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F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => Topic started by: John S on March 25, 2009, 09:46:42 PM

Title: Aus GP critisised for lack of respect in Brabham 50th Anniversary year
Post by: John S on March 25, 2009, 09:46:42 PM

Australia's most recent world champion has slammed the organisers of the Melbourne race.

Alan Jones, who won Williams' first title in 1980, said he is not invited to the Australian Grand Prix by his native country.

"I write to Bernie Ecclestone and get a ticket issued from Britain. It seems he is more inclined to do things for you than home-grown folk," the 62-year-old, who heads the Australian A1GP team, told the Melbourne newspaper Herald Sun.

Jones further criticised the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) for overlooking the 50th anniversary of the first Formula One championship won by an Australian driver.

Sir Jack Brabham, now 82, won his first of three titles in 1959. He and Jones are the only Australian world champions.

"He is an icon and a national treasure, and to overlook him in that fashion is pathetic," Jones said. 
 
Brabham has turned down his invitation to attend this weekend's event, claiming it was only made after a PR company working with his son David approached the AGPC.

"The fact is, they wouldn't have issued an invitation if they hadn't been prodded and they certainly wouldn't have done anything for the 50th anniversary," Brabham's wife Margaret said.

To Jones' criticisms, AGPC chairman Ron Walker replied: "I am not going to respond to Alan Jones' gripes about the Grand Prix."

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

Title: Re: Aus GP critisised for lack of respect in Brabham 50th Anniversary year
Post by: Steven Roy on March 28, 2009, 01:04:49 AM

It is ridiculous that the 50th anniversary of his first championship has not been marked by his home race.  I really don't get that.

Title: Re: Aus GP critisised for lack of respect in Brabham 50th Anniversary year
Post by: cosworth151 on March 28, 2009, 03:17:31 AM

What were they thinking? Not only would it have been the right thing to do, it would have be a great commercial success, too. Unbelievably stupid!

Title: Re: Aus GP critisised for lack of respect in Brabham 50th Anniversary year
Post by: SennaMan on March 28, 2009, 12:28:41 PM

methinks there is more than a litlle bad blood between Alan Jones, owner of the Aussie A1GP team, and AGPC chairman Ron Walker especially when the latter said:

"I am not going to respond to Alan Jones' gripes about the Grand Prix."

Alan has been an outspoken and very vocal critic of the performance of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation [AGPC] and as such is an unwelcome thorn in the side of its chairman.

But God only knows why they ignore the exploits of Sir Jack Brabham, the first Aussie WDC and the only man ever to win a WDC driving in his own car named after him.
 

Title: Re: Aus GP critisised for lack of respect in Brabham 50th Anniversary year
Post by: johnbull on April 01, 2009, 10:30:01 PM

It's all a bit sad, but nobody respects us old fogies these days.