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News And Developments SUPERPRIX COMMENT Good news. The powers that be are finally waking up to the idea that we at Birmingham101 have been pushing for the last year, that reviving the Birmingham Super Prix in some form would be of immense benefit to Birmingham, the Midlands and the whole of the regions economy, especially the motor industry and services. It does seem a bit of a shame however that the Council has ignored the fact that we brought the issue up over a year ago and have now brought in an outside events organisation to look into the feasibility of re running the event. Originally a question was going to be put to the full Council meeting on our behalf by the Conservative group on the Council through our local councillor, but it was then decided that it was such a good idea (but one that the then controlling Labour group would almost certainly be against) that it would stand a better chance if the Conservatives possibly took it up in their manifesto or kept quiet about it until after the election when they might be in a position to get it through. The fact that we originally raised the idea of restaging a motorsport spectacular in Birmingham, and that we have been trying to rally support for the idea ever since, seems to have been ignored. Has no one in the Council read the papers and seen the very positive publicity we have got and what we have been trying to do for the City? It was particularly heartening to hear on the BBC that this new move would put Birmingham on the front pages of the news and bring large amounts of positive publicity for the region and show it as a very forward looking location. This is the point we have been making for the last year, particularly given the large amount of national high profile and very positive coverage the idea was given through ourselves after we raised the issue in everything from The Sun to the Sunday Times, not to mention several front page articles in Motorsport News, along with supportive comments from the likes of Damon Hill. Good news indeed if motor racing can actually be revived using the old circuit layout as is being suggested, but many questions would need to be answered such as what happens when the area around the existing Matthew Boulton College is presumably redeveloped in the near future, along with the area opposite PC World at the top of Belgrave Middleway. Pit and Paddock facilities were always a major problem and it is hard to imagine these being improved especially given that areas around Bristol Street are either being redeveloped or are surely ripe for redevelopment in the near future. All these potential problems could be overcome, but knowing that the legislation that can be used is so specific and in many ways restrictive, there is so little room for manoeuvre in terms of altering the circuit layout that seeing it as a long term event to be run beyond just a year or two is very difficult. Is this really what is wanted? I do hope that it is not a slightly cynical move by those involved to somewhat jump on the bandwagon of the positive publicity that has already been generated, only to conclude that it is not a viable long term proposition. Will the next stage be to then come up with the proposal to run a far wider variety of vehicles including exotic and sports models of roadgoing cars from the manufacturers alongside all forms of motorsport (including motorcycles) in a new, more flexible and more exciting format that would indeed be something new, and which we again have been advocating as a better and more attractive, not to mention more practical “Super Prix”. This is the format that would give any such event, in our opinion, the greatest chance of being both successfully staged in the first place in terms of impact and with the widest possible appeal, and more importantly be able to be developed and flourish into a truly unique and world class event in the longer term that benefited (and showcased) all aspects of motorsport and the general motor industry along with the whole of the regions economy. This is the line that we will be advocating to the steering committee being set up by the City Council to look into the possibilities. Our Proposed Possible Alternative if Motor Racing Proves Impossible SEE ALSO www.birminghamsuperprix.com for the reasons why In very basic simple terms what we are proposing is to stage an event that instead of being based around a competitive motor race is based around a whole range of high speed displays or runs on a specially laid out circuit on the city streets (in much the same way as any other street circuit) that would offer a huge range of content. There would be all the visual impact and excitement of seeing exotic high performance world class cars driven at very high speed on a city street circuit, just not in competition. The lack of a competitive element however, in many ways means there will be far more scope for the drivers to "entertain" the spectators. The individual displays would be limited time wise to a relatively short duration or number of laps, before moving onto the next item in the programme in much the same way as displays at an airshow for instance. It will be short sharp non stop ACTION AND ENTERTAINMENT !! Several cars could be run at the same time, so for instance a display of a variety of rally cars of different makes could be run as one display, or several cars of various sorts from one particular manufacturer could form the basis of another display etc. This format would allow a great deal of variety of content to be shown, with little time or opportunity for spectators to potentially get bored or lose interest. The displays should be able to be run at close to race speeds in many cases, but without much of the red tape and regulations involved in running an actual race. The legislation to enable this, given the cooperation of the relevant authorities, police etc. would appear to already be in place. We have already got pledges of help and support from several very important series and organisations. Although such an event is not, I am sure, what most people would be expecting from “the Super Prix” I am in no doubt that it could be developed into something at least, if not far more exciting than the previous events with a great deal more scope for entertainment, interest, and excitement for the spectators. Drag racing and rallying are both good examples of where you don’t need head to head racing for excitement and entertainment, just a fast, unusual spectacle with lots happening to keep and hold the spectators attention. This could easily be provided in what would be a truly unique and spectacular event that stands to benefit huge numbers of people and sectors of business. In reality, something along these lines is the only realistic chance there is of running the likes of Formula 1 or rally cars or many of the other huge variety of cars and motorcycles, on any kind of road based city circuit in this country. This format potentially allows just about anything to be run in some form or another. The event could be used as a national / international showcase for motorsport in all its forms. Motorcycles and historic / vintage cars could also very easily be incorporated into this format. Re staging the old Super Prix (however impractical this would be) as a full blown motor race would greatly limit what could be shown and effectively exclude the vast majority of the motorsport industry. This rethink has largely been forced on us, but for some time we had been thinking WHY LIMIT WHAT CAN BE SHOWN TO JUST A HANDFUL OF TYPES OF RACING? This way there will be more variety and more excitement for everyone. This should appeal to the spectators that would not normally go to a more usual motoring event and were only there because of the unique spectacle of racing cars on city streets. At the same time, however, it should also appeal to the die hard motorsport enthusiast as it would give them an unparalleled chance to see such a wide range of motorsport all in one weekend with an amazing setting and atmosphere. In one weekend everyone could get at least a taster of what was on offer, that might just prove to be the incentive to make the time to attend more events, or even start off a completely new interest. By not running it as a race we can now easily relocate it to almost anywhere that looks suitable (subject obviously to approval by the necessary authorities) and the layout no longer needs any provision for a pits facility, which was always a major problem in the past. Apart from the obvious motorsport content it would at the same time present a unique opportunity for general motoring manufacturers to display the top end and sportier versions of their products alongside the best of the motorsport world on a city street circuit at high speed. Displays could be used to reinforce the association of their road going cars with the exotic and glamorous world of motorsport in a uniquely effective way. It has the potential to be a P.R. and marketing dream for motorsport, the motor industry in general, and wherever we eventually stage it. It would seem to present a perfect opportunity for so many different aspects of motorsport and the motor industry to really put on a show to promote themselves, enjoy themselves and really entertain the spectators. Surely this is just the kind of event that the industry (and everyone else) could really do with. Ideally the event could also feature a large exhibition or static display, something along the lines of a cross between Autosport International, the Classic Car show, and a general Motor show (but obviously on a considerably smaller scale). We are at an early stage of planning and consulting with what looks to be an ideal location for an event based around a major venue on the edge of Birmingham city centre. If the proposed location proves impossible for some reason, the “package” we are putting together could be staged at any other suitable location, several of which we are looking at as a contingency. This now means that we can plan and build an event without the possibility that it might all come to nothing because of insurmountable problems with the only available possible venue. Once we have all the details in place for the event we could, if need be, stage it at any one of several very suitable locations around the country that we have identified, which means that planning can progress with the confidence that finding a willing and suitable venue should not ultimately be a problem. There is the potential here for us to quite literally stage the biggest motoring spectacular this country has ever seen. It is the sort of thing that the vast majority of local authorities should be fighting over each other to get us to stage for them. Birmingham and the location we are working with at the moment is the first choice however, and I am hopeful that this is where the event will be held. There is obviously a long way to go before such an event becomes a reality, but with the right organisation and support there appears to be no reason why it should not come about. SEE ALSO www.birminghamsuperprix.com for the reasons why PLEASE E-MAIL US YOUR SUPPORT AND VIEWS ON THE PLANS - CLICK HERE MOTORSPORT NEWS ARTICLE A very good and positive article was in Motorsport News on 18th February 2004 that summed up the plans very well. Try and get a copy. Thanks to Matt James of Motorsport News Major survey shows the British Grand Prix brought £35 million into the UK in 2002 A report just published by the Motorsport Industry Association shows just how much direct financial benefit is generated by the British F1 Grand Prix. Obviously this is the highlight of the British motorsport calender, but with the Birmingham event being so unique, so different and so exciting, who knows what could be acheived in time. Some of its major findings were: The 2002 British round of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship attracted nearly £35 million of expenditure and mantained the equivalent of approximately 1,150 ful time jobs. This is shown in research carried out by the Motorsport Industry Association on behalf of Brands Hatch Circuits and several midlands Development Agencies including Advantage West Midlands. According to the report this expenditure generated income of £17.2 million within the UK as a whole of which £5.6 million directly benefits the region within a 50 mile radius of Silverstone. The report in addition highlights that as well as the substantial direct economic benefits of staging the event, it also brings additional intangible benefits by showcasing both the motorsport industry and expertise within the area. In addition the event has significant, yet unquantifiable, benefits for the wider economy by presenting the UK and the region in a positive light to a worldwide TV audience of over 300 million. The full research report and a summary are available to download from the MIA's dedicated website www.motorsportresearch.com
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