F1 at night ?

[drakkie]

F1 boss wants to hold night race

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has floated the idea of holding one of the Asian Grands Prix at night.

He said an Asian night race would attract a bigger television audience as it would be shown in Europe during the day rather than in the early hours.
"It would be ideal for Asia, since it would be the right time difference to be broadcast in Europe," said F1's commercial rights holder.


"It would also be very spectacular, it all depends of course on the circuit."
Ecclestone also reiterated his long-held desire to extend the calendar from 17 to 20 Grands Prix.


He said he could "easily imagine" Mexico, India, Russia holding races, with South Korea "another candidate".


Team bosses have traditionally been relucant to have more than 17 races because of the extra expense and work involved.
But he said: "The more we hold races in good countries, the easier it will be for them to find sponsors."


Next year's French Grand Prix is in doubt because of poor access to the Magny-Cours track, weak attendances and insufficient accommodation.
Ecclestone said: "Formula One is very international, it's a world championship, not a championship linked to certain countries. When the standards are not respected we have to go elsewhere."

Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/6522367.stm

What do you guys think ? Has he gone mental now or is this really a cool idea ?

[jorismo]

He's gone mental... How would they ever make it safe? The cars would at least need some good lights...

[Sledgehammer]

Well with the next-gen lighting of LED's formula 1 cars can have good lighting without adding much weight to the car. But high-intensity track lighting is a must.

[Quiggs]

Just run 'em under the lights, a la the Pepsi 400.

[man 430gt]

I guess if the track was well it that would be good? But wait why not just do it during the day again? Time.. Well it's all about how much money they wanna spend/get..

[Jack_Bauer]

I think it's a bit of a silly idea. It would require a phenomenal amount of high intensity lighting to sufficiently light up a large circuit, which would completely fly in the face of F1's supposed commitment to reducing energy usage and emissions. Just sounds like a gimmick to me.

[aiasib]

nascar does it at night, and the place is lit up like las vegas, he's not doing it so the cars will be weaving in and out of the dark, but so people in europe can watch at a reasonable hour.

i think.

[nota]

This has been mooted for the Melbourne GP. It's all about suitable international (read european) broadcast times and anything it might have to do with spectacle is purely coincidental

Ever seen a night football/cricket match during a power cut? No you haven't because you can't see a thing

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by Jack_Bauer

I think it's a bit of a silly idea. It would require a phenomenal amount of high intensity lighting to sufficiently light up a large circuit, which would completely fly in the face of F1's supposed commitment to reducing energy usage and emissions. Just sounds like a gimmick to me.

It's intended for Asian races, so we don't have to get up at rediculous hours.

[Rockefella]

NASCAR races at night under the lights look 'spectacular', for lack of a more subtle/better word. I'm all for it.. as long as accommodations suffice.

[Matra et Alpine]

Lit tracks work ok on ovals, can't see it EVER working out on a decent race track.
The man's going more insane as he enters senility

[Rockefella]

Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine

Lit tracks work ok on ovals, can't see it EVER working out on a decent race track.
The man's going more insane as he enters senility

Good point. It'd definitely be much more difficult to light up something like Fuji or Suzuka than it is/was to light up places like Daytona.

Regardless though, it'd make for a great spectacle, and it'd help people in Europe and even us poor Uhmerikans watch the race at a somewhat normal time.

[Ferrer]

If Formula 1 is mainly an European sport and its largest market is Europe, why not do more races in Europe? It would be much easier/safer than this night racing thing.

If it isn't, why bother about times and schedules?

[Matra et Alpine]

Eureop doesn't allow tobacco sponsorship logos.

SO, Bernie needs to make more billiosn and so wants to take F1 to where all the smokers are killing themselves so he can promote himself and make more money

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine

Eureop doesn't allow tobacco sponsorship logos.

SO, Bernie needs to make more billiosn and so wants to take F1 to where all the smokers are killing themselves so he can promote himself and make more money

Hadn't thought about it...

I guess it's better to forgot F1 at all and care about some other more interesting motorsports.