ShareThisWe are not 100 percent convinced about the validity of this report but according to The Age this-morning the organizers of the Australian grand prix are secretly contemplating moving its location from Albert Park to “a famous horse racing venue” when the contract for the race expires in 2010.
According to Channel Nine, unnamed sources had confirmed that Sandown racetrack had been ruled out due to its size (too small) but that Flemington, home of the Melbourne Cup horse race, was being considered as an option to replace Albert Park as the GP venue.
Oddly, Victoria Racing Club claim there has been no discussion and there is no truth to the claim at all. The main reason for a move being considered is cost. It is believed that changing the venue from Albert Park to Flemington could save $20 million plus per year (how I have no idea).
Channel Nine reported that moving the race to Flemington was discussed between Mr Walker and Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone in London last week.
The Australian GP has proven to be a money pit for the Victorian state government who have injected tax payer funds to prop it up each year. The final bill for the last financial year was $34.6 million…
We can’t imagine that ground as sacred as Flemington would be butchered for the likes of F1 but stranger things have happened.
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2 years ago 0 points
2 years ago 0 points
However; I don't think we should have an F1 race in Oz.. not when you consider the F1 has made a $20M+ loss and the Clipsal has made a $5M profit [for the past couple of years]
When the V8s weren't at the Melbourne F1 ticket sales were so slow that in the end they close to 25% of the tickets away in competitons and to the few corporate sponsors.
Which shows you how much support the V8s have in Oz compared to F1. If F1 is as good as people make it out to be they should have had no problem selling the tickets.
Whereas every year attendance numbers at the clipsal have increased so much so that next year they're adding even more grandstands.. and accommodation is booked out months in advance.
So I ask you do we really need an F1 race?