Motorsport Capital
Discussion
Watching an episode of Man vs Food (see the F&D forum for info) earlier, Adam was in Indianapolis and stated, "I'm in Indianapolis: The Motorsport Capital of the World!!!".
Is there such a thing? If so, where is it? I'm pretty sure it's not Indianapolis.
Thinking about it, I'd go for Monza as races there still take place in the general footprint of the old banked oval. Then again, the Le Mans circuit is - IIRC - still in the general curtilage of the original track?
Spa, maybe?
Brno?
What would - actually - define "The Motorsport Capital of The World"? What would the criteria be?
Monaco? No. Although historic, it's just for one race per year.
Goodwood? No. Steeped in history, but not currently relevant.
Silverstone? Maybe.
Donington Park? Maybe.
Is there such a thing? If so, where is it? I'm pretty sure it's not Indianapolis.
Thinking about it, I'd go for Monza as races there still take place in the general footprint of the old banked oval. Then again, the Le Mans circuit is - IIRC - still in the general curtilage of the original track?
Spa, maybe?
Brno?
What would - actually - define "The Motorsport Capital of The World"? What would the criteria be?
Monaco? No. Although historic, it's just for one race per year.
Goodwood? No. Steeped in history, but not currently relevant.
Silverstone? Maybe.
Donington Park? Maybe.
The thing is, a lot of different locations would use different criteria to call themselves this.
Le Mans: the most famous race in the world, home to current teams including oreca and pescarolo, and home town of the Bourdais family..
Indy: the most famous race in the world, home to several US teams, biggest single sporting event in the motorsport calender
Northants: Home to silverstone (itself the "home of the british Grand Prix", home to several F1 teams, also Rockingham and Santa Pod
Leics: Home to Donington (one pre-war motor racing circuit still in use today), Mallory park, several motor racing teams, plus Norton and Triumph motorbike manufacturers, Noble, Ultima etc etc. Home to drivers inclduing Roger Clark, Roger Williamson
See what I mean? Depending on the angle, almost anywhere could be called the motorsport capital. Even Paris (HQ of the FIA...)
Le Mans: the most famous race in the world, home to current teams including oreca and pescarolo, and home town of the Bourdais family..
Indy: the most famous race in the world, home to several US teams, biggest single sporting event in the motorsport calender
Northants: Home to silverstone (itself the "home of the british Grand Prix", home to several F1 teams, also Rockingham and Santa Pod
Leics: Home to Donington (one pre-war motor racing circuit still in use today), Mallory park, several motor racing teams, plus Norton and Triumph motorbike manufacturers, Noble, Ultima etc etc. Home to drivers inclduing Roger Clark, Roger Williamson
See what I mean? Depending on the angle, almost anywhere could be called the motorsport capital. Even Paris (HQ of the FIA...)
ask a nascar fan where the capital of motorsport is they would say charlotte. every team is based there, or they may say daytona because of the history.
the motorsport industry around indy is massive too, way beyond what we have around silverstone.
in f1 terms silverstone is the capital.
in the second week in june le mans is the undisputed capital, there is nothing like it.
the motorsport industry around indy is massive too, way beyond what we have around silverstone.
in f1 terms silverstone is the capital.
in the second week in june le mans is the undisputed capital, there is nothing like it.
Indianapolis is called the capital justifiably due to the huge amount of motorsport businesses in the area and the race circuit, you cant fathom quite how many motorsport based companies are in the area.
Its not about which race circuit is best etc, yes northampton has a lot but compared to Indy its tiny....
Its not about which race circuit is best etc, yes northampton has a lot but compared to Indy its tiny....
Charlotte North Carolina I would have thought topped the list. The number of factories and NASCAR teams within a 50 mile radius is massive along with the superspeedway and the motorsport culture.
Japan too has some very impressive credentials with Mugen and NISMO offering outstanding facilities and engineering skills.
The Nurburgring in many ways would top many people's lists. Look at the number of Porsche specialists in the area and the number of manufacturers who test their cars there and have suspension, engine and steering laboratories within a 10km radius.
Stuttgardt also must be way up there with M-B and Porsche factories nearby and don't forget BMW in Munich and the huge number of engineering firms supplying parts to BMW for factory and independent teams globally.
Japan too has some very impressive credentials with Mugen and NISMO offering outstanding facilities and engineering skills.
The Nurburgring in many ways would top many people's lists. Look at the number of Porsche specialists in the area and the number of manufacturers who test their cars there and have suspension, engine and steering laboratories within a 10km radius.
Stuttgardt also must be way up there with M-B and Porsche factories nearby and don't forget BMW in Munich and the huge number of engineering firms supplying parts to BMW for factory and independent teams globally.
If you use the geographic definition of capital - that being the seat of government - then, sadly, it would have to be Paris.
If you use the less well defined "industry focus" definition (as in Silicon Valley), then it would be that bit of the M40 corridor between Milton Keynes and Banbury.
Indy, Le Mans etc, would be more a "Mecca"
If you use the less well defined "industry focus" definition (as in Silicon Valley), then it would be that bit of the M40 corridor between Milton Keynes and Banbury.
Indy, Le Mans etc, would be more a "Mecca"
cotswoldlad said:
Henry Fiddleton said:
The Midlands is the Silicon Valley of motorsport...
My sentiments exactlyI suppose I'm thinking of a specific "place" where there is still a current and relevant track in use, where racing has been going on since "the early days" (whatever that might be), and also is used by various formulae for racing.
Maybe I'm thinking more about a "ceremonial" Capital of Motorsport, with an equal Technological Capital. Certainly the corridor between the M40 and M1 could be the technological centre.
I like the idea of Le Mans as the ceremonial capital. A track largely unchanged for decades, a depth of history, still relevant and current and popular, home of the 24hr car race, the 24hr bike race, the home of the French round of the world motorcycle GP championship.
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