Will Bernie and Mad Max Get “Cold Feet?”

10th June 2006

Will Bernie and Mad Max Get “Cold Feet?”

posted in Commentary, Formula One, NASCAR |

Iceland MotoPark Keep in mind this post is offered with tongue slightly in cheek. But all things considered, anything is possible. Whats “considered?”

Both Bernie and Mad Max over the last few years have postulated expanding Fi’s reach to non-traditional racing venues. Some have come to pass such as Turkey and Bahrain. Others still remain at the dreamer stage like, of all places, Tulsa Oklahoma. Las Vegas, India, South Africa and Mexico, among others, have all been on F1’s wish list.

But why dream about mostly non-existent venues? If it’s “non-traditional” they want why shouldn’t Bernie and Mad Max think waaaaay outside the box (maybe that should read “icebox”) and consider a venue that exists and has just signed a deal with UK motorsport specialist Carlin Motorsport Ltd. The Carlin Motorsport Academy will focus on training drivers, engineers and mechanics to assist in the future development of motorsport.

Welcome to Iceland MotoPark. Don’t let the artist’s rendering provided above fool you, the place actually exists. Proof is provided not only by the Carlin signing but also by this photo gallery.

It’s that image depicting the track lit under the glow of the Northern Lights that got me thinking “non-traditional.” If the powers that be in F1 want to break ranks, throw caution to the wind why not an F1 event in Iceland, in the winter, and under the Northern Lights.

Yes I know it’s cold, damn cold from my six month experience living there under orders of the U.S. Navy.

But Iceland produces more thermal energy than anyplace on earth. Enough to heat all the fan seating areas, and the paddock area with enough left over to supply hot latte’s to the paparazzi, Pit Babes and various and sundry other hangers-on. The only ones left out in the cold would be the drivers and frankly I could care less. They complain about the cockpits being hot anyway, let those screaming V8’s provide for their comfort.

So wadda-ya think? I think it has some “merit,” and in the larger scheme of things it need not be restricted to just F1. We already know, for fact, that HWSBO has designs on ruling the world so it stands to reason the “taxi cab” drivers shouldn’t be left out in the cold… er, shut out of the Iceland MotoPark.

Someone pinch me, I think I dozed off for a minute.

Iceland, F1, Formula One, NASCAR, NEXTEL Cup, Iceland MotoPark, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 10th, 2006 at 8:26 pm and is filed under Commentary, Formula One, NASCAR. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

1 On June 11th, 2006, Luke said:#

Let’s jump to it Mark. Shall we? This will be long, so I apologize upfront.

1) What’s wrong with Tulsa?

Granted it isn’t the normal location one thinks about, but hey, you never know. Can’t say though that I’ve heard anything about a track up there though, but that doesn’t mean anything. I watch News 9, and Gary England out of Oklahoma City.
Tulsa is getting its act together, and there are some nice things to do up there. Their aquarium that opened a couple years back is very nice, and a great place for the family.

However, truth be known, Oklahoma City is still a decade or more ahead of it.

Nascar’s problem with the area, one would assume, is that Texas is a couple hours south, and KC a couple hours north. With the already packed schedule, there you have it.

However, for F1, it could be quite an investment. They would be the big shots, and residing in a somewhat untapped market. I guess it could make sense, and will definitely be interesting to follow.

2) Navy, huh? Navy???

I cut it short at 10, and my goatee is finally starting to grow in nicely.
Have to say though, that the hair ended up staying short. After about 6 weeks past a normal cut it just plain annoyed me.

I would assume some tours in Norfolk, maybe we crossed paths at some point. With all the bullring visit’s, did you happen to make it down 58 to South Hampton? I loved that place. I was deeply saddened to see it have to close its doors. A 4/10th mile version of Richmond, some great racing, and the dogs were good too.

3) Iceland for F1?

That would make an interesting race, not to mention in that capacity quite the eye-catching event too.

posted on June 11th, 2006 at 11:29 pm

2 On June 12th, 2006, Marc said:#

Nothing wrong with Tulsa Luke, it just hasn’t had the press and reputation as a mecca for motorsports, at least not on the World stage. Personnely I believe any race track is a good race track. If you read the link referring to Tulsa the rumor of a track there is based on some un-named source

A little over twenty years in “the canoe club” was enough for me. With the exception of my short stay in Iceland (controlling P-3 recon and SAR flights) and some schools attended in the Norfolk area all my time was spent on the West Coast.

But it did give me the chance to take in a couple events at South Hampton, 4 cup events at Richmond, 2 at Martinsville, plus South Boston and Virginia International Raceway.

BTW, I “hit a razor” about once every 6 months and my hair is shoulder length much to the wife’s consternation.

posted on June 12th, 2006 at 5:21 am

3 On June 13th, 2006, Luke said:#

Man, great times at South Hampton. If I had to peg one thing I miss about that area, that’s it. Well, that and all the tracks in the area close enough to drive to. We made it to Richmond and Martinsville twice a year for the 6 seasons I was out there, and also would throw in a Dover, Charlotte, Rockingham, Darlington, Atlanta, and once to Talladega.

I don’t know about where you are, but it’s too darn hot in Oklahoma for much hair. Maybe this fall, maybe not.

I finished out my time at Tacamo. Being around planes, I’m sure you’ve probably heard of it. It was interesting, and a learning experience, but there’s something about an early morning sunrise back on the fantail with a couple buddies deep in discussion about this or that, and the deep blue background that I’ll miss. Granted, the politics of it they can keep.
You’re right, Tulsa hasn’t a thing to do with racing. In a sense, that’s what makes even the thought of it almost genius. The fanbase is here, it’s just untapped. The biggest you’re going to get is a little dirt track here of there, but that isn’t a bad thing. However, the closest Nascar weekly series is up at I-70 Speedway east of KC. If they’re even still running there. This area is overlapped for big time Nascar, so F1 could come in and run the town.

I’d be there, but not near as quick as I was to the IRL race at Texas. I’ll watch Ms. Patrick all day. Extremely talented driver there… and I’ll leave it at that.

posted on June 13th, 2006 at 12:18 pm

4 On June 13th, 2006, Marc said:#

I grew up in Michigan and at that time the state had over 40 short tracks within it’s borders. At present I think the number is around 30. Plus I was within easy distence of all the Ohio and Indiana tracks. The reality was I could catch a stock car, midget or super modified event every day of the week and sometimes twice a day.

As far as where I am, lets just say I have one race track on any of it’s 7000 thousand islands. Batangas Raceway, Batangas, Philippines. It’s about 20 miles south-west of me.

Oops almost forgot. There is Subic International Speedway at the old Subic Navy base. I was just up there about a month ago to run my 240Z around a couple times and take the kids to PI’s version of Sea World.

posted on June 13th, 2006 at 3:25 pm

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