Formula One race, yes, but at what cost?

Jintana Panyaarvudh

jintana

@nationgroup.com June 2, 2013 1:00 am

The dream of many a governor or a mayor is to have a Formula One race in their city. But often dreams and reality do not match. Like the plan to hold a Formula One night race in Bangkok in 2015.

Several big cities are enthusiastic about hosting races of the F1 world championship but the road to that goal is not paved with roses.

Singapore, which has been hosting a night race at the Marina Bay street circuit since 2008, faced opposition when they planned to host the event. Many residents lamented the inconvenience caused due to traffic diversions as well as disruption to local businesses located near the track. Other critics, including opposition politicians and social commentators, said the grand prix encourages conspicuous display of wealth and consumption while failing to improve the livelihood of low-income Singaporeans.

The city of Rome finally abandoned its plan to host a Formula One race in early 2011 after widespread opposition from local residents, and besides there was no room for two races in the same country. The Italian Grand Prix at Monza is already a fixture on the schedule.

The inaugural Grand Prix of America in New Jersey from June this year was postponed until 2014 due to lack of funding and missing several deadlines. The organisers are behind schedule to repair roads and secure permits.

Russia will be the new member in the 2014 Formula One calendar. It is due to be held on the site of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone confirmed that the first race is on track to take place next year despite the bankruptcy earlier this year of its promoter OJSC Formula Sochi.

An article in inquirer.net raised a question whether Manila is ready for a Formula One race after Manila Speed Show featured Filipino-Swiss racer Marlon Stockinger behind the wheel of a Lotus F1 car.

Back to Thailand, the proposed plan by Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) to host a Formula One night race in Bangkok in 2015 is facing opposition from concerned agencies and communities. In fact, they all agree that Thailand must host the event but not at the racetrack planned in the Rattanakosin Island.

Here are the pluses and minuses of the idea.

Pluses: Government's policy is to bring in international sporting events, promote tourism and target A-class tourists; boost the country's image as an organiser of major events in the world; boost local economy and the automobile industry.

Minuses: Vibration from cars may cause damage to the ancient sites around Rattanakosin Island; the race may lead to accidents; noise pollution may occur; closure of roads will cause inconvenience to residents and traffic congestion in the area; it's not appropriate to use city routes for car racing.

The initiative to bid for an F1 race in the heart of Bangkok came from the SAT and Red Bull, following a successful driving exhibition by F1 star Mark Webber of Red Bull on Rajdamnoen Avenue in 2010, which drew huge spectator attention.

A proposal to stage the F1 has been in the making since last year and the master plan is near complete for submission to the Cabinet, which will decide whether the Kingdom should host the US$225-million event. The government will have to shell out 60 per cent of the budget if the Kingdom gets the chance to host the event.

If Thailand successfully hosts the race, undoubtedly the biggest-ever sporting event the country will be organising, it will be like pulling off a Houdini act. But the question is whether we have a definite and well-prepared plan on the table.

We should take last year's botched attempts at hosting the Fifa Futsal World Cup in a new stadium as a lesson.

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/06/02/formula-one-race-yes-but-at-what-cost/