Will Formula One ever come back to The Glen?

Question

Do you think Formula One will ever come back to Watkins Glen for The U.S. Grand Prix? The track made a resurgence when it was reopened in 1984 and scored The NASCAR series in '86 and recently IRL series. Minus the chiquane on the backstraight, and when the full course is used, it is hands down the greatest racetrack in the world.

I know there are politics involved but can't that be resolved for the greater good? I think it would be greatest spectacle ever if it did happen. Your thoughts?

Answer 1

Doubt it. Hopefully Indy again soon. But not Watkins Glen.

Answer 2

No, much like Mosport here in Canada (which was the home of the Canadian GP back when the US GP was run at Watkins Glen), the cars have advanced beyond what can be safely run at these tracks.  

The US GP was only removed from Watkins Glen after the 1980 race because at that point it became apparent that the track was not safe for the new and much faster ground effects cars of the day.  At the time the track was not refitted due to financial constraints, but in hind sight if they had redone the track it probably would have lost most of the characteristics that make it such a great course.

I saw my first live F1 race at Mosport in 1972 and my second later that year at Watkins Glen (Jody Sheckter's car stopped against the fence right in front of us when he spun after a brief rain shower had soaked turn one, which as anyone who has been to The Glen knows is a 90 degree right hander at the bottom of a hill).

Memories that I'll have forever and the start of my being a fan of F1 racing.

Both are great tracks but will never see F1 again.  I'd love to see the A1GP series come to both tracks.

Answer 3

Never heard of it.

Answer 4

Only if the owners dropped a few million to bring it up to F1 specs, which they have refused to do.

It's the traditional home of the USGP, and I would rather go there, than that abortion of a course at Indy.

The Glen always drew huge crowds.  

Besides the track improvements, some kind of better hotel situation would have to be found for the teams.  The Glen Motor Inn just doesn't cut it anymore.

Answer 5

Like Brands Hatch in England, Watkins Glen is a classic race track, that unfortunately will probably never be brought up to current F1 standards... The irony is that if these tracks were updated to that standard, it would probably ruin most of what is great about these circuits... It's sad that these great tracks are resigned to never having F1 cars on them again...

Answer 6

No. It would cost way too much to upgrade it to FIA standards. It's doubtful that a crowd big enough would show up to make it worth the expense. Indy spent a ton of money building a Formula1 track and the series is gone after only a few years. Watkins Glen is a great track, but I like Mid-Ohio a little better. Haven't yet been to VIR or Miller Motorsports park to form an opinion. If F1 returns to the US, I think a place like Las Vegas would be a better place to host an event. More flash and style than substance.