Michelin’s Main Man Says “Absolutely!” to USGP
Written by Allan Brewer · June 28, 2006
Nick Shorrock, director of Michelin F1, makes an emphatic statement about his company’s desire to race in America.
Michelin’s chief executive for Formula 1 operations makes no bones about the French tire manufacturer’s desires when it comes to a safe and satisfying United States Grand Prix. When queried whether Michelin wants to race in America, he declared, “Absolutely!”
Speaking Wednesday at the “U.S. Grand Prix PreView presented by Michelin” on Monument Circle in Indianapolis, the head of Michelin F1 labeled last year’s race a “mistake” and an opportunity for his company to build on what it learned to turn the occasion into something “positive”.
“Within two or three weeks of the incident (last year) our company and our partners acted in the right way to satisfy the people involved” by reimbursing fans’ ticket expenses and collaborating with promoters to offer free tickets for this year’s USGP. Michelin has also spent considerable money and effort in sponsoring pre-race activities significantly beyond those seen previously.
“Michelin is proud of its leadership in the construction of quality products and its cutting-edge technology. Just as Formula 1 is the top of racing, we and our racing partners strive to be the best in our business.” Shorrock said.
Shorrock spoke alongside Joie Chitwood, President and Chief of Operations at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the site of this year’s race and of the infamous flap over the tire company’s dry racing tire in 2005. This year’s race is scheduled for Sunday, July 2nd at 1PM EDT. There are, as yet, no definite plans for a U.S. Grand Prix in 2007 or beyond.
“I feel that every country needs an exposure to the highest level of technologic achievement, which his Formula 1. America needs a Formula 1 race, and I am sure people like Joie are going to do everything in their power to make that happen.” he continued.
Shorrock’s comments follow Bernie Ecclestone’s scathing remarks last weekend in which he termed the F1 presence in the United States “an aggravation”, and discounted the large crowds that attend the USGP at Indianapolis in particular, by citing open-wheel racing’s lack of popular appeal to the domestic television audience.
Michelin, of course, will exit F1 tire manufacture at the end of the present season, leaving competitor Bridgestone as the sole supplier of tires to the series.
2006 USGP tickets: Tickets are on sale for the 2006 United States Grand Prix, scheduled for Sunday, July 2.
Fans can order tickets online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or at the ticket office at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Parking and camping information also can be obtained through the ticket office.
Hours for phone orders and the ticket office are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday, while online orders can be made at any time.
A three-day “Season Pass” for the event is only $60. The pass is good for admission to IMS for all three days of on-track activity, Friday, June 30-Sunday, July 2. All seating Friday and Saturday is general admission, and the pass provides general admission access to the Viewing Mounds, Infield, First Turn Terrace, South Terrace and Tower Terrace (Sections 39-77) on Sunday, July 2.
Reserved seats for Race Day, Sunday, July 2, start at $75.
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