http://www.itv.com/formula1/news/20...wants-return-to-south-africa-and-mexico-8751/ My questions are: How is he going to squeeze them into the calender as the concorde agreement (not that he gives a stuff about the concorde agreement) limits the number of races to 20? And which of the traditional races (it wont be any of the oil rich new boring ones) will he sacrifice? Don't care if Valencia goes, in fact I'd jump for joy.
I suggested some time ago that Ecclestone would be looking to South Africa and another venue in the Americas in order to make his 'World Championship' even more credible; and for that reason, this news is of no surprise. We can only hope that the venues we do not like are the first to go in what can only be a 20 race calendar in practice. 21 would really be pushing it, so keep your fingers crossed that the worst Tilkedromes become extinct - but don't place any bets on it!
Kyalami would be my first choice but it would need a redesign and unfortunately we know only too well who would be getting the contract…
Kyalami please! Also, dump Valencia, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi... Not all that bothered by Singapore either. As for Mexico... Has Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez finished sinking yet?
They have said many times that it will likely be a Cape Town street race. A country that, clearly, has not been thought of before all these **** Tilkedromes in places that aren't necessary on a 20-race calendar is New Zealand. I think a NZ GP would be great. High up in the mountains with fast sweeping bends a'la'Spa' style. But Bernie's wallet would be slightly unhappy as NZ couldn't pay it's fees with ease like Abu Dhabi.
It's a good idea, but the circuit i'd most like to see a race on is australia's mount panorama circuit. Talk about a challenge.
please log in to view this image Yep it'd be great. I never get used to the atmosphere and scenery down there. It's great. And those who are concerned about safety regulations, well it's technically a street circuit, which means it can get away with almost anything
Bathurst is a great circuit indeed - one of my all time favourites and I hope to be back there in November. I'd love it to get the necessary upgrades to make it a viable F1 circuit but I can't see it ever happening. The run up from Quarry through the cutting and all the way around the park, down through the esses to the elbow is seriously daunting at sportscar speeds but would warrant modifying for high downforce modern day F1 cars doing that section far, far faster which could quickly become flying missiles with the slightest wheel contact over the crests (a real concern - especially when one considers a certain driver's defending!). Massive run-offs would be required into what is now the park; land which I do not believe the circuit owns. The Pits would need reciting, probably to the first long straight (Mountain) unless Hell Corner was completely redesigned. Even for non-F1 cars, this 90˚left causes mayhem immediately after the start. The circuit would also need a complete overhaul to corporate facilities to satisfy the mega-rich (and sponsors) and the circuit would need widening and resurfacing of course - all requiring massive investment that would take years to break-even. The whole thing would need a complete revamp costing in the order of nine figures, and seriously alter the character of the course; then they'd have to stump up Bernie's inflated fee too; and all before they get a single penny back!! On top of that, I really I doubt they'd have the stomach for Bernie's extortion in any case. After all, the "Bathurst 1000" is not known as "The Supercheap" for nothing!
Fairly strong points raised there Cosi, and yes, it's effectively just a racer's fantasy, but a lot of those points like safety and run-off can be countered with the "what about Monaco?" argument. I have been on the track myself, as it is a public road in my uncle's Commodore (I didn't drive it obviously being only 16) and, even only at 60 km/h, going down between the Esses and the Dipper is quite scary with not a lot of room to move between concrete walls. The pits wouldn't need to have the hugest of modifications as they're fairly modern but just need the equipment to accomadate the F1 cars. The housing facilities for the mega-rich are probably equal that of Spa, but the mega-rich would turn out in bigger numbers for races like Bathurst and Monaco than Spa so yes, they'd need to be redone to accomadate the media and so on. It was great that originally people would just camp in a nearby field for accomadation. Even parking is in a neighbouring field Conrod Straight didn't originally include The Chase and went all the way down to Murray's and got it's name from cars blowing the conrods due to the immense length of the straight and spending a huge amount of time at full throttle. So to stop this they installed The Chase, but makes me wonder due to the much higher acceleration of F1 cars if they would have to move it forward to prevent further incidents. There aren't a huge amount of grandstands you see at places like Silverstone, but to be honest, I'm perfectly happy with sitting on a grassy hill. Not that Bernie cares. As for being known as "The Supercheap", that is a low blow Cosi! It's just known that for its sponsors but again, that's not what Bernie wants to hear. Anyway, I'd like to hear your opinion on a NZ GP. It should be known as "Hulme Park" or something.
You know your stuff Sandwich and I'm really glad you've had a chance to go around one of the most challenging short circuits of them all. I understand the points you make and I knew you'd appreciate my super cheap joke! But the 'street circuit' argument is inadequate for dealing with the top of the circuit especially before the outside wall closes in. Ah, I've found it! Here's Jenson Button taking it easy on an empty circuit; bear in mind this is his first ever lap in a car with a very conservative set-up! [video=youtube;x4XVF3jJL5Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4XVF3jJL5Q&feature=related[/video] As for "Hulme Park": it's a great suggestion for a futuristic F1 film; or perhaps the perfect location for a Gran Turismo circuit?!! I have a very dear friend who emigrated to New Zealand a few years ago and I just love the place. A circuit in the mountains would be every racer's dream come true; but one critical point about a real Grand Prix circuit is that it must attract vast numbers of people to offset Bernie's fees, and the beauty of NZ is that there are no people! P.S. I presume you know that Denny Hulme died after a heart attack on Conrod? Mercifully, he was able to bring the car to rest safely, thereby avoiding a possibly catastrophic outcome for many more…
hehe, I was actually there. That's when we drove the Commodore around, it was great. Top three moments from that day: 1. While we were driving the Commodore around we came out of Forrest Elbow and saw on Conrod, the Holden V8 Supercar going fairly slow. I assume that whether it was Button or Craig Lowndes driving it came out after the event was over just for a few slow laps. Anyway, he stopped and we drove past but not before I got a look in the cockpit to try and see who it was. I'm pretty sure it was Button and he actually turned around and drove up the mountain backwards. 2. At the end of it we were up at the Skyline (we were originally on the Pit Straight) and I wanted to get back down fast to the pits to get an autograph from Button and Lowndes. But the traffic was a nightmare and by the time we got down they'd finished up but we were just standing there looking at the car. But a woman from the local newspaper saw me and my Mercedes flag and interviewed me and took a few photos as well about what I thought of the event. I should have asked for a copy. Oh well. 3. We barely made it on time. There were about a hundred cars lining up to get in and we could hear a sound unlike any I'd ever heard. So we made a bypass on all of those cars (which I have no idea if it was legal or not ) and bolted up to the Pit Straight just as Jenson was getting out on track. Within 5 seconds, I used my keen intellect to point out that he was on the soft Pirelli tyre. A few people listening seemed quite shocked that a 16-year-old would know that . Heli cam action was bloody incredible! I didn't actually know how Hulme died but that just shows how skillled these guys are. To be able to pull an F1 car over while having a heart attack is incredible.
