I know this forum is generally Anti-F1 but its just possible that this years championship could bring some good racing and controversy.
Autosport have reported that the following will happen this year:
Placing cars in parc ferme between final qualifying and the race (teams will be unable to work on them, except under strict supervision)
Elimination of traction control, launch control and fully automatic gearboxes (possible derogation for all or part of 2003, to be followed by absolute enforcement in 2004, if necessary by standard ECUs)
Elimination of pit to car and car to pit telemetry
Elimination of all radio comminucation between car and driver
Allowing only two cars per team (ie: no spare cars)
Some REAL changes which should close up the grid.
Finally the controversy.....
Villeneuve Vs Button
The mental games have started even before a wheel is turned.
Jaques has called Button 'Boy Band member' of F1 who needs to earn his respect.He thinks Jenson is just marketing tool not a real hard racer like him. He has apparently given Jenson the cold shoulder since he signed for BAR.(Its all a kind of backhanded complement in my view).
I hope Jenson can put a good consistent season together because at the moment he is the only real chance we have of a future British F1 World champion.
Yes, i know Ferrari will win loads but its 3rd to 10th place which should provide some close racing this year (fingers crossed).
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I, too, hope that the changes result in better racing, but we'll have to wait and see.
What a pity that we've lost the Belgian GP, though. I went to last year's event and, although the racing wasn't brilliant, it was a fabulous weekend - and a wonderful neck of the woods (literally).
Ian Cook
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Ian - if you want a TRULY fabulous weekend (or, in my case week), with real cars, real drivers and real racing , get down Le Mans in June for the 24h.
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This could be a good alternative, Smokie. The reasons we chose Spa were: easy driving distance; lovely area; fabulous circuit; and an opportunity to sample the delights of evening cafes and good food. Brilliant.
What do you do about accommodation at le Mans? Any tips?
Ian Cook
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There is nothing better than the trackside camping. Tickets obtainable through the ACO if you book early enough, but they are (and always have been) a complete shambles. Seems there are no more available for this year, although I know someone who may have some camping passes spare.
Basic race entry ticket (which can be bought at the door and gets you virtually anywhere, except the grandstands and the pits during racetime) is only around £30, and that includes the practices on Wed/Thurs evenings, and the pre-qualifying day in May. Camping passes are per car, so you can have an Espace and 7 people with 7 tents for 1 pass, which (face value) is around £35. Value or what?
Over 250000 people attend, I reckon at least 70% Brits, and yet in 5 years of going I have never experienced any trouble - in fact I now have a new circle of friends through it (some of whom are "hosting" me in their Sebring campsite in March).
The racing is excellent, there is a live english radio station during the whole week, vantage points are good (but actually slowly getting worse for safety reasons). The beer and food is cheap, and I usually come back with quite a tan. Le Mans is about 250 (fast road) miles from Calais.
If thinking of going, don't plan to arrive on the Saturday as it can be chaos. Get there during Thursday pm if poss to catch one evening qualifying session and the Friday pit walk and drivers parade in town.
If anyone would like to know more (but don't deluge me), my emaiul is smokie@stones.com (which I shall try to add to my profile here)
Useful links (I'm not affiliated with either!):
Official ACO site: www.lemans.org
Brilliant unofficial site, loads of info (and check out the forum which is active all year) www.club-arnage.com/
NB the forum on the website above is a really helpful place for getting info
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Thanks, me old china!
Ian Cook
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I'd agree 100% with everything you've written smokie, especially with it being an excellent event.
We're going in 2004, we should arrange a HJ meet while we're there - a truly international event!
Lee.
Anyone who's going in 2004, feel free to email at the address in the profile. I'll be wearing the Newcastle United shirt with "Lister Storm" on the back of it.
Again!
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What a pity that we've lost the Belgian GP
Have I been on Pluto for the last 6 months? When did this happen?
Spa has to be the best circuit in the world! To see a race car take Eau Rouge flat out is something else.
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It was talked about before Christmas, Wally - something to do with tobacco advertising. We've just had this year's brochure from Page and Moy (who organise motor racing tour packages) and the Belgian GP is definitely not on it.
I'll never forget last year's race. We sat in the main grandstand, opposite the start/finish line, and we were in front of about 20 Swiss Schumacher supporters. Boy, did they shift some beer, but they were also extremely well behaved and very good natured.
I'd go to that race again, anytime.
Ian Cook
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I do hope you're right about it getting interesting (and hopefully a bit more honest) again.
Last season had all the credibility of professional wrestling for me.
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Hmmm... nothing to do with two teams going bust recently (Prost and Arrows)?
I think the FIA realise that if changes are not made quickly there will only be half a dozen teams who could afford to compete in future. IMO Formula 1 has been irrepairably damaged, a lot of support died the day Barrichello moved over for the "Boss".
ITV must be kicking themselves for snapping up the coverage rights just as it became unwatchable.
As for Jenson Button, fair enough he has potential but for me the only thing he has proved so far is that he has the silliest name in F1 (By a long, long way!)
Im a loser baby....so why don't you kill me?!
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