SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium., Sept 9 (AP) - Where have all the
crowds gone?
The Formula One championship is closing in on its most thrilling
finish in years, yet there have been many empty seats at races this
month in Italy and Belgium. And the teams know they have to do
something about it. "We have spectators walk away from television. In
the meantime, we have less spectators in the grandstands," Renault
team leader Flavio Briatore.
Renault driver Fernando Alonso, who leads the F1 standings, raced
just one practice lap on the circuit Friday, much to the
disappointment of a rained-soaked crowd.
Over the past six years, when Ferrari and Michael Schumacher
dominated the circuit, Monza and Spa-Francorchamps were hopping, with
crowds reaching and exceeding six-figure levels. In Italy crowds were
far down for last week's Grand Prix, totalling a paltry 60,000 on race
day and only 93,000 fans for the whole weekend, far fewer than the
record 160,000 in 2000.
In Belgium, talk is already rife for local officials to bridge a
huge deficit for a second year running as organizers are struggling to
scale the 50,000 mark, far below the break-even point. Next week, once
all the data is collected, local authorities will assess how and if to
further subsidize the Grand Prix.
A local paper had a cartoon Friday showing a government official
offering cheques to any fan wanting to show up for the race on Sunday.
"Francorchamps has a future, but only at a reasonable cost,"
Jean-Claude Marcourt, the regional economics minister, told Friday's
edition of Le Soir. Lack of government support could be the death
knell for the race at a scenic circuit widely recognized as the best
in the world.
The reasons for the lack of interest over the past two weeks
include skyrocketing prices, fewer laps by the top racers during the
practice and qualifying sessions and a lack of excitement during the
races where overtaking, the essence of spectator appeal, becomes
increasingly rare.
Director Norbert Haug of McLaren Mercedes says change is
necessary.
"At the end of the day, we need to communicate with the customer.
Of course they like to see overtaking and we should investigate how to
encourage it," he said.
It indicates the problems of the sport go beyond the debacle of
Indianapolis, when a Michelin tire problem reduced the race to just
six drivers, earning the scorn of tens of thousands at the oval.
Price is another issue.
The cheapest day-ticket for Sunday's race without access to an
actual stand was 150 euros (CDN $219) and even some tickets at 365
euros (CDN $533) did not guarantee a roof in Belgium's notoriously wet
climate.
Belgian organizers complain that the rule changes limit the time
the stars are actually seen on the track, since being thrifty on
engine use has become a premium and qualifying is limited to just one
fast lap. Even on race day, the morning warmup has been cancelled.
On Friday, Alonso failed to come out during the first practice
session to protect his engine and came out for one perfunctory lap in
the rain during the afternoon. Most top drivers limited themselves to
just a handful of laps.
In the afternoon, thousands of fans stood in muddy banks,
unprotected as the rain kept coming down hard. Camping sites stood
half empty while they would have been filled with huge German crowds
otherwise. Restaurants close to the track still had reservations open.
The drivers do not necessarily share the gloom, and compared to
Italy and Belgium's decline, Alonso points to success in Spain.
"In Spain, three years ago, there was no coverage for the races.
Now we have seven million people watching the race and Barcelona is
completely full," said Alonso, who could become the youngest champion
at 24 this weekend.
Formula One is also successful in Canada. This year's Canadian
Grand Prix in Montreal drew a record 121,000 spectators on the day of
the race and 334,000 for the three days of racing at Circuit
Gilles-Villeneuve.

This championship is boring like 2004. It has been pretty obvious that
Alonso was going to win the title after the 3rd race of the season.
It's now only consolidating the point advantage that he build up at the
start of the season ( and it's pretty easy with the current point
system if your car has the speed and the reliabilty ). The 2003
championship was alot better than 2005 with JPM looking to take his
first world title, but Kimi and MS managed to secure first and second
at the final 2 races were JPM failed to finish ( in the points ).

I only got interested in motorsport last year, so I have never been to a F1
race, but I would like to. I've been told it doesn't compare to anything
else. At the moment, being a student, I just find it too expensive. And a
gold ticket (around 400 euros) still only gets you a seat in the stands! I
know it is probably not as obvious in F1, but I also like to have a look
around in the paddock between the races, and that is only possible with VIP
tickets.

I won tickets to yesterday's free practice ... am I glad I decided not to
go!! My friends are out there now, so hopefully the race will go ahead!

<Wcub4 (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

"DC" <gojphNOJUNKTA (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote in message
Does anyone know who wrote this for AP?
Certainly shows more understanding than the average.

DC <gojphNOJUNKTA (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

I think that they should triple the price of tickets, that way there will be
fewer fans but they'll all be much more wealthy; in keeping with the elite
nature of the sport and the merchandise it promotes on the cars.

Wcub4 (AT) hotmail (DOT) com wrote



I only care about who wins the races not any of the other stuff.

They should tailor F1 to superfans like me.

DC <gojphNOJUNKTA (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote:

A moderately perceptive piece, however, IMHO it completely misses the
real reason that the crowds were down at both Spa and Monza... The
"Manchester United Syndrome".


To a degree, perhaps..

And there IMHO, is the true reason.. The fickle nature of the
Schufosi at Spa and the tifauxi at Monza.

If their boy / team ain't winning, they ain't gonna go and watch.

Bleedin' obvious!

--
Jeff. Ironbridge, Shrops, U.K.
jeff (AT) xjackfieldx (DOT) org (remove the x..x round jackfield for return address)
and don't bother with ralf4, it's a spamtrap and I never go there..

.... "There are few hours in life more agreeable
than the hour dedicated to the ceremony
known as afternoon tea.."

Henry James, (1843 - 1916).

On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 12:09:06 +0100, Jeff York <ralf4 (AT) btinternet (DOT) com>
wrote:

As a result, I imagine Spa was a much more pleasant experience this
year than in recent years, whatever the weather. Good riddance to the
pissed Schumi-on-tour "fans", may they never return...

David