Belgian Grand Prix is off

Ryo28 · 20 Jan 2006, 11:06 (Ref:1505115)

Apparently the Belgian Grand prix is no longer going to take place this year

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=107686

ASCII Man · 20 Jan 2006, 11:08 (Ref:1505118)

I knew this would happen, whenever Bernie says he'll do something, he does the exact opposite.
Good riddance, now let's get some real racing on Spa-Francorchamps!

kmsport · 20 Jan 2006, 11:56 (Ref:1505158)

**BertMk2** · 20 Jan 2006, 12:00 (Ref:1505161)

We've seen this sort of thing before though, is it 'off' or 'off until Bernie squeezes some more cash out of the situation'? "Talks are ongoing" so there's still a chance it'll happen.

Piglet · 20 Jan 2006, 12:11 (Ref:1505168)

There will have to be fewer european GP's in a year to allow all the "new" non european GP's in. I think unfortunately (and I love Spa) this is something we are going to have to get used to.

ASCII Man · 20 Jan 2006, 12:30 (Ref:1505181)

No chance that Spa will return to the calendar.
In any case, I'm not sad to see the back of him, or his overpriced circus.

maltafan · 20 Jan 2006, 12:47 (Ref:1505188)

Sad that Spa will not happen this year. It is a wonderful track and races are always exciting, eventhough I am no Ferrari or TGF fan.

It seems that as time goes by, European GP's will diminish and we have to get used to waking up early in the morning, cause Eastern countries are taking over bit by bit.

BootsOntheSide · 20 Jan 2006, 13:31 (Ref:1505216)

I've got no problem with losing some of the duller European tracks, but Spa really should have been preserved, it's a classic racetrack and always produces thrilling races. And the attendances are surely better than in countries were a ticket costs a week's wages?

dcp2685 · 20 Jan 2006, 13:38 (Ref:1505219)

Why can't it be Magny Cours?

This is a shame.

**BertMk2** · 20 Jan 2006, 13:40 (Ref:1505221)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

attendances are surely better than in countries were a ticket costs a week's wages?

Attendances aren't important in the overall scheme of things (to Bernie, the manufacturers etc) - what is important is the TV figures. By having more races in 'new' regions the sport is opened up to a wider TV audience. What's the average attendance for a GP? 100,000? What's the average TV viewing figure? X million?

The loss of Spa is not good though, it's one of the classic circuits.

Draven · 20 Jan 2006, 13:51 (Ref:1505234)

I was planing my trip this year, It's the round I've always wanted to go to most

safc_fan89 · 20 Jan 2006, 16:48 (Ref:1505347)

That's very bad news. F1 is slowly turning into a championship with loads of drab tracks in it. What if Suzuka ends up going too?

Hepatic · 20 Jan 2006, 16:57 (Ref:1505357)

think some threads need merging, but i'll say it again anyway. It's NOT off, it's just rumour from one belgian politician - according to pitpass anyway - and i tend to believe them more than other sources where F1 is concerned...

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpa...s_art_id=26906

JAG · 20 Jan 2006, 17:43 (Ref:1505406)

Whether its off or not, this constant messing around with classic, well loved events is not on.

It shows a complete lack of respect for the fans of the sport.

Take short term big bucks form middle/far eastern venues, at the expense of classic venues, at your peril.

There are plenty up and coming series busting a gut to give motorsport fans what they want.

krt917 · 20 Jan 2006, 17:52 (Ref:1505412)

I hope it's not true, but wouldn't be at all suprised if it was. Absolute pants!

I am willing to except that we will lose some European events - F1 is supposed to be a World Championship after all - but shouldn't the best drivers in the best racing cars in the world race on the best tracks? Of course, that's a naive question as it's the money and politics which really determines such decisions...

Sodemo · 20 Jan 2006, 17:56 (Ref:1505415)

Losing spa is a disaster in my eyes, one of the last few "drivers" circuits.
The 2006 championship is worth less with Spa out.

ASCII Man · 20 Jan 2006, 18:01 (Ref:1505419)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hepatic

think some threads need merging, but i'll say it again anyway. It's NOT off, it's just rumour from one belgian politician - according to pitpass anyway - and i tend to believe them more than other sources where F1 is concerned...

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpa...s_art_id=26906

That belgian politician, Serge Kubla, had his info from various sources close to Ecclestone, according to our news agencies.

maximus · 20 Jan 2006, 18:06 (Ref:1505425)

Quote:

Originally Posted by krt917

I hope it's not true, but wouldn't be at all suprised if it was. Absolute pants!

I am willing to except that we will lose some European events - F1 is supposed to be a World Championship after all - but shouldn't the best drivers in the best racing cars in the world race on the best tracks? Of course, that's a naive question as it's the money and politics which really determines such decisions...

I agree and I think if this continues fans are going to vote with their feet.

Suze · 20 Jan 2006, 18:30 (Ref:1505432)

hm won't be good if it goes for good, GP there is mega but I think Bernie's squeezing....

quote from that pitpass article "53% of fans said their interest in F1 would decrease if Spa were to be removed" is rubbish. one classic, uber GP off but over half the fans losing interest in F1 because of it? hm, don't think that's quite right....

**Adam43** · 20 Jan 2006, 18:39 (Ref:1505437)

Interest would decrease, yes. The key is to what degree in understanding that. It does not mean 53% less people watching it. My interest would decrease.

Overall this is terrible. Although it hasn't been confirmed yet and a 'Spa is off' story happens every year! However it doesn't look good. It may just be threat first. Who knows. In addition we have no real idea how this came about yet.

Fingers crossed for now...

Suze · 20 Jan 2006, 18:47 (Ref:1505445)

yes, can see the interest decreasing but by 53%? nope, don't see that one happening.

agree overall it is terrible - it is one of the few "classic" circuits left so to lose it will / could be gutting.

Alex Hodgkinson · 20 Jan 2006, 18:52 (Ref:1505447)

This is awful news

Dutton · 20 Jan 2006, 19:12 (Ref:1505458)

Man, it is most crappy if it turns out to happen.

Suze, I think you need to take Adam's point on-board.

I think Adam feels, as I do, that the 53% losing interest is not meant to be taken as "53% cutting off from the sport". It means 53% of people would not be as interested, but that does not transalte to all the said 53% not watching the sport.

For example, if F1 decided to use penalty-ballast. That would **** me off a great deal, indeed it would "decrease my interest", which, for me, is interchangable with "decerase my satisfaction", but it wouldn't stop me watching it.

Indeed, the removal of Spa decreases my interest: by that, I mean it is one positive thing taken out of the equation.

It would never make me consider not watching the sport, not even for a milisecond. I suppose it all comes down to interpretations of what words and phrases are meaning.

53% losing some interest does not mean 53% not watching anymore.

Piglet · 20 Jan 2006, 19:24 (Ref:1505464)

My guess is that ultimately we'll see alternating European GP's so that Spa will get a go say every other year and ditto a number of the other Euro tracks that don't play the game in the way that is required. This maintains the fanbase in those countries but allows more GP's in emerging markets which pleases the sponsors.

Dutton · 20 Jan 2006, 19:25 (Ref:1505467)

Perhaps that is the best solution.

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