Cape Town black flags F1

BLIXEMPIE

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http://www.wheels24.co.za/FormulaOne/Cape-black-flags-F1-Grand-Prix-20130308

CAPE TOWN - In March 2013 we reported that Formula 1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone hinted at a Cape Town Grand Prix.

He said he would like Africa to host a race in the future - as he said a couple of years ago when there was much controversy about using the then new Green Point Stadium as the pits.

11 PROPOSALS FOR F1 RACE

Ecclestone said: "I want to be in Cape Town. I've been offered Durban but I think we would be better off in Cape Town."

His hopes for a Cape race may be dashed as the city claims that the cost would be prohibitive.

The City of Cape Town has ruled out the idea of a Formula 1 race despite receiving 11 proposals for F1 racing. Most of the proposals named Sea Point and the stadium as a suggested track but had been turned down by councillors.

HUGE COST TO THE CITY

Tourism, events and marketing director, Anton Groenewald, said: "We are not in favour of it because of the huge cost implications to the city." reports the Cape Times.

Councillor Felicity Purchase said: "Right up front we need to say the stadium is not available for racing. We cannot subject residents in the area to the noise of racing."

The city was reportedly considering two of the 11 proposals. The proposed City Challenge Cape Town would be a street race showcasing new technology using gas or electric power and be use a circuit outside of a residential area.

The second was the G1 Racing Green which would be a street race with electric cars.

Other venues proposed were the Athlone Stadium or the V&A Waterfront.

The Cape Town city will make back any money spent on F1 if they were to host it. This can be so good for SA right now. C'mon DA!
 
That would be pretty cool. I don't think the residents would like it, though. They've pissed and moaned every step of the way, so doubt they'd be cool with racing.

F1 typically attracts high-flyers with oodles of cash. Could only help tourism there.
 
The Cape Town city will make back any money spent on F1 if they were to host it. This can be so good for SA right now. C'mon DA!

That is not guaranteed. A number of countries have run races at huge losses with some falling off of the calendar due to it. France and Turkey have lost their GPs to huge hosting debts. Australia is in danger of losing theirs as well.

Two of Germany's legendary race tracks are running at massive losses, even after years of hosting Grands Prix. The Nurburgring was facing insolvency last year with debts of 225 million Euros while Hockenheim is just managing to survive after being forced to make a costly overhaul of the circuit to meet the FIA's demands in 2002. Hockeheim had to call on a State bailout to keep it aflot in 2005 and last year it had debts of 13 million Euros.

Tourism may boom, but the actual cost of hosting the event may prove untenable, as it has for many other cities.
 
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**** no.

Cape Town's traffic is bad enough without shutting down most of the city for some boring noise-polluting rich man's "sport"
 
**** no.

Cape Town's traffic is bad enough without shutting down most of the city for some boring noise-polluting rich man's "sport"

Um... if you shut down the city, most people will get the day off... so it will lessen traffic.

I think it'd be great, imagine the tourism and merchandise you could market with F1 car under table mountain. I'd go and stay the weekend to watch it, sure many others would too.
 
I say bring it to JHB. A street race through little Nigeria would be much more entertaining than F1 is at the moment. Just imagine the F1 drivers dodging pot holes, taxis and police chases.
 
I say bring it to JHB. A street race through little Nigeria would be much more entertaining than F1 is at the moment. Just imagine the F1 drivers dodging pot holes, taxis and police chases.

Or have to pull over mid race to let some blue light gangs to pass through.

"We're going for a 4 stop strategy, betting on at least 2 blue light brigade interruptions and 2 slow punches from bad roads"
 
Good. If F1 can't cover the expense to the ratepayers, then they can sod off
 
If it is going to cost too much it is going to cost too much. I certainly don't want my tax money spent on F1. Football 2010 all over again. They've already had to fork out big bucks for that white elephant of a football stadium, I don't see why we need to throw more money down the toilet over big sporting events fund
 
If it is going to cost too much it is going to cost too much. I certainly don't want my tax money spent on F1. Football 2010 all over again. They've already had to fork out big bucks for that white elephant of a football stadium, I don't see why we need to throw more money down the toilet over big sporting events fund

Exactly
 
Wouldn't a race around Signal Hill and Lion's Head be awesome? I know it'll be too long, 12km, but **** it would be good.

All those complaining about the price - just like the world cup you guys are looking at the absolute price, without considering the actual economic rewards.
 
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