MotoGP of... Wales
Discussion
The whole state of motorsport in the UK, & elsewhere probably, is a bit despairing really. What with the notorious problems at Donington, Croft, Mallory (hopefully resolved now under Stuart Hicken),Silverstone & this "will it won't it" Wales circuit.
It's a shame considering that it's a high value sport & usually popular with spectators. It seems to only be TV money that keeps the big circuits going with trackdays/minor race series etc helping to cover costs.
I just heard yesterday that a "certain overseas" circuit owner still owes a UK Team owner approx Euro115K in promised "sponsorship" money. Add to that about Eur63K from an exhaust manufacturer he was promised it makes you wonder how some teams keep going.
It's a shame considering that it's a high value sport & usually popular with spectators. It seems to only be TV money that keeps the big circuits going with trackdays/minor race series etc helping to cover costs.
I just heard yesterday that a "certain overseas" circuit owner still owes a UK Team owner approx Euro115K in promised "sponsorship" money. Add to that about Eur63K from an exhaust manufacturer he was promised it makes you wonder how some teams keep going.
As much as I'd love another circuit and one that could run world class events I'd rather see Donington get the cash and bring MotoGP back to it's rightful home. I for one am glad to see Silverstone lose the license as it's terrible for spectating and hugely overpriced.
Even though it's a million miles away from me I do wonder how come Brands never goes for MotoGP, but the arse end of Wales isn't great for me either unless they serious upgrade the road infrastructure to get there, which is why Donington (and with an airport) would get my vote.
Even though it's a million miles away from me I do wonder how come Brands never goes for MotoGP, but the arse end of Wales isn't great for me either unless they serious upgrade the road infrastructure to get there, which is why Donington (and with an airport) would get my vote.
FNG said:
You used it have East Fortune and Ingliston too, sadly both beyond use now.
Ingliston was a little ..interesting... from what I recall. As well as plenty of armco, there were opportunities to stuff your car in a Royal Bank of Scotland or some exceptionally large trees.Can't see how the Wales thing is going to work, myself. Smells like it's just designed to suck money out of the Welsh assembly. Much as I like motorsport, I'd prefer libraries stayed open. http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/135779/librar...
I'll get corrected or flamed for this but why isn't Rockingham ever considered for MotoGP, or WSB and now BSB for that matter?
As much as I like Donington or Brands, the facilities are hardly world class now. As stated above, big fanfare and lots of investment for Rockingham but no major events, despite, I assume, up to date facilities and choice of circuit layouts - I haven't actually been there which may be the answer to my question.
As much as I like Donington or Brands, the facilities are hardly world class now. As stated above, big fanfare and lots of investment for Rockingham but no major events, despite, I assume, up to date facilities and choice of circuit layouts - I haven't actually been there which may be the answer to my question.
graham22 said:
I'll get corrected or flamed for this but why isn't Rockingham ever considered for MotoGP, or WSB and now BSB for that matter?
As much as I like Donington or Brands, the facilities are hardly world class now. As stated above, big fanfare and lots of investment for Rockingham but no major events, despite, I assume, up to date facilities and choice of circuit layouts - I haven't actually been there which may be the answer to my question.
Rock would need to be remodelled. It lost BSB in 2003, can't remember why, but I do know the Hislop was badly hurt in 2001 after hitting the barriers after the first chicane.As much as I like Donington or Brands, the facilities are hardly world class now. As stated above, big fanfare and lots of investment for Rockingham but no major events, despite, I assume, up to date facilities and choice of circuit layouts - I haven't actually been there which may be the answer to my question.
In terms of this Wales MotoGP stuff, it'll never happen. I just don't understand the thought process. It's in the middle of nowhere, so who's going to want to go? Seem to be ripping up fields for no good reason.
sprinter1050 said:
The whole state of motorsport in the UK, & elsewhere probably, is a bit despairing really. What with the notorious problems at Donington, Croft, Mallory (hopefully resolved now under Stuart Hicken),Silverstone & this "will it won't it" Wales circuit.
It's a shame considering that it's a high value sport & usually popular with spectators. It seems to only be TV money that keeps the big circuits going with trackdays/minor race series etc helping to cover costs.
I just heard yesterday that a "certain overseas" circuit owner still owes a UK Team owner approx Euro115K in promised "sponsorship" money. Add to that about Eur63K from an exhaust manufacturer he was promised it makes you wonder how some teams keep going.
It's because motorsport, especially motorcycling, doesn't have the public fan base any more. It's a shame considering that it's a high value sport & usually popular with spectators. It seems to only be TV money that keeps the big circuits going with trackdays/minor race series etc helping to cover costs.
I just heard yesterday that a "certain overseas" circuit owner still owes a UK Team owner approx Euro115K in promised "sponsorship" money. Add to that about Eur63K from an exhaust manufacturer he was promised it makes you wonder how some teams keep going.
Your average Joe would rather watch football, tennis, cycling etc.
Noisy things with engines are just not that cool any more.
DrDoofenshmirtz said:
It's because motorsport, especially motorcycling, doesn't have the public fan base any more.
Your average Joe would rather watch football, tennis, cycling etc.
Noisy things with engines are just not that cool any more.
I'd argue MotoGP is more popular/mainstream now than for a long, long while. Your average Joe would rather watch football, tennis, cycling etc.
Noisy things with engines are just not that cool any more.
Same with the TT, speak to the average person and they've all heard of it (in no small part thanks to Guy Martin and things like Closer to the Edge. Can you imagine Joey Dunlop on the One Show
), 15 years ago hardly anyone had!Prof Prolapse said:
This may have an obvious answer I'm not aware of.
But since no bugger goes the library nowadays, why not just put the books on the interweb?
You'd save a fortune, increase access, and could easily password protect to protect copyright.
Old people would be up in arms. But since no bugger goes the library nowadays, why not just put the books on the interweb?
You'd save a fortune, increase access, and could easily password protect to protect copyright.
My Gran is never away from there, her goal in life is to read ever Mills and Boon book ever written. She has been reading them for at least 20 years, probably about 3 a week. In fact she turned around to say "she might stop reading them they are getting s
t". She swears as much as me. I am staggered that my local library has the capacity for anything but f
king mills and boons books.WaferThinHam said:
graham22 said:
I'll get corrected or flamed for this but why isn't Rockingham ever considered for MotoGP, or WSB and now BSB for that matter?
As much as I like Donington or Brands, the facilities are hardly world class now. As stated above, big fanfare and lots of investment for Rockingham but no major events, despite, I assume, up to date facilities and choice of circuit layouts - I haven't actually been there which may be the answer to my question.
Rock would need to be remodelled. It lost BSB in 2003, can't remember why, but I do know the Hislop was badly hurt in 2001 after hitting the barriers after the first chicane.As much as I like Donington or Brands, the facilities are hardly world class now. As stated above, big fanfare and lots of investment for Rockingham but no major events, despite, I assume, up to date facilities and choice of circuit layouts - I haven't actually been there which may be the answer to my question.
In terms of this Wales MotoGP stuff, it'll never happen. I just don't understand the thought process. It's in the middle of nowhere, so who's going to want to go? Seem to be ripping up fields for no good reason.
I work for one of the companies who is working on the scheme and can advise the funding is in place for the first Phase which I understand to be the track, pits and stand facilities. Mind you there is a large amount of mountain to quarry to build it, hence the initial delay of 1 year before the GP moves there(Dont forget that deal is already done).
The other phases are the usual corporate hotels, light industry etc.
It is a bit in the middle of no where but if you come from the midlands its down the M5 - M50, London its the M4 so links aren't bad. But watch out for the speed police they are right bar stewards on match days at the milenium stadium.
I was always amazed at the success of Celtic Manor (Ryder Cupo Golf) as it was a tiny grotty looking hotel next to the motorway when I was a lad, and the nearby town of Newport is so rough (the women on a night out are truely scarey!).
The other phases are the usual corporate hotels, light industry etc.
It is a bit in the middle of no where but if you come from the midlands its down the M5 - M50, London its the M4 so links aren't bad. But watch out for the speed police they are right bar stewards on match days at the milenium stadium.
I was always amazed at the success of Celtic Manor (Ryder Cupo Golf) as it was a tiny grotty looking hotel next to the motorway when I was a lad, and the nearby town of Newport is so rough (the women on a night out are truely scarey!).
moanthebairns said:
Prof Prolapse said:
This may have an obvious answer I'm not aware of.
But since no bugger goes the library nowadays, why not just put the books on the interweb?
You'd save a fortune, increase access, and could easily password protect to protect copyright.
Old people would be up in arms. But since no bugger goes the library nowadays, why not just put the books on the interweb?
You'd save a fortune, increase access, and could easily password protect to protect copyright.
My Gran is never away from there, her goal in life is to read ever Mills and Boon book ever written. She has been reading them for at least 20 years, probably about 3 a week. In fact she turned around to say "she might stop reading them they are getting s
t". She swears as much as me. I am staggered that my local library has the capacity for anything but f
king mills and boons books.That should get her off M&B!
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