Anyone still bothered about F1?
Discussion
Extract from pitpass.com
"Although pitpass contacted Silverstone we couldn't get anyone to give us a comment 'on the record' nor could we discover who is ultimately responsible for the decision. However an employee, who did not wish to be identified, suggested that the decision was not entirely down to the circuit's owners the BRDC nor the event's promoters."
Misleading. The BRDC has no say in decisions of this sort. Interpublic lease Silverstone and control the GP through their newly formed subsidiary Silverstone Motorsport Ltd.
I would imagine this is due to a decision to maximise their 'corporate' revenue (to the disadvantage of the normal spectator), and probably has the backing of Bernie Ecclestone. It's got to the stage that a large number of BRDC members - who own Silverstone - watch the race at home on TV because it's the only way they can see anything.
"Although pitpass contacted Silverstone we couldn't get anyone to give us a comment 'on the record' nor could we discover who is ultimately responsible for the decision. However an employee, who did not wish to be identified, suggested that the decision was not entirely down to the circuit's owners the BRDC nor the event's promoters."
Misleading. The BRDC has no say in decisions of this sort. Interpublic lease Silverstone and control the GP through their newly formed subsidiary Silverstone Motorsport Ltd.
I would imagine this is due to a decision to maximise their 'corporate' revenue (to the disadvantage of the normal spectator), and probably has the backing of Bernie Ecclestone. It's got to the stage that a large number of BRDC members - who own Silverstone - watch the race at home on TV because it's the only way they can see anything.
mungo said:
GT racing is where it's at!
Well said mate. Have to say that 'live', an F1 car is an awesome sight, but the racing does leave me increasingly cold. I like flames,glowing brakes, sparks, a bit of visual drama, and F1 has lost all of that. Sportscar racing hasn't, and they race at night sometimes 
mungo said:
I have to say though, I attended the Silverstone GP last year and it was an awesome spectacle - great racing too which is RARE in F1. Oh yeah, I watched from the centre of the track for a bit!
Do you ever make the Le Mans pilgrimage mate?
Not yet mate. Should be attending the Spa 1000km next year though, which will be my first foreign race. The plan is to go to Le Mans in 2005. Been to the track twice, just not when there's been a race on. My Dad nearly got very intimate with the gravel trap at Indianapolis when we drove round
Superflid said:
News is that at Silverstone this year fans are only to be allowed access to the outside of the track, the infield is to be for the glitterati only.
They're also making the tickets a lot cheaper
There are still opportunities to see F1 drivers in the flesh....you just have to hang around at the bottom of the steps leading to the media entrance.
At the 2001 GP....I had to wait for a media friend to come over - so we could catch up over a drink....and I saw quite a few comings and goings while I waited for her....I was a little cross with her for being late - as it made me look a bit like a groupie standing at the bottom of the stairs, with the autograph hunters.
I believe F1 still has a lot to offer underneath the bull and circus that goes around with it at the moment.
Personally I used to go every year, even jumping on the corporate bandwagon in the mid/late 80's for novelty, better seats and the warmth of a cooked breakfast and somehere to shelter on a summers day. It was fairly expensive then, but it now just plain silly (IMHO).
It will come full circle though, mark my words, then only the fans will be left. Which can't be too far away as a large section of those now on corporate hospitality are starting to question its price, again AIMHO.
Harry
Personally I used to go every year, even jumping on the corporate bandwagon in the mid/late 80's for novelty, better seats and the warmth of a cooked breakfast and somehere to shelter on a summers day
. It was fairly expensive then, but it now just plain silly (IMHO). It will come full circle though, mark my words, then only the fans will be left. Which can't be too far away as a large section of those now on corporate hospitality are starting to question its price, again AIMHO.
Harry
McNab said:
There are still opportunities to see F1 drivers in the flesh...
Shame upon you Madame
Funny you should say that
the only time I bought a risque magazine was when DC was 'modelling' for some dubious mag for gorls - I don't even remember what it was called - but he was posing in the nude I'm sure I still have it around the house somewhere
mungo said:
mungo said:
GT racing is where it's at!
I have to say though, I attended the Silverstone GP last year and it was an awesome spectacle - great racing too which is RARE in F1. Oh yeah, I watched from the centre of the track for a bit!
Do you ever make the Le Mans pilgrimage mate?
But Mungo mate, you get all excited at the slightest whiff of perfume, let alone motor racing
In answer to the title question; yes, I'm still bothered about F1.
It's a bit like a wife or girlfriend - It stretches your resolve, it sometimes bores you, angers you, confuses you. But ultimately, you still love it!
We all get carried away with the bad stuff and forget to look at the good. It remains the pinnacle of the sport and of automotive engineering in general. I know this is a bit geeky but still worth remembering.
The racing is getting better and to be honest - on a dull Sunday afternoon, given the choice of 3 hours of East Enders, a crap B movie or F1, I know which I'd rather watch!
The time F1 was at it's most popular in the UK was in the early 90's This was a time when Mansell was winning everything, it was equally predicable and offered some equally dull races.
I wonder how much of this distain would exist if "Schummacher from Kerpen" was "Smith from Cambridge"?
It's a bit like a wife or girlfriend - It stretches your resolve, it sometimes bores you, angers you, confuses you. But ultimately, you still love it!
We all get carried away with the bad stuff and forget to look at the good. It remains the pinnacle of the sport and of automotive engineering in general. I know this is a bit geeky but still worth remembering.
The racing is getting better and to be honest - on a dull Sunday afternoon, given the choice of 3 hours of East Enders, a crap B movie or F1, I know which I'd rather watch!
The time F1 was at it's most popular in the UK was in the early 90's This was a time when Mansell was winning everything, it was equally predicable and offered some equally dull races.
I wonder how much of this distain would exist if "Schummacher from Kerpen" was "Smith from Cambridge"?
steviebee said:
It remains the pinnacle of the sport and of automotive engineering in general
Can't agree with that, I'm afraid.
As for being the pinnacle of the sport, in what way? Certainly not in entertainment, driver ability or sportsmanship........
Regarding the engineering.
F1 rules are so restrictive regarding almost every aspect of car design that innovation and experimentation are practically frowned upon.
The number of advances banned by F1, according to the politics of the day (and quite likely to change tomorrow), means that teams are less likely to spend money on new developments which might ultimatly not be allowed on track.
Like many others (I suspect) I find F1 very frustrating - it promises much but usually disappoints. Just occasionally it delivers and keeps itself alive and I end up watching every race just in case.....
Unfortunately it presently lacks any really charismatic (British) racers capable of generating partriotic ferver in the way James Hunt and Nigel Mansell managed to do. Martin Brundle, Damon Hill and DC were absent when the racer genes were given out. Johnny Herbert had them, but he never really recovered from that horrific F3 crash at Brands. Dario Franchitti was overlooked and went off to US racing.
Of the current pretenders Button, Wilson, Firmani and Nish only Button has a chance because he's got a ride for next season. Is he a racer? Possibly and if the BAR machine/tyres are really as good a mix as they are suggesting, then we might find out if he is really any good. I hope so.
I tend to watch motor racing of all shapes and sizes, cars and bikes. But I have only ever really followed the complete season in F1, just dipping in and out of the others when I trip over them on the tv.
What I would really like to see are complete flag to flag re-runs of selected races from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Not highlights, just the fully, unexpurgated version. It would be great to watch those famous names competing and since I'm not that much of a
I would not have any idea of the results until it was over. Hearing James Hunt and Murray Walker (who preceded them?) and others would be compelling viewing for this sad old bastard who still watches current F1 on a Sunday afternoon.
Unfortunately it presently lacks any really charismatic (British) racers capable of generating partriotic ferver in the way James Hunt and Nigel Mansell managed to do. Martin Brundle, Damon Hill and DC were absent when the racer genes were given out. Johnny Herbert had them, but he never really recovered from that horrific F3 crash at Brands. Dario Franchitti was overlooked and went off to US racing.
Of the current pretenders Button, Wilson, Firmani and Nish only Button has a chance because he's got a ride for next season. Is he a racer? Possibly and if the BAR machine/tyres are really as good a mix as they are suggesting, then we might find out if he is really any good. I hope so.
I tend to watch motor racing of all shapes and sizes, cars and bikes. But I have only ever really followed the complete season in F1, just dipping in and out of the others when I trip over them on the tv.
What I would really like to see are complete flag to flag re-runs of selected races from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Not highlights, just the fully, unexpurgated version. It would be great to watch those famous names competing and since I'm not that much of a
I would not have any idea of the results until it was over. Hearing James Hunt and Murray Walker (who preceded them?) and others would be compelling viewing for this sad old bastard who still watches current F1 on a Sunday afternoon.
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