Bahrain GP goes down the plug hole.

Armco Bender · 5 Feb 2003, 19:15 (Ref:497585)

From the Gulf News:

POLITICIANS slammed the brakes on government funding for Bahrain's Formula One motor racing track yesterday. Parliament members voted against funding for the $200 million (BD75.6m) Bahrain Racing Circuit, saying it was flying in the face of Islamic values.
They rejected $80m (BD30.24m) Bander Al Seef project (a resort in Seef District), $85m (BD32.13m) towards the Bapco refinery expansion and $130.9m (BD49.48m) on Alba's fifth line expansion, as well as the racing circuit.
The projects were recommended for approval by the parliament's financial and economical affairs committee.

But they were rejected by 21 to 10 votes after a debate by the MPs.
Services committee chairman Dr Isa Al Mutawa said the government was toying around with Islamic values and morals with its proposed plans for the racing circuit and the resort.

"If F1 comes to Bahrain then bets come too and if the resort gets opened, then prostitutes will pour into the country more than before," said Dr Al Mutawa.

"There are enough accidents in Bahrain and with the F1 coming to Bahrain more youths will be imitating on roads what they see on the track."

Services committee vice-chairman Mohammed Khalid Mohammed said he was unhappy with the nature of some of the projects.

"We don't have public gardens in Bahrain and the government wants to establish a racing circuit," he said.

Obviously they dont want you gambling,womanising,drinking F1 fans turning up there

Snrub · 5 Feb 2003, 19:24 (Ref:497592)

Even with a whole lot of Saudis showing up, I don't see how they can draw a big enough crowd.

**Asp** · 5 Feb 2003, 19:37 (Ref:497607)

I think it's a pity. If any 'new' F1 event was going to happen, then I'd have to say it'd be this one. They originally had government backing; they track was fully designed and looked pretty good weaving in-and-out of sand-dunes; and it gone further than Moscow or any other track.

I think that it's still a market that needs to be conquered by F1, if only for the manufacturers to build there database and to make F1 trully global.

I am very sceptical if what the Bahrain government think F1 is going to bring though. In Britain, at football mathches you need tons of riot police and the like; at races you need a few coppers to control the traffic. I think they're jumping the gun and stereotyping a little.

ASCII Man · 5 Feb 2003, 19:39 (Ref:497608)

So, what's next?

**Asp** · 5 Feb 2003, 20:02 (Ref:497634)

China?

ASCII Man · 5 Feb 2003, 20:23 (Ref:497654)

Probably, would love to see the China track cancelled.
Too poor to feed the hungry people but rich enough to build a F1 track...

shiny side up! · 5 Feb 2003, 20:30 (Ref:497662)

Don't sand dunes shift their locations? How can you build a racetrack on or weaving through land that moves??? I guess it's a moot point since the GP will never happen anyway...

I think they should make a US West Coast GP next...

cos · 5 Feb 2003, 20:41 (Ref:497672)

Quote:

"There are enough accidents in Bahrain and with the F1 coming to Bahrain more youths will be imitating on roads what they see on the track."

What.. by following each other closely and never bothering to overtake? Sounds safe to me

DNQ · 5 Feb 2003, 21:01 (Ref:497692)

Ha, thank goodness...I honestly am not even remotly excited about races in Bahrain, Russia etc...

Logrence · 5 Feb 2003, 21:35 (Ref:497728)

What's next?

Austria, Spa...?

Mr V · 5 Feb 2003, 21:37 (Ref:497733)

doesn't surprise me in the least.

Sodemo · 5 Feb 2003, 21:52 (Ref:497758)

Maybe the moon...?

Valve Bounce · 5 Feb 2003, 21:57 (Ref:497768)

Quote:

Originally posted by ®îjñtjûh
Probably, would love to see the China track cancelled.
Too poor to feed the hungry people but rich enough to build a F1 track...

If a race track were to be built in China (or Bahrein for that matter), it is easy to convert the in field area into playing fields and parkland for the public to use for the remainder of the year. The revenue generated from F1 (including TV rights) must be used to pay for the development, so that the general public will get the benefit. With some forethought in location and design, the track can be used as public roads for the remainder of the year (as in Albert Park).

The argument about prostitutes pouring into any country and betting because of F1 is specious - anybody who bets on F1 is nuts, especially when they can bet on race horses and cricket games (who are also nuts). These religious arguments are always used in these areas as they are very difficult for anyone to argue against (who would dare), and it is usually used when somebody high up didn't get enough kickback for a particular project.

Lee Janotta · 5 Feb 2003, 21:58 (Ref:497771)

Yay! Another blow to Bernie's credibility and wallet!

chrisgr31 · 5 Feb 2003, 22:11 (Ref:497788)

Personally I want a race in Dubai, as my brother lives there so free accomodation!

Miss Hardt · 5 Feb 2003, 22:25 (Ref:497821)

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisgr31
Personally I want a race in Dubai, as my brother lives there so free accomodation!

Nice guy that brother of yours. My cousins live in Melbourne and I haven't been there at all.

®îjñtjûh said:
Probably, would love to see the China track cancelled.
Too poor to feed the hungry people but rich enough to build a F1 track...

It's wonderful that some people actually have feelings. I am impressed by what you had said.

JonesF1 · 6 Feb 2003, 00:03 (Ref:497930)

Quote:

Originally posted by Armco Bender
Obviously they dont want you gambling,womanising,drinking F1 fans turning up there

There goes my plans to raise the roof in Bahrain.

Wheres my Bud Light?

Korr · 6 Feb 2003, 00:34 (Ref:497965)

Actually, F1 is coming to Alaska!

First F1 race on ice! Bring tires chains and mittens!

Miss Hardt · 6 Feb 2003, 00:45 (Ref:497972)

Quote:

Originally posted by Korr
Actually, F1 is coming to Alaska!

First F1 race on ice! Bring tires chains and mittens!

I'd invite F1 over here, but they wouldn't want to race in a country without a name!

jetsetter · 6 Feb 2003, 08:43 (Ref:498163)

They could always try something a little radical & have a Belgian Grand Prix held at Spa but i don't think Bernie would be a party to the idea.

BootsOntheSide · 6 Feb 2003, 11:36 (Ref:498287)

What motor racing history is there in Belgium? No one's interested, and it'd just be a bland Herman Tilke deisgn instead of an exciting challenging driver's circuit. The poverty and human rights abuses in Belgium are disgraceful as well. I really don't think this nation fits Bernie's F1 vision [/sarcasm]

f1manoz · 6 Feb 2003, 11:48 (Ref:498297)

Best news so far. How about putting F1 racing back where it belongs!

In Europe, on proper racing tracks, where it is most popular. Forget about lining your pockets Bernie.

Red · 6 Feb 2003, 11:51 (Ref:498300)

Leave poor (

) Bernie alone, will ya! It's not only about 'his' money, it's about more of half of the teams who still have to pay bills. In order to race somewhere actually, then they might consider racing on proper tracks where F1 belongs.

racer69 · 6 Feb 2003, 12:08 (Ref:498318)

Can't say it bothers me that no Bahrain race goes ahead.

With all these races being dropped and the one's being announced not surfacing, how long before we see another 'Swiss GP'?

Minardi4eva · 6 Feb 2003, 13:46 (Ref:498444)

hahahaha Bahrain out,good
Bernies been an ass,normal

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