[Rumours] Valencia could move to Algarve or Aragón

[NaBUru38]

Organisers of the European Grand Prix at Valencia are desperately trying to offload the race contract to an alternate host

Is anyone surprised?

[Woolley]

trouble is, a private promotor can just go bust and default on it. That's a bit difficult for a public corporation.

[ECW Dan Selby]

I like all 3 of these tracks, believe it or not...

I actually rate the Valencia street track. I know i'm basically alone here, but I love the straights (that arn't straights), and the final sector is absolutely blistering.

Saying that, the other two are fantastic new tracks.

Selby

[EGG]

Well, Portimao would get Tilke'd, all the interesting corners might inhibit overtaking and I don't believe Portugal is in the economic position to be bankrolling F1.

However if the motogp was to move from Estoril to Portimao, I'd be pretty happy.

[Born Racer]

Logistical nightmare.

It'll be too heavy to lift.

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by ECW Dan Selby

I actually rate the Valencia street track. I know i'm basically alone here, but I love the straights (that arn't straights), and the final sector is absolutely blistering.

There are 2 of us then

[Yannick]

I guess Qatar / Losail would be willing and eager to buy out Camps and the Valencia Marina track to get onto the calendar. I'm not sure if that's a better option, though.

Yet, why waste precious champagne when you can waste precious rose water instead?

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

Logistical nightmare.

It'll be too heavy to lift.

They wouldn't move it all at once

[Matador]

Why the hell isn't Valencia cut all together? It's more boring than Abu Dahbi.

[Matador]

Originally Posted by Adam43

They wouldn't move it all at once

Yes, but then you'd have rising transport (fuel) prices and then that would make it economically unfeasible.

[Adam43]

You're right, I'm so stupid.

I like the idea of moving it around every year. However that isn't feasible as the investment in these places for F1 need more than one event to recoup.

(Oh and I like Abu Dhabi)

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by Adam43

You're right, I'm so stupid.

I like the idea of moving it around every year. However that isn't feasible as the investment in these places for F1 need more than one event to recoup.

(Oh and I like Abu Dhabi)

What infrastructure?
If it has to be errected and taken down each year why not just put it all on a barge and tow anywhere round the world that Bernie needs it.....

He could have a roadshow that is professionally run and provides a street GP to any coastal city thats willing to pay for it, maybe even on a five year rotation basis....
That way each city would only have to stump up 30-40 million once every five years and he could satisfy the needs and aspirations of regional mayors and politicians in five different countries at once...

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Teretonga

What infrastructure?
If it has to be errected and taken down each year why not just put it all on a barge and tow anywhere round the world that Bernie needs it.....

....

Like a big Scalextric? Think of the size of the hand contollers though.

[Greem]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Like a big Scalextric? Think of the size of the hand contollers though.

The amount of aluminium foil you'd need to keep the track connectors in contact would be prohibitive too, especially after half a dozen setup & takedowns. Those connectors almost always bend, you know.

[duke_toaster]

Originally Posted by EGG

Well, Portimao would get Tilke'd, all the interesting corners might inhibit overtaking and I don't believe Portugal is in the economic position to be bankrolling F1.

Portimao is already Grade 1T, so there is little reason it couldn't go straight on the calendar.

The thing with the Valencia race is that - apart from the fact it's a horrible circuit, possibly even to the extent that a race around the monstrosity of a MotoGP track might even be more exciting - once the Fernando Alonso bubble bursts, will Spain be able to justify two races? To be honest I'd like to see neither Barcelona or Valencia on the calendar and go to Motorland Aragon instead (and have a Portugese race in Portimao), but that would never happen as long as Bernie is in control. The amount of bloat races - ones that are just on the calendar because of the sanctioning fee as opposed to any quality racing, motorsport fanbase to buy tickets/merch, historic/glamorous location to drag TV viewers in - is growing, and there are so many countries that do not have GP contracts that should be on the calendar (the USA and Russia are getting theirs, but Poland and Sweden should be on the calendar).

[AndyS]

More than happy to see Valencia go and would also like to see Barcelona disapear as well. Replace them with Aragon and Algarve (providing they don't alter it). Is'nt Algarve a bit remote though? Don't see why this should be an issue, but I don't think Bernie would like it.

[stripedcat]

Well I won't miss the Valencia track if it goes. The Aragon circuit looks interesting compared to Valencia.

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by ECW Dan Selby

I love [Valencia's] straights (that arn't straights), and the final sector is absolutely blistering.

Agree with both things. I loved Ö-Ring's not straights too. However, that final sector is great for qualifying, but terrible for races.

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

once the Fernando Alonso bubble bursts, will Spain be able to justify two races?

Surely not. At least that's what happened with the WRC and Sainz. I read Spanish press and forums, and motorsport fan are worried about them just liking big stars. They haven't had a proper touring car championship for a decade. Jarama is dying. They build a circuit every 200km, but they hardly fill them along the year except for MotoGP and WSBK.

[EgoSprint]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Agree with both things. I loved Ö-Ring's not straights too. However, that final sector is great for qualifying, but terrible for races.


Surely not. At least that's what happened with the WRC and Sainz. I read Spanish press and forums, and motorsport fan are worried about them just liking big stars. They haven't had a proper touring car championship for a decade. Jarama is dying. They build a circuit every 200km, but they hardly fill them along the year except for MotoGP and WSBK.

I'm sure that when Alonso and may be Alguersuari get out of F1, Spain will concentrate in his next all-winner in any kind of sport, from chess to badminton... Spain is (stupid) different.

Here people are building circuits like there is no tomorrow, but they don't allow to use them for national races, or track days... they only want big names like MotoGP or F1...

Spain is a place where people don't know what is Le Mans (trust me...) and where you can talk about Lotus, and people think that you are talking about watches...

For car-lovers, petrolheads, and so on, like me, this is the f*cked hell... anyway, we will enjoy F1 with great TV coverage until Alonso gets out.

With Miguel Indurain and cyclism went all the same way... lots of TV coverage until we don't have a champion that dominates... then no TV put in prime time the Tour de France...

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Like a big Scalextric? Think of the size of the hand contollers though.

Peter, I'm sure you have hands big enough to hold the hand controllers regardless of their size...

Infrastructure of course doesn't include the tarmac, but when you have the temporary buildings, timing gear, barriers etc that are actually manufacturered/built specifically for the event it would make sense to share that stuff.
If you had events in say, Durban, and Veracruz (Gulf of Mexico) even annually moving the stuff from event to event (one early in the year and one later) or turn about year after year, it wouldn't be too hard. It has to be assembled and dismantled and stored anyway.

The tarmac? Anyone can lay tarmac. James May can put away his Scalextric and there will be no cornering of the world market on tin foil.... You'll have to find other ways to finance your racing Greem.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Teretonga

What infrastructure?
If it has to be errected and taken down each year why not just put it all on a barge and tow anywhere round the world that Bernie needs it.....

He could have a roadshow that is professionally run and provides a street GP to any coastal city thats willing to pay for it, maybe even on a five year rotation basis....
That way each city would only have to stump up 30-40 million once every five years and he could satisfy the needs and aspirations of regional mayors and politicians in five different countries at once...

I'm sure that there are one-off costs even on a temporary circuit.

However, I love your idea.

[I Rosputnik]

If F1 goes to Algarve that would be godlike. Provided Tikle stays away from the track, and they build some more grandstands, the race should be great.

The WTCC and GT1 both provided amazing races at the track and I expect the same from F1.

[chunterer]

I can only follow up on the general view that the Valencia street race going would be a good idea. The layout was a massive opportunity missed and it's only appeal to me was that it looked a lot like one of the street courses that CART used in the 90's like Toronto or Vancouver etc.

Shame is that for Valenica that's two unappealing tracks they have now!

Aragon and Portimao are abolute must additions to the calendar for us fans point of view. Both are excellent circuits and both look like they would allow plenty of overtaking, but even if not F1 cars going round them would be nice enough due to the scenery and undulations both offer

[strider]

How could Valencia could to Algarve or Aragón?

The race may move but the city will stay right where it is!

[NaBUru38]

Of course I mean "the Valencia race"... In addition, it attracts uninformed readers!