37 replies to this topic

[mclarennut]

Do you think we will have a London UK Grand Prix anytime soon, and if yes will it be welcomed by everyone?

 

Two years ago, Santander’s ambitious plans to create a unique London Grand Prix were merely an enthusiastic flight of fancy, albeit heavily grounded in reality. This week, however, new government legislation will make it easier for public streets to be sanctioned for motorsport events, and that means the much-vaunted London Grand Prix once again moves a step closer to reality. 

 

Full Article

[Ross Stonefeld]

I think you'll see Formula E long before anything else. But nice of Santander to try to make it theirs 

[Fastcake]

This nonsense again? There is virtually zero chance the denizens of central London would ever welcome the mass disruption a London Grand Prix would bring, it's just wouldn't be supported. It's not like London needs F1 cars racing past Big Ben to get any more publicity, the place hardly struggles to attract tourists.

[Exb]

Not sure why this idea has resurfaced again but I did come across another event being arranged to take place in London in the build-up to this years British GP. I have no idea how likely it is to happen as I haven't seen anything about it from any motor-sport press or any advertising. Any one else heard anything about it?

http://raceweeklondon.com/

[jonpollak]

 

Jp

[F1ultimate]

This nonsense again? There is virtually zero chance the denizens of central London would ever welcome the mass disruption a London Grand Prix would bring, it's just wouldn't be supported. 

 

This.

 

Where would the motorhomes be stationed?

Where would the countless lorries we parked?

How would buses and people move about while the track is setup over 2 weeks?

 

Last month London suffered a strike and words cannot describe the dismay it brought on the city. An F1 race would cost businesses more money than it would bring. 

[mclarennut]

This.

 

Where would the motorhomes be stationed?

Where would the countless lorries we parked?

How would buses and people move about while the track is setup over 2 weeks?

 

Last month London suffered a strike and words cannot describe the dismay it brought on the city. An F1 race would cost businesses more money than it would bring. 

 

Hyde park is massive and could take many lorries same for the motorhomes, they managed to put a track in the centre of London to the olympic park and no one said that would work.

 

I totally agree it would could cause mayhem, but it also could be amazing, I would love to see it going past buckingham palace, down the Mall, Hyde Park, Big Ben, Red Buses and so on.

Edited by mclarennut, 27 February 2014 - 16:20.

[pdac]

Hyde park is massive and could take many lorries same for the motorhomes, they managed to put a track in the centre of London to the olympic park and no one said that would work.

 

I totally agree it would could cause mayhem, but it also could be amazing, I would love to see it going past buckingham palace, down the Mall, Hyde Park, Big Ben, Red Buses and so on.

 

London is crammed with businesses that would lose huge sums of money if there were any disruption. There is no way that there will ever be one in central London. I could imagine somewhere further out being used, but I don't think anyone would be interested in an event that wasn't central.

[sabjit]

London is crammed with businesses that would lose huge sums of money if there were any disruption. There is no way that there will ever be one in central London. I could imagine somewhere further out being used, but I don't think anyone would be interested in an event that wasn't central.

 

I cant see how that would work, the GP would bring increased footfall.

 

If London managed the olympics, they can manage this.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Wasn't most of the Olympics not in the center?

[Nemo1965]

I cant see how that would work, the GP would bring increased footfall.

 

If London managed the olympics, they can manage this.

 

The olympics are every four years. Countries get Olympics every fifty years or so, if they are lucky. Just imagine the Olympics every year in the same city.

 

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

[FizzyJerk]

This.

Where would the motorhomes be stationed? - Buckingham Palace
Where would the countless lorries we parked? - In the Thames
How would buses and people move about while the track is setup over 2 weeks? - Boris bikes or walk several miles. Lazy gits.

Last month London suffered a strike and words cannot describe the dismay it brought on the city. An F1 race would cost businesses more money than it would bring.

[pdac]

I cant see how that would work, the GP would bring increased footfall.

 

If London managed the olympics, they can manage this.

 

Well, the Oympics was spread across many venues and most of them were in a self-contained area in Stratford (which is way outside of Central London). Also,they spent huge amounts of money to upgrade the whole area and the transport links to Stratford to make it possible. The main thoroughfares of London were not affected at all.

[Schumster]

Disruption? Well it would be on a weekend so the offices/financial sector/public sector would hardly be on its knees. And there's little to no businesses along Embankment/St.James' Park/The Mall/Green Park, in fact it's just hotels.

 

If it brings 200,000 + over the weekend to London then I suspect businesses would be absolutely loving it.

 

London on its own is a magnificent city and coupled with F1 GP a trip down/up to the city would be extremely glamorous. I for one hope that they do give it a go, or at least some consideration, it's the fact that London's street are pretty much straights and right angles which would make it a problem.

Edited by Schumster, 27 February 2014 - 17:02.

[Schumster]

This.

 

Where would the motorhomes be stationed?

Where would the countless lorries we parked?

How would buses and people move about while the track is setup over 2 weeks?

 

Last month London suffered a strike and words cannot describe the dismay it brought on the city. An F1 race would cost businesses more money than it would bring. 

 

(a) That was more moaning rather than any actual real cause for concern, ride a bike or walk or take the overground or take the bus for God's sake.

(b) A strike knocking out a vital public transport service would hit any major city considerably.

[pdac]

Disruption? Well it would be on a weekend so the offices/financial sector/public sector would hardly be on its knees. And there's little to no businesses along Embankment/St.James' Park/The Mall/Green Park, in fact it's just hotels.

 

If it brings 200,000 + over the weekend to London then I suspect businesses would be absolutely loving it.

 

London on its own is a magnificent city and coupled with F1 GP a trip down/up to the city would be extremely glamorous. I for one hope that they do give it a go, or at least some consideration, it's the fact that London's street are pretty much straights and right angles which would make it a problem.

 

Just can't see it happening myself. An F1 weekend is not the same as any other events that they've managed to host in London. And now that everyone is obsessed with he prospect of terrorist attacks I can't see the police and security forces being too keen on it either.

[pdac]

(a) That was more moaning rather than any actual real cause for concern, ride a bike or walk or take the overground or take the bus for God's sake.

(b) A strike knocking out a vital public transport service would hit any major city considerably.

 

I can give you  3 reasons why it won't happen

 

MONEY

MONEY

MONEY

 

It would cost too much to put on and there's nobody who would stump up the cash.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Having now read some proper coverage of it, there are other things to consider than another Santander Puff Piece.

 

The Times added it will more likely be about less restrictions on rallying, and even potential issues around stages of the Tour de France held in the UK.

 

My personal add-on is we'd probably see an attempt at a BTCC street race. But not in London.

[Schumster]

I can give you  3 reasons why it won't happen

 

MONEY

MONEY

MONEY

 

It would cost too much to put on and there's nobody who would stump up the cash.

 

I can give you 4 reasons as to why funds wouldn't be a problem

 

a) CVC/FOM/Bernie

b) Title sponsors - ie. Santander

c) Revenue from hosting the GP

d) There are very, very, very rich people in London, there'd be plenty of Arabs willing to help fund for the GP

 

The opportunity to host a night GP in London? I don't think funds will be much of a problem if it's given the go ahead.

[R Soul]

They could have the race in Croydon.

[Imperial]

Feel sad that Autosport have gone the route of the never-going-to-happen London GP to publicise the UK public road racing consultation.

People won't bother completing the consultation if they think only of something that is unlikely to happen. We need people thinking of other than F1 to have these laws removed/altered.

As I mentioned in TNF, Tony Jardine is trying to bring IRC to Sunderland. This would be perfect as a way to get it on the cities streets, not just outlying private roads.

Edited by Imperial, 27 February 2014 - 17:26.

[HaydenFan]

My personal add-on is we'd probably see an attempt at a BTCC street race. But not in London.

 

Re-birth of the Birmingham F3000(GP2?) event? I'd be onboard with that. 

[Lord Snooty]

 

Jp

 

I remember that; the crowd were bonkers for it and the sound of an F1 engine (even not at full chat) going down Regent Street was extraordinary. Look at that picture; there is a depth of real enthusiasm in the UK for motor sports which just needs an event (such as that test run) to bring it to the surface...

[SpaMaster]

Can you change the title so that it aptly reflects its speculative nature? I opened thinking that a London Grand Prix has been announced to the world today!

[Ross Stonefeld]

I can give you 4 reasons as to why funds wouldn't be a problem

 

a) CVC/FOM/Bernie

b) Title sponsors - ie. Santander

c) Revenue from hosting the GP

d) There are very, very, very rich people in London, there'd be plenty of Arabs willing to help fund for the GP

 

The opportunity to host a night GP in London? I don't think funds will be much of a problem if it's given the go ahead.

 

A) They take money, not spend it

B) That money goes to A, not to the event

C) So like Valencia...

D) What would these people get out of it that they'd be willing to underwrite it?

[Buttoneer]

It is arguable that it would make a lot of money rather than cost it.  For maybe a week either side there would be minor disruption as the kerbs and streets were reconfigured/drains welded down etc, and for four days there would be complete disruption because of the event itself.  Two of those are at the weekend when the City of London itself is a ghost town.

 

I and most of my coworkers can telework very easily.  Business meetings can still happen at venues near the circuit for added excitement.  Those people who simply MUST travel in will be under the circuit in a tube or around it on a bus.  Hotels and restaurants would be full to bursting and charge even more outrageously than they do already.  Just think of all that extra Coca Cola and crappy "My brother went to London and all he got me was this lousy" merchandise we can sell.

 

Before the Olympics I might have been with the naysayers on this but because of the very slick way the whole event was handled I believe that London could cope.

[ensign14]

Twice around the M25.  Job done.

[Schumster]

A) They take money, not spend it

B) That money goes to A, not to the event

C) So like Valencia...

D) What would these people get out of it that they'd be willing to underwrite it?

 

a) "Ecclestone said: ‘With the way things are, maybe we would front it and put the money up for it. If we got the okay and everything was fine, I think we could do that.

 

In total, the race could generate a minimum of £100million, dwarfing the £35m it would cost to stage (Ecclestone would have to pay for costs of granstands, road closures and waiving a £25m licence fee) across the three days of the grand prix weekend.

'Maybe it would be two or three times that £100million,' said Nigel Currie, director of leading sports marketing agency Brand Rapport speaking to The Times.

 

'It could be a commercial bonanza for Formula One and London.'

 

 

b) The money that goes to A would help ensure the funds for the event 

 

c) Valencia is nothing like London

 

d) What the Arabs get out of Abu Dhabi? What do they get out of buying £20M penthouses in One Hyde Park and never frequenting them? What do they get out of buying Lamborghinis and revving them up in Knightsbridge on a Saturday night?

[Kristian]

I think logistically it could happen, but the NIMBYs would have a field day, and due to the planning permission needed for road changes to make a track, then there is too much opportunity for legal blockage. I'd be the first to buy a ticket though. 

 

Also, in the unlikely event it does happen, PLEASE don't run it at night. You want to see London's beautiful sights in the footage, not a black backdrop like in that video. 

[Schumster]

It is arguable that it would make a lot of money rather than cost it.  For maybe a week either side there would be minor disruption as the kerbs and streets were reconfigured/drains welded down etc, and for four days there would be complete disruption because of the event itself.  Two of those are at the weekend when the City of London itself is a ghost town.

 

I and most of my coworkers can telework very easily.  Business meetings can still happen at venues near the circuit for added excitement.  Those people who simply MUST travel in will be under the circuit in a tube or around it on a bus.  Hotels and restaurants would be full to bursting and charge even more outrageously than they do already.  Just think of all that extra Coca Cola and crappy "My brother went to London and all he got me was this lousy" merchandise we can sell.

 

Before the Olympics I might have been with the naysayers on this but because of the very slick way the whole event was handled I believe that London could cope.

 

I've said it before but the financial sector is no where near Embankment, if anything will get hit it will be the public sector in and around Whitehall. All it is is hotels and restaurants and they'd be sure to benefit from 200,000 people ready and willing to cough up some cash.

[SophieB]

If the race includes the drivers all having to stop and get their phones out to pay the congestion charge, I'm all for this happening.

[Ross Stonefeld]

a) "Ecclestone said: ‘With the way things are, maybe we would front it and put the money up for it. If we got the okay and everything was fine, I think we could do that.

 

In total, the race could generate a minimum of £100million, dwarfing the £35m it would cost to stage (Ecclestone would have to pay for costs of granstands, road closures and waiving a £25m licence fee) across the three days of the grand prix weekend.

'Maybe it would be two or three times that £100million,' said Nigel Currie, director of leading sports marketing agency Brand Rapport speaking to The Times.

 

'It could be a commercial bonanza for Formula One and London.'

 

 

b) The money that goes to A would help ensure the funds for the event 

 

c) Valencia is nothing like London

 

d) What the Arabs get out of Abu Dhabi? What do they get out of buying £20M penthouses in One Hyde Park and never frequenting them? What do they get out of buying Lamborghinis and revving them up in Knightsbridge on a Saturday night?

 

A) Believe it when I see it

B) No, it's just an advertising expense. It doesn't go towards putting on the event at all. When was the last time Bernie/CVC *spent* money on F1?

C) Exactly. Even with lower costs and less disruption it still didn't work. For London to work you'd need 100,000 paying £500 each. That will never happen.

D) Uhm, it's their own country? Uhm, it's their property/asset? Uhm, they're buying a single Lamborghini not the country? If you want to convince me of wealthy Arabs underwriting a street race in their own country sure. And even then it'd only be the royal family. 

 

It's financially completely unrealistic. 

 

Even without that though, the logistics are crazy. Monaco gets away with it because it's Monaco. Other street races are more remote or less-used locations. You people are talking about having major, major road works for up to a week in the center of a global city. Sure it's only hotels nearby, but you're not considering the knock-on traffic effect. And there's already enough problems with the amount of commercial traffic that needs to go through London.

 

It's never been the law that made this a hilarious PR dream.

[Lord Snooty]

The thing would be to avoid Oxford St & Regent St (and any of the main thoroughfares) which take stupendous amounts of money through the stores and shops.

 

If the bulk of the race was around Hyde Park then it could use the roads in the park and not those surrounding it, such as Park Lane. Hyde Park is used to stage major events all the time, from 'Winter Wonderland' at Christmas (don't ask) to rock concerts during the summer and so the surrounding areas are used to big crowds and lots of noise. It would probably require relaying some of the roads in the park, particularly linking the eastern ends of North and South Carriage Drives but a 'circuit' could easily be assembled using the existing roads / service roads in Hyde park.

[ArnageWRC]

Feel sad that Autosport have gone the route of the never-going-to-happen London GP to publicise the UK public road racing consultation.
People won't bother completing the consultation if they think only of something that is unlikely to happen. We need people thinking of other than F1 to have these laws removed/altered.
As I mentioned in TNF, Tony Jardine is trying to bring IRC to Sunderland. This would be perfect as a way to get it on the cities streets, not just outlying private roads.

Seems your the only one who can see the 'bigger picture'. Closed Road Motorsport is badly needed in this country; apart from the Jim Clark Rally in Duns, that is the only Motorsport held on closed public roads. There is the Tour of Mull, plus many events in the IoM as well as the TT Races.
Just look at Europe; their Hillclimbs or events like the Ypres Rally..... That is what we need in the mainland.

https://www.gov.uk/g...on-public-roads

Edited by ArnageWRC, 27 February 2014 - 20:51.

[Fastcake]

Hyde Park? There is a massive difference between a few concerts and a motor race, and I would have no surprise if it were to attract just as much opposition as trying to run a race through the streets of central London. Closing one of the more famous parks in London for the several weeks it would take to assemble the circuit would not be popular.

 

Seems your the only one who can see the 'bigger picture'. Closed Road Motorsport is badly needed in this country; apart from the Jim Clark Rally in Duns, that is the only Motorsport held on closed public roads. There is the Tour of Mull, plus many events in the IoM as well as the TT Races.
Just look at Europe; their Hillclimbs or events like the Ypres Rally..... That is what we need in the mainland.

https://www.gov.uk/g...on-public-roads

 

I think I read that earlier then somehow completely forgot about it again. But yeah, this is a long-awaited proposal that could create a fair number of new motor races in Britain. Providing of course that the organisers go about this the right way with the local community, and pick the right locations to try and hold a race. Hopefully the lesson that where you would like to hold a race is not the same as where you can hold a race will be learnt quickly.

[BRG]

GP won't happen, this is just Bernie spin probably aimed at getting his criminal prosecution(s) etc off the front pages.

 

There are simply too many obstacles, both physical and adminsitrative, tobe overcome.  At the usual UK pace, the earliest a London GP could happen is 2050 or so.

 

But let's play along with it if it gets the road closure issue finally sorted so that we can run rallies etc on public roads like the rest of the world.  Something the MSA have signally failed to do over five plus decades, the useless bunch.

[pdac]

If I ever see a race in the heart of New York, then I'll start to think it might be possible.

 

How many out there live and work in London? How many think that most Londoners were happy to have the Olympics there?

 

With regard to teleworking, I can give you first hand experience on that. My job can easily be done from home. I've done it many times in the past. But when I changed jobs, I found that most companies were not that receptive to teleworking. They seem to feel that the only way they can manage employees is to have them on site. As much as you hear about large corporations embracing the idea, my experience is that there are an awful lot of medium size ones that are unreceptive to change.

[pdac]

I can give you 4 reasons as to why funds wouldn't be a problem

 

a) CVC/FOM/Bernie

b) Title sponsors - ie. Santander

c) Revenue from hosting the GP

d) There are very, very, very rich people in London, there'd be plenty of Arabs willing to help fund for the GP

 

The opportunity to host a night GP in London? I don't think funds will be much of a problem if it's given the go ahead.

 

But it won't get the go ahead until the money is stumped up.I don't think the tax payers in London or the UK are going to be too helpful for this one.