Vegas F1 race

**wogi** · 11-17-2023, 04:56 PM

Just heard on a news report that the race teams at the Los Vegas F1 road race are having major problems with manhole covers coming up out of the castings and causing major damage to a number of cars. Its so bad that there is some talk a postponing the race until they can address the problem with the some 300 manhole covers on the racing course. Teams are saying that its dangerous and that the conditions are the worse that they have seen, not just the manhole covers but pot holes and the crumbling road surface that has not been maintained or repaired

**David - WI** · 11-17-2023, 05:27 PM

I don't think that's it... two cars hit the concrete base around the manhole cover. Totalled one car.

I know they used to bolt every manhole cover down for the Detroit GP 25 years ago because the hot, sticky tires would peel them out and fling them 30' in the air - so that's been a "known" problem forever.

**wogi** · 11-17-2023, 05:35 PM

I wont argue with you on that, just passing on what was reported on the radio news that I heard. no matter what happened they did not have the course properly prepped is the point I was making, and if it was a known issue from other events, shows even more incompetence on the race promoters part

**David - WI** · 11-17-2023, 05:53 PM

I agree, it's absurd that they don't have some cheap car set up to drive the track and catch that stuff before they send the mega $$$ cars out.

**Lake X Kid** · 11-17-2023, 05:59 PM

One street race in America (and it might be the Indy Long Beach Street race) would tack weld the manhole covers down.

**David - WI** · 11-17-2023, 06:00 PM

The FIA said Sainz hit the concrete frame around the cover moments after cars took to the track in the hyped return to Las Vegas. After Sainz came to a stop and was examining his damaged car, the governing body ordered all cars off track so it could inspect the entire circuit.

https://apnews.com/article/f1-las-ve...a06c090fb2f0ea

**Instigator** · 11-17-2023, 06:42 PM

Yep.

They used to weld them down.

**CDave** · 11-17-2023, 06:46 PM

The current F1 cars are ground effects cars and are putting a lot of stress on the newly repaved surface.

**Lake X Kid** · 11-18-2023, 12:44 PM

The track section on the Las Vegas Strip is one Long Straightway.

**WaterZebra** · 11-18-2023, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by wogi

Just heard on a news report that the race teams at the Los Vegas F1 road race are having major problems with manhole covers coming up out of the castings and causing major damage to a number of cars. Its so bad that there is some talk a postponing the race until they can address the problem with the some 300 manhole covers on the racing course. Teams are saying that its dangerous and that the conditions are the worse that they have seen, not just the manhole covers but pot holes and the crumbling road surface that has not been maintained or repaired

It's been common knowledge for decades that any open wheel events held on public roadways MUST have the manhole covers camlocked, bolted or tack welded down! Further, it's insane that Carlos Sainz team was penalized on the grid for replacing too many parts to qualify the car damaged by the track's manhole cover?! This F1 race has been a joke from the start!

USA should dump Miami and Vegas and stick with one event in Austin. 3 F1 events is ridiculous!

**Instigator** · 11-18-2023, 06:16 PM

Even Verstappen says it’s 99% show and 1% race and he doesn’t like it all.

**Instigator** · 11-18-2023, 08:53 PM

And, qualifying is 3:00 Am EST Sun and the race is 1:00 AM Mon!

According to F-1, to be convenient to European fans to have the wow effect of racing in the lights of Vegas!

So, Quali at midnight tonight and the race at 10:00 tomorrow night!

What a fiasco!

Reports are they’re discounting ticket and hotel prices to get spectators!

And the new owners of F-1 are American.

Not very smart ones but what do I know?

**Turtleherder** · 11-19-2023, 09:29 AM

That’s what I had read they did at other street races . Weld them all down.

**CDave** · 11-19-2023, 11:15 AM

Not a bad race. Lots of battles for position.
Not a technical track but simple track layouts lead to tight racing. I imagine the drivers don't like it but at least it's not another "follow the leader" race track.

I'd still like to see fewer races, some where around 18-16 total.