150 replies to this topic

[August]

Inspired by the 24h of Nürburgring and Indy 500, wanted to have a poll on this.

For me, it's Indianapolis or Le Mans. Hard to choose between them, two different tracks with different main events, yet those are maybe the two biggest motorsports events. Still, I'm gonna have to pick Le Mans, it seems the World's best drivers have more interest in doing the 24h than the 500 and it's in a higher value for manufacturers.

Edited by August, 16 May 2015 - 21:13.

[Afterburner]

Took about 0.4 seconds for me to choose Le Mans, but none of these really need any explanation/justification.

[Otaku]

Nordschleife

[SR388]

Indy. It has such a long history. It's also an event of the people, common man. Unlike monaco which is a place for rich snobs to show off the size of their pe... I mean boats.

[Henri Greuter]

Took about 0.4 seconds for me to choose Le Mans, but none of these really need any explanation/justification.

 

 

Right now: Le mans. Instantly came up with me.

 

Would have been indy till 20 years agobut not anymore for me by now.

 

Henri

[Jimisgod]

Impossible to say.

 

The most prestigious events are probably Le Mans 24h and Indy 500, with Monaco and Monza GP catching up. In moto-land it's probably Isle of Man and Assen.

 

Best tracks are Nurburgring, Spa, Bathurst, Road America and Suzuka in roughly that order.

 

Silverstone has been rather hobbled and Daytona is its own thing, separate from the wider world of motorsports.

Edited by Jimisgod, 16 May 2015 - 21:11.

[jimjimjeroo]

Goodwood FOS

[Ben1445]

I have to put in a vote for Le Mans. It just feels right. 

If I had to choose a second? Probably Indy. 



 

[Amz964]

Le mans without a moments hesitation, after watching it properly for the first time last year I just completely fell in love with the event I can see why it gathers over 250,000+ people a year. I just cant wait for this year with Porsche and Audi so close in laptimes.

Edited by Amz964, 16 May 2015 - 21:27.

[RealRacing]

Le Mans does not host an F1 race. If you consider F1 the pinnacle of motor racing (until 2017 at least), it would be kind of contradictory to chose Le Mans as the mecca of motorsports. Suzuka probably has had a big influence in that many and many very relevant WDCs have been resolved there. Spa has always been a classic, probably one of if not the most liked track design. The Nurnburgring is just another amazing track and place in general. So, I'd say if there is a mecca of motorsport it would have to be Europe, especially from and including Italy to the west: France, Germany, Belgium, England...

[turssi]

Could it be a country?

[BRG]

Took about 0.4 seconds for me to choose Le Mans, but none of these really need any explanation/justification.

Likewise.

 

Although I was tempted by Abu Dhabi for a microsecond.  I mean, a hotel roof that changes colour, and a pit lane tunnel.  These are serious elements in motorsport.

[Nonesuch]

What do you mean by 'the Mecca of'? I've understood the phrase to derive from the desire of muslims to visit the city Mecca, as in a pilgrimage.

In that sense, while I see Le Mans as the single greatest race of the motorsport year, it's hard to go wrong with any of the big names. Even some of the smaller venues can have a great attraction on motorsport fans. The Japanese Grand Prix for example is always a great event, which I'm sure would be exciting to visit for everyone interested in motorsport.

 

Either way, when it comes to mixing motorsport, history, passion bordering on the religious, and an overal sense of excitement, it's probably tough to beat Monza. They don't call the temple of speed for nothing.

Edited by Nonesuch, 16 May 2015 - 22:31.

[August]

Could it be a country?

 

Yeah, I even have Monaco as an option. Don't forget Monaco isn't all about the GP, there's also the Monte Carlo Rally, even though its stages are in France.

[Atreiu]

Indy 500.

[KTownDevil]

Easy: The Green Hell

 

Nürburgring Nordschleife

[The Kanisteri]

Silverstone.

 

(you can keep your amok circle running indianapolis, you can keep your stupid long and highly dangerous overhyped Green Hell, you can keep your middle of mudwhere set 24H Le Sarthe, but Silverstone. Track for everyone. I don't mean those wannabe racer-wankers on Nürburgring. Silverstone is for racing. Different classes for everyone up to racing,  variations on layout and long traditions though track has changed during time.)

Edited by The Kanisteri, 16 May 2015 - 23:22.

[BlinkyMcSquinty]

As far as events, LeMans is on my bucket list. Second would be Indy, then the Bathurst 1000.

 

For tracks, the Nordschelife leads by a large margin, followed by Bathurst, then Darlington in South Carolina.

 

On a side note, this is a difficult choice, because there are so many great events and great tracks.

[Afterburner]

Having finally read all of the poll options, I just noticed something: Sebring is missing. I think that one's got enough history behind it to deserve its own poll option. As much as I love Road America, I think Sebring is probably the more well-known venue.

On that, you could always include Pikes Peak, as well.

[BCM]

I voted Other. In my opinion the Mecca of Motorsports is an elderly gentleman's front garden in West Sussex.

 

Where else can you see cars from every form of motorsport worldwide in one spot, walk up to them, speak to their drivers and see them in use?

 

One day I shall get there. Oh yes my pretty...

Edited by BCM, 17 May 2015 - 05:14.

[SophieB]

Monza for me. Worship at the high altar of speed in the company of thousands of ecstatic yet dutiful acolytes!

 

I expect so anyway. Never been, really want to go one day.

[Lemnpiper]

Interesting question  , 

 

   Americans would probably say  Indianapolis , while folks over in Europe might say LeMans  .

 

 

 However I gonna vote for one not on the list for the following reason. This place while not having as  a long storied  history as Indy or Lemans still attracts a group of racers in the quest of speed to top the records  allready in existence , often with new ideas  not tried before.

 

 

   My vote goes to the   Bonneville Salt Flats.

Edited by Lemnpiper, 17 May 2015 - 06:50.

[JdB]

It has to be an oval-track, since they're running in circles down there    ... but seriously, i'd like to choose 2, Spa-Franchorchamps and Le Mans, but since i can only pick one, it'll have to be Spa, since they're hosting an F1-race.

[Peat]

I went to Le Mans for the boozing and then fell in love with the race over a few years of attending, so it feels quite 'normal'.

Indianapolis, was a long journey to get to and somewhere i desperately wanted to go. Walking into the facility and up into the amphitheater of Turn One for the first time was almost a spiritual experience.

So, for me. Indy.

[Gilles4Ever]

IOMTT closely followed by Le Mans, Indy and one of the big NASCAR races, probably Daytona. The American races just once for the spectacle and experience but IOMTT and Le Mans I would do every year if I could

[Lotus53B]

I have to go for Goodwood, followed by Le Mans.

[Stephane]

It's so divers there can't just be one Mecca.

[V8 Fireworks]

Took about 0.4 seconds for me to choose Le Mans, but none of these really need any explanation/justification.

 

It's just not.

 

IT IS the Nurburgring / Nordschliefe.

 

Le Mans is a very ordinary track actually.

 

 

The Nurburgring is the most iconic motor racing track in the world, and people can drive their cars on it almost everyday.  It's far more grass roots.  It's a far better track. It is a VERY good circuit - like a rollercoaster, the way a circuit should be.

 

Honourable mention to Indy, Monza, Bathurst etc - but the Nurburgring is the icon, the best motoring racing circuit in the world, and with good reason. 

 

Mecca - means the place where EVERY enthusiast wants to take their sporty car and drive it THERE, and Nordschliefe is THE place to drive YOUR CAR (or a rental!   ) fast.

 

 

Do you really want to drive your car around Le Mans?  It's a boring circuit - a flat circuit with some very long straights and some chicanes, what's special about that!?    The Nordschelife is the ultimate test of a car.

 

 

 

Edited by V8 Fireworks, 17 May 2015 - 08:23.

[Peat]

TO ME, Mecca - means the place where EVERY enthusiast wants to take their sporty car and drive it THERE, and Nordschliefe is THE place to drive YOUR CAR (or a rental!   ) fast.

 

FTFY

[BobbyRicky]

Yas Marina is the closest one to Mecca, so cant really vote for any other option.

[MikeV1987]

Le Mans hands down for me.

[Seanspeed]

Spa. Silverstone or Monza the runner up.

The sheer variety of top flight series(and non-top flight series as well!) these places host, along with the prestige, history and impressiveness of the tracks(Spa in particular, which is why it wins) give them the clear nod above anywhere else.

Hard to give the whole 'Mecca of motorsports' trophy to places known mostly for a specialized race.

Edited by Seanspeed, 17 May 2015 - 08:50.

[Wes350]

Inspired by the 24h of Nürburgring and Indy 500, wanted to have a poll on this.

For me, it's Indianapolis or Le Mans. Hard to choose between them, two different tracks with different main events, yet those are maybe the two biggest motorsports events. Still, I'm gonna have to pick Le Mans, it seems the World's best drivers have more interest in doing the 24h than the 500 and it's in a higher value for manufacturers.

 

 

The Indy 500 is beaten in the TV ratings by the NASCAR coke 600 that happens later in the same day.

 

In fact it is beaten in ratings by the NASCAR Brickyard 400 and a few other NASCAR races with regularity every year.

 

Whatever the Indy 500 once was, it isn't anymore.

 

If an American cable tv show got the same ratings as the indycar series it would be canceled in its first year.

 

The indycar series is existing at this point solely due to the inertia of nostalgia...

 

It's still fun to watch though.

[Szoelloe]

Yad Marina, yesss

 

 

 

 

everyone knows the Trinity is The Brickyard,Monaco, and the Nordschleife

[Dick Dastardly]

I find it hard to name just 1 from the 3 biggest names....Le Mans, Indy & Monaco....so have opted for Monaco as they have the GP & the Rally 

Edited by Dick Dastardly, 17 May 2015 - 09:04.

[Jackmancer]

If Mecca of Motorsport is meant as a destination for motorsport pilgrimage, I'd nominate Imola.

 

Edited by Jackmancer, 17 May 2015 - 09:11.

[Kobasmashi]

I voted Monza, there's almost a religious fanaticism about the Tifosi that is unique in Motorsport.

[brr]

Maybe Bernie eventually makes a deal for an actual Mecca GP.

[Wes350]

Maybe Bernie eventually makes a deal for an actual Mecca GP.

 

Actually...

 

A friend from work went there on his pilgrimage.

 

He showed me some pictures he took on his phone.

 

A beautiful city. Clean wonderful architecture, and wide smooth streets.

 

A race could easily be held there in the streets around the Maqam Ibrahim itself, and it would be awesome.

 

 

Not that it would actually happen...

Edited by Wes350, 17 May 2015 - 10:27.

[Risil]

The Indy 500 is beaten in the TV ratings by the NASCAR coke 600 that happens later in the same day.

 

In fact it is beaten in ratings by the NASCAR Brickyard 400 and a few other NASCAR races with regularity every year.

 

It's just about possible that the Indy 500 may beat the Coke 600 this year. But we won't know because (iirc) NASCAR have stopped releasing audience figures for their own races.

[Xpat]

It's just about possible that the Indy 500 may beat the Coke 600 this year. But we won't know because (iirc) NASCAR have stopped releasing audience figures for their own races.

 

And Mecca implies a destination one must visit not a particular race. It certainly doesn't bring TV ratings (more of an art than a science) to mind.

 

I would estimate, having been at both the 500 and the Brickyard last year that there were 2x the people visiting Mecca for the 500. Crowds for the Brickyard have been in steady decline for years.

[Sheepmachine]

I'd have to go for the Isle of Man TT. Man and machine battling on the worlds largest race track blast past trees, hedges and houses is quite an awesome spectacle. One day I hope to go there.

[Jackmancer]

 

A race could easily be held there in the streets around the Maqam Ibrahim itself, and it would be awesome.

 

 

I doubt they'll let Maldonado anywhere near the Maqam Ibrahim or the Kabaa ;-)

[AlexLangheck]

Tough one this.
With my Rally hat on I'd probably say the Col de Turini, with possible mentions for Motu Road in NZ, Ouninpohja in Finland or Kielder in the UK.
As for circuit racing; IoM TT, completely bonkers and jaw dropping. Le Mans obviously, but I don't actually think it's the greatest track, and the changes have spoilt it. So, for me it's the Nordschleife.

[Kristian]

Indy. I was wavering with Le Mans too, but I think the pure speed element of Indy and the history it holds win for me. 

 

So Le Mans a close second, and Monza 3rd. 

[Kristian]

By the way, the 3 people who voted Yas Marina should be publicly beheaded in front of the Kabaa. 

[Risil]

And Mecca implies a destination one must visit not a particular race. It certainly doesn't bring TV ratings (more of an art than a science) to mind.

 

Ha! What are the TV ratings for Mecca?

[Ross Stonefeld]

I think Indy and Le Mans depends on whether you're American or European, to oversimplify it.

Though I feel like Indy just has a little more 'oomph' to it, but being an American I *would* say that. I mean, the Le Mans winner is invisible outside of motorracing. The Indy500 winner(along with Daytona recently) is the only one who gets mainstream attention in the US.

Though when I saw the thread title I thought it meant as a location than an event. In which case I'd have said Indy. Indycar, NASCAR, MotoGP, and in the past F1. Not many tracks can say that.

[garoidb]

For competitors, the mecca must be the FIA Formula 1 World Driver's Championship (or whatever it is called). 

[SpartanChas]

Le Mans... Tempting to say Nurburgring but I can't really justify it since its best days are behind it and no major races take place there other than the N24. IMS is the only other place that could qualify.