Caesars Palace 185

Caesars Palace

The makeshift road course at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas epitomised the madness that afflicted Formula 1 in the United States during the 1980s.

The makeshift road course at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas epitomised the madness that afflicted Formula 1 in the United States during the 1980s. Constructed in the hotel’s parking lot, the course was over two miles of racing circuit bordered by concrete barriers – no visual landmarks and no atmosphere, just the latest show in town. The organisers hired Long Beach promoter Chris Pook and used taxi drivers to bed in the new tarmac. The general reaction was that it was better than expected, but F1 lasted just two years at the site. During this time, Caesars Palace staged the final race of the championship and both Nelson Piquet (1981) and Keke Rosberg (1982) claimed world titles here. The circuit then hosted the Champ Car World Series on a modified oval before that championship also moved on after two races.

Grand Prix Circuit

1981 - 1982

Type

Temporary road course

Length

2.268 (Miles)

Change

Grand Prix circuit laid out in the car park

Fastest Race Lap

Michele Alboreto (Tyrrell 011-Ford), 1m19.639, 102.523 mph, F1, 1982

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Alain Prost (Renault RE30B), 1m16.356, 106.931 mph, F1, 1982

Oval

1983 - 1984

Type

Modified oval

Length

1.125 (Miles)

Change

Champ Car circuit configured as a modified "oval"

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Danny Sullivan (Lola T800-Cosworth) 32.952s, 122.906 mph, Champ Cars, 1984

Latest Races

3,413

Championships

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19,330

Results

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25,216

Drivers

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14,546

Teams

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917

Circuits

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