Valencia F1 GP Track
Discussion
Dreadful and soulless.
And the only interesting thing about the track , the fish market pit buildings, are being torn down and replaced with a modern pit complex !
I watched the Formula BMW race that was also on that weekend - and that was quite a good race, but the track hardly has a single overtaking place, and the very nature of the track, spread the field out within 5 mins !
Monza and Spa are next - fingers crossed for some good racing
The concept of an F1 'racetrack' can only endure so many weighty restrictions before it collapses under the load.
The design begins with a creative expression of racing desire, which is then engineered into life.
Then there are the minor details, which refine the original concept before it is finally built. i.e. It must be designed to withstand a kaleidescopic array of critical stresses, mostly regulatory, which over time have coalesced into a kind of administrative bridle to be place upon the heads of the members of the politcal stablery who authorize the construction of the track.
In specific terms of redundant specifics, there many health and safety concerns, e.g. run off space, lest anyone crash, access for emergency services, lest anyone break a fingernail and normalization of excitement levels, lest any pacemakers be overexerted. Limitations are placed on overtaking space, to obviate sudden movements of spectators in their efforts to keep up with the action, for such anomalies invariably lead to the spilling of martinis, sodden feathers and other GP-ending catastrophes.
Is it any wonder that the taste and colour of the thing which emerges from this sawmill of compromise, is bland and mediocre?
The design begins with a creative expression of racing desire, which is then engineered into life.
Then there are the minor details, which refine the original concept before it is finally built. i.e. It must be designed to withstand a kaleidescopic array of critical stresses, mostly regulatory, which over time have coalesced into a kind of administrative bridle to be place upon the heads of the members of the politcal stablery who authorize the construction of the track.
In specific terms of redundant specifics, there many health and safety concerns, e.g. run off space, lest anyone crash, access for emergency services, lest anyone break a fingernail and normalization of excitement levels, lest any pacemakers be overexerted. Limitations are placed on overtaking space, to obviate sudden movements of spectators in their efforts to keep up with the action, for such anomalies invariably lead to the spilling of martinis, sodden feathers and other GP-ending catastrophes.
Is it any wonder that the taste and colour of the thing which emerges from this sawmill of compromise, is bland and mediocre?
I visited the circuit as it was being built last April and decided there and then that I wouldnt be going to the race. It was too dear and I figured that the potential for good viewing/photography were zero. I watched the race on Spanish TV instead and have to say it was the dullest race so far this year and also that the track was very unattractive. Sure Valencia has some beautiful parts but this circuit didnt weave around any of them, seemed to me that all we really saw was safety fencing.
We visited Valencia on Wednesday after the race
They were busy dismantling the circuit.
We took some shots with our "unbreakable" Olympus Mu 1030 SW, it broke the next day!!
Look at the catch fencing,

look at the seats in this stand, if you were unfortunate to have chosen the lower down seats then I reckon you would have seen n**f all.
These pics were taken just before the track went over the bridge. Having been round the whole circuit either on foot or by car I woulkd have to say its not worth the effort.

Having been to and driven Imola I really cant see why F1 is ditching such classic and beautiful circuits in favour of these new concrete jungles
Nick
We visited Valencia on Wednesday after the race
They were busy dismantling the circuit.
We took some shots with our "unbreakable" Olympus Mu 1030 SW, it broke the next day!!
Look at the catch fencing,

look at the seats in this stand, if you were unfortunate to have chosen the lower down seats then I reckon you would have seen n**f all.
These pics were taken just before the track went over the bridge. Having been round the whole circuit either on foot or by car I woulkd have to say its not worth the effort.
Having been to and driven Imola I really cant see why F1 is ditching such classic and beautiful circuits in favour of these new concrete jungles
Nick
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