I'm not a big F1 fan (unlike the wife), but this disgusted me, I think Bernie is more interested in feathering his own nest in kick-backs than he is in the sport...

The British Grand Prix has been dropped from the motor racing calendar for the first time in Formula One history in a row over the multi-million pound deal to promote the Silverstone race.
The British Racing Drivers' Club, which owns and runs the Northamptonshire circuit, had to submit an offer to promote the 2005 Grand Prix which met the approval of Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
Ecclestone reportedly wanted £8.9 million from the BRDC but was thought to have been offered a figure around £3 million less than that, which BRDC chief executive Alex Hooton said was based on "sane economics".
But the BRDC said that Ecclestone had pulled the plug - the first time that Britain would be off the Formula One calendar since the world championship made its debut at Silverstone in 1950.
He has omitted the race, which this year was a 100,000 sell-out, from his provisional 2005 calendar. The dates will go before the FIA's world motor sport council to be ratified on October 13.
As one of the few races not to benefit from central government help, Silverstone has been increasingly squeezed in recent years by Ecclestone, who wants the BRDC to upgrade facilities as well as meeting his huge fees to host the race.
Ecclestone has been a fierce critic of the track over recent years, attacking facilities at first but moving on to demand the BRDC pay at a similar rate to races throughout Europe.
The BRDC has long argued that, as a non-profit organisation, it cannot afford to run at a loss but Ecclestone, who receives most of his fees from national governments keen to cash in on Formula One, has lost patience.
He has drafted the 2005 calendar with no slot for the British Grand Prix, the first time that has happened since the world championship began at Silverstone in 1950.
Ecclestone's decision to drop Silverstone will be met by fury from several team owners. Much of the Formula One grid is based near Silverstone and the likes of Ron Dennis and Sir Frank Williams are passionate supporters of their home race.

Agreed Craig, the day Ecclestone got the contract I stopped watching, I know its an odd thing to say, but I couldn't trust anyone with that haircut, I mean at his age
Its worse than wearing a tank-top

While i can see why your upset about that Fly, and yes once again the wonders of politics shows its ugly head, at least you can still go and see a Nascar race without a huge amount of hassle although 4 hours drive could be considerable hassle. The problem with this situation is it leaves Britain without a grand prix completely. I was actually looking forward to going next year as i was finally close enough for it to be an option. The closest Grand prix would now most likely be Belguim or the french grand prix, which when you include a plane ride hire cars hotel or taxi, its just not viable to most british fans

Sorry Craig, I guess I was speed reading Ozzy's Post! I feel for you, that is really ashame! 

Mark, it is time to get out the Marmalade!

And yes Craig, The Dover race is not bad. I leave on Friday with a few buds, party all weekend in the parking lot on Saturday, get inebriated Saturday night, then watch the race all day Sunday! Monday morning is when I leave!   

Dave

Hi Dave, If you can make a weekend out of it, a drunken weekend at that, then a 4 hour drive isnt so bad:) i am honestly surprised though that New York City itself hasnt actually got a nascar race, like you said it would be a huge thing for jobs even if they are only temp, but also it would be huge for attendance just think of all those in the city who dont want a 4 hour drive to see a race or cant make a weekend out of it. Something tells me a few thousand complaints will change his mind, but then again isnt he worried about some new stadium for the Giants, of all teams, or was it the Jets LOL i hope you get your track, and i am sorry if my comments came across as rude, i was in my angry rant mode, made worse by my laptopl threatening to die

Hagar, I dont know why they want street courses more and more i guess because it slows down the cars, again it comes back to money because now advertisers logos and slogans can be read. I dont really see them being any more dangerous, look at a circuit like Monza with a top speed in excess of 230mph or Indy with its high speed spots ending with concrete walls, road circuits arnt to bad. The big problems for them is logistics, London is not suited to a street race, the streets are just too narrow and used way to much to be closed for the minimum 4 days. Again i come to birmingham they have a good layout for a circuit hell anyone who has been here and driven round the streets knows high speed passing is pleantiful here large paying crowds are a problem with this sort of race, the streets of London arnt exactly the exotic location of Monte Carlo. i think ferrari are correct in saying there needs to be an F1 revolution.

Quote:

I was thinking more of the typical state of the average road in this country. Maybe they should try racing round the M25. That would sort out the men from the boys.

Also, where would they put the spectators?

Isn't the Staten Island track supposedly a road course?  In that case, I'm all for it.

Hagar:  If you went to sleep right before a NASCAR race came on, and slept all the way through, it would be more exciting than the race!(no worries t NASCAR fans)

I also thought I heard rumors that New York City was a possible venue for a Formula 1 street race. 

I think the best thing that could happen to New York City is a football(the real football...not pointy ball)stadium in the city.  It would be awesome if it could play neutral venue to major European cup games.  Yes, I know, I'm out of my mind.  One can dream....

I think this sums it up pretty well: 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2876&item=5127888055&rd=1