Toronto Escorts

Could IRL race at Downsview Airport?

HaywoodJabloemy

Dissident
Apr 3, 2002
657
0
0
Never the safest place
The Indy Racing League intends to add road races to its schedule for 2005. Tony George thinks Toronto is a possibility for them.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Co...geid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1079824207629

This is only being discussed in the context of the IRL taking over the contract for the existing Molson Indy event at Exhibition Place. But if that option was not open to them, could they stage a race somewhere else? Whenever I go by Downsview Airport I think that would probably be a better place for it anyway. It's near the subway station, the Allen and 401. There are buildings on west side of the airport, including one used for indoor soccer, that could be the main area for spectators and grandstands. I think the airport is owned by Bombardier, who already sponsor the pagoda tower at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
 

The Doctor

Still Without Humour
Jun 2, 2003
2,319
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1060 West Addision
I think they're looking specifically at taking over the 3 Molson Indy races...two races in Toronto might be tought to support. Downsview might be an interesting alternate venue (it works in Cleveland) but sadly I can't see the CHAMP Car Series surviving another year, so the IRL will have no trouble getting the rights for the Canadian Indy races.
 

happywanderer

the chivalrous lech
Jun 12, 2002
1,542
3
0
central toronto
IMHO, the IRL stinks. NASCAR without fenders someone said of them once. It really is a shame that CART was run so poorly that almost all of the good teams (and drivers) and engine suppliers left to join this league. Tony George's pissing match with CART seems to have worked out to his advantage, but for what. I have been to a few NASCAR races where the scariest human beings in N.A. can be found, who pretty much only wait for the next crash to happen and IRL is almost exactly the same (except for it's slightly higher gene pool). I hope that Toronto doesn't get an IRL race since that could kill the rather fragile existence of the Indy here. Ovals... they are crap!


TTFN
 

Cardinal Fang

Bazinga Bitches
Feb 14, 2002
6,576
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I'm right here
www.vatican.va
Although Cleveland’s road race at the airport has been successful by Champ Car standards it is terrible to watch. There’s not much of a racing line when your dealing with a turn radii that can accommodate a passenger jet. It rarely if ever tests a “true drivers” ability to negotiate a road course but then again…..neither do ovals.

Accelerate….Back off the Throttle….turn left.
Accelerate….Back off the Throttle….turn left.
Accelerate….Back off the Throttle….turn left.
Accelerate….Back off the Throttle….turn left.
Accelerate….Back off the Throttle….turn left.
Accelerate….Back off the Throttle….turn left.
Accelerate….Back off the Throttle….turn left.
Accelerate….Back off the Throttle….turn left.
Accelerate….Back off the Throttle….turn left.
 

HaywoodJabloemy

Dissident
Apr 3, 2002
657
0
0
Never the safest place
When the IRL has several road races, it will virtually be identical to the former CART, just with a different name and a few different people in charge.

One good thing about airport circuits is that it can be possible for spectators to see most or all of the track from a seat that's high enough up into a grandstand. Silverstone and Sebring were once airports. CFB Shearwater in Nova Scotia had a race a few years ago.

Is there enough room on the west side of Downsview Airport to build a permanent 3/4 mile oval, like Richmond where the IRL and NASCAR race? I'm more of a road racing and sportscar racing fan, but a big league oval might be a good idea since there isn't one anywhere in Canada, and road racing venues are already established in the Toronto area at Mosport and the CNE.
 
Toronto Escorts