Spa Loses Right To Host F1 Race For 17 Years

[Nin13]

Reports in the Belgian press on Wednesday explain how the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, scene of the country's Formula One race, has lost its right to hold the event for another seventeen years. It is believed that the decision comes following a 2007 complaint posted by people living in the vicinity of the legendary track.

With Spa having lost its place on the F1 calendar in both 2003 and 2006, the races of 2010 and many more years also appear to be in doubt, according to reports in the country from Lesoir.

The publication describes how the State Council has suspended the licence for the Spa-Francorchamps circuit and related facilities to be able to host a Grand Prix until the year 2026, stressing that the decision comes 'more than two years after the introduction of a complaint filed by residents of the circuit and the Mute association'.

"The whole viability of the circuit may be questioned," the circuit Manager is quoted as saying, adding that he will challenge the government's decision. The State Council added the following, regarding noise pollution in the area: 'If it exists, the study of environmental impact is seriously inadequate and incomplete.

The State Council has therefore suspended the operating license.'

Source: http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2009/09/ ... t-f1-race/

Damn!! one of the best tracks, and surprising that its people who have made the complaints. Race was held here for last couple of decades and no one bothered to complain, why now then?? Stupid people...........

[lostpin]

[shinji]

I'll wait to see it on autosport to be honest.

But if this is true, what an atrocity.

surprising that its people who have made the complaints

Who else would make them?

[rffp]

I deeply regret that if it is true.

[Nuppiz]

Nein! Another old-school circuit out from the calendar!

[Nin13]

here is another link.......
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/se ... ps-licence

Who else would make them?

I meant to say I was surprised that residents made complaints. They have been staying for decades there, without any problem and one fine day they decide to make complaint?????????

[shinji]

here is another link.......
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/se ... ps-licence

Who else would make them?

I meant to say I was surprised that residents made complaints. They have been staying for decades there, without any problem and one fine day they decide to make complaint?????????

I'd trust the Guardian - looks pretty worrying.

So - Zolder, nowhere or random new country?

[Jordan192]

So - Zolder, nowhere or random new country?

Wherever the money is. Bernie must be thrilled, as he no longer has to deal with the political fallout of Excluding spa for someone who pays better. "I'd love to race there, but they won't let us".

[Debaser]

We'll be of to India, South Africa, Mexico, somewhere a race has been promised by Bernie. He's had a good week, Flavio's gone (they were friends I know but he can't have wanted him to be in F1) and Spa's gone. Spa will become a mythical beast, remembered fondly and talked by race fans for decades to come if we never go back.

[Tealy]

If you don't like the noise, don't move near a circuit. Its not like the residents were there before the circuit was built.

Personally I would like to live near a track like Spa, even if it did cause pandemonium one weekend a year.

EDIT: A thought, if every racing fan protested against this by boycotting Spa mineral water, would the loss of income to the town be enough to convince them that they are idiots? Mind you, I don't know anybody who buys it.

[Pacifics only fan]

Bernie must be thrilled, as he no longer has to deal with the political fallout of Excluding spa for someone who pays better. "I'd love to race there, but they won't let us".

That's pretty much how I see it too, he must be delighted with the prospect of having a free slot to stick a race in the middle of nowhere, but pays well.

[shinji]

17 years is such a random length of time. Just saying.

[Stramala]

Stupid dolts who complained.
ITS YOUR OWN F**KING FAULT FOR MOVING NEXT TO A RACETRACK!!!!!!!
I feel like throwing Molotov Cocktails through their windows...that'll teach 'em to mess with our Motorsport.

[RejectSteve]

Stupid dolts who complained.
ITS YOUR OWN F**KING FAULT FOR MOVING NEXT TO A RACETRACK!!!!!!!
I feel like throwing Molotov Cocktails through their windows...that'll teach 'em to mess with our Motorsport.

Just like Monza. I couldn't agree with you more here.

[Bort]

Zolder is a good track and I would love to see racing back there, but not at the expense of no Spa races for nearly 2 decades.

So this leaves us with Monaco and Monza as the only surviving classic era circuits still racing?


Gah.

[rffp]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78806

There is still hope.

[tristan1117]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78806

There is still hope.

Please, please, please. I agree with that if you move next to a racetrack, you expect there to be some noise, no? That track has been around since the early 20th century and surely they would know cars go round it every month or so. If only Bernie cared a fig about the history of the sport.

[Cynon]

Why make noise about it until now? Bernie's not fond of Spa because they don't pay out and there were rumors earlier that the date would swap with the Nurburgring...

...so is the timing a surprise? No. Where will F1 go? Somewhere else. But they should at least have the decency to take the Spa layout down to the last detail and place it somewhere else. Then everyone wins.

[Bert]

I don't think Bernie is at fault here, far from it. It is the track that is not wanting to participate, forcing the promoter to, at best, find another track.

For all intents, it is the same thing as Tony George refusing the use of Indy, or the BRDC refusing the use of Silverstone (to itself?), or the City of Montréal refusing to allow Normand Legault (F1 Grand Prix of Canada) to use the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

That said, it would be a crying shame to loose Spa, yet again. However, from all reports I have heard in recent years, there is not much 'development' in the area. No hotels, no restaurants, etc. I.e. there is no direct financial benefit. So they get a weekend(s) of noise and traffic and roadblocks, for what? I can see their point. But any 'new' resident, say having moved-in in the past 50 or so years, should have known what they were getting in to.

Hoping that I have something interesting to listen to on my commute tomorrow morning!

[Captain Hammer]

They'll work something out. If they argue that Spa represents a lot of Belgian sporting history and suggest that three or four days of noise a year is hardly taxing, they may be abl to save the Belgian Grand Prix. It'd come at the expense of the other races at the circuit, though.

[muttley]

They'll work something out. If they argue that Spa represents a lot of Belgian sporting history and suggest that three or four days of noise a year is hardly taxing, they may be abl to save the Belgian Grand Prix. It'd come at the expense of the other races at the circuit, though.

By the way, have you ever been to a Belgian Carnival? It's 5 days of binge drinking, loud music and parades. No belgian should complain about 3 days at Spa.

[watka]

What's the difference between living near to a race track and living in south-west London with teenagers on 2cc mopeds screaming up and down the road? Get over it.

[shinji]

Was all this resolved?

[Enforcer]

What's the difference between living near to a race track and living in south-west London with teenagers on 2cc mopeds screaming up and down the road? Get over it.

A V8 revving to 19,000 rpm is a bit louder than a 2cc moped, or a Honda Civic with a big exhaust pipe. Although they don't race at night, so it balances.

[Stramala]

Was all this resolved?

Last I heard they were being forced to close the track, because their temporary injunction has expired. Awaiting a full trial I think.

[Jordan]

This is like complaining about living close to an airport, which has been in use for decades prior to your moving in. It's not as though you weren't aware there'd be noise. I would like to know how much money will be lost from the Belgian tourism income if they stop this.