F1 circuits join forces to have more influence

[John S]

Formula One Promoters Association born to gain say on Concorde & rules.     
Let's hope FOPA doesn't turn into it's namesake 'Faux Pas', can't see Mr Ecclestone or Mr Todt being overly happy with another group flexing their muscles.
Good luck to the promoters though, about time someone took more of an interest in the actual venue and racegoers point of view.

Formula one's circuits have created a union designed to give them a greater say on the future of the sport, according to business journalist Christian Sylt.

He revealed in the Independent newspaper that the Formula One Promoters Association, created in May, is chaired by Australian grand prix chief Ron Walker.

Last year, it emerged that - led by Walker - F1's race promoters were threatening to switch to Indycar because the new six cylinder engines in 2014 will not be loud enough.

Now, Silverstone chairman Neil England has confirmed the founding of the F1 circuits' union.

"We have historically lacked a coordinated voice and the formula one promoters association gives us the opportunity to have that.

"There are a number of matters of common interest and I think it is important that those are voiced," he said.

The formation of the circuits' union coincides with the negotiations over the next Concorde Agreement.

"The circuits' desire to have a say in (the technical regulations) is the driving force behind their decision to unite," said journalist Sylt.

Union chairman Ron Walker confirmed: "The circuits are concerned by the constant changing of rules by the FIA which is confusing the fans and affecting ticket sales."

He revealed that a survey in March showed that 92 per cent of the spectators at Albert Park this year did not understand F1's latest rules.

OneStopStrategy.com, Today.

[Scott]

'bout time.  Bernie will have a much harder time blackmailing individual tracks if they all stick together. 

[cosworth151]

I hope it works, but Bernie is the master of divide-and-conquer tactics.

He revealed that a survey in March showed that 92 per cent of the spectators at Albert Park this year did not understand F1's latest rules.

98% of the team members don't understand the rules, by the looks of things.

[John S]

I hope it works, but Bernie is the master of divide-and-conquer tactics.

He revealed that a survey in March showed that 92 per cent of the spectators at Albert Park this year did not understand F1's latest rules.

98% of the team members don't understand the rules, by the looks of things.

And the other 2% of team members, and Charlie - if the green light for the floor holes is anything to go on, choose not to.  

   

[Jericoke]

Last year, it emerged that - led by Walker - F1's race promoters were threatening to switch to Indycar because the new six cylinder engines in 2014 will not be loud enough.

Um... maybe they need to turn on an IndyCar race before saying such things?

I don't agree with tracks running a series, but I've only seen it happen once, so maybe that one time was wrong, and there's a better way to to it?

I guess it makes sense for FOPA to provide a united voice, but the room is getting mighty crowded with FIA, FOM, FOTA already with their own agendas.  Also, doesn't Bernie own a track?  Doesn't that put him in FOPA and FOM?

[lkjohnson1950]

I hope it helps, the venues get the short end of the stick every time. But Bernie will be happy to take the races elsewhere. In fact he would probably prefer it.

[Jericoke]

I hope it helps, the venues get the short end of the stick every time. But Bernie will be happy to take the races elsewhere. In fact he would probably prefer it.

Bernie's quickly running out of 'elsewheres'.  I think that's what FOPA is noticing. 

Bernie's going to need a new trick to jack up fees.  (I suspect he might get into track ownership though.  If he owns the tracks and the commercial rights... what does he need FIA or FOTA for?)

[John S]

Bernie's quickly running out of 'elsewheres'.  I think that's what FOPA is noticing. 

Bernie's going to need a new trick to jack up fees.  (I suspect he might get into track ownership though.  If he owns the tracks and the commercial rights... what does he need FIA or FOTA for?)

I think the EU would put the mockers on that idea, they forced the seperation of the rule maker, the FIA, from the commercial rights holder. They would be sure to investigate FOM, or an associated company, buying up or opening tracks to take on  F1 races, they're red hot on anticompetetive activity in Europe - especially around sport and media interests.





 

[lkjohnson1950]

I hope it helps, the venues get the short end of the stick every time. But Bernie will be happy to take the races elsewhere. In fact he would probably prefer it.

Bernie's quickly running out of 'elsewheres'.  I think that's what FOPA is noticing. 

Bernie's going to need a new trick to jack up fees.  (I suspect he might get into track ownership though.  If he owns the tracks and the commercial rights... what does he need FIA or FOTA for?)

Bernie is in some stage of negotiation with 2 US races, Greek representatives, French, Russians, South Africans, Argentinians, etc. Even if most of these are pie in the sky, there is plenty of interest outside the current venues.

[Jericoke]

Bernie's quickly running out of 'elsewheres'.  I think that's what FOPA is noticing. 

Bernie's going to need a new trick to jack up fees.  (I suspect he might get into track ownership though.  If he owns the tracks and the commercial rights... what does he need FIA or FOTA for?)

I think the EU would put the mockers on that idea, they forced the seperation of the rule maker, the FIA, from the commercial rights holder. They would be sure to investigate FOM, or an associated company, buying up or opening tracks to take on  F1 races, they're red hot on anticompetetive activity in Europe - especially around sport and media interests.

Really?  I don't want to get into some sort of geo-economic debate here, but what's wrong with a vertically integrated racing series? 

(I mean, there's always room for abuse, but there's plenty of room for abuse now too.  In fact, I should think that workers at European tracks must live in fear that their government might just give up supporting Bernie's fees.  If Bernie owns Spa and Monza, then they've got some guaranteed business, and not at tax payer's expense.)

[Scott]

Bernie is in some stage of negotiation with 2 US races, Greek representatives, French, Russians, South Africans, Argentinians, etc. Even if most of these are pie in the sky, there is plenty of interest outside the current venues.

Really?  Greece?  Does anyone there read the newspapers?   

[cosworth151]

but what's wrong with a vertically integrated racing series?

Here's an example. For decades, the NHRA held one of it's National Championship races at National Trail Raceway just north of me. It always had a huge turnout. Than the NHRA bought the track. Almost immediately, they moved the race to Norwalk Raceway, up in the Cleveland/Akron area. It had been part of the IHRA circuit. Since the NHRA now had Trails under lock & key, they used the race to poach Norwalk from the rival series.

[Jericoke]

but what's wrong with a vertically integrated racing series?

Here's an example. For decades, the NHRA held one of it's National Championship races at National Trail Raceway just north of me. It always had a huge turnout. Than the NHRA bought the track. Almost immediately, they moved the race to Norwalk Raceway, up in the Cleveland/Akron area. It had been part of the IHRA circuit. Since the NHRA now had Trails under lock & key, they used the race to poach Norwalk from the rival series.

Ah yes, the GM method of doing business; if you can't beat 'em, buy 'em.  Recently adopted by Microsoft and Facebook.

That sounds like Bernie to me.

[lkjohnson1950]

Bernie is in some stage of negotiation with 2 US races, Greek representatives, French, Russians, South Africans, Argentinians, etc. Even if most of these are pie in the sky, there is plenty of interest outside the current venues.

Really?  Greece?  Does anyone there read the newspapers?   

It is serious enough that Bernie is going there for a preliminary look at the proposed site. At the moment funding is through a Greek billionaire or two.

[John S]

Bernie is in some stage of negotiation with 2 US races, Greek representatives, French, Russians, South Africans, Argentinians, etc. Even if most of these are pie in the sky, there is plenty of interest outside the current venues.

Really?  Greece?  Does anyone there read the newspapers?   

It is serious enough that Bernie is going there for a preliminary look at the proposed site. At the moment funding is through a Greek billionaire or two.

So they will be paying him with untaxed money then, just what he likes.