Representing America in International Racing

[JohnBM01]

How many Americans are currentely in Formula One? None. Or at least, not yet (granted that the Red Bull Driver Search is a wonderful success). Now, American manufacturers and American-owned or part-owned international companies are represented at times, but not American drivers. But if you ask me, as much as I like the JGTC, DTM, Australian V8s, and stuff like that, having American drivers being represented would be big. I think if you want to be an American driver in the JGTC, you may want to side with the Mosler MT900R or the Dodge Viper GTS-R. Now sure, both of them are in GT300, but these are American cars in a Japanese series. Both of which are tuned all the way down, even though the Viper has the most displacement in the series at 7000cc and change. So as a firm believer in humanity, why is it so hard sometimes to have America represented?

I mean, you take a look at Formula One before Tony George stole a real road course chance for the US Grand Prix. No Americans are currently in Formula One. MotoGP MAY have a United States race at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL, USA. The JGTC will have a race later this year at Fontana (I was hoping for Laguna Seca, but the Fontana road course is not bad. It's challenging, though). From a humanistic perspective, I don't see why it's so tough to have America represented in an international racing leauge.

With American commentators, I often agree that America needs to be represented more in international leauges. We aren't perfect, but we have good racers. What do you think?

 

[The359]

The JGTC Dodge Viper no longer races.

And what is meant by your comment on Tony George? What exactly did he "steal" now?

 

[GilesGuthrie]

The American motorsport career ladder is geared to push your domestic drivers into NASCAR.

To get into F1, you have to spend a lot of time in the UK or Germany.

 

[Blake]

Quite a few Champ Car driviers have gone into Formula One, I find it ironic that none of the Americans get the opportunity to take that path, or would they prefer to stay in Champ Cars? I think not.

 

[Schrodes]

Michael Andretti is the last American driver I can think of who made it to F1 when he drove for McLaren.

 

[millencolin]

the problem is that all the american sponsorship dollars are thrown into american series like champcars, IRL, NHRA but mainly NASCAR. As f1 is not a mainstream in the states as it is in , say, europe or south america, no companies are willing enough to throw their money behind them


ryan Hunter-reay has stated just recently his desire to race in formula one and he says that champcars are the perfect platform to get into f1. he states that the types of cars and tracks would suit his driving style due to their technical nature. although he is 100% focused on winning this years champ car world series, he dream is f1. and i say, GO RYAN (as long as you dont beat webber, ill be happy)

next american in f1, ryan hunter reay????? who else can it be
next best bet would be townsend bell, raced in F3000

long LONG (and i mean long) shots are Jeff Gordan and Buddy Rice