LV’s F1 race draws red flag

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1998 | 11:09 a.m.

Las Vegas' status as a host city for a Formula One World Championship race is critical, but not fatal, following a decision by the Clark County Commission to further delay awarding a development contract for 155 acres of land at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip.

Commission Chairwoman Yvonne Atkinson Gates on Tuesday motioned to table a vote on three proposals to build a golf course and other recreational facilities on the property.

One of the proposals calls for the construction of a 2.9-mile Formula One race track in addition to an 18-hole golf course, and that project may have suffered the greatest by Tuesday's delay.

Tommy Baker, president of the group trying to bring the international racing series to Las Vegas, was not sure how the delay would effect his chances of landing the lone U.S. Formula One race -- if his group were to be awarded the contract.

Formula One president Bernie Ecclestone had given Baker's group until Tuesday to secure the deal for the property or lose Ecclestone's commitment to bring his series to Las Vegas.

"We spoke to Bernie Ecclestone this morning and his indication was that while he hasn't made a commitment to any other city, he will make a decision by Oct. 1 and he will announce that to the world," Baker said.

"What he asked for is a positive response to his one-year effort on behalf of Formula One to make this possible in Las Vegas."

Ecclestone has indicated that he will run a Formula One race in the United States beginning in 2000. While he has held talks with representatives from Indianapolis, Atlanta, San Francisco and Dallas, Ecclestone stated earlier this year that his preference was to run a season-ending race in Las Vegas.

Whether Ecclestone will exercise further patience with Las Vegas -- he already has endured two previous delays by the County Commission -- remains to be seen, Baker said.

"The window is open today (but) I don't know where it's going to be tomorrow," Baker said. "(Ecclestone) gave us through today, exclusively. On behalf of Formula One, he clearly has to take the momentum; it's a world tour that will continue with or without Las Vegas.

"Las Vegas has maintained an enviable position with the endorsement from Bernie Ecclestone ... as the exclusive option city for 365 days, but that option has expired. It doesn't mean that if in the next two weeks, if we can get back on the agenda, he will have made (a deal) with one of the other cities -- all I'm certain of is he said by Oct. 1 that will definitively be the case."

Baker said his group will attempt to get the issue back on the agenda for the next County Commission meeting on Sept. 15 in hopes of landing the development contract.

"I don't know the legal maneuvers or rights that are available to us but from my perspective, certainly, we will pursue to get back on the agenda in two weeks time," he said. "I'm boggled at why this is such a difficult decision to say, 'Let's take the best option that's available to us and see if it can't pan out.'

"Everyone here today said the Grand Prix event is a positive thing and it's good for gaming and it's a good event. In both cases, it's quite clear that any forward momentum is better than just stopping the process."