Discussion
I half caught a news report this morning talking about an F1 demonstration in London just before Silverstone.
I'm sure Bernie (interviewed) mentioned wooing the necessary people into closing down the necessary streets for a London Grand Prix. Can we be looking at a Monaco style GP around the streets of London?
I hope so!
I'm sure Bernie (interviewed) mentioned wooing the necessary people into closing down the necessary streets for a London Grand Prix. Can we be looking at a Monaco style GP around the streets of London?
I hope so!
F1Live.com said:
Seven Formula One cars might power around London on July 6.
'The Guardian' newspaper reports that a demonstration-run in Regent Street to promote the British Grand Prix has been mooted by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
''There's a good chance it'll happen,'' the Briton said in Monaco.
According to another source, the seven grand prix cars - driven by team test drivers - will represent the seven Formula One teams who call Britain home.
Only Ferrari (Italy), Sauber (Swiss) and Toyota (Germany) are not UK- based.
The move, therefore, has been interpreted by some analysts as Ecclestone - who owns the rights to the British GP - applying pressure for government support.
London is superior to Silverstone because its facilities are obviously a lot better
It's a typical Bernie inspired stunt. I doubt very much we'll see motor racing in the streets of London. However, using one of the parks might be a better option (Hyde Park, Regent's Park etc) but imagine the opposition there would be to such a move. Nope, this is just hype - as usual.
Did you know that it was intended to hold a motor race in Hyde Park just after World War 2 but it was vetoed by the Metropolitan Police.
It's a typical Bernie inspired stunt. I doubt very much we'll see motor racing in the streets of London. However, using one of the parks might be a better option (Hyde Park, Regent's Park etc) but imagine the opposition there would be to such a move. Nope, this is just hype - as usual.
Did you know that it was intended to hold a motor race in Hyde Park just after World War 2 but it was vetoed by the Metropolitan Police.
There is a law from Edwardian times proclaiming it illegal to race on the streets.
therefore highly unlikely (although there was the Birmingham F30000 race in the late 80's. i have often wondered how they got away with it.
Its unlikely for a number of reasons including:
-The pot holes would need to be filled in
-The Speed cameras would be set off
-Ken Livingstone
-Ken Livingstone
-Ken Livingstone
-Met police would be very interested in untaxed cars, uninsured driving without lights/horn/exposed wheels and without numberplates on the roads. F1 teams are rich, see and have lots of money,see, and speed kills, and...
Every few years the idea of a London race crops up, but it never happens (anyone remember Damon Hill's idea, based around Hype park???). I cannot see this being any different.
therefore highly unlikely (although there was the Birmingham F30000 race in the late 80's. i have often wondered how they got away with it.
Its unlikely for a number of reasons including:
-The pot holes would need to be filled in
-The Speed cameras would be set off
-Ken Livingstone
-Ken Livingstone
-Ken Livingstone
-Met police would be very interested in untaxed cars, uninsured driving without lights/horn/exposed wheels and without numberplates on the roads. F1 teams are rich, see and have lots of money,see, and speed kills, and...
Every few years the idea of a London race crops up, but it never happens (anyone remember Damon Hill's idea, based around Hype park???). I cannot see this being any different.
The concept of a GP in London is an intriguing one and one that I would love to see happen ( I actually think we need more street races in F1 - Pheonix, Long Beach - all threw up some great races).
Imagine the TV pics from the start - heading towards Trafalger Square along the Mall with Buck Palace in the background, sweeping right into Horseguards - would be a great place for overtaking too!
However.....it won't happen!
Road Racing is illeagl in the UK. The only way it can happen is for special dispensation to be granted from central government.
When they ran the Birmingham Super Prix, the event was sponsored by Halfords. The main man at Halfords then was one Dennis Thatcher who's missus happened to be in charge of the country at the time!....get my drift?
That said, anything's possible and i hear Howard is a bit of a petrol head!!
Imagine the TV pics from the start - heading towards Trafalger Square along the Mall with Buck Palace in the background, sweeping right into Horseguards - would be a great place for overtaking too!
However.....it won't happen!
Road Racing is illeagl in the UK. The only way it can happen is for special dispensation to be granted from central government.
When they ran the Birmingham Super Prix, the event was sponsored by Halfords. The main man at Halfords then was one Dennis Thatcher who's missus happened to be in charge of the country at the time!....get my drift?
That said, anything's possible and i hear Howard is a bit of a petrol head!!
And other stuff.
There were some people trying to resurrect the Birmingham Superprix, but it looks like they've given it up as an impossibility and are looking into a watered down demonstration event.
www.birmingham101.com/superprix/
There were some people trying to resurrect the Birmingham Superprix, but it looks like they've given it up as an impossibility and are looking into a watered down demonstration event.
www.birmingham101.com/superprix/
The British Grand Prix will remain at Silverstone up to and including 2006.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3747365.stm
Silverstone secures British GP
British Racing Drivers' Club have confirmed the British Grand Prix will remain at Silverstone up to and including the 2006 season.
The decision was made after a deal was agreed with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
Ecclestone had voiced concerns that Silverstone did not meet the standards of other Formula One venues.
The agreement means it is unlikely London will host a Grand Prix, following recent speculation
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3747365.stm
Silverstone secures British GP
British Racing Drivers' Club have confirmed the British Grand Prix will remain at Silverstone up to and including the 2006 season.
The decision was made after a deal was agreed with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
Ecclestone had voiced concerns that Silverstone did not meet the standards of other Formula One venues.
The agreement means it is unlikely London will host a Grand Prix, following recent speculation
Eric Mc said:
This was more or less known already. The big question is "what happens after 2006?" when the ciggie laws come into play.
Donnigton?
Back to the London idea...What about Docklands? More in keeping with the "image" of F1 and easier to stage one would guess. Might be a bit tight but then so is Monaco!
Donnington would suffer from the same legislative restrictions as Silverstone so it is not an option. The problem is the new EU law on cigarette advertising. It applies to the entire UK - and all other EU countries. Maybe we could have a British GP around the streets of St Helier in Jersy. St Helier is in a similar situation to Monaco, is outside the EU (therefore outside EU regulations) and is perceptively British so would have the right feel for a "British" event. Another alternative would be a race on the Isle of Man. Their main problem is that they are both islands so logistically thy are more difficult venues than one on the mainland.
Car racing with GP cars was held in both these venues in the past - but not since the late 1940s.
Car racing with GP cars was held in both these venues in the past - but not since the late 1940s.
It'll NEVER happen around London. Lets not get carried away here people. Can anyone SERIOUSLY see there being a Grand Prix held around streets of London... No, thought not.
Nice idea, but will never happen.
Silverstone will keep the Grand Prix, it's the only circuit in the country that has the facilities (albeit according to Bernie they're crap) to hold the event.
If the promoter wanted to pay a lot of money to get out of the contract to an event already being held at a venue that has the required facilities, how much do you think another venue would have to spend to hold it?
Can you really see the government putting up the cash to build a permanent pits complex somewhere in the city (which would be vandalised a week after the event anyway!) plus a media centre, hospitality places etc etc??? No, me neither. Unless they have finally found a decent use for the land the Millenium Dome is on.... Now THERE's a thought... hmmm...
Nice idea, but will never happen.
Silverstone will keep the Grand Prix, it's the only circuit in the country that has the facilities (albeit according to Bernie they're crap) to hold the event.
If the promoter wanted to pay a lot of money to get out of the contract to an event already being held at a venue that has the required facilities, how much do you think another venue would have to spend to hold it?
Can you really see the government putting up the cash to build a permanent pits complex somewhere in the city (which would be vandalised a week after the event anyway!) plus a media centre, hospitality places etc etc??? No, me neither. Unless they have finally found a decent use for the land the Millenium Dome is on.... Now THERE's a thought... hmmm...
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