- 25 Feb 09, 20:28#91607
Linfox pushing for Aus GP venue change
A feasibility study into the possible construction of a Formula One circuit near Melbourne has been completed.
Headed by Linfox, an Australian transport company, the $200m venue would be capable of hosting the Grand Prix away from Albert Park, south of Melbourne.
The track would be located at Avalon airport, a 45-minute drive from the city. Avalon is operated by Linfox.
The Victorian state government's support of the loss-making Australian Grand Prix is controversial, and Linfox Director Andrew Fox said Avalon would be a cheaper alternative.
"If the Government could extend the agreement with Bernie Ecclestone then we believe we can justify a new facility of an F1 standard - world's best practice - at Avalon," he is quoted as saying by the local Herald Sun.
Fox said a permanent facility would cost less to prepare each year and that it "would be wrong of the government not to address something that might be of less expense for the taxpayer."
The Albert Park contract is set to run until 2015. Linfox has not held any talks with the government, and a spokesman said moving the race is not under consideration.
Source - F1-live.com
If this linfox bid tells us anything, its that options will nee to be sought over the next few years as to a viable location for the Australian GP. Thanks to a bunch of winging melbournites and tree huggin hippies, it is unlikley that the gp will ever be held at night. Bernie is set on keepin his European audiences happy, and although the contract at current stands at 2015, beyond then who knows.
Ss i post a question, Suggestions of other venues for the Australian GP.
PS - i am a big fan of the Albert park circuit.
A feasibility study into the possible construction of a Formula One circuit near Melbourne has been completed.
Headed by Linfox, an Australian transport company, the $200m venue would be capable of hosting the Grand Prix away from Albert Park, south of Melbourne.
The track would be located at Avalon airport, a 45-minute drive from the city. Avalon is operated by Linfox.
The Victorian state government's support of the loss-making Australian Grand Prix is controversial, and Linfox Director Andrew Fox said Avalon would be a cheaper alternative.
"If the Government could extend the agreement with Bernie Ecclestone then we believe we can justify a new facility of an F1 standard - world's best practice - at Avalon," he is quoted as saying by the local Herald Sun.
Fox said a permanent facility would cost less to prepare each year and that it "would be wrong of the government not to address something that might be of less expense for the taxpayer."
The Albert Park contract is set to run until 2015. Linfox has not held any talks with the government, and a spokesman said moving the race is not under consideration.
Source - F1-live.com
If this linfox bid tells us anything, its that options will nee to be sought over the next few years as to a viable location for the Australian GP. Thanks to a bunch of winging melbournites and tree huggin hippies, it is unlikley that the gp will ever be held at night. Bernie is set on keepin his European audiences happy, and although the contract at current stands at 2015, beyond then who knows.
Ss i post a question, Suggestions of other venues for the Australian GP.
PS - i am a big fan of the Albert park circuit.
) I am going to the Melbourne GP for the first time this year (Hooray!). I'll have to reserve judgement about Melbourne/Albert Park until then (though I do see it's close to the city which is good for visitors).
(and even worse by Ch 9 in previous years) . But that is a story for another day...
- By darwin dali