Bernie and Murphy
Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 11:57AM
Have we finally discovered the true identity of Murphy the Bear! In his recent column Murphy says that Grand Am is greener than ALMS because there are no spectators using all that gas to get to events. Now I have had a rant about this silly green nonsense and the amount of gas used by say the Tour De France spectators, and now Bernie has picked up on it. In a release today Bernie suggested that F1 could be greener by reducing the capacity of the tracks by 10-15%, and mentioned the Tour and soccer as examples where more gas is used by those watching than F1 uses for its races. Perhaps I am Bernie and Murphy?
Bernie is always happier when there are fewer spectators. It is so much easier to get in and out, and you can put billboards anywhere without worrying who's view you have blocked. Just look at Turkey today and Phoenix in years gone by. It is just a coincidence that the "gate" is the only income stream he does not get a piece of, it is only the poor old promoter who is going to subsidize this green initiative.
Talking of subsidies, the Texas legislature is doing just that about the $25 m for the Austin F1 race. Apparently that has not been removed from the budget, yet, but there is plenty of opposition to it at a time of a budget shortfall in the billions. It seems some of the members doubt the $300 m economic benefit from the race each year. The first $25 m is to come from a State events fund, and then the increase in sales tax from the event is supposed to cover future payments. Now they are forecasting a crowd of 120,000. This is mainly a one day crowd, and a lot of them rich Mexicans. Really. Now the 1989 Australian Motorcycle GP had a real attendance over four days of 220,000. If you don't believe me watch the coverage and see the campgrounds. An independent survey showed a gross benefit to the State of $44 m, of which if I recall correctly, $2 m was sales tax. So good luck Texas. As one of the lawmakers asked, if they can raise private money to build the track, why can't they raise another $25 m to buy the race? I think we all know the answer to that.
Glock and Barrichello are two unhappy drivers. Glock says he was taken out of context when he said he may as well go for a coffee as test the car. Seems he was talking about the tires.Rubens says he is not coming back if Williams do not improve. Rubens, you and Michael should buy a couple of old F1 Ferraris and go race for fun somewhere. Or join Kimi in the Camping World Series.
Bernie is always happier when there are fewer spectators. It is so much easier to get in and out, and you can put billboards anywhere without worrying who's view you have blocked. Just look at Turkey today and Phoenix in years gone by. It is just a coincidence that the "gate" is the only income stream he does not get a piece of, it is only the poor old promoter who is going to subsidize this green initiative.
Talking of subsidies, the Texas legislature is doing just that about the $25 m for the Austin F1 race. Apparently that has not been removed from the budget, yet, but there is plenty of opposition to it at a time of a budget shortfall in the billions. It seems some of the members doubt the $300 m economic benefit from the race each year. The first $25 m is to come from a State events fund, and then the increase in sales tax from the event is supposed to cover future payments. Now they are forecasting a crowd of 120,000. This is mainly a one day crowd, and a lot of them rich Mexicans. Really. Now the 1989 Australian Motorcycle GP had a real attendance over four days of 220,000. If you don't believe me watch the coverage and see the campgrounds. An independent survey showed a gross benefit to the State of $44 m, of which if I recall correctly, $2 m was sales tax. So good luck Texas. As one of the lawmakers asked, if they can raise private money to build the track, why can't they raise another $25 m to buy the race? I think we all know the answer to that.
Glock and Barrichello are two unhappy drivers. Glock says he was taken out of context when he said he may as well go for a coffee as test the car. Seems he was talking about the tires.Rubens says he is not coming back if Williams do not improve. Rubens, you and Michael should buy a couple of old F1 Ferraris and go race for fun somewhere. Or join Kimi in the Camping World Series.
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