Australian GP Must Be Night Race

[Zytek_Fan]

May 19 (GMM) Organisers of the Australian grand prix have been told to stage a night race next year or forego a contract extension after the event in 2010.

The Adelaide newspaper Sunday Mail will on Sunday quote F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone as warning that only a floodlit race held after 9pm at Albert Park next March may be enough to satisfy the sport's officialdom.

"Unless they (organisers) can come up with something that's going to satisfy us I'm pretty sure we wouldn't be able to continue there," he said, not long after inking a deal with Singapore for the first ever night race in 2008.

The news is just the latest instalment in the flagging fortunes of the Melbourne race, which has suffered growing losses and declining crowd numbers and local sponsorship in recent years.

Ecclestone said GP boss Ron Walker knows about his demands for a night race.

"Ron is not stupid and he knows exactly what is at stake," the 76-year-old Briton said, although an insider at the Australian Grand Prix Corporation warned that it is unlikely to happen.

"To have formula one cars hooning around Albert Park at 9pm won't go down well with the locals and it's a family event, so afternoon is obviously the ideal time," the unnamed insider said.

A Victorian government spokesman, however, insisted: "We will be seeking to keep the event in Melbourne."

Bernie is turning into a big bully

[scottie300z]

Seems to me like he is trying to solve the

"which has suffered growing losses and declining crowd numbers and local sponsorship in recent years."

problem.

its either try something or pull out due to lack of support.

[Ferrer]

Again...

Only this time it seems it will be done.

[Zytek_Fan]

Seems to me like he is trying to solve the

"which has suffered growing losses and declining crowd numbers and local sponsorship in recent years."

problem.

its either try something or pull out due to lack of support.

To have formula one cars hooning around Albert Park at 9pm won't go down well with the locals and it's a family event, so afternoon is obviously the ideal time

That's one of the issues.


If it's moved back to Adelaide fine by me.

[Kitdy]

Bernie is turning into a big bully

Bernie has always been a big bully. He is ruthless. That nice race will increase viewership in Europe - clearly that is why he wants it.

[Rockefella]

I'd like to see a night race, but Bernie's gotta relax.

[Quiggs]

Night racing > day racing.

[derekthetree]

Night racing > day racing.

agreed

but with cars with no lights, which means an entirely floodlit track. what's the difference??

[VtecMini]

agreed

but with cars with no lights, which means an entirely floodlit track. what's the difference??

Hmm. Hadn't really thought about it like that. I had visions of twirling headlamps, ala Le Mans. Assuming it's going to be floodlit, what's the point?

[Quiggs]

Atmosphere.


Bristol's night race is one of, if not the, most exciting races in NASCAR.

[Matra et Alpine]

Lights on ovals is one thing.
Lights on a decent F1 track will be a nightmare.
Remember there aren't "spotters" in F1, so drivers HAVE to be able to see

[Quiggs]

I still don't get how lighting a 2.5 mile oval is different from lighting a 2.5 mile circuit...

[Mr.Tiv]

I still don't get how lighting a 2.5 mile oval is different from lighting a 2.5 mile circuit...

I think you'd need more lights; other than that, I don't see the difference in concept either.

[NSXType-R]

How about putting LED headlights on F1 cars?

It won't mess with the aerodynamics (much) and are still very light.

They can also showcase future technology, just like they do with most other common car technology stuff today.

[teatako]

you would still need a fair amount of track lighting because the sponsors logos must be seen by both the spectators and the TV. oh, and people want to see the cars too.