GPWizard F1 Forum
F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => Topic started by: romephius on July 04, 2008, 09:35:38 AM
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GREATEST NEWS I HAVE HEARD ALL WEEK :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
Melbourne will continue to host the Australian Grand Prix until at least 2015 after securing a new contract with Formula One Management. Contrary to media speculation, there will be no night races in Albert Park, but next year’s event will start at the later time of 5pm.
“The Australian Grand Prix has always been a great show, with some of the biggest crowds in Formula One,” said Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One Management CEO. “I have wanted changes to the local race time so that we can increase the television audience in Europe and Asia.
“I’m satisfied that the decision to move to later start time for 2009 races is a win for television audiences in Europe and Asia, a win for Melbourne and a win for Formula One as a whole.”
Melbourne has been the home of the Australian Grand Prix since 1996 and Victoria State Premier John Brumby welcomed the renewed contract: “Today’s announcement confirms what every Melburnian knows - we live in the undisputed major events capital of the world.
“The Grand Prix has been an outstanding event for Victoria over a long period of time and has helped put Melbourne on a global stage. Retaining the event is important to Victoria’s ongoing growth and prosperity."
In 2008, more than 300,000 people attended the four-day event and saw McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton win, the return of the popular V8 Supercars support series and a two-hour rock concert from KISS at the conclusion of the race.
Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman, Ronald Walker, congratulated the Victorian Government and Formula One Management on the contract extension.
“Formula One is good for Melbourne and Melbourne is good for Formula One,” he said. “We’re very pleased that’s been recognised by everyone and I’m extremely grateful to Premier Brumby and Minister Holding for their involvement and to Mr Ecclestone for his support. The team at the Australian Grand Prix Corporation will get on with what it does best - putting on a world class show every March at Albert Park.”
Next year’s Australian Grand Prix is expected to take place on March 26-29.
Full credit and source: www.formula1.com
Thank you very much Mr Ecclestone...... best decision you have made in a few years.
Rom
(extremely happy Aussie)
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Im glad that a compromise was found too rom but not all are. The following was just posted by ABC News:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/04/2294965.htm (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/04/2294965.htm)
Port Phillip Council slams costly GP extension deal
Posted 2 hours 45 minutes ago
Formula One will be staying in Melbourne until 2015.
Melbourne's Grand Prix stays Melbourne's Port Phillip Council is outraged the Victorian Government has signed on to host the Formula One Grand Prix for another seven years.
Victorian Premier John Brumby confirmed a deal was struck in London overnight after "quite complex" negotiations, which will see Melbourne host a twilight race until at least 2015.
Last year the race cost taxpayers $35 million, and Mr Brumby says the cost is likely to rise because of inflation.
Port Phillip Mayor Janet Cribbes says the Government should have completed an environmental and economic impact study before signing on.
"That was a very strong recommendation that came from the Auditor General's Department," she said.
"Quite clearly he said it actually doesn't have any benefit for Victoria."
But Victorian Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu says hosting the Grand Prix for another seven years will be good for the state .
Mr Baillieu has qualified those comments though, saying the Government must work to make the race more cost effective.
"It's a good thing that Melbourne's retained the Grand Prix, but now the obligation is on John Brumby to actually make it work," he said.
"Over the last three years, it hasn't worked as well as it should have. Revenues have fallen, costs have risen."
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Great news eh Rom, I promise I'll try to join you on chatroom for it too, ok. :good:
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That really is great news we all love the Aussie GP, and you Aussies as well. :yahoo:
What do you think to the new later start time though:- good, bad or indifferrent? :DntKnw:
I shall miss the early hours routine on race day here in Britain, it has always made it more special somehow, will it affect coverage in the US much?
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its good that the australian race is staying but im even more glad thats its now on 6oclock in the morning
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Congrats, Rom, ol' friend! :yahoo:
Sanity prevails!
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Too right sanity prevails..... I am heading to Melbourne in 2010 with a group..... but after seeing it live... I know each year I would have been crying about no melbourne GP..... I am totally surprised the Bernie compromised. 5pm is the start time in Melbourne... but as it's summer then, there will be daylight savings time on.... In Queensland (where I am)... we don't have Daylight savings... so it's 4pm for me..... so as long as I take the monday off work... I can watch the race and get sloshed....
Rom
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John the later starting time will make it another
fun one here, about 3 in the morning.
It was the only non European race we could watch
at a decent time here
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i know even the american races at 5o clock seemed to late for the race
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It was the only non European race we could watch
at a decent time here.
Besides, it was fun to tell people, "I'm going to watch tomorrow's race tonight!"
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I think the drivers will have to contend with the setting sun which may make some problems although the sun visors on their helmets do look very hi-tech.
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it wouldn't be good if the drivers were distracted by possible darkness
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i know it would hardly be dark but it could cause more accidents if the drivers are tired
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Oh the poor dearies, tired already at 5pm? Gimme a break!
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Actually give the later hour of the day and the fact that it is usually quite hot in Melbourne in March.... the time will make it easier and more comfortable for the drivers... and a little less demanding on the equipment.....
Rom
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thats true maybe the drivers will prefer it then