47 replies to this topic

[smithy]

Did anyone else go?

I was mightily impressed with the circuit, which is far more spectacular than it looks on paper. Having said that, there were many teething problems common for a first event at a location, not the least of which were no soft surfaces or seats for General Admission ticket holders. Two days on hard concrete with the summer sun reflected back up made for hard going!

Newspaper reports suggest there were 72,000 people there on Saturday and 60,000 on Sunday. Not sure how they counted, given there were no turnstiles to get in but there sure were lots of people!

[Captain Tightpants]

I only went on the Sunday, but it was still overly awesome. We got a great spot down on the inside of turn eight, that uphill left-hander where all the drivers kept stuffing it into the outside wall.

[Witt]

It looked real good on TV! hope the event can stay a permanent fixture.

[Captain Tightpants]

It looked real good on TV! hope the event can stay a permanent fixture.

I do so too. Morris Iemma approved it, Nathan Rees made it happen ... and now he's been replaced by Kristina Kneally. No idea what she's going to do.

[smithy]

Again, the newspaper says she's going to support it... but how would you know with politicians at the moment?

Yesterday we were just down from you at the 200m mark on the back straight. You could hear the brakes chirping as they bounced over the bumps down to the left hander by the train station.

In other news, I got my photo taken with Sir Jack!!!

Edited by smithy, 07 December 2009 - 00:05.

[Turbo4]

I'm pretty appalled with $30+ million being spent on a temporary circuit that only benefits the V8 Supercar series.

If they've got the money, instead of lining Tony Cochrane's pockets how about they spend the money on Eastern Creek and bring it into the 21st century? It's a world class circuit hampered by supporting infrastructure straight from 1985.

The plans the ARDC put forward for a total redevelopment of Eastern Creek were pretty awesome. With the imminent closure of Oran Park, it's even more imperative that something happens lest the Sydney basin be left without a decent permanent track.

[marchi-91]

I'm pretty appalled with $30+ million being spent on a temporary circuit that only benefits the V8 Supercar series.

If they've got the money, instead of lining Tony Cochrane's pockets how about they spend the money on Eastern Creek and bring it into the 21st century? It's a world class circuit hampered by supporting infrastructure straight from 1985.

The plans the ARDC put forward for a total redevelopment of Eastern Creek were pretty awesome. With the imminent closure of Oran Park, it's even more imperative that something happens lest the Sydney basin be left without a decent permanent track.

Cochbrain is a clown. You said it yourself, its lining his pockets, so he'll continue to push for more street circuits. Did you know that the supposed "free concert for all" was capped at 18,000 for General admission ticket holders, so that the teams and Tony's monkeys could park themselves in the front row. Why not have a concert on Sunday night for the teams and V.I.P.'s.

[Captain Tightpants]

If they've got the money, instead of lining Tony Cochrane's pockets how about they spend the money on Eastern Creek and bring it into the 21st century? It's a world class circuit hampered by supporting infrastructure straight from 1985.

The plans the ARDC put forward for a total redevelopment of Eastern Creek were pretty awesome. With the imminent closure of Oran Park, it's even more imperative that something happens lest the Sydney basin be left without a decent permanent track.

Uh, because the V8 Supercar executive has no sway over the ARDC?

[Turbo4]

I was talking to the ARDC people on Saturday mate and they've been telling the NSW Govt for years that they need money for EC redevelopment. The contract with V8 Supercars fell over because they (EC) couldn't afford Cochrane's sanctioning fees and they wouldnt agree to some of his more outrageous demands, plus the NSW Govt wouldn't subsidise a venue they have put in the 'too hard' basket.

The ARDC are about to spend all the money in their kitty - about $3 million - resurfacing the track, which is long overdue. Resurfacing is a huge exercise as it's not just the track but all the kerbing and earthworks that have to be redone at the same time.

Sadly, this leaves zero money for extensions or revisions to the layout, so aside from the track EC will continue to decay everywhere else whilst the Govt pumps $30 million into a yearly Homebush event. Ridiculous.

EC needs a new pit complex, grandstands, better runoff areas, public transport options including a rail link... the list is endless. But it's a better longterm solutuion given the venue operates 364 days a year and rakes in 12K+ a day in hiring fees at current rates.

Edited by Turbo4, 07 December 2009 - 04:27.

[woftam]

Didn't like the circuit to be honest, although the atmosphere looked pretty good.
A circuit with wall to wall barricades is just going to end in disaster for half the field every time.
It was pretty much a clone of the Gold Coast race.

Why don't our supposed leaders build a decent race track.
How about doing something completely out of left field by asking suggestions from the teams and drivers?

[FPV GTHO]

For whatever reasons, spectators just dont seem to like Eastern Creek though. Maybe its the rubbish dump behind it. Maybe its only being able to see half the track from any single point at once due to the hills in the middle. It could be a whole lot of other small issues building up.

[Turbo4]

Better grandstands in more places around EC would indeed be a good start. A double-sided one that has corporate hill (T8) on one side, the turn 9 braking zone on the end, and then the accelaration to the T10/11/12 finish of the lap would be nice.

A grandstand that overlooks turns 4&5 would also be good. The room is there, as is the natural elevation to create a few stands. But it needs money.

I think EC's main problems are that there's ZERO public transport options, the place is oh-so run down, and if you're not in the main grandstand there's no other seating! There needs to be a train station straight outside the gate even if it's a 'special event only' station on a side track.

Edited by Turbo4, 07 December 2009 - 04:47.

[V8 Fireworks]

The plans the ARDC put forward for a total redevelopment of Eastern Creek were pretty awesome. With the imminent closure of Oran Park, it's even more imperative that something happens lest the Sydney basin be left without a decent permanent track.

But overweight saloons aren't going to be chirping on the brakes over bumps and leaping over kerbs immediately in front of coporates, at the smooth, fast, proper race track at EC though.

How do you keeps corporates entertained? They like wild, slow, over-tight tracks producing non stop wall-slapping action not fast, technical, smooth motorsport...

[V8 Fireworks]

Cochbrain is a clown. You said it yourself, its lining his pockets, so he'll continue to push for more street circuits. Did you know that the supposed "free concert for all" was capped at 18,000 for General admission ticket holders, so that the teams and Tony's monkeys could park themselves in the front row. Why not have a concert on Sunday night for the teams and V.I.P.'s.

To be fair a lot that go for the racing would go home.



The facts are V8s are slow. People want to watch them jumping over kerbs and spitting flames.

If people want to watch ultra-low cars go around ultra-smooth corners they will turn the tv on and watch F1.

They don't seem to want to watch them at EC even if it was turned into a sort of Aussie-Catalunya...

[Turbo4]

Well if EC isn't exciting enough for corporate-types (it's bloody brilliant from the driver's seat) the government should build a brand new permanent racetrack to replace OP, and make it a tight little street-style circuit.

The money they'd save on setting up and ripping down temporary grandstands and pit buildings alone....!

Edited by Turbo4, 07 December 2009 - 05:22.

[Captain Tightpants]

Why don't our supposed leaders build a decent race track.
How about doing something completely out of left field by asking suggestions from the teams and drivers?

Uh, this circuit, like Townsville before it, was designed by Mark Skaife. I'm pretty sure he knows more about making decent circuits than you do.

[Turbo4]

But Skaife's working from a set menu, so to speak. It's not a blank sheet of paper where he can add in elevation changes or say an off-camber right hander that can be taken at 200km/h.

More like: "Here's the district Mark, now do the best you can with the existing street layout. And you cant go here, here, here, here... or here".

[Captain Tightpants]

But Skaife's working from a set menu, so to speak. It's not a blank sheet of paper where he can add in elevation changes or say an off-camber right hander that can be taken at 200km/h.

More like: "Here's the district Mark, now do the best you can with the existing street layout. And you cant go here, here, here, here... or here".

Well, pardon him for doing his best with what was offered. Having gone to the race and spent most of the day walking around the circuit, I can safely say that I think he did a great job, even if people on the internet - who don't know anything about circuit design - disagree with him.

[Turbo4]

Captain I dont want to be rude but are you Mark Skaife or Tony Cochrane? How much driving at speed on various circuits have you done? Watching on TV or in a grandstand doesn't count.... how do you know that some of the people here dont know a thing or two about circuit design and what works and what doesn't?

woftam was suggesting that these mickey-mouse street circuits aren't the answer, no matter how Cochrane and Co. (including Skaife, who I assume is a paid employee) spin things. I doubt drivers and teams think that Homebush is Australia's best track, no more than they'd enjoy Surfer's Paradise - and that's because they're always a compromise having to take into account existing infrastructure. The real drivers circuits in Australia are Bathurst, Philip Island, and Lakeside. And surprise surprise, none of them are street circuits.

Street circuits are popular with fans because they're point-and-squirt, and when there's any rain at all it's carnage. Carnage plays well to neanderthals.

Edited by Turbo4, 07 December 2009 - 06:43.

[smithy]

Well, pardon him for doing his best with what was offered. Having gone to the race and spent most of the day walking around the circuit, I can safely say that I think he did a great job...

I'd agree with that.

It was a pity there weren't better GA viewing areas. Both the chicanes had advertising signage up so you literally could not see *anything*. On Saturday we were up at XXXX chicane which was awesome but we had to sneak our way underneath the stands to get a decent viewing spot (the other benefit was it was out of the sun). Earlier in the day we watched the Fujitsu cars from the entry to the chicane and you could see the brake disks glowing red even in bright sunshine. BUT.... some low rise stands along both sides of the back straight and then between T1 & T2 would have done wonders and made it much more enjoyable. I've heard some stories today about people who bailed out early on Saturday and didn't come Sunday because there was nowhere to sit/no shade/food too expensive/etc. There was also far too much waiting around before the main race on Sunday.

I don't know whether they closed the gates for the Saturday night concert but it was pretty full on the grass, as was the "Hot Zone" special access area in front of us. They should have let GA ticket holders up onto the third deck of the stand - I would have gladly sat there rather than have to stand for another five hours on the ground like I did.

[smithy]

... Watching on TV or in a grandstand doesn't count....

Yes it does. That's where all the money is. (oh - and the worlds most expensive beers and pies!)

Otherwise we'd all go to Wakefield Park to watch Formula Fords.

Edited by smithy, 07 December 2009 - 06:54.

[Captain Tightpants]

Captain I dont want to be rude but are you Mark Skaife or Tony Cochrane?;) How much driving at speed on various circuits have you done? Watching on TV or in a grandstand doesn't count.... how do you know that some of the people here dont know a thing or two about circuit design and what works and what doesn't?

I couldn't count the hours, but I have done plenty in go-karts.

woftam was suggesting that these mickey-mouse street circuits aren't the answer, no matter how Cochrane and Co. (including Skaife, who I assume is a paid employee) spin things.

Well, maybe wolftam should read a little bit before he starts making claims about who should be in the business of designing circuits.

I doubt drivers and teams think that Homebush is Australia's best track, no more than they'd enjoy Surfer's Paradise - and that's because they're always a compromise having to take into account existing infrastructure. The real drivers circuits in Australia are Bathurst, Philip Island, and Lakeside. And surprise surprise, none of them are street circuits.

And when you're designing a permanent circuit, there are other things you have to take into consideration. Like the piece of land you've been given, for one. And the budget you've been allocated. Ans the rules that dictate circuit design. There's a lot that could have been done with Sydney Olympic Park; given carte blanche, this or this is probably what I would have produced, but how many circuits in Australia are six kilometres long? And I'm only basing that on what I see in Google Maps; how do I know what roads are suitable for racing?

My point in all of this is that it's easy for people to say "this should have been done differently. But the fact is that until we know exactly what the likes of Mark Skaife and Hermann Tilke have had to deal with in terms of what they've been give, it's all talk.

[smithy]

... this or this ...

Great tries but this highlights the compromise that Skaife had to deal with. Both of these routes block off the bus access roads and the second one closes off the car parking (although the current track blocked off the P1 complex).

All in all I think the track was good and I expect most people went home happy with the racing in all classes over the weekend.

[pingu666]

semona has plenty of kerb hopping, clone that?

[V8 Fireworks]

Hehe.

So all things considered: A fast, sweeping permanent circuit equipped with full convention facilities, parks for concerts, supreme GA viewing of the whole track from a big grassy mound with large shade sails and a big public transport hub is the ticket to solve the problems then?

If the govs want to spend $500m on football ovals, they should stuff that and build a nice race track like this instead with the cash.

They can bring in a second F1 race and hold a 24 hrs too, and a WTCC and a FIA GT round and invite the Super GT and DTM down too instead of spending up for the football world cup to make good use of it.

[THE "driverider"]

Mark Skaife should do the F1 circuits, oh wait restrictions.

[woftam]

I couldn't count the hours, but I have done plenty in go-karts.


Well, maybe wolftam should read a little bit before he starts making claims about who should be in the business of designing circuits.


And when you're designing a permanent circuit, there are other things you have to take into consideration. Like the piece of land you've been given, for one. And the budget you've been allocated. Ans the rules that dictate circuit design. There's a lot that could have been done with Sydney Olympic Park; given carte blanche, this or this is probably what I would have produced, but how many circuits in Australia are six kilometres long? And I'm only basing that on what I see in Google Maps; how do I know what roads are suitable for racing?

My point in all of this is that it's easy for people to say "this should have been done differently. But the fact is that until we know exactly what the likes of Mark Skaife and Hermann Tilke have had to deal with in terms of what they've been give, it's all talk.

Get off your bloody high horse pal.
This is a forum where opinions & preferences are shared.
I reiterate that I don't like the circuit. If you can't handle that then tough titties.
I respect the job Skaife did in coming up with the layout considering what he was given to work with.
But my post was not about bagging Skaife or anyone associated with the event.
My point is the event got terrific support from the fans. Give them an exciting circuit with undulations and overtaking opportunities and the event will take off even more.
I realise this is not done overnight and compromises have to be made in the interim, but Sydney deserves a world class circuit.
Too many of the circuits the V8 Supercars are racing on do not do the drivers, cars or fans justice.
This is my opinion Mr Tilke. You don't have to agree with it but there is no need for your attitude.

[Captain Tightpants]

Get off your bloody high horse pal.
This is a forum where opinions & preferences are shared.
I reiterate that I don't like the circuit. If you can't handle that then tough titties.

What high horse? You were the one who said that the circuits should have been designed by the drivers, despite the fact that a lot has been made of the fact that mark Skaife has been the one designing both Sydney Olympic Park and Townsville. What am I supposed to think when you go ahead and post something like that? It's perfectly fine to express opinions and preferences - but you could do worse than to have a basic level of knowledge on the subject, lest it become quite clear that you don't know what you're talking about.

My point is the event got terrific support from the fans. Give them an exciting circuit with undulations and overtaking opportunities and the event will take off even more.
I realise this is not done overnight and compromises have to be made in the interim, but Sydney deserves a world class circuit.
Too many of the circuits the V8 Supercars are racing on do not do the drivers, cars or fans justice.

You are aware that a) nothing will ever be good enough when you use Mount Panorama as the reference point for every other circuit and that b) building these fantastic circuits that you want is an extremely expensive process, and most of the time, the money to build these facilities isn't there.

Why is it that everyone complains about the circuits, claiming they're not good enough? And what even makes you qualified to know what makes for a good circuit, especially when you're one of a minority who didn't like it?

Edited by Captain Tightpants, 09 December 2009 - 00:37.

[Alfisti]

What were tickets worth? Let's say $50, average 'spend' of $100 ..... so what was spent again, $30m ..... 30,000,000/100 = 300,000 ....... there was not 300,000 over the three days was there?

I love EC as a car nut, was 5 minutes from where real people live and a good track from a technical stand point but as a spectator it's absolute **** of the highest order. The cars look and sound terrible, too far away, too quiet, not fast enough, it's just an AWFUL aural experience.

[woftam]

What high horse? You were the one who said that the circuits should have been designed by the drivers, despite the fact that a lot has been made of the fact that mark Skaife has been the one designing both Sydney Olympic Park and Townsville. What am I supposed to think when you go ahead and post something like that? It's perfectly fine to express opinions and preferences - but you could do worse than to have a basic level of knowledge on the subject, lest it become quite clear that you don't know what you're talking about.
You are aware that a) nothing will ever be good enough when you use Mount Panorama as the reference point for every other circuit and that b) building these fantastic circuits that you want is an extremely expensive process, and most of the time, the money to build these facilities isn't there.

Why is it that everyone complains about the circuits, claiming they're not good enough? And what even makes you qualified to know what makes for a good circuit, especially when you're one of a minority who didn't like it?

In other words my opinion is different to yours so I should clearly just shut up. Because you obviously have diplomas adorning your wall that enhance your reputation as a track designer of the highest order.
Does the words know all mean anything to you? Because that is certainly how you are coming across.
As I said if you don't like it that someone has a differing opinion to yours then tough luck. But cut with the I know better than anyone crap.

[Captain Tightpants]

In other words my opinion is different to yours so I should clearly just shut up.

This has nothing to do with your opinion. The comment I made about you maybe doing a little research related to the fact that what you posted was blatantly wrong. You claimed that the circuits should be designed by the drivers because that would make them better, but the Sydney circuit was designed by a driver. Whatever your opinion might be, the fact remains that you clearly had no idea what you were talking about. Don't try and push this onto me - it was your mistake.

[woftam]

This has nothing to do with your opinion. The comment I made about you maybe doing a little research related to the fact that what you posted was blatantly wrong. You claimed that the circuits should be designed by the drivers because that would make them better, but the Sydney circuit was designed by a driver. Whatever your opinion might be, the fact remains that you clearly had no idea what you were talking about. Don't try and push this onto me - it was your mistake.

Wrong again. If you read my post properly instead of jumping the gun you will find I said design with suggestions from drivers & teams in mind. Not just one driver or team (all)
So you clearly have no idea what you are talking about and are just plain wrong. See that term smacks of arrogance and I normally wouldn't use it, but hopefully the penny might drop about the way you post down the track.
My opinion (yes I'm entitled to have one) is that given a clean slate, no designer would design a circuit completely enclosed by barricades. Sooner or later you are going to come to the conclusion that barricades are my bugbear not any particular circuit, but I'm not holding my breath.
You talk about money being a problem and it is, but how much money does it cost these teams every time their cars hit the barricades? Plenty I bet.
And seeing half the field didn't finish then it becomes a costly race in itself.
I'm not saying the event wasn't a great success. It obviously was. But the race would go from strength to strength IMO - (that means in my opinion ) on a more open layout.

[FPV GTHO]

Better grandstands in more places around EC would indeed be a good start. A double-sided one that has corporate hill (T8) on one side, the turn 9 braking zone on the end, and then the accelaration to the T10/11/12 finish of the lap would be nice.

A grandstand that overlooks turns 4&5 would also be good. The room is there, as is the natural elevation to create a few stands. But it needs money.

I think EC's main problems are that there's ZERO public transport options, the place is oh-so run down, and if you're not in the main grandstand there's no other seating! There needs to be a train station straight outside the gate even if it's a 'special event only' station on a side track.

I think they need some shade more than anything. I went there for A1GP a few years ago and my face went almost purple from sunburn afterwards.

One of my friends believes the guy who sold Oran Park had been trying to buy EC, anybody heard anything about that?

[smithy]

I think they need some shade more than anything. I went there for A1GP a few years ago and my face went almost purple from sunburn afterwards.

One of my friends believes the guy who sold Oran Park had been trying to buy EC, anybody heard anything about that?

Homebush needs shade as well.

I heard that the previous owner of Oran Park was looking for a greenfields site to go and build a new circuit.

[Turbo4]

well said woftam.

Tightpants not to pick a fight but you've got 2500-odd posts in only 6 months. That's more than 420 a month, or something like 15 per day. Do you sleep? Some might term you a bit of a postwhore, but i'll just say that the amount of posts in such a short time clearly defines you as a person with an opinion on a LOT of things that you apparently NEED to share.

It doesn't mean you're right all the time.

I clearly understood the intention of woftam's first post. Skaife might well have been involved with designing the circuit, but I dare say he wasn't consulted about the design of the Sydney Olympic Park road system back in 1995, and therefore he's clearly working under some major constraints when it comes to concocting a half-decent circuit. If the drivers and teams were given carte blanche and asked what THEY want in a circuit I seriously doubt 'high walled street circuit with no runoff or elevation changes' would be their No. 1 choice.

And yes, there are budgetary constraints, but with $30 million of taxpayers money being thrown at the event every year, clearly there's money there to build a venue that wouldn't just benefit the V8 Supercar circus. The V8 race at Homebush is merely a diversion for a state government so on the nose that they'll do anything to curry favour. They've got a massive white elephant in Sydney Olympic Park with hotels probably running at around 20% occupancy.... this is a way to keep the place semi-viable.... but screw the rest of the Sydney motorsport community.

Edited by Turbo4, 09 December 2009 - 04:54.

[smithy]

Everything I've read says it's $30 mill over FIVE years, not $30m per year. See last paragraph here: http://www.smh.com.a...91206-kd06.html

Also the NSW Gov't Economic Impact Statement says:

The submission presented by V8 Supercars Australia Pty Limited (“V8SA”) included the
following request for financial assistance:
* $13 million in up-front assistance for capital expenditure; and
* $2.5 million recurrent grant for each of the five races.

So... using numbers mentioned above, they got 159,000 people over the weekend, compared to 29,000 at Eastern Creek. That's 130,000 extra tickets at say $100 average price = $13m extra benefit just this year.

Seems economically viable atm. Next year will be the real test, after the novelty has worn off.

[Turbo4]

I'll stand corrected if it's $30 mill over a five year period (still a lot of money that could have been better spent at their existing facility imo), but look at the infrastructure and promotion that was thrown at this year's race compared to what was NOT done - ever - for Eastern Creek!

Just to start they have one decent (but ageing) grandstand at EC, they had a dozen or more at Homebush.

Keep in mind I reckon the Official crowd figures at Homebush would be massively inflated by the organisers - apparently there weren't turnstiles so is the figure arrived at by the famous 'police estimate'? Is it based on sales? Does it include corporate freebies, the marshals, the drivers and teams?

Edited by Turbo4, 09 December 2009 - 05:14.

[Turbo4]

One more thing: the Canberra street race folded after three years, and the ACT Govt had to negotiate their way out of the contract.

[smithy]

I can't find the article now but the figures were very precise (e.g. 71,762). That leads me to believe that Ticketek published the actual number of tickets sold .

Note the emphasis on tickets sold, not the actual number of people who turned up. However from the promoters perspective that's all that really counts because once you've paid your money you don't get a refund just because you choose not to turn up, or go home early.

edit: here we go - http://news.smh.com....91206-kcnn.html

edit again: It was in the first article I referenced.

For this year's inaugural event, organisers had set a target of 150,000 spectators over three days, but 51,193 turned up on Friday just to see practice. On Saturday, 72,610 came through the turnstiles. About 45,000 from that crowd hung around to see Cold Chisel at ANZ Stadium.

Cochrane - who also has an extensive career as a music promoter - convinced the band to re-form especially for the V8 concert. Yesterday's crowd of 61,053, showed how big the Chisel factor was on Saturday.

Edited by smithy, 09 December 2009 - 05:31.

[Captain Tightpants]

Wrong again. If you read my post properly instead of jumping the gun you will find I said design with suggestions from drivers & teams in mind. Not just one driver or team (all)
So you clearly have no idea what you are talking about and are just plain wrong. See that term smacks of arrogance and I normally wouldn't use it, but hopefully the penny might drop about the way you post down the track.

Your implication was that the circuit was not designed by drivers and teams at all. You need to remember that when you're on the internet, what you don't say is just as important as what you do say.

[teejay]

One more thing: the Canberra street race folded after three years, and the ACT Govt had to negotiate their way out of the contract.

That was an absolute farce of a track though - act government figured it would be a great tourism marketing ploy.

[Bernd]

Eastern Creek has the stench of death around it and always has. It ain't just the tip either.

[woftam]

Your implication was that the circuit was not designed by drivers and teams at all. You need to remember that when you're on the internet, what you don't say is just as important as what you do say.

No, you did the assuming here and read far more into my post than was intended. My response was it would be a great idea if a new circuit was designed after taking input from every team & driver down the pit lane.
Sure you're right, no track will stack up to Bathurst. That's fine. But surely with input from people way more in tune than I, we could come up with a world class motorsport circuit that could offer something for everyone?
Without barricades.

[KLN]

Well we had fun.
went with 14yo daughter on Saturday. managed to get a table and umbrella for shelter on saturday in the food village, and just propped there. we took it in turns to go for walks and check out the corners and merchandise, but just stayed in the shade.
not a lot of screens in the GA area's i noticed, but that's still a problem at Melbourne anyway.
Radio worked well.,
Went Sunday too, the screen in the food area went bung up until the warm up lap, so that was a problem. went over to the event organisers office to report it and found Sir Jack in there resting, so that was a highlight. gave up on waiting for the screen (although it did come good just after we left) and we went to the Dome (part of the RAS buildings) where they had the car displays as they had a big screen and it was air-conditioned. had the old picnic rug with us, so we parked it on the cold cement floor and watched it indoors while they zoomed by only a few feet away from the building.
had done a walk of the track on sunday morning, and the P1 carpark seemed like the best viewing point if you bought your own picnic chairs.
access by the train i think was the highlight, but then again, i was home in 25 mins. Listening from my home on friday was like music to the ears.
Cold Chisel was great. somehow managed to get in the seating area for the corporates, don't ask me how. it was a fluke. it was like something out of the "infiltrator".
once we got a seat, we just stayed there and didn't move just in case.
all the alcohol on sale was only half strength. certainly cheaper than melb., but then again only half strenth. food cheaper than melb. but many store holders ran out. i really don't think they knew what they were in for. atmosphere was great. had a ball. in the paper this morning they said that the hotel rooms at the Novatel with balconies, has already sold out for next year. $800.00 a day and you have to take the 4 day package..
Note for boys with Camera's, keep an eye out on the Balconies for show-offs. as my 14yo daughter said "Skanks", so probably worth looking for.
more SHADE, there wlere so many people just looking for shade, same as melb. really, but more of a family atmosphere than melb, especially in the GA area.

i think it's a lot of money to spend for 1 weekend a year, but the facilities were much better than EC. the transport factor with EC is the major drama i think, then the punter facilities. maybe investing more into EC would be better in the long run.
Please remember that the last v8 weekend at EC it rained all weekend, let along the last A1, where it rained too.

all up we had a great time, and it was a great wind up to the end of the year and season.

[Alfisti]

I'm 33 years old and I don't remember one of those years where someone has said "We need more shade" at Australian events.

Why is no one listening?

[repcobrabham]

my guess is that the cameras can't pick up crowd shots with everybody under cover. sounds incredibly cynical, i know, but might be right.

[krapmeister]

I think you'll find it all comes down to $$$...

[Sardukar]

the taxis are more impressive around tight street circuits than somewhere like EC, simple as that. Olympic park never gets used either so its a good opportunity to do something with it. And if you think the government is going to spend $500m+ on a new circuit for one or two races a year then you are kidding yourself. The only way that would happen is if Sydney held an F1 race.