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IndyCar
INDYCAR: China Race Cancelled
A changing of the political guard proved to be the undoing of INDYCAR's race in China, which was officially canceled Wednesday.
After the city of Qingdao failed to pay INDYCAR its sanction fee on multiple occasions, Randy Bernard had no choice but to call off what would have been the series' first visit to China. (Photo: LAT)
A changing of the political guard proved to be the undoing of INDYCAR's race in China, which was officially canceled Wednesday.
"Everything was moving forward as planned until the new mayor took office on March 28 and he didn't want to have a race at the same time as the Beer Festival,'' said INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard of the race scheduled on the streets of Qingdao for Aug. 19.
Tony Cotman, who designs and oversees new venues for INDYCAR, spent the past year and a half laying out the track and working with officials in the city of 10 million.
INDYCAR has four forseeable options: replacing China, just going with 16 races for 2012, pursuing a law suit since INDYCAR had a contract or there could be the possibility of trying again in 2013.
"We're weighing our options on the future in China and replacing it is one of our primary options,'' said Bernard.
The loss of China leaves a hole in the middle of August on the IZOD INDYCAR series calendar and it's believed title sponsor IZOD's contract demands 16 races.
Speculation on replacement races has ranged from trying to go back on an oval at Kentucky, Chicago, Michigan, Pocono or Phoenix to parterning with ALMS at Elkhart Lake on Aug. 19 or tagging along with Grand Am at Laguna Seca on Sept. 9. One owner also suggested a stand alone race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the road course.
“We are working with our promoters that host events in the second half of our calendar to keep them apprised of how the date of a potential new race could impact our current schedule,” he said.
Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.
"Everything was moving forward as planned until the new mayor took office on March 28 and he didn't want to have a race at the same time as the Beer Festival,'' said INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard of the race scheduled on the streets of Qingdao for Aug. 19.
Tony Cotman, who designs and oversees new venues for INDYCAR, spent the past year and a half laying out the track and working with officials in the city of 10 million.
INDYCAR has four forseeable options: replacing China, just going with 16 races for 2012, pursuing a law suit since INDYCAR had a contract or there could be the possibility of trying again in 2013.
"We're weighing our options on the future in China and replacing it is one of our primary options,'' said Bernard.
The loss of China leaves a hole in the middle of August on the IZOD INDYCAR series calendar and it's believed title sponsor IZOD's contract demands 16 races.
Speculation on replacement races has ranged from trying to go back on an oval at Kentucky, Chicago, Michigan, Pocono or Phoenix to parterning with ALMS at Elkhart Lake on Aug. 19 or tagging along with Grand Am at Laguna Seca on Sept. 9. One owner also suggested a stand alone race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the road course.
“We are working with our promoters that host events in the second half of our calendar to keep them apprised of how the date of a potential new race could impact our current schedule,” he said.
Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.
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