Hockenheim History
Discussion
There's also some info on Wiki about why they changed it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hockenheimring#1960s_...
Basically because all the good bits of the race were out in the forest and so spectators didn't get to see it. However as a TV-based fan, I don't worry about the people there too much, so long as there's action for me to see on the TV.
(That's slightly selfish, though.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hockenheimring#1960s_...
Basically because all the good bits of the race were out in the forest and so spectators didn't get to see it. However as a TV-based fan, I don't worry about the people there too much, so long as there's action for me to see on the TV.
(That's slightly selfish, though.)
I don't think the fans cared too much. I bet more went to the old circuit than the current one.
Policing the circuit was a bit of a problem. Remember the "protester" who wandered onto the circuit one year?
But I also think Bernie has had an underlying plan to undermine European circuit owners so that they will be bankrupted in their efforts to meet his demands so he can more legitimately shift races to more lucrative far eastern or middle eastern venues.
Policing the circuit was a bit of a problem. Remember the "protester" who wandered onto the circuit one year?
But I also think Bernie has had an underlying plan to undermine European circuit owners so that they will be bankrupted in their efforts to meet his demands so he can more legitimately shift races to more lucrative far eastern or middle eastern venues.
mrmr96 said:
There's also some info on Wiki about why they changed it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hockenheimring#1960s_...
Basically because all the good bits of the race were out in the forest and so spectators didn't get to see it. However as a TV-based fan, I don't worry about the people there too much, so long as there's action for me to see on the TV.
(That's slightly selfish, though.)
They could re-lay the old track and when they run back to the stadium section they could go right onto the new bit in front of the MB stand. After all there are few spectators around the Parabolika curve anyway.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hockenheimring#1960s_...
Basically because all the good bits of the race were out in the forest and so spectators didn't get to see it. However as a TV-based fan, I don't worry about the people there too much, so long as there's action for me to see on the TV.
(That's slightly selfish, though.)
So new track to old at turn 2, old track rejoins at the new section.
New (current & old) - Red.
Old Black.
I must say it struck me how they'd ripped it up and grassed it over rather than left it there.
I can understand the Germans being less sentimental that us Brits and not wanting an ugly, disintegrating piece of Tarmac hanging about, but it must have been a lot of investment to dig it up, and it seemed odd not to have it there for the occasional event or some sort of redevelopment.
It's almost like they wanted to forget it ever existed.
I can understand the Germans being less sentimental that us Brits and not wanting an ugly, disintegrating piece of Tarmac hanging about, but it must have been a lot of investment to dig it up, and it seemed odd not to have it there for the occasional event or some sort of redevelopment.
It's almost like they wanted to forget it ever existed.
I remember reading a report at the time that said the main reason for the change was safety and the distance that medical help would have to travel in the event of a major incident. I guess that could also apply to Spa but that's what was said at the time. It was also said that to get permission to cut trees down to make the new circuit, the owners had to agree to let the old circuit go back to nature to satusfy the local environmentalists who would have otherwise objected to the planning persmission.
Marc W said:
It was also said that to get permission to cut trees down to make the new circuit, the owners had to agree to let the old circuit go back to nature to satusfy the local environmentalists who would have otherwise objected to the planning persmission.
Same irritant with Monza, but the greenies fail to realise that in managed parkland and woodland trees are routinely cut down and new one planted, cutting down the requisite number for safety at Hockenheim and planting new ones elsewhere could easily have been done. It's not as if they are short of trees in that area.
Pre 2002 image.
eastlmark said:
Eric Mc said:
Was the land sold by the circuit owners?
If you think Hockenheim is bad - look up what they did to the Austrian GP venue.
Zeltweg maybe?If you think Hockenheim is bad - look up what they did to the Austrian GP venue.
I think it is in Zeltweg but the first Ausdtrian GP was held on an airfield cicuit at Zeltweg in 1964 before the 'Ring was opened.
This the situation with the Ostereichring/A1 Ring
Wikipedia said:
The grandstands and pit buildings were demolished in 2004, rendering the track unusable for any motorsport category. In late 2004 and early 2005, there were intense discussions whether the owner, Red Bull, would find another use for the site or actually bring back motor sports to it. However, as of January 2005, this seems more unlikely than ever, as Dietrich Mateschitz publicly announced that he had no intention to waste money on a deficitary circuit. This failure of the project, which was of considerable importance for the surrounding municipalities, may even have serious political repercussions, as Styrian governor Waltraud Klasnic had strongly supported the project.
In 2006, Austrian racing driver Alexander Wurz claimed he would buy the circuit and have it renovated, but little has come about this.
During the whole of 2005 there were speculations of Red Bull Racing renovating the track and using it as a personal testing track in Formula One. It remains to be seen if Mateschitz and his Red Bull Racing will do something about the abandoned track.
In 2007, talks involving Red Bull, KTM, VW and Magna International for a neuer Österreichring have failed after VW pulled out.[2]
In April 2008 the current owners of the track, Red Bull, were to restore the track as a racing venue and DTM chiefs were considering to return there for a race in 2009.[3][4] But in July 2008, the DTM organizers have decided not to include Österreichring into the 2009 program, although plans for the revival of the track are still under discussion.[5]
In October 2008, the track owner Dietrich Mateschitz has ruled out any chance for the track to host a MotoGP or a Formula One Grand Prix in the future, and it will only be used for DTM races. The rebuilt track will be finished by the end of 2010.[6]
In 2006, Austrian racing driver Alexander Wurz claimed he would buy the circuit and have it renovated, but little has come about this.
During the whole of 2005 there were speculations of Red Bull Racing renovating the track and using it as a personal testing track in Formula One. It remains to be seen if Mateschitz and his Red Bull Racing will do something about the abandoned track.
In 2007, talks involving Red Bull, KTM, VW and Magna International for a neuer Österreichring have failed after VW pulled out.[2]
In April 2008 the current owners of the track, Red Bull, were to restore the track as a racing venue and DTM chiefs were considering to return there for a race in 2009.[3][4] But in July 2008, the DTM organizers have decided not to include Österreichring into the 2009 program, although plans for the revival of the track are still under discussion.[5]
In October 2008, the track owner Dietrich Mateschitz has ruled out any chance for the track to host a MotoGP or a Formula One Grand Prix in the future, and it will only be used for DTM races. The rebuilt track will be finished by the end of 2010.[6]
FourWheelDrift said:
Marc W said:
It was also said that to get permission to cut trees down to make the new circuit, the owners had to agree to let the old circuit go back to nature to satusfy the local environmentalists who would have otherwise objected to the planning persmission.
Same irritant with Monza, but the greenies fail to realise that in managed parkland and woodland trees are routinely cut down and new one planted, cutting down the requisite number for safety at Hockenheim and planting new ones elsewhere could easily have been done. It's not as if they are short of trees in that area.Pre 2002 image.
The Osterreichring is another painful loss to motorsport for me. I remember F1 racing there in the 80's and thinking it was just an utterly fantastic track: fast and picturesque. I'm reading a book at the moment - "Sports Car Racing In Camera: 1970 - 1979" (again), and there is an image from the 1971 section with Ferrari 512M's and Porsche 917's coming out of the last right-hander on to the main Zeltweg straight.
Evocative with bells and whistles.
Have a lap sitting on the nosecone at the Osterreichring:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr5HG1J845Y
Evocative with bells and whistles.
Have a lap sitting on the nosecone at the Osterreichring:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr5HG1J845Y
Forums | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff