Spectators

[rodders47 2]

Hey did anyone notice in the back ground at the last race meeting how many EMPTY seats were in some parts of the grandstands?

Is not a normal sight as I recall, most GP's are over subscribed with "Bum's on seats"

any ideas

[pumpdoc 2]

I got an answer--GREED----

Bernie sucks the promotor dry so's

he's got to get it back some how, I

couldn't believe the prices at the

'Ring for food drink etc.-seat prices

also-you can only suck a person dry

a cpl. of times and then they don't go back,

at least I don't, here in California, most of the

tracks etc. are getting 6-8$ a pop for

a 16oz. flat-semi warm beer-they won't

let you bring anything in-not even water

and then they charge you 2-4$ for a 8-12OZ.

water---so you have to get sneaky to get in

with your own refreshments, I've been doing it for yrs

with a 90% sucsses rate.

[nichosnz 0]

Bernie has a lot to answer for, he charges huge fees for the privalige of hosting a GP, expect a high standard to be maintained (justifiably, although is not as strict on some eg Interlagos) and then complains that the promoters are charging the public too much.

I say with the fees as high as they are, he should fund 75-100% of the cost of all repairs and maintenance required to keep the circuits to the FIA and his standard. That would bring the ticket prices down.

[rodders47 2]

well at this rate I guess there will not be any spectators, just TV viewers !!

Wont be a lot of difference to a TV game then , will it ?

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Weird, indeed, how empty some of the grandstands were. In Germany especially, I would have expected much more. But then as you say, it is damn expensive!

[Param 0]

Well, now with Canada out of next year's calender....poor Bernie will have to find another way of getting some more money. Wasn't he trying to lobby for an 18 race calender?

[Thor 0]

it is expensive,that is the reason

[nichosnz 0]

I think I read that in Germany it is the worst, at 4 times the price of a 1997 ticket.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Actually, I believe Silverstone is the most expensive. It doesn't affect ticket sales, the Brits will pay anything (though most prefer to opt for general admission instead of grandstand) to see the race! But I believe a three day ticket hovers around

[rodders47 2]

well to that end.. like why have the spectators at all, They only BUY merchandise from the teams, and very expensive food whilst at the race . I for one would not even contemplate paying those big fees. just switch on the TELE, whilst I can that is I Have to reflect here, when I lived in the UK and was working for RALT cars, back in the F3 days, I drove the works van to the race track so that we could supply spare parts to the race teams, ok.. Well I sure never got to see any racing much and well when I did it was from one part of the circuit, watching it on TV was miles better althougha person lost the adrenalin rush of a driverat 10 /10ths through a sweeper..

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I dont know, really, if I could, I'd love to see every race in person! There's just something about the atmosphere, the fun, the NOISE! Nothing on TV compares to the real life V10 screaming 18,000rpm, you can hear it hours after you leave the track, and hours before you even get there

[rodders47 2]

yep sure agree with you there Jen's. Been there done that, and yes TV does loose heaps of that feeling, that's why I Race Model Cars, sure gets my adrenalin running..

[nichosnz 0]

Sorry Jens my comment was not clear, I was refering to percentage increases not total price, the British GP has been over priced for years.

[boftolod 0]

I agree that the prices are high (understatement), however I am planning to get to One in the near ? future. Me and a mate are planning on travelling for the Australian GP, however due to the cost and our fianancial situation 2005 is the best option. Already saving! hopefully by then, will have enough for a general admission ticket and maybe 2 or 3 beers. To see the best you have to pay the price. I beleive it will be worth it.

[rodders47 2]

hey mate save your money for a holiday down under, and watch the race oin TV :-)

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Put the holiday and the race together and you have a plan!

[Sato 0]

i have always wanted to see a race at Albert Park......well not always since 96 before then it was adelaide........i loved adelaide....but back to the point maybe in 2005 i can make it there too

[nichosnz 0]

I've been to Albert Park, and would love to visit Malaysia so hope to go to Sepang at the same time, probably(possibly) 2005.

[boftolod 0]

Already Sorted! 26 Hour drive from here to Melbourne, a mate lives in Melbourne so we're camping there with him, just cost us a bit for food. So Saving up a bit for the tickets and fuel, whatevers left over goes into our stomach or over the blackjack table at the crown casino. Our biggest decision is grandstand seating or general Admission.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

If you're willing to get up a bit earlier to get the best spots, general admission is the way to go! Usually you can get a better view

[boftolod 0]

Plus we won't be limited to one spot. Chance to wander around the circuit, check out the V8 paddock. Beleive me, We will have a ball, and I'm sure I will find someone who tapes it to watch later on. I have races back to the last half of 2000.

Still watch Hockenheim 2000 over and over.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Hockenheim 2000 almost compared to Nurburgring 1999

But general admission is more fun, you can move around the circuit, get closer to the action, and see just as much and more as a grandstand ticket. You just have to be there early

[nichosnz 0]

Although I found that is not so true in Melborne (having to get there early), I think this is due to the fact that around most of the circuit spectators have access to both sides of the track. The main exceptions are places like the pits and grandstands. So the GA holders are spread out quite a bit so even though the best places are packed, they are not dense, so a few more people can fit.

[rodders47 2]

well it seems that Hungary have heaps of tickets left and according to a report you can still get a 4 or 5 star hotel room, 1 week before the race?

Seems to me it has to be the COST that is keeping people away as the racing is probably the best in a long time

[nichosnz 0]

I think you are right there Rod, there is no was the quality of racing is hold people back from going. Unless (and I doubt this) the racing is so good people would rather see it on TV, so that they miss less.