like you, I think this is just the cover for no ticket sales. Afterall, if the fans wouldn't come out for a CART or CCWS weekend in recent years, why would anybody spend anything on A1GP?

[Classic Apex]

A1 Grand Prix Gives Green Light to USA Race at Laguna Seca



Organisers of the A1 Grand Prix series have confirmed the A1 Grand Prix of Nations, California, USA, scheduled to run at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on 10-12 March 2006 will go ahead as planned.


An initial inspection of the track by A1 Grand Prix officials raised concerns over the volume of rain that has fallen over recent weeks, hindering the on-going preparation of the facility for the penultimate round of the World Cup of Motorsport. Following substantial discussions with Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, A1 Grand Prix have been assured that Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca officials will do everything within their control to prepare the track for the A1 Grand Prix of Nations.


‘Despite challenges brought on by the prevailing weather conditions, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is confident that the track will be presented to the necessary standard required to host an A1 Grand Prix event,’ stated A1GP chief operating officer, David Clare. ‘We will now continue to work with the circuit to ensure the US race meets the impeccable standards dictated by A1GP.’

[Opposite Lock]

cheap PR stunt, ala, say, "Tony Cottman Fired as RD"?

[theunions]

Per Despain on Windbag, Herta told him today as far as he knew, the race was still on.

[RichK]

Anybody know if the track really is damaged?

It was pretty bad last month:

http://gotbluemilk.com/web060117/33/images/MF1A0749.JPG

[Easy]

It would help if they didn't use so much beach sand.

[jonovision_man]

It was pretty bad last month:

http://gotbluemilk.com/web060117/33/images/MF1A0749.JPG

That couldn't have ended well! :eek:

[Dr. Corkski]

I blame IMS. :gomer:

[cameraman]

O ye of little faith

http://gotbluemilk.com/web060117/33/images/MF1A0751.JPG



http://gotbluemilk.com/web060117/33/images/MF1A0752.JPG



http://gotbluemilk.com/web060117/33/images/MF1A0753.JPG



http://gotbluemilk.com/web060117/33/images/MF1A0754.JPG

[Spicoli]

wow.

[RacinM3]

Actually, it's the way Laguna does things in the winter. They dig out areas off-track for better drainage during wet weather. Then, when the rainy season ends, they fill them back in. There are areas, especially on the outide of turn 9, where if you go off in the summer, you just slide through the dirt. Go off there in the winter, and there's an exposed culvert that'll put you on your lid.

[FCYTravis]

It's BS.

"Official word from Mike Smith SFR RE is:

1. The Spec Miata Challenge Race for this weekend is cancelled and will not be rescheduled even if A1GP gets its act together.

2. As of now SFR will not work the race in support and that will only change if (a) we see the money and (b) we see their insurance as we have cancelled our insurance when we cancelled the SMC race. A1GP has made many promises to us about money and contracts and delivered on none. We have been told so many stories by A1GP that we were going to nominate them for a script award at the Oscars. I should point out with regard to the insurance that their cars were seized in Durban over insurance payments."

[jonovision_man]

wow.

Agreed. :)

[Spicoli]

It's BS.

"Official word from Mike Smith SFR RE is:

1. The Spec Miata Challenge Race for this weekend is cancelled and will not be rescheduled even if A1GP gets its act together.

2. As of now SFR will not work the race in support and that will only change if (a) we see the money and (b) we see their insurance as we have cancelled our insurance when we cancelled the SMC race. A1GP has made many promises to us about money and contracts and delivered on none. We have been told so many stories by A1GP that we were going to nominate them for a script award at the Oscars. I should point out with regard to the insurance that their cars were seized in Durban over insurance payments."

David Clare was in charge of developing the twice defunct korea race for CCWS. Now he's in charge of this.


you make the call.... :shakehead

(Sad because I like David)

[FCYTravis]

Looks like someone's check cleared.

"The San Francisco Region just received confirmation that the A1GP is back on at Laguna Seca this weekend. To quote Mike Smith, "We are doing this to support Laguna which is caught in the middle." SFR just today received funds and contracts from A1GP and we are awaiting insurance certificates. If the insurance certificates are not received, SFR will purchase insurance to ensure our coverage."

[Spicoli]

Looks like someone's check cleared.

"The San Francisco Region just received confirmation that the A1GP is back on at Laguna Seca this weekend. To quote Mike Smith, "We are doing this to support Laguna which is caught in the middle." SFR just today received funds and contracts from A1GP and we are awaiting insurance certificates. If the insurance certificates are not received, SFR will purchase insurance to ensure our coverage."

Ain't racin cool? :rofl:

The sad, the mad the bad, and those that can't add..... :p

[Spicoli]

OK Jim, I will answer your question. :p



http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71977

Today, 07:52 PM

Jim Wilke

David Clare/A1GP question

David Clare was hired, if memory serves, by Chris Pook primarily because of his experience in the Orient and his close relationship with Bernie. OWRS/CC kept him on to orchestrate their Pacific Rim strategy at Ansan and Beijing. However, I see in the releases regarding their off-again, on-again race at Laguna, David Clare is being identified as the CEO of A1GP. When did this happen and does this mark a change in direction for CC?

David grew tired of the BS surrounding Ansan. The deal was bad to begin with, and he finally bailed. He attended to a sick parent back in Englad, and then this dealio came up. Not sure how long or how much real authority he has, but he is there as CEO of A1GP.

sorry they didn't tell you about it. :cry:

:gomer:

(And why didn't they tell ___king Tony?)

[racer2c]

I'm on pins and needles waiting until I can read about how LS master Bryan Herta showed why he's a world class racer on some b-rate website three weeks after the race. Ah, must be just like the old days. :gomer:

[dando]

Free tix if you want 'em (no red hat required :gomer: ):

http://usa.a1gp.com/index.php

-Kevin

[High Sided]

I blame IMS. :gomer:
:rofl: :D :rofl: