More trouble at Silverstone

Super Tourer · 12 Jan 2005, 14:46 (Ref:1199001)

According to www.grandprix.com there is more trouble a foot at Silverstone, this time within the BRDC.

The board of the British Racing Drivers Club has voted Ray Bellm out of his role as chairman in what appears to be a dispute between Bellm and BRDC president Jackie Stewart over the terms of the contract for the British Grand Prix

It seems that JYS is not as happy with the terms of the deal as first appeared.

But it looks as if they are stuck with it anyway...

Bernie Ecclestone, the man who negotiated the deal for the Formula One group says that he is happy to tear up the contract that Bellm negotiated but he will not offer a new contract to the BRDC.

The news flow regarding Silverstone as been ebbing flowing from positive to negative for the last year or more.

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns14078.html

**Stephen Green** · 12 Jan 2005, 14:49 (Ref:1199007)

Oh dear, the troubles just won't go away will they? Yet another nail in the BGP coffin when the current deal expires.

ParkLife · 12 Jan 2005, 15:53 (Ref:1199048)

Oh Stephen, don't be so dramatic.

Steve Wilkinson · 12 Jan 2005, 16:20 (Ref:1199061)

Bernie is one cool customer. He knows full well the BRDC won't tear up the contract as that would be bye-bye to the Grand Prix. He also doesn't want to have to drop the British Grand Prix BUT he is a shrewd enough cookie to know the simple threat is enough.

The problem is that the BRDC couldn't organise a motor race at a motoring circuit even if they owned one! Oh hang on they do!

The BRDC need to appoint a Director of Events who has the powers to negotiate within given parameters. Then once the deal is done they need to SHUT UP!

Kicking-back · 12 Jan 2005, 16:33 (Ref:1199070)

This will make absolutely no difference to anything.

They have a five year deal for the British Grand Prix which is intact and will go ahead.

Super Tourer · 12 Jan 2005, 16:57 (Ref:1199088)

I wonder how pertinent or valid a five year contract will be post the concorde agreement.

No one knows under what exact terms F1 will be run after 2007, they may be more favourable to the circuit owners and promoters. IIRC the BRDC's original offer to FOM was for 2005/2006 and 2007 taking them to the end of the CA, it was allegedly BE that sought a longer deal in his attempt to tie circuits into deals longer than the CA in order to strengthen his case against the GPWC.

All very strange and completely at odds with JYS and Bellms joint announcement of the deal back in December.

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpa...s_art_id=23093

Some news stories on the BRDC/Silverstone debacle last year.

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_search.php

Gabrio · 12 Jan 2005, 17:20 (Ref:1199101)

I thought politics in sport were only in Italy....

Dog Faced Boy · 12 Jan 2005, 17:24 (Ref:1199102)

They must have spotted a loophole. Let's hope this wont affect money planned for improvements or that really could be a problem. Book early for your London GP accomodation folks.

Mackmot · 12 Jan 2005, 17:57 (Ref:1199124)

http://www.brdc.co.uk/news.cfm/title.../flag/2/id/208

Kicking-back · 12 Jan 2005, 17:58 (Ref:1199125)

Quote:

The BRDC said today’s announcement does not affect in any way the BRDC’s contract with the FOA securing the British Grand Prix at Silverstone for the next five years.

Very important, that.

Super Tourer · 12 Jan 2005, 18:34 (Ref:1199160)

If it does not in any way effect the contract, why oust the chairman who negotiated it?

Very strange.

Dog Faced Boy · 12 Jan 2005, 19:20 (Ref:1199217)

It may not effect the contract but what about the affording improvements. They may not go any futher than 5 years without it. like I say book early for london

**Peter Mallett** · 12 Jan 2005, 19:26 (Ref:1199224)

It could also be more to do with Silverstone Estates or other subsidiaries and thus nothing to do with the GP contract itself.

Super Tourer · 13 Jan 2005, 13:59 (Ref:1199844)

Ray Bellm reacts to the BRDC's decision.

Silverstone's owner, the British Racing Drivers' Club, has been told that it must wake up to modern commercial reality and change the way it is run, or it risks killing itself off. That is the view of the club's former chairman Ray Bellm who has spoken for the first time following his shock dismissal this week.

I]“Unless the club takes a new direction, it will die,” said Bellm. “What it requires now is the members to galvanise themselves into a revolution and put a president in charge that they believe should be the president. If they turn around and say, ‘Ray, you are wrong, we still think Jackie is the right person', then I will go and play golf.

“If the members believe they want me back as a chairman in the future I would be very happy to serve them. What I am now going to campaign for is that the correct structure is put in place for the organisation of the club, and that the right people are in place to run the business and to lead the club.

“And obviously I do not believe Jackie Stewart is the right person to lead the club after this debacle.”

An unhappy ship it seems. JYS is believed to be unhappy about the contract extending beyond the current F1 concorde agreement, which as we have said before, may mean different or more favourable terms for circuits and promoters.

From www.autosport.com

Kicking-back · 13 Jan 2005, 18:49 (Ref:1200099)

Quote toinight from Jackie Stewart should help quell a lot of the speculation:

Quote:

I'm not about to try to renegotiate anything at all. That was never discussed. We have a five-year deal, that's a legal document and we're locked into that.

garcon · 13 Jan 2005, 19:08 (Ref:1200115)

Without delving into the personal battles that are evident, what Ray Bellm says is true - the BRDC must wake up to the commercial realities of the world it is trying to deal in. Whether he or JYS are better placed to lead that 'awakening' is another matter.

All sounds strangely familiar. Precisely the same battle is ongoing at the Scottish Rugby Union. The 'old farts' burying their heads in the sand seems to be a running theme with sports governing bodies in the UK. And it's the most frustrating thing about being a sports fan.

Steve Wilkinson · 13 Jan 2005, 19:24 (Ref:1200131)

Phew what a relief!

JYS has come to his senses!

Pity about Ray Bellm but he could yet lead a revolt!

What's that I hear you saw the BRDC are revolting enough?

Super Tourer · 13 Jan 2005, 20:21 (Ref:1200201)

Part of this may be that the BRDC needs to play an integral part in re-developing Silverstone in order to fund it's future.

Ray Bellm was/is a very successful businessman and I'm sure he has approached the situation with a commercial vision, whilst equally business like in many respects JYS obviously clashes on the 'vision'.

It's change or die versus how much and what changes are needed? (IMO)

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