Formula One may bypass Indy

   Copyright c 1998 Nando Media
   Copyright c 1998 Scripps Howard

(Oct 24, 1998 - 5:38 EDT) Suddenly, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is no
longer looks like a lock to get the lone U.S. Formula One race beginning in
2000.

Tommy Baker, who spearheaded a failed attempt to bring the international
racing series to Las Vegas, now is working with officials in Orange County,
Calif., to run an F1 race in Southern California.

The federal government recently turned over a 4,700-acre parcel of land
adjacent to the Marine Corps Air Station in El Toro to Orange County, and
Baker is negotiating with elected officials to stage an F1 race on the
property.

"Bernie Ecclestone (F1 president) has standing offers from the cities
of Atlanta and San Francisco, as well as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,
to become the host city for an American Formula One race," Baker said.
"But as of this date, no deal has been struck anywhere in the country
to run a Formula One race in America."

Indianapolis Motor Speedway was believed to be the front-runner to land the
American F1 race after Las Vegas dropped out of the running last month.

Baker is hoping he can make headway with Orange County officials, who are
assigning an asset management contract to develop the property.

Baker said the Orange County site recently hosted a vintage car race on a
temporary road course set up on an abandoned airfield tarmac and drew
126,000 people over a three-day weekend.

"They drew 126,000 people for a vintage car race -- a race not
sanctioned by any professional series -- featuring amateur drivers,"
Baker said. "Can you imagine what a Formula One race would (draw)
there with the best drivers in the world?"

Orange County leaders have been receptive to Baker's proposal to run a
Formula One race on the land. But he said he did not know if he could put a
deal together in time to meet Ecclestone's self-imposed early November
deadline.

"We're forwarding all the information to Bernie Ecclestone and we'll
see what happens from there," Baker said. "Ecclestone has made no
commitment yet on another venue so we're hopeful we can get something done
(in Orange County)."

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