• Top Posts

  • Archive

The Bahrain GP is no loss, but let’s not forget the people

Posted on February 22, 2011 by thatconsultantbloke

So Bahrain is off because of the troubles. One of those races where the organiser’s wallet was deep enough to satisfy Bernie’s demands, but at what cost to the locals?

The traditional venues struggle to afford a grand prix because they have to be self funding, accepting that the pot includes sponsorship, but how many times have we heard the call for our government here in the UK to help the British GP survive yet another of Bernie’s negotiation strategies? It won’t happen and it shouldn’t. Yes we have a great motor sport industry in this country, but it has to be able to stand on its own two feet. The idea of taking public funds to subsidise the race is obscene to me, and so is the thought that the billions that have been poured into races such as Bahrain and some of the other new venues might have helped the plight of those in need of better education, health and other services.

Motor sport is a sport. Look at the ludicrous sums of money that go on football as a parallel where sooner or later there will have to be a change or the professional game will contract radically. Yes F1 should be the pinnacle of motor sport, but why are we trying to cap what the teams spend when, seemingly, there is nothing holding the costs of the races down?

Bahrain is no loss for me. I wish the people of that nation well and hope that they resolve the issues that have led to the race being put off.

Roll on Australia.

Filed under: Circuits, F1 | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a comment »

weekend round up 20th February 2011 #NASCAR #F1

Posted on February 21, 2011 by thatconsultantbloke

#NASCAR – Really great to see the Wood Brothers having something to celebrate once again and well done to young Trevor for holding his nerve on that last lap. Once again though, why is it that NASCAR’s finest can’t drive round without wrecking? A record number of cautions the man said last night. You’ve read my thoughts here; park ’em for the next race if they wreck someone (and why not just park the#18 every third race just for the sake of it – he’d probably deserve it anyway). Well done also last night to the Double M in the #5 – coming back from the big one and two laps down. That, and seeing the #21 in victory lane again, cheered me up a bit. It’s been a long winter, but we’re racing again.

#F1 – This isn’t the place for politics (I write about those elsewhere), but the middle east situation is changing before our eyes. The unrest in Bahrain could result in a bloodbath if the GP goes ahead as scheduled and no-one wants to see that happen. To at least postpone it would make sense.

Filed under: Circuits, Drivers, F1, NASCAR | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

mid week musings 17th February 2011 #F1 #NASCAR

Posted on February 17, 2011 by thatconsultantbloke

#F1 – So Renault confirm Nick Heidfeld until Robert Kubica is fit again. As I said here the other week, I would have liked to have seen Nico Hulkenberg get the drive, but I understand the team’s concerns about his lack of experience and Heidfeld deserves to be in F1, so I’m pleased to see him in a competitive car and hope that he gets that maiden win somewhere along the way.

Will he get the chance in Bahrain though? Is there any point in running the race in the current climate? Motor sport has tended to go with it regardless in the past, but we’ll have to wait and see what they decide to do. Last year’s race there was such a bore that I don’t think I will miss it if they do call it off.

#NASCAR – Shame that Junior will have to go to the back of the pack after his practice wreck. He can still win it from there, unlike in F1, but it does make life harder. Looking forward to the action starting later today.

Filed under: Circuits, Drivers, F1, NASCAR | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

#Robert Kubica

Posted on February 7, 2011 by thatconsultantbloke

Sad to hear that the Flying Pole may be out for much of the season, but these things happen.

One of the things I think is great about this guy is that he is a bit of a throwback to the days of my youth when F1 drivers competed in all sorts of racing. Jackie Stewart was not fully fit for much of 1968 after breaking his wrist in an F2 race and, maybe, this cost him a first world title, so there are precedents.

A shame about Robert though, because I had a feeling that he might have been on the verge of shaking up the 5 world champions this year and racking up a few wins. Still, maybe the door will open for one of the desrving young pretenders to take his seat for part of the season; The Incredible Hulk springs to mind….

Wishing RK a speedy recovery anyway.

Filed under: Drivers, F1 | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »

Weekend round up 29 January 2011 #F1 #NASCAR #speedweeks

Posted on January 30, 2011 by thatconsultantbloke

#NASCAR. Not long now before we get the season rolling, but what have they done to the points? Seems a remarkably pointless (pun intended) revision and I can’t really see much in the way of benefit. All it seems destined to do is to make it very crowded with lots of people on the same totals. Oh well, I doubt that it will change the spectacle.

#Speedweeks. Good to get the racing year under way with the Rolex 24 (or Daytona Continental as I still think of it). Sports car racing doesn’t appeal to me that much these days, but news of racing having started up at Daytona always makes it feel like the season has started and we’re back in business. Shame that they’ve spend three hours or so under caution due to fog. Spoils it all a bit.

#F1. Nice to see Paul Di Resta rewarded with an F1 drive and I hope that he does well. I’m always pleased to see talent getting a chace over chequebook. Less impressed with commentary team changes at the BBC though, but I always turn the sound down when I watch anyway. Maybe with all the clever tricks we’ll be able to keep the track sound and lose the commentary one day.

I’ll be a bit sad if F1 loses the Australian GP but, if Melbourne don’t want it anymore, it could go back to Adelaide. The Antipodes have provided motor sport with some great drivers and cars, so I’d like to see them stay in F1.

Filed under: Circuits, Drivers, F1, NASCAR | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

« Previous Page — Next Page »