Grand Prix style events on English roads get go-ahead
Discussion
Might have been posted already but...
BBC said:
Monaco-style Grands Prix events could be hosted on English roads under new laws coming into force on Monday.
They will allow motorsport promoters to apply for permission from local authorities to close public roads in England to stage races.
The government said the move "could be a real boost" to tourism.
The final decision on whether a race is safe to proceed would be made by councils, police and other local bodies.
Motoring fixtures from small-scale local events to international races, such as a city-based Grand Prix, could get the green light.
Transport minister Andrew Jones said: "This could be a real boost for the economies of an area.
"The examples would be in cycling. We had the Tour de France here, we had a Grand Depart in Yorkshire a couple of years ago and roads were closed as part of that event and thousands of people came to watch it.
"It had a huge impact, not just for boosting cycling in the UK, but for boosting tourism wherever it went."
A public consultation in 2014 on changing the law to allow motor racing on English roads met with an "overwhelming positive" response, he added.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39539368They will allow motorsport promoters to apply for permission from local authorities to close public roads in England to stage races.
The government said the move "could be a real boost" to tourism.
The final decision on whether a race is safe to proceed would be made by councils, police and other local bodies.
Motoring fixtures from small-scale local events to international races, such as a city-based Grand Prix, could get the green light.
Transport minister Andrew Jones said: "This could be a real boost for the economies of an area.
"The examples would be in cycling. We had the Tour de France here, we had a Grand Depart in Yorkshire a couple of years ago and roads were closed as part of that event and thousands of people came to watch it.
"It had a huge impact, not just for boosting cycling in the UK, but for boosting tourism wherever it went."
A public consultation in 2014 on changing the law to allow motor racing on English roads met with an "overwhelming positive" response, he added.
I think it's a great idea, though it's obviously a lot of effort and expense to get an event organised and run. I know that F1 would have an awful lot of issues to be resolved prior to being able to run an event. If one or two road events could be set up to become an annual fixture it could be a very lucrative thing, one only needs to look at the Isle of Man TT to see how popular road events can be.
I'm glad the article makes reference to cyclists as there always seem to be amateur groups running their own road races at the weekends with no road closures or consideration to other road users. If there were some legislation introduced to cover using public roads for racing that encompassed cyclists as well as vehicles I don't think that would be any bad thing.
I'm glad the article makes reference to cyclists as there always seem to be amateur groups running their own road races at the weekends with no road closures or consideration to other road users. If there were some legislation introduced to cover using public roads for racing that encompassed cyclists as well as vehicles I don't think that would be any bad thing.
Meridius said:
Says it all about the intelligence of the people who give green lights to this, only thinking of $$$$ and clearly oblivious to the punters paying millions of pounds to tax vechiles on roads that are third world standard, yet these clowns think its ok to go and do F1 racing on.First sort out the shambolic roads in the uk, then worry about them hosting F1 events.
If the roads were half decent i may even consider getting a new car, as it stands i would not waste money to drive on utter crap.
This isn't about F1, the media has just hopped on that bandwagon. The MSA has campaigned for this for many years, to try and follow the Irish/IoM route. The events planned would mostly be single stage tarmac rallies, hillclimbs, sprints etc. I'm really looking forward to a distance hillclimb up a Lakeland pass!
I suspect a London Formula E race must be in the planning stages. I went to both races at Battersea and I just don't think motorsports worked on the roads within the park.
I don't know what track layout they would use but I can imagine that Buckingham Palace would be high on their shortlist. I think that some street furniture (speed bumps/traffic islands) might need to be removed from Horseguards Roa before that idea is a goer, but I imagine this would be the same for any street circuit in London.
I don't know what track layout they would use but I can imagine that Buckingham Palace would be high on their shortlist. I think that some street furniture (speed bumps/traffic islands) might need to be removed from Horseguards Roa before that idea is a goer, but I imagine this would be the same for any street circuit in London.
SteveSteveson said:
Jonmx said:
I If there were some legislation introduced to cover using public roads for racing that encompassed cyclists as well as vehicles I don't think that would be any bad thing.
I'm assuming your all for including road rallying in that too?I think it's common sense that if any road user is using the highway for a competition there should be legislation to cover it, and I believe that should cover any group. If new legislation allows roads to be opened up for competition use then it's a good thing for everyone (apart from nimby BRAKE members
).
Very bad news for racetrack owners. They are now going to be competing with street-circuits as well as other racetracks. For example, F1 or FE could end up in London rather than Silverstone. Wouldn't be a surprise to see some tracks go under in the next decade, as a result of this recent decision.
I really don't think it will affect race circuits. The street closure will probably only happen a few times each year and I very much doubt the F1 machine will choose a UK street circuit over any of the established permanent ones.
Coventry Motofest is a good example of how this could work very well.
Coventry Motofest is a good example of how this could work very well.
Obviously London.
Just need a road route that is wide enough for the cars, Hyde Park, Park Lane, Constitution Hill, The Mall, Embankment, St James. As long as you don't want fast corners.
The biggest issue is the kerbs for the bicycle lanes and the camber of the roads. Unless they can lift the cars high enough I can not see how the cars will work well, but then Monaco and Auss seem to do ok!
Ps: Didn't they used to do it in Birmingham at one stage?
Just need a road route that is wide enough for the cars, Hyde Park, Park Lane, Constitution Hill, The Mall, Embankment, St James. As long as you don't want fast corners.
The biggest issue is the kerbs for the bicycle lanes and the camber of the roads. Unless they can lift the cars high enough I can not see how the cars will work well, but then Monaco and Auss seem to do ok!
Ps: Didn't they used to do it in Birmingham at one stage?
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