Save Spa-Francorchamps

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The_Man
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Joined: 15 Mar 2009, 11:59
Location: Mumbai India

Save Spa-Francorchamps

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There are reports saying that Spa and Nermburgring are going to alternate from next year onwards. So Spa can not afford the race much like Fuji. This as horrible news specially after the last 2 races here.
IIT Bombay Racing
Vehicle Dynamics FSAE 08; FS 09

modbaraban
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Joined: 05 Apr 2007, 17:44
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine

Re: Save SPA

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It's stupid from any point of view. Belgian Grand Prix is usually the most expected race of the calendar. Having Valencia in the calendar while not having Spa is bilblically stupid.

DaveKillens
34
Joined: 20 Jan 2005, 04:02

Re: Save SPA

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I'm addicted to racing, and being older, have a bias towards historic tracks such as Spa and Monza. To see Spa even threatened just blows my gaskets, and induces unhappiness.

Max or Bernie, if you have staff trolling the net and come across this, one message from this fan..

KEEP SPA
Racing should be decided on the track, not the court room.

Shrek
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Joined: 05 Jun 2009, 02:11
Location: right here

Re: Save SPA

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maybe we should protest where would be a good place to protest
Spencer

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ISLAMATRON
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Joined: 01 Oct 2008, 18:29

Re: Save SPA

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SPA, while the race track is empty with no race there... or maybe at the Nurburgring which would replace it... that will show them :wink: :wink:

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Steven
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Joined: 19 Aug 2002, 18:32
Location: Belgium
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Re: Save SPA

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Well guys, I'll give another side of the story.

I have been to Spa during Formula One in the last 4 or 5 editions, and spectator numbers have dropped each year, while the organisation did as well. Sure, for the teams it will have become better with the pit complex, but it's a nightmare for the spectator.

As you all know, Spa is not a little track, and is already quite a long way to walk from Bruxelles to La Source (up and downhill too). But if they then start to cut off walking paths, make buildings and make everybody walk even further, I think that shows no respect to the visitors.

All the way through the event, ambulances, police and other cars are driving on the footwalks, often forcing people into the mud when it is crowded in the Bronze areas.

The first time I went there, there were 4 gold tribunes, 8 silvers and the bronze area without seating. Next year, there will be the 4 golds and only 2 remaining silver stands. My favourite one at Bruxelles will no longer be there (one wonders why people don't like it anymore, they changed the position of the giant screen to be more than 150m from the seats).

The circuit is not the problem (on the contrary, it's stunning, even more in real life), but the organisation really is a disaster. I will be looking to Hockenheim next year. Much cheaper (free parking, compared to €10/day at Spa), less walking distances and more view on the track.

modbaraban
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Joined: 05 Apr 2007, 17:44
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine

Re: Save SPA

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Tomba wrote:Well guys, I'll give another side of the story.
Let's not forget about millions glued to the TV screens who don't give a damn about toilets or casinos at the track. They say Valencia is great in that respect. I don't care! If I'll want to go on holiday I'll do so. But If I want to see some legendary racing I'm prepared to sit in a puddle of mud as long as I can see, hear and smell the action on the track and the frogs don't mind me sitting there. Actually I almost did. When Renault came to Kyiv last year I stood for 2 whole days while it was bucketing down like hell. Even my pants were wet (because of the rain :) ). And I didn't care, as I as so happy to see the cars.

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Steven
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Joined: 19 Aug 2002, 18:32
Location: Belgium
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Re: Save SPA

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I don't want Spa off the calendar either, but I'm just shedding a light on how it probably has come to this point that the event is in danger. When visitors are not happy, they come less, hence organisers earn less (or are losing like at Spa) and they want to alternate GP's to boost interest when it is organised then.

As I said, I totally adore the track, but they should keep in mind the visitors too when redesigning provisions around the track.

bhall
244
Joined: 28 Feb 2006, 21:26

Re: Save SPA

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Until FOM stops demanding ghastly sums from circuits to host a grand prix - something I don't envision happening anytime soon - track owners are going to be forced to monetize any available resource to come up with those high fees, even if it means replacing low-cost, fan-friendly amenities with higher value services.

The business of F1 makes no sense to me unless I put myself in Bernie's shoes. FOM charges an escalating fee to hold the race, the tracks inevitably have to raise prices or add costly infrastructure to pay those escalating fees, the fans are left footing the bill in the form of outrageous ticket prices, and eventually the fans stop attending altogether when the prices gets too high. It's a vicious cycle that benefits only FOM.

I'm actually amazed that so many circuits allow themselves to be a part of this game. I, for one, was very pleased when Tony George at IMS flatly refused to pay FOM's fee for the USGP. Why should he, or any track owner for matter, have to pay dearly for the rights to an event in which the track is the only one shouldering any risk? If a GP only draws enough fans to be at 20% capacity, FOM still gets its full fee, while the track is left to take the loss.

Pay for that honor? No, thanks.

I'm firmly convinced that it's not the rising costs for teams to compete that will ultimately kill the sport, as Bernie and Max have so often warned. Rather, it will be the fees charged by FOM to tracks wishing to hold a race. Because in the end, all of the the established legacy tracks with a built-in fan base will be replaced with grands prix backed by the governments of countries with burgeoning economies in the far corners of the world where people largely don't care about F1.

ESPImperium
64
Joined: 06 Apr 2008, 00:08
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
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Re: Save SPA

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If the authorities spent a little more for spectator comfort than say the track, i think Spa would be in a posistion to pay its way wholley again.

This should be the plan of action for it:

* More spectator accom nearer the track, meaning less comuting time to and from the race.
* As with what Tomba said, more under passes and over bridges for the spectators, wider foot paths as well would also be a good thing.
* Allow people to watch the race from inside the wooded area from Blanchamont to the Bus Stop like the old days.
* Have more screens for the seated zones, closer too with more seated spectator areas, especially at the Fanges chicane, where there is a massive area of flat ground there that could have a temporary stand erected on the inside of the track.

Lastly, id have the track altered in two areas, the bloody pit lane entry, needs to be wider by arround 3 meters as i think its too skinny, and is a potential accedent waiting to happen. Second, make the exit from La Source more tighter, do not allow drivers to get away with a "Kimi" on the exit any more, probably bring the wall in by 4 meters there would probably do best for F1, GT and ALMS would be diffrent as they would need the full run off area there.

But, personally, i think Bernie needs to get out of the way of thinking that each track must pay its way, as for a WDC to be consistant from driver to driver there must be consistancy in tracks, with at least 7-9 "classic" cracks on it (Silverstone/Montreal/Monza/Spa/Barcelona
/Hungaroring/Nurburgring/Hockenhiem/Magney Cours) as that makes a WDC easier to compair to my way of thinking.

The_Man
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Joined: 15 Mar 2009, 11:59
Location: Mumbai India

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ESPImperium wrote: But, personally, i think Bernie needs to get out of the way of thinking that each track must pay its way, as for a WDC to be consistant from driver to driver there must be consistancy in tracks, with at least 7-9 "classic" cracks on it (Silverstone/Montreal/Monza/Spa/Barcelona
/Hungaroring/Nurburgring/Hockenhiem/Magney Cours) as that makes a WDC easier to compair to my way of thinking.

I completely agree. I really think Singapore and Monaco more than pays for themselves, and that should allow them to have circuits like Spa. It is just crazy the rate at which things are going we'll have only street races soon. As the new venues will obviously opt for a street race for more revenue and less investment. At Singapore there was glamor, there was excitement and there was a night race but the race as such was pretty boring. Infact, if not for Alonso's spectacular driving(I am not an Alonso fan) the most boring race of the season.

I really hope the new Abu Dabhi track lives up to its hype. I hear it is a very technical track with contrasting and mixed high speed and low speed sections.
IIT Bombay Racing
Vehicle Dynamics FSAE 08; FS 09

pgj
pgj
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Joined: 22 Mar 2006, 14:39

Re: Save SPA

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Because of CVC's financial problems in F1 there is no chance that FOM will, or can, reduce its franchise charges.

Bernie has inflated the business model to the point where it is barely sustainable. Bernie has made his money from F1, but very few others are making money out of it. The Indian GP is facing up to the fact that the only money it can make is by igniting the imagination of the Indian public and shipping them into the circuit. I am not sure that F1 will catch fire in India, as it hasn't in other new race venues, without the spark from involvement of native talent. I am not sure that FIF1 falls into that bracket.
Williams and proud of it.

bettonracing
1
Joined: 12 Oct 2007, 15:57

Save Spa Francorchamps

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History about the situation:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7442&p=125688&hilit=Belgium#p125688
(Locals complaining about noise. Local Council of State suspends license to host races until 2026. Spa appeals decision.)

Sign this petition to help bolster Spa's argument to keep the license:
http://www.defendonsfrancorchamps.be/si ... hamps.html

Please use legitimate information. False information may disqualify the petition.

Regards,

H. Kurt Betton

Saribro
6
Joined: 28 Jul 2006, 00:34

Re: Save Spa Francorchamps

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I'm in the process of spreading the URL aswell.

roost89
0
Joined: 10 Apr 2008, 19:34
Location: Highlands, Scotland

Re: Save Spa Francorchamps

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signed :)

Spa is good and needs to be kept. I'm sick of these people who live near racing tracks complaining about noise. It's to be expected...no?

It's like people who live near airports or along military flight paths complaining about the noise. Those things have been there for longer than you've been living there (most probably), you chose to live there. Deal with it.

Sorry about the wee rant guys 'n' gals. I get rather miffed with this sort of thing
"It could be done manually. It would take quite a while, but it could be done. There is however a much more efficient and accurate way of getting the data. Men with lasers." Wing Commander Andy Green

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