2012 GrandAm Schedule-No VIR

[sarrcford]

I heard about this last week and it was verified today with the 2012 schedule being released.
I have been attending this race for the last 5 years or so. I am having trouble understanding why GrandAm is not returning to this great facility. The main race has always provided excellent television and there have been many open wheel classes for the support races. Fans also supported this weekend. Please speak up if you happen to know why this race is off the schedule.

Thanks,

Rob Poma

[andyllc]

I dont know the exact reason either but they started rumbling early summer that VIR wasn't coming back. Don't know why. You are right, it was one of the better attended events of the season.

[Matt King]

VIR pulled the plug on its AMA Pro motorcycle race just weeks prior to its scheduled date this year, then initiated a lawsuit against Daytona Motorsports Group, the AMA Pro rights holder, to invalidate a letter of intent they had to promote the event. DMG and GARRA have some common ownership (mainly Jim France) so I would not be surprised if these events are connected. It was also apparent when VIR decided to take its promotion of the AMA race in-house the year prior, severing its relationship with M1 promotions which had successfully promoted the AMA race for several years, and then promptly lost a bunch of money because they have no expertise in promoting spectator events, that the track management's business skills may leave something to be desired.

[BERG Racing]

Racing politics suck!

[sarrcford]

Thanks Matt for all your details. I do remember hearing about one of the France family being involved with motorcycle racing, changing the Daytona 200, etc.
It makes more sense now.

[cooleyjb]

Grand am does not rent tracks and the attendance at vir the last few years probably wasn't making up for the loss of rental revenue. It's all about the money.