68 replies to this topic

[Georg_Kuyumji]

Some may have read it too that Bernie Ecclestone wants to move away from Magny Cours and would like to have a Race in Paris.

It seems a little unrealistic but out of curiosity I started to look at how a GP of Paris could look like. Some Trees and pedestrian places would have to go but this Track would lead the cars from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eifeltower over some corners and roundabouts to a long 750 meter straight back to the Arc de Triomphe

[COUGAR508]

Anything has to be an improvement over Magny-Cours!

How about a night race in Paris? That would be wonderful!

[Scudetto]

Not that I'm complaining, but what's with Bernie's sudden obsession with street circuits?

[Ricardo F1]

It was fun in Project Gotham.

[Risil]

Originally posted by Scudetto
Not that I'm complaining, but what's with Bernie's sudden obsession with street circuits?

He's run out of governments willing to pay for gigantic autodromes and astronomical race fees. The choice of which to continue, I'm sure, was a difficult one.

[turin]

how about rendez vous?

[Scudetto]

Originally posted by Risil
He's run out of governments willing to pay for gigantic autodromes and astronomical race fees. The choice of which to continue, I'm sure, was a difficult one.

As cynical as you sound, I'd be willing to bet you're not far off the mark.

[schead]

Why not replace Silverstone with the M25?

[aportinga]

Originally posted by Scudetto
Not that I'm complaining, but what's with Bernie's sudden obsession with street circuits?

He if the fans are not coming to the races - and they are not (at least in numbers they used to), then why not bring the race to the fans?

[F1Johnny]

Originally posted by aportinga


He if the fans are not coming to the races - and they are not (at least in numbers they used to), then why not bring the race to the fans?

You're right. Probably easier to create a spectacle for TV with street circuits than with race tracks that may or may not be full.

[jonpollak]

Originally posted by schead
Why not replace Silverstone with the M25?

Ooohh... Brill Idea
I can set up a viewing area on me roof near EXIT 8?
(£336.50 +booking fee per seat)

Then it's off to Clacket Lane for the pit stops..
(are my Road Chef vouchers good for a Lewis Hamilton tea-shirt?)

Jp

[gerry nassar]

Im sure it will never happen, but if it did - I'd book my tickets the minute they start selling them!!

[512 TR]

IMHO there's no better location in the world for a GP than Paul Ricard. It's the best track. So many possible configurations. They could change the layout every year. True, it would be bad for spectators but that's the smallest issue.

I hate all these city tracks. It will kill F1. At least if the regulations stay the same.

[AMG1]

Originally posted by turin
how about rendez vous?

Very nice video, thanks.

[512 TR]

Originally posted by turin
how about rendez vous?

Classic piece of cinema. That's what it's all about.

Although not for F1...

[nigel red5]

As far as i'm aware it was'nt Paris i.e the city centre that was mooted as a possible venue. The story that i came across had something to do with Eurodisney.

Talk about Mickey Mouse.....

[MONTOYASPEED]

Originally posted by gerry nassar
I'd book my tickets the minute they start selling them!!

Me too, my favorite city in the world and F1, what a great combo.

[Bernd]

Originally posted by gerry nassar
Im sure it will never happen, but if it did - I'd book my tickets the minute they start selling them!!

You know what so would I.

Despite the fact I absolutely hate longhaul travel and have little but contempt for modern F1.

[Rob29]

Originally posted by 512 TR
IMHO there's no better location in the world for a GP than Paul Ricard. It's the best track. So many possible configurations. They could change the layout every year. True, it would be bad for spectators but that's the smallest issue.

Actually ,about the worst circuit I have visited ; for a major event anyway Went in 1983-never again.Crowd was not imense as I recall.Have seen films of Paris GP held in StCloud area early50s,maybe this circuit could be revived?

[275 GTB-4]

Absolute power corrupts....tell Bernie to merde in his hat

[Jackman]

Originally posted by 512 TR
IMHO there's no better location in the world for a GP than Paul Ricard. It's the best track. So many possible configurations. They could change the layout every year. True, it would be bad for spectators but that's the smallest issue.

I hate all these city tracks. It will kill F1. At least if the regulations stay the same.

Ricard would be the absolute worst place ever for a race - flat, featureless track that every driver has done a million laps on, with a one lane road in and out, and no possibility of any fans at all. Unless you like races with no atmosphere or overtaking, of course.

[Ciao]

Paris is the easiest metropolis in which to host a GP. The architect in charge of its restrcuturing over a century ago, knocked down many old/ancient areas and built all these large avenues in all directions. Compared to Monaco, it would be like racing on a freeway!!!!!

In any case, anything would be better of Magny Cours, the worst crap GP I can remember. I always hated that circuit.

[wj_gibson]

Originally posted by Ciao
Paris is the easiest metropolis in which to host a GP. The architect in charge of its restrcuturing over a century ago, knocked down many old/ancient areas and built all these large avenues in all directions.

That was done after 1848 so as to make it easier for troops to advance against discontented, revolutionary-esque crowds.

[angst]

Originally posted by Jackman
Ricard would be the absolute worst place ever for a race - flat, featureless track that every driver has done a million laps on, with a one lane road in and out, and no possibility of any fans at all. Unless you like races with no atmosphere or overtaking, of course.

The circuit might need some work, but take it to Charade. Failing that, what about Dijon?

[djned]

Originally posted by nigel red5
Talk about Mickey Mouse.....

well something has to be done to get people to go there...

[Jackman]

Originally posted by angst
The circuit might need some work, but take it to Charade. Failing that, what about Dijon?

They struggle with sportscars - F1 would be impossible.

[MichaelJP]

How about putting it on at Le Mans, on the proper long circuit.

The IMS just used to have the 500, so why can't they have another race at Le Mans .

[Jackman]

Because, leaving aside the practicalities of running an F1 car on a circuit that long, the Le Mans organisers don't want to have a race that is part of a series which is bigger than their own.

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by MichaelJP
How about putting it on at Le Mans, on the proper long circuit.

The IMS just used to have the 500, so why can't they have another race at Le Mans .

Because with modern GP distances it would only be about 20 laps so the punters who actually paid for grandstand seats would only see the cars 20 times- that's why they cut down Hockenheim to a tiny little Tilkedrome.

Plus Le Mans is too dangerous for F1 cars - there could be a major disaster on the Mulsanne straight if one took off (which is fairly likely).

[Risil]

Originally posted by Vitesse2


Because with modern GP distances it would only be about 20 laps so the punters who actually paid for grandstand seats would only see the cars 20 times- that's why they cut down Hockenheim to a tiny little Tilkedrome.

At the time, the reason given was that the Hockenheimring owners were getting sick of having to carry out maintenance, safety work and resurfacing on large, and largely pointless, sections of track, and instead decided to expand the short stadium course to GP-length, and sod the constant, expensive maintenance of the forest section. IIRC there was little overt mention of increasing the number of laps. Otherwise, all the Tilkedromes would have a mile cut out of them.

Really, they should forego racing in mainland France, and hold the race at Martinique instead. Everyone could enjoy that.

[Zmeej]

Turin beat me to it.

Otherwise, I'm all for it. Bernie finally has a good idea.

No way you can stick a Tilke in the City of Lights!

[wj_gibson]

I thought it was because Hockenheim was told that it had to widen the track, add more run-off, and insert more grandstand to make it more suitable for contemporary F1 or else lose the GP to Lausitz - and it was more logical to radically revise the circuit, rather than widen the existing one and chop down tons of trees.

[Risil]

Originally posted by wj_gibson
I thought it was because Hockenheim was told that it had to widen the track, add more run-off, and insert more grandstand to make it more suitable for contemporary F1 or else lose the GP to Lausitz - and it was more logical to radically revise the circuit, rather than widen the existing one and chop down tons of trees.

Whatever happend to Germany's Rockingham, Lausitz?

[9 Degrees 12 Min]

These city street races might be Bernie's next plan of attack, particularly if the venues are world-class cities like Paris, as there are other attractions offered to those casually attending. I never had difficulty coercing a girlfriend to accompany me to my annual trek north to Montreal from Boston as the circuit on Ile Notre Dame is relatively close to the downtown shopping, botanical gardens, et cetera. Monte Carlo offers so much on that Friday after Thursday practice, so Paris is not a tough sell and the city might welcome the extra exposure - not that it needs it. In any event, anything is an upgrade over Magny-Cours.

[F1 Tor.]

Originally posted by Georg_Kuyumji
Some may have read it too that Bernie Ecclestone wants to move away from Magny Cours and would like to have a Race in Paris.

It seems a little unrealistic but out of curiosity I started to look at how a GP of Paris could look like. Some Trees and pedestrian places would have to go but this Track would lead the cars from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eifeltower over some corners and roundabouts to a long 750 meter straight back to the Arc de Triomphe

I still can't get past the image of people at Chanel wearing ear plugs.;) It would be great though

[Risil]

Originally posted by Zmeej
Sensible

You have lived up to your name beautifully, arguing the inarguable in a very sensible manner indeed. If you're not already making big bucks as a lawyer, you need to get to a law school pronto.

Please don't take this as abuse, which you definitely don't deserve.

Orin

Couldn't make it beyond the first page because of...

F1 School of Tact, Lesson 1:

If your team humiliates you in front of millions of viewers and in the sport's history books, if you show your anger, it will be considered a firing offense.

Rubinho should have QUIT right then and there and announced it at the post-race press conference, but maybe he foresaw that the nadir of Indy 2005 was still possible.

Wrong thread, dear.

[gerry nassar]

Originally posted by MONTOYASPEED


Me too, my favorite city in the world and F1, what a great combo.

Originally posted by Bernd


You know what so would I.

Despite the fact I absolutely hate longhaul travel and have little but contempt for modern F1.

Then if this is anounced - i'll be posting a "Paris GP Meet n Greeet Tread!"

[SpamJet]

Bring on Paris!

I thought the 1999 and 2004 races at magny-cours were riveting but those were down to unusal circumstances, otherwise the mere mention of magny-cours makes me wish i was in a coma.

[Zmeej]

Risil

Thanks. Was wondering where that post went...

[MONTOYASPEED]

Originally posted by gerry nassar
Then if this is anounced - i'll be posting a "Paris GP Meet n Greeet Tread!"

Count me in!

[Andy Donovan]

If only it wasn't cobbled they could do a lap of the champs elysees like in the tour de france, which would be cool.

[angst]

Of course. What is guaranteed to come with a street race, as opposed to a fixed circuit? Government funding..... Capital cities would, clearly, mean central as well as local money. That's why Bernie is suddenly so fanatical about street circuits - like London or Paris.

[Keverich]

To be honest, I'm very disappointed that there will be no GP in Magny Cours after 2007.

It is one of my favourite circuits. It very unusual track. It has its own unique character, which makes for some exciting racing. Last year's GP was one of the highlights of the season.

If Bernie looked for some old circuit to drop to make room for South Korea and Dubai GP, he should have dropped Hungary or Silverstone.

[Gemini]

Originally posted by angst
Of course. What is guaranteed to come with a street race, as opposed to a fixed circuit? Government funding..... Capital cities would, clearly, mean central as well as local money. That's why Bernie is suddenly so fanatical about street circuits - like London or Paris.

Agree with that. Money is only thing that moves Bernie around...

Also, by having race in the city you keep the visiting fans in the city, spending big money. Instead of staying in near track camp site drinking beer bought in supermarket...

The best combination in my opinion is 'almost' no street track within city itself, like Melborne or Montreal.

[AFCA]

Couldn't find another appropriate thread for it but Ecclestone has set a deadline for the Indian Olimpic Comittee with regards as to how India wants to organise a GP in 2009. The billionaire wants to have a detailed plan and that a feasibility study is carried out.

The Olimpic Comittee isn't worried about the deadline, director Suresh Kalmadi: ''Currently we're working very hard on this project and will come up with a complete and detailed plan in a number of weeks.''

Meanwhile one of the most important initiators of the Grand Prix of Indian, businessman Vijay Mallya, has stated not to be prepared to invest a cent in the entire project. Mallya, owner of Toyota-sponsor Kingfisher Airlines and chairman of the Indian autosport organisation FMSCI said: ''The Indian Comittee is the promoter, why would I have to invest ?''

[Bernd]

Originally posted by Andy Donovan
If only it wasn't cobbled they could do a lap of the champs elysees like in the tour de france, which would be cool.

There was a time in which the cars had to adapt to the circuit and not vice-versa.

[Alapan]

Originally posted by Bernd


There was a time in which the cars had to adapt to the circuit and not vice-versa.

That disappeared after Indy 2005.

[Tarvoke]

Sorry for bringing this thread up again

In 1983, Jean Graton, author of the Michel Vaillant series, drew up this sketch of a race track in the city centre of Paris for the album 300 km/h through Paris

[Sakae]

Originally posted by Keverich
To be honest, I'm very disappointed that there will be no GP in Magny Cours after 2007.

It is one of my favourite circuits. It very unusual track. It has its own unique character, which makes for some exciting racing. Last year's GP was one of the highlights of the season.

If Bernie looked for some old circuit to drop to make room for South Korea and Dubai GP, he should have dropped Hungary or Silverstone.

I am with you on that one for number of reasons.

[Ilaya]

Originally posted by MiPe
I am with you on that one for number of reasons.

Why, Magny Cours is not dropped and the original post dated from June

Thanks for the Jean Graton track in Paris Tarvoke, off to E-bay for that album.