News and Opinion in Black and White

The race circuits in the UK need to show some back bone and some marketing nouse. noise restrictions are reaching epidemic levels because of complaints from local residents. Research has shown that the most upsetting thing about race track noise is if its unexpected, is not known what is causing it and it is not known how long the noise will last. This is something the race tracks themselves has to sort out by informing the local residents. With regards to complaints from local residents, for a start its only the minority that complain and in no way should they spoil if for everybody else. For every petition or complaint a circuit or local council receives an equal number of signatures of support should be produced by the circuit for the council and preferably ten signatures of support. The inconvienience of the few should no intefere with the enjoyment of many or the succes of an industry, otherwise, where is it all going to end?

The Birmingham Super Prix around the Bull Ring was a monumentally successful international event, not only for Birmigham but also for the UK motorsport industry as it was a unique event for the UK. Yet, the complaints of the few has hurt the interests of the many.

And dont forget its not just enjoyment of the many being infringed by the complaints of the few, the complaints of the few  are limiting the success of one of the UKs most successful industries and this cannot be allowed to happen.

Dont get me wrong, circuit owners should do their best in being fair and accomodating as much as they can towards complainants by doing the things I have listed initially. But circuit owners should not restrict the success of their business for the complaints of few, especially if they have taken reasonable step to keep local residents informed.

Otherwise, where is it going to end?

The motorsport communtiy has been trying to get rid of Max for years. At the end of the day he treats the FIA as his own personal empire and if the members don’t like the way he runs things then the can find another empire. His latest scandal has just reinforced our view. Due to the extremely embarrasing nature of the latest news headlines he had no choice really, but he is not going to leave when he is told, he has set his own timetable and will leave when he his good and ready.

To say I was suprised by Marco Andretti entering Formula 1 is an understatement. What has he done? Well, what he hasn’t done is win the IRL championship and he managed to lose the Indy 500 in 2006, despite going in to the last lap with a massive lead over the eventual winner Sam Hornish Junior. How did he lose the race? Basically he cracked under the pressure, and if there is one thing that defines how good a race driver is is how he deals with pressure and the fact that he has shown that he can crack in the biggest possible way shows, in my opinion, that he hasn’t got what it takes for Formual 1.

Herts Insurance Consultants are offering free track day cover on all their comprehensive insurance policies. The conditions are that the track day is organised by the Association of Track Day Organisers and that the event is not timed or involves any sort of competitive element. The excess for track use is more than the road use excess, but not dramatically so. Links to firms offering Competiton and Track Day Car Insurance