United States Grand Prix: Indianapolis, Bridgestone Teams And Tires

Cable TV just doesn't cut it when it comes to the United States Grand Prix. Really, the only way to vicariously feel the speed of these daredevil drivers is in the stands. The rush of the breeze moving from the track, the rumbling of the motors as the whiz racing by, the breathless apprehension as cars nearly lose control—these are sensations sought after by racing junkies, and can't be felt through a TV screen.

The United States Grand Prix is a Formula One World Championship motor racing event first held in 1959 at the Sebring, Fla., race track. Las Vegas, Long Beach, and Detroit are among the cities that have welcomed the event to their speedway. To the chagrin of faithful fans, much controversy has surrounded the United States Grand Prix in the last decades. After poor reception and fan turnout in Phoenix of 1991, it looked like the United States Grand Prix was doomed. Nine years went by before Formula One returned to pick up the pieces of the legacy, though problems continued to spring up. Shoddy Michelin tires in Indianapolis ruined the 2005 United States Grand Prix, and only the three Bridgestone teams were able to race.

This year Formula One is honoring Bridgestone Tires by using them as the sole tire supplier for the 2007 circuit. Critics claim that the required use of Bridgestone tires gives an advantage to Bridgestone teams. However, due to safety precautions, Bridgestone has actually created a completely new design that tests two seconds per lap slower than last year's Bridgestone Tires. This keeps the Bridgestone teams (Ferrari, Toyota, Williams, Super Aguri, and Midland/Spyker) on a level playing field.

That playing field, and the tens of thousands of fans that come with it, will storm the city of Indianapolis June 15th-17th, 2007. This will be the eighth year the United States Grand Prix has been held at the Indianapolis speedway, and the city is ready to dress itself up for tourists. The weekend starts of with the free Parade of Cars and a car cruise through downtown Indianapolis. The fun continues with the ongoing Indy Jazz Fest, performance car racing, qualifying races, and comes to a climax with the Formula One United States Grand Prix.

Tickets can be purchased online from a variety of vendors, including the official site of the United States Grand Prix at Usgpindy.com. Visitors who want to make the most of their weekend should check out package deals from travel companies specializing in sporting events. Atlas Cruises and Travel offers four different United States Grand Prix travel packages varying in price between $895 and $2,195 per person.

The future of the United States Grand Prix is uncertain, due to the ups and downs Formula One has faced over the last several decades. Yet there is no time like the present to make the trip to this thriving Mecca of professional racing.


Sources:
"2007 Formula One Season." Wikipedia. 30 May 2007. 31 May 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Formula_One_seas on.
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Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hotels. Grand Prix Cities. 31 May 2007. http://www.grandprixcities.com/hotelsindianapolis. html.
Knutsen, Dan. "Alonso Predicts Four-Team Fight for F-1 Supremacy in 2007." United States Grand Prix Notebook. 21 Feb. 2007. United States Grand Prix. 31 May 2007. http://www.usgpindy.com/news/story.php?story_id=82 39.
Sports Travel: United States Formula One and Air Canada Grand Prix. Atlas Cruises and Tours. 1997-2007. 31 May 2007. http://www.atlastravelweb.com/grandprix.shtml.
United States Grand Prix. 2007. 31 May 2007. http://www.usgpindy.com.
"United States Grand Prix." Wikipedia. 30 May 2007. 31 May 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Grand_P rix#American_Grand_Prize.
Welcome to the 2007 Grand Week in Indy. Formula One United States Grand Prix. 31 May 2007. http://2007usgpv.theregistrationsystem.com.