GPWizard F1 Forum

F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => Topic started by: Scott on November 02, 2017, 07:30:39 PM

Title: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Scott on November 02, 2017, 07:30:39 PM
Seems it might be cheaper and more fun to go to the Mexican race, and people in the southern US are being attracted to the race on the other side of the wall at the expense of the Texas race. 

The Mexicans are balking at it mainly because June is rainy season and that would impact their race.  They don't have to, because their contract has it between the Austin race and Brazil. 

I have a solution - either move the US race back to Indy where it would have a different local audience and not people as likely to go to Mexico instead (and a better track and venue).  Or move the date on the Austin race to June.

http://www.planetf1.com/news/mexico-wont-agree-to-us-date-switch-request/
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: cosworth151 on November 02, 2017, 08:35:43 PM
Austin in June would be way too hot. Indy was originally in October but moved to June in 2004 so that it could be back to back with Montreal. That was done to keep travel costs down.
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Jericoke on November 03, 2017, 04:29:03 PM
Austin in June would be way too hot. Indy was originally in October but moved to June in 2004 so that it could be back to back with Montreal. That was done to keep travel costs down.

This isn't the first incidence of close races competing for the same fans.  Now that Bernie isn't pitting promoters against one-another, maybe close races can come up with ticket packages that encourages fans to go to both.
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Alianora La Canta on November 03, 2017, 10:33:36 PM
I don't think that would work here, with Mexican fans often not being in a position to pay to attend two races (let alone so close together) and 90% of Americans not having a passport (so wouldn't go to Mexico despite being perfectly capable of affording it).
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Dare on November 03, 2017, 11:31:06 PM
Mexico City isn't right across the US borders and with
the cartel's many Americans wouldn't feel safe traveling
half way thru Mexico to see the race. Besides that it looks
like the most fun GP to see
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Scott on November 04, 2017, 10:04:48 AM
90% of Americans not having a passport

Really?  Is that accurate?  Americans used to go across to Mexico to buy gas and groceries if they lived within 100miles of the border (like Canadians do, to the US).  I find it astounding that 90% of Americans don't have passports considering how inexpensive travel has become.
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Jericoke on November 04, 2017, 01:02:50 PM
I don't think that would work here, with Mexican fans often not being in a position to pay to attend two races (let alone so close together) and 90% of Americans not having a passport (so wouldn't go to Mexico despite being perfectly capable of affording it).

I thought the issue was that both races were trying to draw from the same audience?

If it's different people attending the races, then there is no reason to move the dates.
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Dare on November 04, 2017, 01:16:18 PM
90% of Americans not having a passport

Really?  Is that accurate?  Americans used to go across to Mexico to buy gas and groceries if they lived within 100miles of the border (like Canadians do, to the US).  I find it astounding that 90% of Americans don't have passports considering how inexpensive travel has become.
[/quot


You used to not have a passport to travel to Mexico or Canada...is that
still the law?
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: cosworth151 on November 04, 2017, 02:30:48 PM
Prior to 9/11, I never needed a passport to go to either Canada or Mexico.
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Scott on November 04, 2017, 04:37:02 PM
That’s true, I recall just needing your drivers license to head over to the Drink ‘til ya Drop bars in Niagara Falls, NY when we were in college
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Dare on November 05, 2017, 01:36:04 AM
I think most people here only get a passport if
 their taking a vacation over seas not have a
passport lying around just in case
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Scott on November 05, 2017, 07:06:56 AM
I guess I've learned the hard way that it is better to have a passport ready so you can go on a trip quickly planned rather than have the wait time in getting one interfere with those plans.  Having an always current passport costs about $40/year (Canadian)
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Dare on November 05, 2017, 03:10:47 PM
I guess part of it here is traveling state to state is
about the same as traveling country to country in
Europe. Anyone know how long it takes to get a
passport in the US?
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Jericoke on November 05, 2017, 07:50:00 PM
Prior to 9/11, I never needed a passport to go to either Canada or Mexico.

It was nice when visiting the USA was a friendly experience.  Now it's the inquisition.  Terrorists may not have won, but that's a solid score  :'(
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Dare on November 06, 2017, 12:27:53 AM
Depends where you go in the US Jeri....I would guess
all towns have parts you'd be advised to stay out of.
There's parts here I won't work in.
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Jericoke on November 06, 2017, 02:23:43 AM
Depends where you go in the US Jeri....I would guess
all towns have parts you'd be advised to stay out of.
There's parts here I won't work in.

I'm just referring to crossing the border.  It used to be friendly, what's going on, what're you going to buy, have a nice day.  Now it's a thousand questions: who do I know, what's my job, how long have I had it, how long will I be in the USA etc.  If they sold fat girl clothes in Canada at a decent price, I probably wouldn't visit the USA at all, the hassle is annoying.

I find Americans to be just as friendly as Canadians, or anyone else really.  Anyone who is out to portray one nationality as more 'friendly' than others is really being a jerk who hasn't bothered to get to know people.
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: cosworth151 on November 06, 2017, 02:28:43 PM
I agree with Jeri on that. Most everyplace I've traveled, the regular folks I've met were mostly cheerful & friendly.

When the Canadian GP at Montreal and the USGP at Indy were back to back in June, some of the drivers and other F1 folks would ride motorcycles from one venue to the other. Here's a pix I took of Jarno Trulli rolling into The Speedway on a Harley at the start of the 2007 F1 weekend.
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Alianora La Canta on November 08, 2017, 02:26:52 AM
90% of Americans not having a passport

Really?  Is that accurate?  Americans used to go across to Mexico to buy gas and groceries if they lived within 100miles of the border (like Canadians do, to the US).  I find it astounding that 90% of Americans don't have passports considering how inexpensive travel has become.

The USA, as a whole, has nearly 400 million people in it. 10% holding passports is still a lot of people able to border-hop for petrol and other cheap goods (and enjoy the other perks of international travel).

Though a quick look at the map I just saw on re-checking the questions shows I was waaaaaaay too low anyway (worth linking just to show which states have the largest amount of passport-holders (https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/09/post_662_n_833399.html)). Hint: when the lowest category on the map is "below 20%" and only one state meets the criterion, an average of 10% is probably wrong ;) Thanks for spotting my error, Scott.

Also, scott, that is one cool photo of Jarno!
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Scott on November 08, 2017, 01:58:12 PM
I’ll pass the credit for the photo to Cos for that one ;)
Title: Re: US Race organizers want the Mexican race date changed
Post by: Alianora La Canta on November 10, 2017, 11:37:40 PM
I’ll pass the credit for the photo to Cos for that one ;)

 :fool: Sorry, Cos!
SimplePortal 2.3.6 © 2008-2014, SimplePortal
Menu Editor Pro 1.0 | Copyright 2013, Matthew Kerle