motorsport travel news - Archive 04-06
Here's some motorsport venue news that I've collected in my research for grand prix cities over the years. Here's the 2004 collection. From here you can go back in the history of this fine website and you'll find tidbits of travel information, exciting changes to motorsport schedules especially venues and other website news that might be of interest for the sports traveler, a kind of blog of thoughts and ambitions. Of interest might be if some of my predictions are true. Not many consultants want their chrystal balls out in the open, but here goes. Knock your self out. If you've got some news that you'd like me to add to the current news page, let me know via the contact link in the left column. Godspeed on your motorsport adventures! Cvetko Ostroznik.
This is an News Archive page: Find current Motorsport Travel News
News Appears in Reverse Chronological Order. First news is last on this page.
'04 NEWS ARCHIVE MENU
January .
February .
March (this page) .
April .
May .
June .
July-December
motorsport travel news archive march 04
March 2004
> * 032804:
> News from several sources on the ground in Bahrain tell me that ticket sales have been on the slow side for the event. Perhaps that's why they had to give away 16,000 to local students, however, the Ministry are expecting 100,000 visitors to Bahrain because of the race. The circuit is certainly finished, creating a truly world class venue. Tickets in the Main grandsstand are going for around BD 132 (approx $350USD, compared to around $160USD for a similar ticket at Indianapolis. I hear that a chemical solution is currently being sprayed around the venue, it is to act as a kind of glue. It will be sprayed on the sand in the hope of preventing sandstorms, which if they occur, could make the track a scating rink. Further there is massive gouging going on for apartment space with many landlords holding their properties off the market until this week to exploit international travelers to the tune of up to $5,000US per night for a place to stay - an upshot of the organizers botched plans to create temporary accommodation (through huge 300 person tents and cruise liners). Still, it's an achievement that they have got to this point one week before the race, since I hear there was a time where they contemplated cancelling the first event because they feared not being ready. The event has created so many challenges for the circuit and the tiny island kingdom. Of course I wish them the very best with this event and all future at the impressive circuit. Going? Write a review for grand prix cities. Contact me via the link in the left column. Find best hotels in Bahrain and nearby Saudi Arabia
.
What a great success my Australian visit was this year! Interviews with F1 Drivers and WSBK riders, perfect weather, a lovely tan. I'll try to forget the V8 Supercar snub for interviews. Maybe next year they'll "see the light" and invite me to report on Adelaide. But now alas it's time to say goodbye and hit the sky for the U.S. and Fontana Speedway and a scheduled interview with multiple AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin on the way to home for a well earned break from exhaust fumes before returning to SoCal for the 30th running of the Long Beach Grand Prix. Those of you who are headed that way for the weekend 2-4 April, 2004, will have a full contingent of cool motor related things to do (Heck, why do you think I'm headed there!) Not only is the circuit putting on bike test laps, pocket bike events, and the double header race, but in Nearby Los Angeles you can visit the awesome SEMA show International Auto Salon, or drop in on the first weekend of cruises that will keep Southern California busy all through Spring, Summer and Part of Fall. Of note, this coming weekend, are the High dessert roadrunners April Fool's Run - Balsam St., Ridgecrest and the Goodguys 3rd Eagle One Del Mar National, Del Mar. See you at all of them! Find Los Angeles and Long Beach California Hotels as well as (and this is a good tip for accommodations during any Long Beach GP weekend) Hotels near LAX
> * 032704: Had a most wonderful day visiting the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. Managed to get WSBK rider interviews with some of the top names in the WSBK and Supersport paddock, including Troy Corser, Pier Francesco Chili, Chirs Walker, Chris Vermeulen, James Toseland, Gianluca Nanelli... Interviews will be up in the next few days, hopefully as soon as I get over the jetlag I'm sure to pic up on my way to L.A. for the AMA Superbikes. Check out my set of pit lane pictures on my Phillip Island Guide Page (Linnk above) . Just too cool to be afforded such wonderful oportunities, including sitting in the pit and watching team Renegade Ducati pull Leon Haslam's gravel filled bike to bits over the course of an hour and hearing first hand NItro Noriyuki Haga's reaction to the news that the champaign bottle from the Valencia round was being auctioned on Ebay for $500US. (unprintable and lots of it in Japanese). The kind of day a race fan lives for. Thanks to all at Phillip Island, the World Superbike Administration (FGSPORT) and teams, and Chris' Coach who delivered me there safe sound and early. What a truly memorable blast!
> * 032504: F1 teams headed for Bahrain for the ingural event there next weekend are under strict orders to contain their movements, and not to venture far into the city of el Manama or into crowds, reports London Mirror website. This is all too scary, particularly after the British Foreign Office warned yesterday of "a high threat of terrorism against western, including British targets, on the island state." Follow the link above to the full story with quotes and efforts made to ensure the security of the fans and drivers at the ground breaking first international top level motorsport event in an Arabic country.
If you're headed for The Grand Prix of Long Beach on the weekend of April 18, 2004, remember to visit the "Tecate Thunder Thursday on Pine", a street party held on a stretch of the circuit's Pine Avenue, between 1st and 2rd Streets, on, as the name suggests, the Thursday before the event from 3-10pm. The day's event will feature live performances by Zander and Cinderglass, bands known for their eclectic mix of rich vocals and funk rock, and D.J. Tony Remix will provide entertainment and a pitstop demonstration by the Newman-Haas ChampCar OWRS Team. Who knows who you might see there. :) See 031904 below for information about the "Rock and Roar" weekend concert also held at the circuit that weekend.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the 6 people who tragically died in a plane accident this week. The couples were returning from last week's Darlington Raceway NASCAR event. The plane was found after being missing since the weekend.
> Orlando Sentinal reports that as Daytona International Speedway is developed and revamped over the next few years. That big wad of water taking up 1/4 of the infield is planned to be transformed into a beach! Cool. That's one way to help catch the trout that spawn in there! NASCAR racing and Fishing. Is there a better combo?
> Five legendary names from the Indianapolis 500 will assume their place among racing legends May 21 at the 2004 Auto Racing Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. The event is taking place at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown in conjunction with the annual "500" Oldtimers' Club Banquet. Indianapolis 500-winning drivers Emerson Fittipaldi and Tom Sneva, and team owner John Zink are expected to attend the ceremony, while driver Mark Donohue and team owner Lindsey Hopkins will be inducted posthumously. Find Indianapolis 500 Tickets
> * 032404:Back to Melbourne, (where I hear there's been another gangland killing, number 22!) ahead of a trip to the World Superbike event at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, where international motorsport media is much more cordially received than by Adelaide Clipsal 500 street race organizers. Looking forward to a swag of interviews that I'll write up on the flight back to the States immediately after. Stay tuned. Been on the road 6 weeks now looking forward to seeing home for a few days after the AMA superbikes in Fontana, California on the 2-4, April. Look forward also to a BIG HUGE MASSIVE (just wait!) announcement about the future of the "fan in a suitcase" world tour soon after that event.
> I'm hearing rumours (I'll spell it the way Aussies do) about the Australian F1 Grand Prix being held in April in 2006 so as not to lose any more fans from their numbers because of the Commonwealth Games Melbourne will stage during the usual March date for the race.
> Which grand prix city venue sells more souvenirs than any other? HINT: The place sold 3 million dollars worth of NASCAR stuff during it's 2003 event and because of recent legal hassling (and maybe because of spectacular sale of stuff) may soon announce a SECOND Nextel Cup Event for 2005? Click here for the answer
> Had the opportunity to meet with Garry McCoy, ex-MotoGP legend and now WSBK rider, at the Melbourne Ducati dealership today. Along with a slew of other Superbike rider interviews when I get to the track at Phillip Island tomorrow.
> Pike's Peak International Raceway pitches a Nextel NASCAR event to add to it's Busch and IndyCar racing on it's 2005 calendar. Source: TCPalm.com
> * 032004: Found a $120 Australian Dollar bus ride from Melbourne to Adelaide for the SuperV8 race there, but the local organizers decided in their wisdom that they didn't want any international exposure for the race so they weren't nearly as welcoming to the grandprixcities fan in a suitcase world tour as the people of Adelaide were. Pity, there are some fine and very talented racers in the series that probably might have had some great race travel stories to share with you. Thanks greatly to buds Terry and Gerry for the couch and the cold beer!
> I thought I had trouble getting around until I saw this story about NASCAR multiple champ Jeff Gordon's awful experience with intrusive and rather rude papparazi in Cincinnati, Ohio. Check it out. Poor Jeffy. Next time take your St. Christopher medal! I always do.
> * 031904: This year's Tecate Rock'n'Roar Concert at the Champ Car Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach will feature popular band, Everclear. The concert will begin at approximately 5:15 p.m. Saturday (041704) on the stage in front of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center facing Ocean Blvd, and is free for all ticket holders attending Saturday's events at the track. Bands who have played in the past include Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind, and Gin Blossoms. Sounds like fun, and don't forget to check out the Automobile Club of Southern California Lifestyle Expo, which is an annual event. Tickets for the weekend/concert are available at official website and are available from Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach's downtown ticket office, located at 430 East First Street in Long Beach, between Elm and Linden Streets, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. I'll definately see you somewhere during that weekend!
> In more Champ Car news, the Grand Prix of Denver is saved at the last minute!
> Here's news for those of you headed to the opening round of the Motorcycle Grand Prix (South African MotoGP) in Welkom on April 18, 2004. A coach and train service will be available to the MotoGP for race fans from Pretoria Station , reports news24.com. For Train and bus bookings, or to find out more about schedules, costs and tours, call Linda at JB Tours on (011) 913 2442 or fax: (011) 913-0552 or e-mail: info@jbtours.co.za. Ticke Tell her you read about it on grandprixcities. ts to the Grand Prix can be purchased at the gate, Computicket outlets or online at racemakers.com.
> * 031804: Still soaking up the rays in Melbourne, Australia after the F1GP and ahead of the WSBK race at Phillip Island so things are a little slow coming. The days are made to order, even though there's an ongoing drought and rather vicious drug war going on here. Still, here's an update:
> I've added Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (which rock) dates to my Motorsport Events Calendar pages. I've also given the series it's own DTM schedule page for you purists out there!
> The Imola Circuit near Bologna I hear has asked the Italian government to cough up the cash to update the track so that they can continue to have F1 races there. As you may have read earlier in the news page (below somewhere) 2004 is rumoured to be the last such event held at the track where Ayrton sadly lost his life just on 10 years ago. Find F1 Circuit Hotels here
> New grandprixcities contributor and friend, Canadian bike rider Tim Johnson has done a little leg work and found that the official site for French Grand Prix at Le Mans MotoGP tickets. See also my Le Mans Guide with hotels near Le Mans France, nearest Airport, tickets and other handy links for racing travelers. As always, feel free to contribute info, stories, pics etc from your race travel adventures. Use the contact link left column.
> Everybody's favorite (well almost everybody) NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is to drive a Corvette at American Le Mans Series Event at Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, California July 16-18, 2004. And here's another reason to attend one of the world's premier door banging spectacles, Infineon Raceway will offer a special discounted ticket offer related to Earnhardt Jr.'s appearance during the race weekend. Fans can purchase a ticket for Friday's racing action for $8. Also in honor of Earnhardt Jr., there will be an $8 discount for a full-weekend pass ($42). Ticket info is available online at www.infineonraceway.com and www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-870-RACE.
> I hear the Bahraini International Circuit is now open and someone thought the race'd look a little more populated for the throngs of TV audiences if 7,500 cheering students were given free tickets to attend the inaugural F1 event in 2 weeks time. To stop the kids selling the tickets (perhaps because they didn't want them since F1 is so uncool these days) they weren't given them, but given a promise of entry to the track for the race weekend if they signed on at the uni, which I understand is only a short way from the track. Perhaps they'd have had 7,500 more paying customers if they hadn't messed up the temporary accommodation situation. I really hope the destination doesn't become another Sepang!
> * 031404: Added AMA Superbikes schedule with links to the city guides relating to races of this spectacular racing series.
> Local lawyer says he can organize a Cleveland Style Airport Grand Prixat the Martin County Airport in Palm Beach, Florida! Look forward to that one. It's not F1 or ChampCar though. I wonder what sort of racing it might be? Find a Florida HOtel here
> * 031004: Added press release re the winners of the trick Chevrolet competion at the Indianapolis Sema show last weekend. Don't forget also the Atlantic City SEMA Show will be held May 21-23, 2004. Find World Auto Show Calendar here.
> * 030904: FINALLY, Most of the final Champ Car Schedule has been released. Sadly, St. Pete hasn't been given a date (yet) to make up for its loss of the opening round, but the new calendar includes Seoul, Korea, and the usual wonderful Canadian Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. Season ends in..... Mexico City. Party! Party! Party! Read my exclusive Champ Car driver interviews
Finished work on my Monaco Monte Carlo Race Fan Travel guide and Monaco stuff to do page.
> * 030704: The Australian Formula One Grand Prix is done, and while for my money I've seen more exciting sack races in kindergarten playgrounds, the result (no brainer?) will forever slant racing history still further. See below for my stories filed from the very long trip (23 hours on a plane) to see a very tiresome Veterans Day parade. I must say that again the event was wonderfully organized, egress and degress were flawless, and for once in 3 years (perhaps more) rain didn't come teaming down on the estimated 120,0000 Sunday crowd (numbers were up 12,000 over the entire weekend) for the morning ahead of the race, although the sky was a steel grey all day, which I'm sure saved many a northern hemisphere traveler from possible sun stroke and severe burning that other March Sunday afternoons in Melbourne have been noteworthy for. Congratulations also to Fernando, and hard luck Takuma San. Here's hoping that your days in the sun will soon begin and a sense of competition may soon return to the sport!
> Added EXLCUSIVE pictures of the current state of contstruction on the Kurtkoy Formula One Circuit in Turkey. (soon to be renamed Istanbul Park). And while the first race there may not be until 2005 or 2006, it looks like things are coming along very nicely with their preparations. Always happy to add a new destination to the list of possibles!
> Added a Donnington Park Circuit track map but its not just any old Trackmap. This one is customised.
> * 030604: Las Vegas Sun holds a list of NASCAR driver appearances at LVMS ahead of this weekend's NASCAR NEXTEL and NASCAR Busch and a very interesting report on how he Las Vegas NASCAR racing event has influenced tourism in sin city. Find Las Vegas Speedway Hotelshere
> Newsagency Reuters reports that Fundamentalist Islamists are aiming to ensure that the f1 race set for Bahrain International Circuit doesn't muddy the waters with tasteless Western Influences. Semi-clad women and champaigne spritzing are out. But according to the Reuters reports there can be no Israeli nationals allowed into the country. How this will effect race teams is a wonder. In related news, team principles in Melbourne are downplaying fears that terrorists may target the Bahrain event because of its high profile. We can only hope that all goes safely and the new race destination is a huge success.
> * 030504:
I'm fully installed in Melbourne, Australia ahead of the season opening Australian Formula One Grand Prix. Yesterday I had the privelige of attending the Media Only launch of the Minardi Team's F1 vehicle for 2004, the PS04b, and during the junket, I managed to interview all 4 Team F1 Minardi Drivers, and team Principal, Paul Stoddart. Fun on the road in Sunny Australia, see my pics.
Speaking of Australia, if you're keen on visiting, you can't do much better as a race fan than to visit the Phillip Island GP Circuit for W-SBK or MotoGP events held there! It rocks!
> Added news of the Long Beach Grand Prix Promotional Event to be held Tuesday, 8th March, featuring ChampCar OWRS drivers, exhibitions and Free Tickets. Speaking of Long Beach, with the long awaited opening race of the Champ Car series will also come the Long Beach Historic Grand Prix Event. Boy, am I looking forward to that come mid-April!
> * 030404:
Added info about the
> A hedge-laying Grand Prix? Will I need to add Lancashire and Westmorland to my list of destinations? Here's the Story from LakelandToday.co.uk
> * 030204: Added pictures of Toyota Tundra Craftsman Truck Testing out at Texas Motor Speedway last weekend. These pictures are exlcusive as Grandprixcities photographer, James C. Riley, was the only media member there! Folks thought he was spying, yeah, he was, for grand prix cities!
> Kyle Petty, Jimmie Johnson & Jeff Burton will appear at Atlanta Motor Speedway Speed Zone during NASCAR NEXTEL March 12-14 Golden Corral 500. Find NASCAR tickets
> * 030104:
More about the upcoming Atlanta NASCAR event: Camping spots still remain for March 12-14, 2004, NASCAR Golden Corral 500 weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, GA. There is still room left in the Legends campground, which features wider, more luxurious 25' x 45' camping spaces. The Legends campground is made up of rows named for some of the best in NASCAR racing, such as Allison Ave., Baker Blvd., Cale's Curve, Darrell Drive, Elliott's Edge, Fireball Fairway, Gordon Gorge, Harry's Hollow, Irvin Inlet, Jarrett Junction, Kulwicki Knoll and Labonte Lane. The Legends Campground is adjacent to Entrance E and is conveniently located near Gate 2 for East Turn Grandstand access, or near Gates 1 and 15 for frontstretch entrance. Spaces in this reserved lot are $125 and are going quickly.A very limited number of spaces remain in the coveted infield camping area. Infield camping spaces are sold on an annual basis and start at $210 for the year. This is the only way to be inside the ring of action for the entire Golden Corral 500 weekend.There will also be plenty of unreserved spaces for the Golden Corral 500 weekend. Those cannot be reserved through the ticket office, but they will be available through race weekend for $40. Call the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office now at (770) 946-4211 to reserve your camping spaces. Fans can purchase three-day weekend ticket packages for as little as $59 or single-day race tickets for as little as $25!!! See you there!
> NASCAR Racing at Rockingham, NC will come to a screeching halt? So says The Pilot newspaper out of North Carolina
> Will union action by local electricians effect the Australian Formula One Grand Prix to be held in Melbourne, Australia next weekend? So suggests the Herald Sun local newspaper
> Plans afoot to build a NASCAR standard track in Orgeon or South East Washington? Source: KGW.com
> In more Oregon News, finally a Champ Car Schedule is online, and for the 21st year running the series will race Portland Racewat, Oregon. Find Hotels near Portland International Raceway or Portland Airport Hotels PDX.
> NASCAR fans in Wisconsin, note: NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway's state-of-the-art racing simulators will be installed this summer at Paul Bunyan's, a popular tourist attraction
in in the Wisconsin Dells area. Read more about it at Businesswire.com Find Wisconsin Hotels
> Added Formula One USGP 2004 weekend schedule of events / timetable to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, as well as the public schedule of events for the Samsung/RadioShack 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series &
O'Reilly 300 NASCAR Busch Series
weekend on April 2-4, 2004 at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. Find Texas Motor Speedway Tickets here See also my guide to best Indianapolis Hotels here
Also
> Current Motor Sport Travel News
> world sports dates calendar - Sports Travel made easy with events schedule, tickets and hotels near venues !
> World International Auto Show Listings Dates and locations
> Current Cycle World International Motorcycle Show Dates (US)
For all guides listed alphabetically Click here
Please also stop to check out these central sitemap website links
Motorsport Travel Guides . Motorsport Hotels . Sports Tickets .
Hotels by grand prix cities