Oh I am so surprised I did not expect this to happen at all
/sarcasm
http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?id=44640
Bye Bye British GP. Thanks Donington.
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Oh I am so surprised I did not expect this to happen at all
/sarcasm
http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?id=44640
Bye Bye British GP. Thanks Donington.
Since the move to Donington was announced, the circuit management have been in conflict and turmoil. This was expected and predicted.
Surprise , surprise!!!
Really, can't people/circuits, etc think of the 'bigger picture' - instead of point scoring against each other. I'm not really bothered who has the British GP, just as long as there is one. This does nobody any good.
And we shouldn't blame the council either. It has to go through its proper processes.
:confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Knock-on
I specifically remember the management saying they had strong links with the local authorities and confident it will pass through the council quickly.
But then they would say that wouldn't they.
To those giggling with glee: would you rather have no British GP at all than one at Donnington?
WedgeQuote:
Originally Posted by wedge
I was going to compile a brief Essay but in researching it came across this piece.
http://www.britsonpole.com/opinion-c...ngton-post2250
Whoever ljh is, he's pretty spot on with his summery of the situation.
Personally, I would love to see Donington host the GP but without professional help, I fear this is too much a step up for the management team.
Very good point. Yet more bland corporate bo11ocks coming back to bite somebody on the ar5e.Quote:
Originally Posted by wedge
I for one don't blame Donington one bit. They're just picking up the pieces from a pile of mess created by Bernie.
While that may be true (undoubtedly is?), Donington's bosses/owners shouldn't have made such ambitious claims about their ability to stage the race in 2010.Quote:
Originally Posted by wedge
OK, hang on. Even if this is delayed until January, that gives them 14 months to sort the track out. There isn't too much to do to get to a basic level to host the GP - the track is mostly in place, as are the run off areas, viewing areas etc.
The park and ride scheme they've thought up will mean the roads don't need any urgent upgrades, so I'm still fairly confident that they'll have it done on time. And in the worst case scenario, we miss the GP for one year and get it back in 2011.. so let's just see what happens! Besides, by this time next year Bernie might be so desperate for cash that he'll let Silverstone have the race for another year :)
I don't want to say "I told you so", but....
I remember last year when Silverstone was dropped, someone said that moving to Donington was only to make UK lose the grand prix....
Quote:
Originally Posted by wedge
In all this, don't forget who the real villain is.Quote:
Originally Posted by BDunnell
Step forward Sir Jackie Stewart, under whose stewardship the future fate of the British GP was sealed.
Not that I'm that bothered....Monza is much better value for money.
Didn't everyone - fans and journos predict this when it was announced? :laugh: I hope no is surprised by this....Quote:
Originally Posted by Oli_M
Don't forget that there are two sides to every argument. He and Bernie rubbed each other up the wrong way, there's no doubt about that, but I don't think one is at fault any more than the other. And this is far too complex an issue for the blame to be laid on the shoulders of one person, no matter how neatly doing so fits into your pre-ordained views on other matters.Quote:
Originally Posted by tamburello
Not entirely.Quote:
Originally Posted by tamburello
JYS has talked many a time about modernising Silverstone, turning it into the centre of British motorsport etc, but was held back by the old guard within the BRDC who were against change.
Agreed. There is no doubt more to it than what is already exposed currently. It seems its a personal issue only privy between the BRDC and Bernie without public scrutiny.Quote:
Originally Posted by BDunnell
Anyway, we shouldn't be typical cynical Brits and pointing fingers. I for one hate to imagine Bernie enjoying these shenanigans. The British GP is in the last chance saloon and we should be getting behind it and keep our fingers crossed.
I hate to say it, but 'getting behind it' isn't going to do any good. After all, everybody — including Bernie, he says — was behind the Canadian GP but this backing hasn't exactly helped it survive.Quote:
Originally Posted by wedge
How much would the changes at Donington cost?
Did they secure the money they need? If yes than it's OK.
If not than bad luck, cause now wil be much more difficult to get a loan in fair conditions.
In the end everything is about money, not about people.
Funny though how I was, and remain, the only person to point out that was another option for 'villain of the piece'.Quote:
Originally Posted by BDunnell
It obviously did not fit into others pre-ordained views of the situation, so perhaps you should condescend them equally?
Failing to do so, failing to be equal, somewhat undermines those liberal and fair credentials you like to promote. Shocking, but then it probably doesn't fit into your pre-ordained view to have done so either.
Re-read the bit of my post where I say 'this is far too complex an issue for the blame to be laid on the shoulders of one person'. This is my 'pre-ordained' view on the subject, and I believe it to be the right one, unlike merely saying 'blame Bernie' or 'blame JYS'.Quote:
Originally Posted by tamburello
And were you really 'shocked' by my opinion, or is that just another bit of overblown rhetoric?
As an avid and fanatical reader of the Daily Mail*, I'm 'shocked' by just about everything.Quote:
Originally Posted by BDunnell
Whilst I am aware that you personally attribute blame, or at least fault, to a wide spectrum of individuals, there are others within this thread who are targeting either the Donnington management or Mr Ecclestone, and no mention of Mr Stewart.
Your attack on me for having a pre-ordained view would have more merit if you had done the same to them.
Alas, you missed the opportunity, so I remained shocked.
*Legal Note - I've never read that 'Mein Kampf' tabloid.
:laugh:Quote:
Originally Posted by tamburello
Fair enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by tamburello
IMHO you are a tad unfair to attack JYS and point finger of blame solely at him. Whoever chairs the BRDC and negotiates with Bernie represents the interests of the BRDC. I think it would be fair to criticise the BRDC as an institution which looks after its own vested interests.Quote:
Originally Posted by tamburello
Yet Stewart, as chairman, did nothing to bring the BRDC together. Instead, he & Ray Bellm argued, bickered and generally did nothing to improve the situation.Quote:
Originally Posted by wedge
A chairman should do a better job than that.
You'd think that having failed to govern the BRDC, a small motorsport organisation, he would have been a bit less critical of Mosley's running of the FIA, a massive motorsport organisation.
People in glass houses.
Its not Donnington's fault. Bernie has been saying for nearly 7 odd years to Silverstone it needs upgrading, and nothing ever seemed to materialise unless they could get their hands on taxpayers money.Quote:
Originally Posted by Oli_M
Donnington gave a plan which could be 100% privately funded, so it was bound to move.
Why is Bernie to blame? He gave them 7 odd years of warnings, and they couldn't meet his demands.Quote:
Originally Posted by wedge
Well given that Silverstone - along with mos tother GP organisers - were getting shafted by Bernie's up front fees it's no surprise they wanted to sue government money in some form. The irony being they had plans approved for the new pits etc and then Bernie decided to shift it to Donny.Quote:
Originally Posted by PolePosition_1
drop the uk grand prix and thats ok with me. there are so many other exciting circiuts out there waiting for an oportunity.
Quote:
Originally Posted by I am evil Homer
I'm under the understanding that Bernie didn't hike up the fees for hosting the GP for Silverstone. Have you got a source saying otherwise?
My understanding is that Bernie has been on at Silverstone to upgrade its facilities, on numerous occassions, it said it was going to be done, but nothing ever happened.
And if Donnington can do 100% privately funded, but Silverstone can't - why should the public pay for it, when the private can afford to do it for free (to the tax payers) ?
Whilst I'm sad to see Silverstone go, I'm a realist, F1 is a business as much as a sport, and in a capitalist society, the business is vital for F1 (the sport) to survive.
Bernie was more than lenient with Silverstone, I think had it been Turkey or anywhere similar in that situation, the GP would have gone much sooner.
And fact is, at end of the day, the British GP has been saved, just moving to different location.
Well, Bernie's business model is now showing cracks. Silverstone is your average GP venue and healthily attended, China's GP is heavily funded and struggles with attendance have already realised its an unsustainable business model.Quote:
Originally Posted by PolePosition_1
In the current economic downturn, Silverstone's admission rates are pretty unsustainable too.Quote:
Originally Posted by wedge
Silverstone has been a rip-off for years for joe public.
"Race Day tickets start from only £109 - BOOK NOW" http://www.silverstone.co.uk/php/rm_britishGP.html
Compared to 60 Euros for Monza.
No wonder Jackie Stewart can afford a nice watch.
In truth, almost all forms of outdoor and sporting event are rip-offs in Britain compared with equivalent offerings in mainland Europe.Quote:
Originally Posted by tamburello
Could it be that the Grand prix in Silverstone receives no goverment help unlike some other countries?Quote:
Originally Posted by BDunnell
That too. I'm glad it doesn't get government funding, personally. But I still think the comparison holds. I see it at events I go to overseas.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark
Yes, I'm afraid so - Rally GB is £90 for a 4 day Rally pass!! Probably the most expensive,....don't know how they justify it. As for the GP, while expensive, it is a major A League sport, and prices are set accordingly. Doesn't make it right mind you. Simple thing to do is stay away - which isn't as easy as it sounds once you've got the bug.Quote:
Originally Posted by BDunnell
Well, the FA cup prices are £35 to £90 and is a prestigious sporting event.
However, you only get 90 minutes of sport (if you can call it that) whereas you get a full days racing with the GP.
I'd say that £75 per person for a basic ticket is about right for the Sunday and £100 for a 3 day pass.
Problem is that Max charges so much for the event that the circuits have no option but to bump the prices up.
In the case of football it's down to demand. People will pay good money to watch premiership but in places like Italy the stadiums are empty for Serie A games.Quote:
Originally Posted by BDunnell
Max has nothing to do with the economical side of F1, it's Bernie!Quote:
Originally Posted by Knock-on
Sorry, Freudian slip. I get mixed up these days with which one is the Punch puppet and which one inserts his hand.Quote:
Originally Posted by ioan
At least when it comes to Ron & Lewis there isn't any doubt.Quote:
Originally Posted by Knock-on