Australian GP Must Be Night Race

[Rockefella]

Originally Posted by 2ndclasscitizen

It works for NASCAR because the tracks are in what's basically a stadium, so it's easy to light. Lighting a normal track would be easy as well. But a street circuit? Exceptionally difficult. To light a oval circuit, 4 big lights on each side, simple. Can't do that on the street. Plus, you've gotta find places to put them all, get them high enough not blind drivers and spectators etc.

Oh, I didn't know you guys were talking about an OZ street race. I was referring to lighting a track.

[nota]

Melbourne's suburbs extend at least 50 miles wide and the Albert Park GP circuit is located right in the guts of it, virtually surounded by suburbia, and a mere 1.8 miles from Melbourne CBD

See pic: http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=38

Btw does the nominated time of 9PM refer to the race start, or finish?

[fpv_gtho]

IMO they should just delay the race start from 2pm to something like 5-6pm. Thats a 3-4hr improvement. Maybe they'll still need lighting though, afterall they dont go past 5pm for testing.

[motorsportnerd]

Originally Posted by nota

Btw does the nominated time of 9PM refer to the race start, or finish?

I believe that was the starting time. Imagine the howls of outrage from local citizens if that is the case.
One option might be to upgrade Phillip Island (which is only 100km or so from Melbourne) to full F1 standard, put floodlights around there and upset the local penguins.... Probably better than upsetting a few million people.

[clutch-monkey]

upgrading phillip island might be an idea, but road races do have their own appeal (maybe not for melbournites during the later hours of the day..)
has a street circuit race ever been done in brisbane?

[nota]

Originally Posted by motorsportnerd

I believe that was the starting time. Imagine the howls of outrage from local citizens if that is the case.
One option might be to upgrade Phillip Island (which is only 100km or so from Melbourne) to full F1 standard, put floodlights around there and upset the local penguins.... Probably better than upsetting a few million people.

Thanks for info and that means a 10.30pm race finish at the earliest. As an ex-Melbournian I can well imagine the uproar, protest and upheaval, both social and political

If a conservative State govt were in power you might possibly imagine them gladhanding the multi-millions required to upgrade Phillip Island back to one of their best political donors, circuit owner Lindsay Fox. But the core problem with Phillip Island is its restricted access to mass movement (only one way in/out) which in practical terms makes it impossible to hold an event of this magnitude - unless either the govt splurges even more multi-millions on a bigger bridge or the vast majority of spectators buy motorbikes!

[2ndclasscitizen]

I couldn't really see the point in having a night race at a circuit like PI, hell, I think the whole night F1 thing would only work on a street race.

Though F1 at PI would be brilliant, I'd love to see the speed they'd get down the straight and through turn 1 An 07 GSXR hits it's 299kmh limiter well short of the end, the F1s would be absolutely flying.

[fpv_gtho]

Phillip Island would be a disaster for F1. The drivers might love it, but theres no potential for overtaking. Theres too many aero dependant corners between the tighter hairpins. It'd be as bad as Monaco, Barcelona, Silverstone and Magny Cours.

[SlickHolden]

Originally Posted by clutch-monkey

upgrading phillip island might be an idea, but road races do have their own appeal (maybe not for melbournites during the later hours of the day..)
has a street circuit race ever been done in brisbane?

No good not enough signs there drivers will get lost.

Originally Posted by nota

Thanks for info and that means a 10.30pm race finish at the earliest. As an ex-Melbournian I can well imagine the uproar, protest and upheaval, both social and political

If a conservative State govt were in power you might possibly imagine them gladhanding the multi-millions required to upgrade Phillip Island back to one of their best political donors, circuit owner Lindsay Fox. But the core problem with Phillip Island is its restricted access to mass movement (only one way in/out) which in practical terms makes it impossible to hold an event of this magnitude - unless either the govt splurges even more multi-millions on a bigger bridge or the vast majority of spectators buy motorbikes!

Hey once a Victorian always a Victorian lol..

Some good friends of ours live right next to Albert park, Infact one of them walks albert park everyday, I'm sure they wont mind a sunset race but a night race that starts @ 9pm is to much. And they wont do a light into dark cause the sun might blind them.

[Daz27]

I see Sydney has put in a bid for the AGP after 2010...

[waggles]

I'm one of the poor people who are putting in an argument that if he wants it, he can pay for it. It's gonna cost around 50 million Australian dollars at least for it to occur, and he wants taxpayers to pay for it.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

What are we paying these drivers for anyway? back in the day they would have just driven using the force.

Admittedly the Force is very weak within this years grid. I'm looking at you, Kimi.....

[fpv_gtho]

Originally Posted by Daz27

I see Sydney has put in a bid for the AGP after 2010...

Oh GOD NO! Those idiots will probably try get it around Homebush bay. They cant get V8 Supercars there so they'll try something better. I personally hope if it moves from Melbourne, that new track south of Brisbane gets it. Infact, i hope that whole $85m plan of theirs fails, as i dont want to see MotoGP at Eastern Creek rather than Phillip Island.

[Cyco]

The last time there was plans for F1 in Sydney they extension of Eastern Creek was the plan

[Ferrer]

I've had a great idea. They should do the Australian GP at Bathurst...