Ringside Seat: a very British Nurburgring?
Should we build our own Nurburgring in Wales?
Last week's monologue about Touristenfahrten worries at the Nurburgring kicked up a healthy discussion, as well as a few copycat 'stories' around the globe.
And that got me thinking about a couple of specific topics that came up in the forum chat; the current plans for a £200-million-pound public/private investment in a new Welsh racing circuit, and the online petition to 'Build a British Nordschleife'.
Should the valleys reverberate to V8s?
Imagine the tourism if a Welsh track could attract even half the international visitors that the Nurburgring does now! Countless businesses would sprout up around the track, hundreds of jobs would be created at the circuit and many thousands more would be generated around it. And that's a key concept if you want the track to be popular and to survive in the modern world.
Do you know how many noise complaints arrive at the Nurburgring office each week? None. Compare that to other historic racetracks like Brands Hatch, who fight battles every day and you have to ask "Why?"
Hilly, deserted, rains a lot ... yup, Wales would do!
Anybody who's been to the 'ring will tell you that it's like visiting motorsports heaven, and I see no logical reason why the same thing couldn't grow and flourish in a spot like Ebbw Vale. Maybe a 10-mile loop of tarmac thrown over the mountains with 200-300m of height difference? Public sessions with trackday 'tickets', just one lap at a time. Cracking local hotels, beer on tap and some good grub, all surrounded by idyllic public roads?
Does the 'ring need to be German to be internationally relevant? Or could a Welsh-loop really succeed?
t that put to much oil in his R8 last october and you helped me out!Think of the safety restrictions that it would have to have. One the enduring things about the ring is its inherant danger aspect, this simply (by todays standards) wouldn't exist. Its a 1920's track that simply hasn't has to confrom to modern standards, and is all the better for it, if over-subscribed now.
Its a nice idea, but closing off a section of good road for a few days per year for "events" wouuld really be the only answer to having our own ring type road.
shame it will never ever happen, ramblers associations already hve a problem with rally events, never mind a 24/7 race track
The UK government wouldnt back it, even if the Welsh agreed.
We are too quick to worry about law suits, where there's blame there's a claim type scenarios etc.
Basically, despite the Government supporting the British Automotive industry very well over the past few years, this will not be viewed in the same light.
To those who wouldnt directly benefit (track drivers, local people and businesses, automotive industry etc) the idea will be seen as a big and dangerous venture for boy racers.
The only way i can see it happening is if a buyer comes along with enough cash to buy the land required, and develope it with no public investment what so ever.
If it does look like it's going to happen, then EVERY pistonheads member should get involved, and pre-book sessions, or buy merchandise, sign petitions etc etc.
However has stated the nanny state/think of the children/mother gaia is dying!/cars are evil/people who have fun are evil (delete as appropriate) would throw a complete and utter mental.
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