Ebbw Vale Circuit
Discussion
I've only just become aware of this on BBC breakfast.
Very interesting, I hope it succeeds. I have a suspicion that the WAG will not support it, I'm not sure they'd consider it good for their green credentials.
Anyone know more? I'd happily spend money in the area if there was a circuit there.
Very interesting, I hope it succeeds. I have a suspicion that the WAG will not support it, I'm not sure they'd consider it good for their green credentials.
Anyone know more? I'd happily spend money in the area if there was a circuit there.
Just saw it on BBC website.
Ebbw Vale Circuit
I wonder if they would have open days for the public, I'd imagine they would as it would be a huge missed opportunity for extra revenue?.
Ebbw Vale Circuit
I wonder if they would have open days for the public, I'd imagine they would as it would be a huge missed opportunity for extra revenue?.
The Welsh government, quite rightly, has to ask serious questions. Can it afford this kind of money?No
Can the scheme deliver on its promise? Probably not, just isn't enough money in Ebbw Vale, and there isn't much up there tourism wise, pretty poor location really
Are there better ways of spending the money? Certainly, £250m worth of road repairs, £250m cash injection for small businesses etc
I would be surprised if this goes ahead, location is crap, local infrastructure wouldn't be able to support big races, and quite honestly the money could be spent elsewhere and put too much better use, building a track doesn't mean people will want to race there, doesn't mean people will want to go and use it, most people don't even know where Llandow or Pembrey are.
Can the scheme deliver on its promise? Probably not, just isn't enough money in Ebbw Vale, and there isn't much up there tourism wise, pretty poor location really
Are there better ways of spending the money? Certainly, £250m worth of road repairs, £250m cash injection for small businesses etc
I would be surprised if this goes ahead, location is crap, local infrastructure wouldn't be able to support big races, and quite honestly the money could be spent elsewhere and put too much better use, building a track doesn't mean people will want to race there, doesn't mean people will want to go and use it, most people don't even know where Llandow or Pembrey are.
Is it me or is £250M quite alot!
The supposed new F1 track in Austin Texas is reported to cost $180M.
Some of the biggest F1 tracks like Abu Dhabi are supposed to have cost alot more than £250M but that was for a state of the art F1 track which this project is not about.
Dont get me wrong I think a nice new shiny (not too shiny as it would be dangerous) track in S. Wales would be great but agree with others that it needs to be very accessible. That is the problem with attracting drivers to the current tracks.
The supposed new F1 track in Austin Texas is reported to cost $180M.
Some of the biggest F1 tracks like Abu Dhabi are supposed to have cost alot more than £250M but that was for a state of the art F1 track which this project is not about.
Dont get me wrong I think a nice new shiny (not too shiny as it would be dangerous) track in S. Wales would be great but agree with others that it needs to be very accessible. That is the problem with attracting drivers to the current tracks.
fantastic idea as im a racer and from cardiff but the welsh would have to flog one of there many useless,expensive and unproductive rugby stadiums first and then it would be affordable but remember a good trak will bring quality business and jobs to the area and if high profile events then better still, but i have massive reservations about the welsh assembly commitment to motorsport and its ability to make good business decisions ( they have spent millions banning the option of free plastic bags in supermarkets only for shoppers to start nicking baskets so they can get home with purchases ) if you vote in labour doughnuts then all their decisions will have big holes and cause only decay!! good luck to Bleanau Gwent council
if this is a success then bin the Bridge fee and Wales just might start to shine
happy days
if this is a success then bin the Bridge fee and Wales just might start to shine
happy days
We shouldn't forget that the Nurburgring was built where it was to aid an economically deprived area, and I would suggest that it worked to help establish many local service industry related businesses.
At least until the recent Government sponsored folly that keeps money from being spent in the local economy, and has also saddled the 'ring with a fortune in debt.
But, I worry about Ebbw Vale. Pembrey is a good circuit which still holds some great racing events, but outside the competitors & their friends I don't think it attracts many spectators. Car trackdays there are thin on the ground, expensive for TDO's (I think, but would explain why there aren't many days there) and they're not fully booked even at £140 for a Saturday.
I'm thinking that outside the major national/international events, would there be enough population nearby to help sustain the smaller events &/or trackdays that could keep the circuit going? If Pembrey struggles, would Ebbw Vale? Any circuit owners/TDOs who can give their thoughts?
At least until the recent Government sponsored folly that keeps money from being spent in the local economy, and has also saddled the 'ring with a fortune in debt.
But, I worry about Ebbw Vale. Pembrey is a good circuit which still holds some great racing events, but outside the competitors & their friends I don't think it attracts many spectators. Car trackdays there are thin on the ground, expensive for TDO's (I think, but would explain why there aren't many days there) and they're not fully booked even at £140 for a Saturday.
I'm thinking that outside the major national/international events, would there be enough population nearby to help sustain the smaller events &/or trackdays that could keep the circuit going? If Pembrey struggles, would Ebbw Vale? Any circuit owners/TDOs who can give their thoughts?
DHE said:
As your into your racing, were would you suggest it should be located?
Not sure being a racer helps but I have raced at 95% of the circuits, the ones that seem to do well are those that have character in the surrounding area or have good facilities or have good transport, some have all. No disrespect but Rassau is just too much of a pit, there's very little there and very little around it and the only reason there are businesses there is because it's cheap......for something like this size of scheme to work it needs to be close to majority of people and that means Cardiff or Swansea area IMOLet's not forget the figures being suggested are pretty significant. For £250 million you can get a very comprehensive circuit with equally good facilities. This would no doubt attract other motorsport focused companies to the area. Yes the neighbouring area is not great but again they are spending silly amounts of money redeveloping the former steel works site along with other schemes on the Heads of the Valley. It's also very close to some characterful places such as Hereford/Monmouth/Usk/ Raglan.
Traffic routes are also pretty good I would say from either M4 or M5. And there are some of the best roads this county has to offer just a stones throw away!!
Yes it's very early days but it would be incredible for the regeneration of the area!!
Traffic routes are also pretty good I would say from either M4 or M5. And there are some of the best roads this county has to offer just a stones throw away!!
Yes it's very early days but it would be incredible for the regeneration of the area!!
I have to be honest, if this project goes ahead it would be far more than Llandow or Pembrey. Both those tracks are a nightmare to get to and don't really have anything anywhere near them worth talking about, also the tracks themselves are little to write home about. Ebbw Vale has quick links to Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and England plus the surrounding area has far more to offer visitors than the other tracks mentioned. Also, a project this big would bring other company's to the area such as hotels and other service industries. Castle Combe would be a better comparison and this project sounds like it would dwarf that in terms of on site facilities and style if the talk is anything to go by, I think it could be a great thing!!
Would have to disagree about Pembrey track being nothing to write home about.
Its a great track with alot of variation. When F1 testing was less restricted it was used frequently by the teams and was supposed to be favoured by alot of top drivers.
But I agree that this amount of investment would surely bring about a fantastic venue and for £250 million perhaps we will get there by monorail or skilift from downtown Cardiff!
Its a great track with alot of variation. When F1 testing was less restricted it was used frequently by the teams and was supposed to be favoured by alot of top drivers.
But I agree that this amount of investment would surely bring about a fantastic venue and for £250 million perhaps we will get there by monorail or skilift from downtown Cardiff!
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