Liberty Medias investment in Formula One earlier this year triggered a spate of speculation about its plans to grow the sport in the U.
Simon Mignolet Belgium Jersey .S.A. Although nothing has been confirmed, there is hope that at least two additional rounds could be held on American soil alongside the already popular U.S. Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.Such plans may be a long way off fruition, but we couldnt resist putting together a list of dream stateside F1 venues (no matter how unrealistic they may be).New YorkA grand prix on the streets of New York has been at the top of F1s wish list for as long as the championship has existed. Even in Bernie Ecclestones wildest dreams a race in downtown Manhattan is unlikely, but it was not so long ago that New Jersey constructed a pit and paddock building on the banks of the Hudson River for the proposed Grand Prix of America.A lack of funding saw that plan fall through, but since then Formula E has secured a race in Brooklyn with the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan as a backdrop. With the right amount of funding a race in New York is not impossible, but it will require greater willingness from those controlling the purse strings at the top of the sport.Las VegasF1 and Las Vegas would be perfect partners, and according to Bernie Ecclestone a preliminary contract is in place. But whether the race ever becomes a reality is another matter and once again it will come down to money ... lots of money. F1 last raced in Americas gambling heartland in 1982 on a circuit located in the car park of Caesars Palace, but by all accounts the dull track layout meant it was a huge opportunity missed.Champ Car ran on a pretty wild street circuit in 2006, but what F1 really wants is a race along Las Vegas world-famous Strip. Imagine a night race under the neon lights of the casinos, with sparks flying on the straights and brake discs glowing in the corners. It still might just happen.MiamiWhile were on the subject of street races, how about a race along Ocean Drive in Miami Beach? A twilight race would allow the Art Deco neon to be shown off in all its splendour and fans could go for a dip in the Atlantic before FP3. Formula E currently hosts a race on the other side of the bay, but the track is far too tight and small to accommodate F1 cars. Unlikely, yes, but this is a dream list after all.Laguna SecaStreet circuits are all well and good, but there is no substitute for a true drivers track. Laguna Seca in California is just that, and although short at just 2.2 miles long, it packs in some mind-bending corners. The signature sequence is known as the Corkscrew and features a chicane that drops away on entry, unlike anything on the F1 calendar today.Turns 3, 4 and 5 were all added with an F1 race in mind back in 1989, but ultimately the powers that be decided to take F1 to the streets of Phoenix instead. Former F1 driver Marc Gene holds the unofficial lap record at Laguna Seca, with a 1:05.768 set on a single flying lap in a Ferrari F2003 GA in 2012.Watkins GlenFor two decades this picturesque circuit in New York State hosted the U.S. Grand Prix, but it was dropped from the calendar in 1981 after being unable to afford necessary safety updates. Since then the circuit has undergone a series of upgrades and currently sits at Grade 2 level in the FIAs list of licensed circuit (Grade 1 is required for an F1 race).IndyCar still uses a layout very similar to the old grand prix circuit, so theres no reason why F1 couldnt do the same with the necessary safety tweaks.Road AtlantaOK, well admit it, the undulating and sweeping corners of Road Atlanta probably wouldnt lend themselves to the best racing on a Sunday, but what a show qualifying would be! The likes of Suzuka and Monaco rarely allow good racing, but their old-school layouts add something that a street race or a Tilke-drome simply cannot.Road Atlanta would do the same. The circuit is currently licensed at Grade 2 level by the FIA, so as long as Grade 1 modifications wouldnt ruin the character of the track, it would be a very welcome addition to the F1 calendar.Long BeachFor eight years the Long Beach street circuit to the south of Los Angeles hosted a grand prix on a challenging and undulating track. The original 1976 layout would still be the dream circuit, with the Le Gasomet and Queens Hairpins separated by a long sweeping straight along Shoreline Drive.IndyCar still races on a truncated version of the old layout and an F1 return has been talked about as recently as 2014. IndyCars contract with the race promoters ends in 2018, so no doubt speculation about F1 replacing it will be fired up again in a years time.SonomaA mixture of oversteer-inducing crests and corners make the Sonoma Raceway one of the more challenging road circuits on the IndyCar calendar. Watching an F1 car round here in qualifying trim would be a treat, and if NASCAR and IndyCar can race on its narrow track theres no reason why grand prix cars cant do the same.Daytona: 24-Hour LayoutAlthough F1 is unlikely to return to Indianapolis anytime soon, there is another oval with a road course layout that is almost as iconic. The circuit used for the Daytona 24 Hours takes to the infield of the famous tri-oval, but also uses large parts of the daunting 31-degree banking. Making tyres that are up to the test might be an issue, but if that hurdle can be overcome F1 would put on a great show for the 101,000-capacity crowd.Virginia International RacewayThis one is arguably the longest longshot on the list. VIR was designed and built by a bunch of wealthy car enthusiasts in 1957 and was one of the first permanent road courses in the U.S.A. It closed in 1974 and much of the space was converted back to farmland, but in the year 2000 it reopened as a motorsport resort.The 3.2-mile circuit follows the centreline of the original track and features a series of fast and flowing corners, with names such as Hogs Pen, Roller Coaster and Bitch. Currently Trans-Am and IMSA Sports Cars are the two biggest racing series visiting the narrow VIR annually, making F1 extremely unlikely.You can vote on our favourite from this list of ten in the poll below:?
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Thomas Vermaelen Jersey . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.
http://www.soccerbelgiumteamonline.com/Customized/ . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. Making his first appearance since injuring his wrist a month ago, Del Potro had difficulty with his service games in the first set. SAN ANTONIO -- The Spurs got knocked around by the Miami Heat, especially in the second half. Some bumps and bruises werent enough to stop a San Antonio team that finally had its starting five intact, though.Kawhi Leonard had 24 points and 12 rebounds, LaMarcus Aldridge added 18 points and San Antonio held on to beat Miami 94-90 on Monday night.The Heat held the Spurs to 26 percent shooting after halftime but couldnt find enough offense to prevent their fifth straight loss.You have to give them credit, Spurs point guard Tony Parker said. They played great defense in the second half. They played with more energy and they played more physical. We have to find a solution next time.San Antonios projected starting five of Leonard, Aldridge, Parker, Pau Gasol and Danny Green made its home debut after injuries to the starting backcourt led to five different starting lineups in the teams first nine games.Despite that, the Spurs committed a season-high 17 turnovers and got roughed up throughout. Gasol tumbled to the floor on several occasions, including crashing into the stanchion after being struck from behind by Dion Waiters on a layup. Green did not play in the second half after taking a knee to the groin in the first half.Second half was probably one of our better defensive halves and weve had some really good defensive halves in games this year, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. But thats about as hard as weve competed on that end.The Heat pulled within 87-83 with two minutes remaining, but the Spurs were able to extend their lead when Patty Mills and Leonard were fouled on consecutive possessions.Waiters, who tormented San Antonio in the playoffs last season while with Oklahoma City, had 27 points. He was 12 for 26 from the field but did not attempt a free throw.Thats the crazy part about, Im not the type of guy that would question the referees on anything, Waiters said. But I look at how many layup attempts I got tonight, like 15, and I havent gotten to the line one time.Center Hassan Whiteside had 23 points and 17 rebounds, giving him a double-double in eight of nine games this season.Gasol had 12 points, Parker added 11 points and six assists and Green was limited to threee points in 15 minutes.
Romelu Lukaku Belgium Jersey. The returning starters sparked a 21-6 run in the first quarter after the Spurs gave up the games first four points.Aldridge was 4 for 4 in the opening quarter, setting up on the wing and awaiting feeds from Leonard, Green and Patty Mills. Aldridge made his first seven shots before finishing 8 for 14.The Spurs nearly blew that early efficiency with a sloppy third quarter.We were out of sync a little bit with our offense, especially in the third, Leonard said. It starts off with me. Ive got to be more patient and run the offense.TIP-INSHeat: Miami PG Goran Dragic is no longer in a walking boot and is doing light bike work as he recovers from a sprained left ankle. Dragic missed his second straight game. ... F Derrick Williams made his first start of the season. He finished with five points and a rebound in 16 minutes. ... Miami completed its season series with San Antonio, marking the earliest the teams have done so in their history. The earliest series completion previously was Dec. 6, 2003.Spurs: Parker has played 34,798 career minutes, moving him past Clyde Drexler and Grant Hill into 70th on the career list. Parker also had at least 10 points and five assists for the 641st time in his career. ... San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich has 1,095 career wins, three shy of tying his mentor and friend Larry Brown.ROAD TRIPSan Antonio will embark on its longest trip of the season, playing four of its next five on the road starting Wednesday night in Sacramento.The Spurs are 5-0 away from home.Weve been playing pretty good on the road, Leonard said. Its the home games that have been bothering us. Its always tough to play on the road. Weve just got to focus in as always.NO. 2 is No. 1Leonard has the highest career winning percentage of any player in league history that has played in a minimum of 300 games. Leonards .775 winning percentage is higher than teammate Green (.745) and Hall of Famers Magic Johnson (.740) and Larry Bird (.736).UP NEXTHeat: Host Atlanta on Tuesday night.Spurs: At Sacramento on Wednesday night. ' ' '