DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Grand Prix of 'meri-cuh! 2013 (New Jersey)

**strongjannabiz** · 06-16-2012, 10:17 PM

.. 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.

06-16-2012, 10:17 PM	#27
strongjannabiz Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 465 Senior Member	.. 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.
	Quote