|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
24 Apr 2009, 18:51 (Ref:2448788) | #1 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 682
|
Could we see the return of the BRDC International Trophy in 2010?
With the possibility of Donington Park not being ready for next year becoming a increasingly likely prospect, and Mr Ecclestone standing firm to his pledge that it's a Donington GP or no GP for Britain, would it be possible for the BRDC to bring back the International Trophy as a non-championship British F1 round?
Of course, there's a reason there hasn't been non-championship F1 event since 1983, but with us seemingly returning to a (relatively) low budget F1, could teams now consider taking part in one of these traditional events again? It looks at the moment as though there will (at least) be 26 cars on the grid, so even if half the teams brought two cars and the rest brought one, you'd still have a 19 car grid. Or of course 10 teams could turn with two or more cars, and three teams need not apply. Without having to line Mr Ecclestone's pockets, the event might even be able to pay enough money to the participating teams to cover their costs. Think about it, there wouldn't be any FOM fees, they'd be able sell trackside hoardings (which you can't at an FOM event), sell TV rights across the world, take all the profits from ticket sales and, without any FOM, all the (not so) big (as it was) hospitality money. All this on top of the constant F1 power-swingometer activities, FOCA might see this as an opportunity to get one over on FOM and the FIA. Also, without any dodgy tactics from Bernie, there should be enough weekends free to hold it. By my count, if there's no British GP next year, we'll be looking at a 17 race World Championship, so there should be space. Of course, Bernie would most probably try to block any attempt at running a none FOM F1 meeting, so would probably bring back a North America race to fill out the calendar. Though this would most probably scupper any idea of a Silverstone non-championship race, it would prove to be a win-win situation for FOCA who would have got their desired North American race back and would be paid by Ecclestone to go to it! I hope the BRDC have looked into this option, especially as next year could be the best possible time for a non-championship race to return to the F1 scene. Seeing as they've already burnt their bridges to FOM, I don't see what they have to lose... (And for any smart Alec's out there, yes I know that the BRDC International Trophy still exists as the name of the FIA Historic F1 race at Silverstone, but you know what I mean. ) EDIT: Just thought, for anybody who's never heard of the BRDC International Trophy, there's a pretty good page on Wikipedia about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BRDC_International_Trophy |
||
__________________
Taki Inoue, the only driver in F1 history who's been driven into by a course car, twice! |
24 Apr 2009, 21:09 (Ref:2448862) | #2 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 11,179
|
I doubt it would ever happen, but its a nice idea.
I'm sure Bernie has loads of clauses and counter-clauses in their team's contracts. |
||
|
24 Apr 2009, 21:13 (Ref:2448865) | #3 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 5,100
|
But the Concorde Agreement has expired, remember. This would hypothetically be a great two fingered salute to Mr Pudding Basin Midget, if he isn't keen on stepping in himself. Spanky is up for re-election this year, hopefully FOTA will agree on a candidate that can be supported.
|
||
__________________
Marbot : "Ironically, the main difference between a Red Bull and a Virgin is that Red Bull can make parts of its car smaller and floppier." |
24 Apr 2009, 23:15 (Ref:2448941) | #4 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,938
|
Quote:
I remember, with fondness, the "Race of Champions" meetings at Brands Hatch. But I see a big spanner, with "Money" written across it, being thrown into the works. If they're trying to cut the cost down, why would they then compete in non-championship races. |
|||
__________________
My Auntie has been ill or so long we now call her, "I can't believe she's not better". |
25 Apr 2009, 19:38 (Ref:2449440) | #5 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 815
|
Quote:
|
||
|
25 Apr 2009, 19:55 (Ref:2449448) | #6 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,938
|
But It would still cost a lot of money. They'd have to use seperate engines to start with.
The "testing" bit is interesting, but I can then see MM banning all those who competed from the rest of the F1 season, as they had been "testing". Still, we can dream! |
||
__________________
My Auntie has been ill or so long we now call her, "I can't believe she's not better". |
26 Apr 2009, 20:02 (Ref:2450136) | #7 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,434
|
Its a fantastic idea. However, I suspect that the money such an event would costs is likely to derail the idea. Also, I would question whether the event would generate enough revenue to assist in funding the race. In my view TV broadcasters and sponsors would probably be content to pay a higher amount if could be guarranteed that McLaren, Ferrari and Renault would all turn up running their regular drivers. However, a non championship race in which the front runners are, say, Liuzzi in a Force India and Hartley in a Toro Rosso would create an event with a lower profile.
|
||
|
28 Apr 2009, 21:38 (Ref:2451851) | #8 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 682
|
My idea might not be as fanciful as it sounds, a quote from Grandprix.com about the future of the British Grand Prix:
Quote:
Unless they heard my suggestion, it looks like I might have been one step ahead of the media! Remember kids, you heard this news from me first. |
|||
__________________
Taki Inoue, the only driver in F1 history who's been driven into by a course car, twice! |
28 Apr 2009, 22:38 (Ref:2451874) | #9 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,938
|
Quote:
|
|||
__________________
My Auntie has been ill or so long we now call her, "I can't believe she's not better". |
28 Apr 2009, 22:48 (Ref:2451876) | #10 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,938
|
Quote:
|
|||
__________________
My Auntie has been ill or so long we now call her, "I can't believe she's not better". |
29 Apr 2009, 01:01 (Ref:2451915) | #11 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,354
|
I find the idea that money could derail such an event a little ludicrous.
The Consortium that 'owns ' the sport takes venue advertising, race fees and television rights out of the sport, returning about 50% through funding and travelling allowances. Any independent event could be sold as a unique 'one off' event therefore gathering all the revenue to itself. Britain has some of the highest ticket costs and at a similar figure such an event could easily be affordable especially when most of the teams are based in the UK. TV rights to the one off could be sold around the world as a special event to broadcasters that do not have a current contract....if they wish to bid for it. The sticking point is the interference of the FIA and Bernie's boys. They would no doubt try to minimise the event and raise obstacles and if it was held at Silverstone,(as it would), then Bernie would not be happy. It wouldn't have to be one race either, a two heat event of two 100 mile races, or even three 100km sprints.... or some other variation. |
|
|
29 Apr 2009, 02:18 (Ref:2451929) | #12 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,938
|
Don't see why this event should be held at Silverstone, although I'm not saying it shouldn't. The main sticking point for some circuits not holding the GP is the money they have to pay to BE and all the politics involved. I'm sure they'd be quite happy to hold an event, involving F1 teams, that doesn't come with all the baggage.
|
||
__________________
My Auntie has been ill or so long we now call her, "I can't believe she's not better". |
29 Apr 2009, 14:24 (Ref:2452249) | #13 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,545
|
Whatever happens, if they don't have Bernie onboard, they won't be allowed to call anything by the name F1. Makes the advertising potentially a bit "funky".
|
|
|
29 Apr 2009, 14:35 (Ref:2452256) | #14 | ||
Race Official
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,279
|
Where else could it go? It would only happen if Donington couldn't stage the race and I don't think any of the other circuits are up to the required safety standards are they? (unless of course by virtue of being a non-championship race it could run at a lower graded track)
|
||
|
29 Apr 2009, 20:45 (Ref:2452432) | #15 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,354
|
Well if it wasn't F1 then it wouldn't be required to run on tracks that complied to F1 standards....
However in reality the drivers would want an F1 rating. The next best level would be an international 'B' rating which is the next level down fromm an 'A' (F1) rating. Again nothing else in the UK is suitable other than Silverstone, Donnington and I assume Brands Hatch makes a B because A1GP is held there. |
|
|
30 Apr 2009, 16:55 (Ref:2453019) | #16 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,938
|
Snetterton, Oulton Park
|
||
__________________
My Auntie has been ill or so long we now call her, "I can't believe she's not better". |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Brdc Walter Hayes Trophy | JEB | Marshals Forum | 15 | 15 Sep 2005 08:37 |
Brdc Walter Hayes Trophy | JEB | Marshals Forum | 35 | 1 Nov 2004 12:41 |
Brdc Walter Hayes Trophy | JEB | Historic Racing Today | 9 | 12 Oct 2004 08:22 |
Brdc Walter Hayes Trophy | JEB | National & Club Racing | 15 | 30 Sep 2004 09:04 |