The choice of holding the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in the modern era has always been a controversial one; since Jeff Kennett sensationally (or infamously, according to South Australians) announced in late 1993 that a deal has been concluded with Bernie Ecclestone to host the race in Melbourne’s Albert Park from 1996 onwards.
Even before a wheel was turned there was already strong opposition to the Grand Prix by environmentalists and the “Save Albert Park” movement; local residents and the usual NIMBY’s affected by the construction of the track and the annual build up and tear down of fencing and facilities before and after each event.
To add more fuel to the fire of opposition to the Grand Prix, the Victorian State government and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation is attracting the ire of ordinary residents and taxpayers of Victoria by posting a bigger loss to the Formula 1 Grand Prix each year since 1996.
It has been announced recently that the 2010 event has lost $49.2 million dollars, which means, by my calculations, that over the past five years, the Australian Grand Prix has lost a total of more than $185 million dollars.
That same $185 million dollars could be very well used in building desperately needed road, public transport or health infrastructure or to fund proper education of Victorian youths. Instead, taxpayers of the state of Victoria, have to line the pockets of one of the richest men in the world for the right to a frivolous activity and to pay the imbeciles who supposedly run it.
Continue reading...
The FIA have released a terse press release in response to the announcement that FOTA teams including Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren, BMW Sauber and Brawn GP would stage a rival Formula One series in 2010.
The simple 110 word statement reads:
The FIA has noted the latest press statement from FOTA.
The FIA is disappointed but not surprised by FOTA’s inability to reach a compromise in the best interests of the sport. It is clear that elements within FOTA have sought this outcome throughout the prolonged period of negotiation and have not engaged in the discussions in good faith.
The FIA cannot permit a financial arms race in the Championship nor can the FIA allow FOTA to dictate the rules of Formula One.
The deadline for unconditional entries to the 2010 FIA Formula World Championship will expire this evening.
The 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship entry list will be announced tomorrow.
Meanwhile here in beautiful GirtbySea, Victorian tourism and special events apologist Tim Holding has announced to an eager and bewildered mainstream media that the Albert Park GP will go ahead as planned no matter what happens in Europe.
Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding said the contract with Mr Ecclestone ensures a Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place every year up until 2015.
"This is part of the pushing and shoving that Formula 1 is well known for,'' Mr Holding said.
Speaking to the Murdoch media owned Herald Sun Holding said "We know these negotiations will continue and we also know that we will get a good outcome. Let's give the negotiations that are currently underway an opportunity to run their course.''
Mr Holding left the media conference on his magical flying carpet to return to Asgard.
Continue reading...
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
0 Comments