Formula One returning to Indy
08/14/06 Indianapolis — After months of speculation and negotiations a source close to Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials tells Fox 59 the Formula One race is coming back in 2007. The source reports the deal is for one year.
"I think it's great," said Tom Weisenback, Director of Indiana Motorsports Association. "It continues to promote the Speedway and Indy as the racing capital."
The man in the driver's seat for just such a deal is F-1 top gun Bernie Ecclestone. Ecclestone's known not for negotiating but rather ordering up exactly the deal he'll get. Earlier this year Ecclestone said he didn't need or care about having a race in the U.S. market.
"I think Bernie's a shrewd businessman. I think you use every angle possible to get the most out of your company and that's what he does," said Weisenback. In recent months reports were that Ecclestone was talking with Las Vegas magnate and developer Steve Wynn, once owner of the Bellagio hotel. "Bernie wanted it on the strip," said Weisenback. But Vegas isn't as hungry to snag F-1 as track owner Tony George is to keep the race at IMS.
"I don't think Las Vegas needs the race to continue to keep their registers ringing," said Weisenback.
No one from the Speedway would confirm the F-1 one year deal. One spokesman told Fox 59 "There's nothing to report at this time." Another said "Negotiations are still in progress." Still F-1's return is mouth watering news to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse downtown. "We do a huge business that whole weekend Thursday to Sunday." More at Fox 59