Re: Americans don't understand F1!?

["Paul Misencik" <paul@domain.elided>]

> And F1 MUST compete for a piece of this TeeVee
> money to survive (remember Bernie Ecclestone)!

F1 doesn't have any problem with television revenue as far as I know.  To
the best of my knowledge, they are not in any danger of failing due to lack
of television licensing revenue.  Quite the opposite, I believe.  Up until
this new deal with Speed Channel, the reason for the lack of television
coverage in the US was due to the fact that no network would pay the
astronomical fees that Bernie is charging.  And I wouldn't either.  The
viewership here is paltry in the extreme.  No viewers, no advertising
revenue.  No advertising revenue, no coverage.

So I don't think it's accurate to say the "F1 must compete".  It's a
quintessential "chicken and egg" scenario.  Without fanatic viewers, there's
no coverage, but without coverage, there's no chance to build fanatic
viewers.

It's the same with soccer.  The biggest sport in pretty much every nation on
the face of the earth except one.  Ours.  Would you argue that FIFA (the
world soccer governing body) must "compete for TV revenue" if they "want to
survive"?

There is no one to blame for the lack of F1 coverage in the United States
except ourselves.  I personally do not believe the racing is boring, even
when it is somewhat processional (which the opening race of this season most
certainly was not) any more than I believe a soccer match between Man U and
Liverpool is boring if it ends in a 0-0 draw.  It's the spectacle and the
passion and the subtleties of everything that's happening during the event
that continues to draw me in.  I'm sorry that more American's don't feel the
same way.

Paul Misencik
Huntersville, NC  28078
email: paul@domain.elided
www.paoloroman.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "rogerlaf" <rogerlaf@domain.elided>
To: <alfa-digest@domain.elided>
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2003 11:41 AM
Subject: FWD: Americans don't understand F1!?


> Gimme a break!
>
> I have a very clear understanding of Formula One, and its
> history and traditions. And so do other American F1 fans that I know. Been
a
> F1 fan, myself, for better than 40 years!!!
>
> Let's face it; it IS boring!
> How can I say that!? It's like stabbing myself in the heart I've been
> such an F1 fan. IMHO modern technology has taken much of the enjoyment and
> excitement out of all of the major racing series - "The World Championship
of
> Drivers" included! A natural evolution of motor sport - certainly.
>
> The days of gentleman racers (Rob Walker rest in honored peace) racing for
> fame and glory are long gone. TV pays racing bills and huge corporations
are
> the only entities that can afford to race at this level. And as Americans
> love to say "Money talks, bullsh*t walks"!
>
> TeeVee money is keeping F1, Sports Car (Lemans etc.) Indy Car and other
top
> level racing alive for all of us to continue to enjoy. And F1 MUST compete
> for a piece of this TeeVee money to survive (remember Bernie Ecclestone)!
>
> I don't like many of the changes (at least my favorite drivers aren't
being
> killed every weekend!) that have taken place in all forms of racing over
the
> years.
>
> And we still have "The Legends of Motorsport" AND "Grand Prix" for that
old
> time fix!
>
> Regards,
> Roger
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