British GP - looking more likely? (merged)

[Kicking-back]

This quote from a source close to sports minister Richard Caborn has just dropped on the Press Association wires:


"He is now much more confident that a deal can be delivered than he was last week.

"The two sides have been back in useful negotiations and they both know the Grand Prix is too big to drop for both of them.

"Although it is not 100% yet, he has high hopes there will be an announcement before the end of the week."

[luke]

Well Jim Rosentail said their was a 40/60% chance of it still going ahead.

[Kicking-back]

My gut instinct has always been that the race was never in as much danger as we've been led to believe.

[Mr V]

For once, i agre with you K-B ;

[luke]

Why only once?

[Kicking-back]

Originally posted by Mr V
For once, i agre with you K-B ;

I'll enjoy the feeling, it'll probably be a long time before it happens again

[climb]

IMO twas clear that Bernie's final aim was not to exclude Silverstone, but just to get more money from the track owners to hold the race.
Once they pay the race is back at once on the schedule

[Number Juan]

it's not official yet guys...remember the absence of Spa a year ago? things can change ever-so quickly in F1. just don't expect a quick solution to the problem

[Super Tourer]

Brinkmanship - I think the race will happen, with a combination of the BRDC raising more funds or getting guarantee's from land sales, and the government finding a way to indirectly support the race without being seen to contribute to a hugely wealthy support.

The future for Silverstone IMO, rely's on developing it as a motor racing/engineering resource and centre, as well as a race track. That will release government and EU money, if there is seen to be a tangiable benefet to the UK economy and skills base.

[djinvicta]

Bernie is a spin doctor and the best, amongst the F1 circus act

[Spudgun]

Could it be? Could we be saved? I hope so, I really do. Noige to the rescue! (hopefully)

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=31295

[Adam43]

Nige, the new Bernie?

[Spudgun]

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
Nige, the new Bernie?

It's a good job I wasn't drinking coffee, it could have been messy.

That would never happen. He's too tall for a start.

[muzza4ever]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/3705746.stm

BBC has now picked up on it as well

[Peter Mallett]

Hmm,

This is the "announcement" rather than the speculative piece then.

Interesting to see who the "players" are in this. Also the words "I have agreed with Bernie". But does this change the provisional calendar?

[muzza4ever]

My understanding is that even if Silverstone isn't on the provisional list that goes before FIA on the 13th if the slot that Silverstone normally occupies is free there's a good chance it can be added later.

I can't quite recall where but I remember seeing a quote that apparently tracks only receive the ticket sale revenue. So that begs the question who's getting fat off the revenue from the merchandise and food van people?

[Kicking-back]

The food van people and merchandise sellers pay a fee to be on site and then keep their own takings.

[DSM]

But Ecclestone gets all of those fees, everything but the gate receipts.
I heard Caborn on R4 this morning. It seems clear that the taxpayer is going to make up the shortfall to Ecclestone, at least going by the efforts he made to avoid answering the question. Whether it's via the EMDA or whatever, the taxpayer's going to fill the pockets of these multi millionaires just a little bit more.
Personally I think it stinks and the smell comes from Stewart and Co. as much as Ecclestone.

[Dan Rear]

Originally posted by DSM
But Ecclestone gets all of those fees, everything but the gate receipts.
I heard Caborn on R4 this morning. It seems clear that the taxpayer is going to make up the shortfall to Ecclestone, at least going by the efforts he made to avoid answering the question. Whether it's via the EMDA or whatever, the taxpayer's going to fill the pockets of these multi millionaires just a little bit more.
Personally I think it stinks and the smell comes from Stewart and Co. as much as Ecclestone.

DSM, I quite agree. I object to paying taxes fullstop. Especially Tony & Gordon' Stealth ones, but if they're going to be used to give more to Bernie/Schuey, and the whole F1 Gravy Train, thats really obscene. If Stweart's so bothered, why can't he pay, or some of the other BRDC bigwigs.

Personally, the sooner the Gravy Train disappers up its won A**E to places that are silly enough to want to pay for it, the better. Let the Chinese,Bahrainians, Indians, Russians, or whoever keep it. It stinks now, as purely a money grabbing exercise, devoid of any relation with a sport, and with its long and proud traditions.

Dinosaur Dan

[fosheti]

iam new to ten tenths and this is my first post as i feel so disilusioned with f1 and the ongoing silverstone saga.
I got hooked on f1 in the early seventies and have been a regular british gp atendee since 1973, and have only missed a handfull in 30 years.
What i would like to know is this, our ticket prices over the years have allways been amongst the most expensive, both at brands and silverstone, where has all the profit gone? only since 2000 has silverstone realy changed, the main startline grandstands had been there for years upto then, and the new ones are not even covered completely.
The spectators lot over the years has got worse and worse along with access to the drivers and teams, the cost has gone up and the event overall has got worse for the loyal fan.With the prices we have all paid we should have one of the best facilities already in the world.

[Peter Mallett]

Welcome to our friendly forum fosheti.

Sporting Life is reporting the BRDC as saying. NO!

http://www.sportinglife.com/story_ge...tone_Lead.html

[josvandeperre]

grandprix.com suggests its all part of Bernie's game :

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns13612.html

the alleged involvement of a large property firm could be a reflection of this story :

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns13600.html

and could just possibly be good news ie redevelop the whole of Silverstone without the BRDC to a state of the art F1 capable complex

[chezza]

Sorry but the BRDC have said that they will never sell Silverstone...maybe lease but I doubt they would sell it.

[Spudgun]

Hmmm.. I think I see the plot.

Bernie is now offering to promote the race himself for 7 years "rent-free".

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=31321

That's it. Bring the event down on it's knees and then strike so he can practically dictate terms.

If BRDC have any sense then they should go with Brand Synergy. Apparently they are willing to invest £200 million quid in the facilities.

[marz]

look we deserve to have the grand prix. just because its smaller and not as big as the others doesn't mean it oesnt still have potential. Bernie neds to repsect were formula 1 came from and let us keep one our treasured sports at home.