Free day at the Australian Grand Prix '05

Dixie Flatline · 23 Nov 2004, 13:05 (Ref:1161714)

To mark the tenth anniversary of the Australian Grand Prix switching from Adelaide to Melbourne, Premier Steve Bracks announced that on Thursday, the gates would be thrown open to general admission in an attempt to get more people interested in Formula One.

Although no Formula One action would take place on the day, per se, there will be a handicap race between a road car, a V8 Supercar and a Formula One car, as well as plenty of support races, including the ever-popular V8s.

Prices for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, currently $55, $85 and $99 respectively for general admission, would not be raised to make up for the loss in revenue.

Link to the story is here.

As I'm already going as a grandstander, this doesn't affect me, save for the fact that I'm paying $100 to sit in a grandstand seat to see exactly what I could have seen for free just walking around - which was what I was planning to do on Thursday anyway, to get it out of the way before the fun began.

But from a tourism point of view, it's a very good idea, IMHO.

Dutton · 23 Nov 2004, 16:47 (Ref:1161892)

Damn, the UK really is too expensive.....

Dixie Flatline · 23 Nov 2004, 22:34 (Ref:1162225)

Sorry, I should have said $100 per day to sit in a grandstand - my wife and my tickets cost AU$400 each.

As a bit of trivia, when the Grand Prix first came to Melbourne back in 1996, IIRC, the Sunday general admission ticket cost $60. This year, it cost $90, so even in the space of 12 months, the price jumps 10%.

And they're still losing money.

marcus · 23 Nov 2004, 23:10 (Ref:1162256)

the only downside to this is that the F1 cars wont be running on Thursday but other than that its a great idea and im thinking pretty hard about heading down

Raglanparade · 23 Nov 2004, 23:19 (Ref:1162267)

The Aus GP.

I live in Melbourne i have only been once, and that was the first year in 1996.

In 1996 a General Admission Pass was $70

in 2005 the same ticket is $99.

Considering how much the price of everything else has gone up in the last 10 years, i dont think it is much of an increase.

Also taking into consideration the improvements they have made to the general areas since 1996..
They have put in lots of spectator banks.. especially the big one around the fast chicane at the back, that wasnt there in 1996.

I guess what im trying to say that i dont think given the effects of inflation and the improved general spectator areas at Albert Park, the price of the tickets has increased.

I am looking at a grandstand seat for next year, but at $400 a weekend for a Uni student, its a bit much.

I think i will go on the Thursday free day, and just buy a general admission ticket and stand on the fast chicane for $99 on race day!

Dixie Flatline · 23 Nov 2004, 23:23 (Ref:1162273)

Sounds like a plan! My girlfriend (now wife) and I went general admission this year and stood close to turn 3. So Kimi blow up and some fairly close racing. The best thing was that we weren't near a super-screen, so although we could guess, we didn't know for sure just how badly Michael was thrashing everyone else.

Definitely recommended.

Dixie Flatline · 23 Nov 2004, 23:24 (Ref:1162274)

Quote:

Originally posted by marcus
the only downside to this is that the F1 cars wont be running on Thursday but other than that its a great idea and im thinking pretty hard about heading down

If the cars were running on Thursday, it probably wouldn't be free general admission entry, I'm thinking, and at least there is a chance to see one F1 car go around the track.

Raglanparade · 24 Nov 2004, 00:09 (Ref:1162322)

are you talking about the banking on the inside of the circuit between the first chicane and brundle/villeneuve corner ?

marcus · 24 Nov 2004, 00:23 (Ref:1162333)

yeah thats right Dixie , if they were running it wouldnt be free.

but I guess it just try to try and get more people through the gates on the thursday.

I was there last this year (04) on the friday and that cost me $70 just for the one day and we got to see the f1's and it was a great day.

so maybe Im thinking about heading down to melbourne go to the free day on thursday , staying overnight and going friday as well , that way i get to see 2 whole days of it but only really pay for a one day ticket

Dixie Flatline · 24 Nov 2004, 01:39 (Ref:1162366)

Quote:

Originally posted by jasonhill9884
are you talking about the banking on the inside of the circuit between the first chicane and brundle/villeneuve corner ?

We were further down towards the corner. If we'd been there when the gates opened, we would have been right on the corner, but we had to settle for about 100m away - start of the braking zone, IIRC!

I think those on the banking would have seen Massa park his car for retirement, which was a little further down the circuit than where we were (if that makes sense!).

Dixie Flatline · 24 Nov 2004, 01:41 (Ref:1162368)

Quote:

Originally posted by marcus
yeah thats right Dixie , if they were running it wouldnt be free.

but I guess it just try to try and get more people through the gates on the thursday.

I was there last this year (04) on the friday and that cost me $70 just for the one day and we got to see the f1's and it was a great day.

so maybe Im thinking about heading down to melbourne go to the free day on thursday , staying overnight and going friday as well , that way i get to see 2 whole days of it but only really pay for a one day ticket

Sounds like a good plan to me!

Raglanparade · 24 Nov 2004, 06:32 (Ref:1162470)

I think the Thursday Idea is great.

Do all us 10/10thers want to arrange to meet up on the thursday for a few quiet drinks in one of the general admin areas ?

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