£115 general admission for the British GP? How much is Monaco?

[DSM]

Can't agree with the last two posts, guys. The numbers have fallen over recent years and are lower than many other European GPs, but the prices continue to go up. People are not paying in the numbers they used to. Either it's part of the plan to get rid of it or, more likely, the head in the sand attitude that blights so much of this country and particularly this sport.
As for 'lots of extra stuff', like what?

[Peter Mallett]

I think you'll find that the reduction in numbers was imposed by the organisers. I'll stand to be corrected but they do generally sell out.

[Damon]

I no for a fact that Imola was well down on last year, as was the Nurburgring, due to people not being willing to pay the higher ticket prices, Monza is expected to be the same. The difference between the UK and the rest of Europe is that the Europeans will actually take issue with being ripped off where as we'll simply so ho hum and pay up anyway. That's why everything here is expensive.

[Armco Bender]

F1 is a made for TV event now days anyway,they probably dont give a big rats if no one actually turns up to the event,the moneys made from the TV companies.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally posted by Damon
I no for a fact that Imola was well down on last year, as was the Nurburgring, due to people not being willing to pay the higher ticket prices, Monza is expected to be the same. The difference between the UK and the rest of Europe is that the Europeans will actually take issue with being ripped off where as we'll simply so ho hum and pay up anyway. That's why everything here is expensive.

Damon,

Don't wish to be patronising but "expensive" is a relative term.

We (currently) pay less tax than many European countries.

We have more employment than many European countries.

We have low interest rates.

We have a higher average national wage (Yes I know people think its the Germans have the highest) than many European countries.

We may pay more for fuel but we pay less for our homes (relative to earnings).

So that's why I don't buy the complaints. If you spend money on beer and nightclubs and then complain that you haven't got the cash for the GP then either stop drinking or stop going to the GP. Its simple really. I made the choice some time ago.

Not a dig at you I just used your post as an example.

[Damon]

To be honest I'm not a big drinker and I find nightclubs far to noisey. Almost all of my disposable income goes on motor racing in some form, whether it be competing or spectating. I just take issue to the fact that the British GP (like many sporting events in this country) are aimed firstly at the high paying corporate market (the majoritiy of whom would like to see "Damon Coulthard" win), and then at the punters who actually have a passion for their sport of choice.

To me, if you can incorporate some European culture, meeting new people and seeing new places into a trip to a GP for the same money as staying at home, traveling abroad is always going to win for me as far as F1 is concerned. I'll always stay home grown for the club stuff though.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally posted by Damon
......................Almost all of my disposable income goes on motor racing in some form, whether it be competing or spectating.

Ditto.

Originally posted by Damon
I just take issue to the fact that the British GP (like many sporting events in this country) are aimed firstly at the high paying corporate market (the majoritiy of whom would like to see "Damon Coulthard" win), and then at the punters who actually have a passion for their sport of choice.

Agreed. I remember being only one of two people in my row of the Copse nujmber one grandstand at a very wet GP when Nige finished in that storming second place. The rest of them? In the tent swilling booze. I had paid for our tickets.

Originally posted by Damon
To me, if you can incorporate some European culture, meeting new people and seeing new places into a trip to a GP for the same money as staying at home, traveling abroad is always going to win for me as far as F1 is concerned.

That's where I would disagree in the context of the thread.

Going to Monza isn't the great trip you think it should be. The Italian "Cathederal of Motorsport" is from all reports, smelly, disorganised and rubbing shoulders with the Tifosi can be downright dangerous!

I guess you think of Spa. Well, as someone who has ben complimented on his Ardennois French Accent, I can agree. But you don't actually meet that many people. You do bump into a lot. Face it a GP meeting isn't like a stroll in the park is it?

Agreed that spending dosh on a coach trip is fun but I get the feeling that "its better to travel in hope than arrive in despair" is the theory here. See comments re Monza.

Originally posted by Damon
I'll always stay home grown for the club stuff though.

That was the choice I made. My racing comes before watching somebody else enjoying themselves.

[Damon]

My views of travel to Europe may be slightly blinkered as Spa last year was my one and only experiance of it. We traveled across by ferry from Dover, got a hire car for just £80 and had a fantastic 5 days. The thought of traveling two and a half hours to sit by a fence 20 metres from the action at track level at Silverstone, having been in the trees looking down on the track at the bus stop chicane, just doesn't appeal any more. However, it does say something that for me now it is spa or not at all. I hear the views at Magny Cours are similarly lousy as Silverstone unless you pay for a grandstand seat for example. In time I'd love to do Australia and Monaco (the latter may be next year if (when ) spa doesn't return to the calendar) so I guess I'll be able to get a more rounded view from that.

[Peter Mallett]

I assume you've been to the British GP so you will realise that whilst it isn't Spa or Monaco it does have a unique atmosphere.

And to be frank. The Bus Stop chicane may look great from that vantage point (I've been there myself) but you haven't seen the real Spa Francorchamps. If you want to see real hard racing go up to Les Combes. But you'll be at least 50m from the track behind a tall debris fence at that point.

Haven't been to Monaco but everybody says its great to be so close to the action.

Entry may be cheap but you'll need your credit cards for a Big Mac and fries.

But you appear to equate value with the location. Yet the British GP traditionally hosts more events in a weekend than the majority of the other GPs.

[DSM]

Alan Henry, the guardian:

'The organisers of the British grand prix will be looking nervously over their shoulders this week, hoping for a last-minute surge in ticket sales for their race at Silverstone on July 20, keeping their fingers crossed that Sunday's one-two for the Williams team in the French race at Magny-Cours will prompt a late burst of interest.

Initial figures yesterday suggested that 70,000 tickets had been sold, about 5,000 up on last year but down on the previous year when 90,000 fans attended. A three-day ticket is priced at £190 and, although the Silverstone promoters were not available for comment, sources close to the track were hoping they would eventually come close to the 2001 figure.'

[Peter Mallett]

Hmm,

Was that last week? If so what is the take up now? Again though I recall these stories every year and even Alan needs to make a buck.

[Armco Bender]

£190
Thats worse,thats close to $600 bucks NZ,thats a weeks pay for most people here.

[DSM]

Whatever, these numbers are way down on full capacity.

[Peter Mallett]

Yeah but last year they said that they would limit it to 90,000 for 2003. I beleive it was 70,000 last year.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally posted by Armco Bender
£190
Thats worse,thats close to $600 bucks NZ,thats a weeks pay for most people here.

That was my point as made earlier. Cost of living comes into play as to where you set your prices. If people have a high wage, running costs need to be covered.

[Stefan Bellof]

I have a Sunday ticket for £100 general admission if anyone wants one and a Saturday one for £40

PM me if interested

Unforseen circumstances force sale

[theracegypsy]

Originally posted by DSM
Alan Henry, the guardian:

' A three-day ticket is priced at £190 and, although the Silverstone promoters were not available for comment, sources close to the track were hoping they would eventually come close to the 2001 figure.'

Well here's a deal for next year!

Toronto Indy, 186sterling return air fare (sorry, no pound sign on this Canadian keyboard), $50Cdn 3 day entry, and a Canadian marshal to put you up and show you the sights.

..or if you are an MSA marshal licence holder forget the $50 entry and work the event, you will be welcome, it's a time certain schedule, so lunch and finish do happen. And you get breakfast, lunch and dinner provided each race day.
Also a event tee shirt and patch or pin.
..and you are made welcome.

On top of all that the cars actually overtake each other on the track as well as in the pits.

[rdjones]

Right I was there today, thanks to a Octogan Season Pass 0 if I didn't have that then I wouldn't have gone and there is no way I would pay £115 to get in on Sunday. Oh just to show what a rip of the GP is - £10 for a program and £4 for a Bacon Buttie..........

[Sato san]

Just spoke to Mr V on his mobile as he is up there at Silverstone , and he has just told me that he's heard that a grandstand seat for race day for next year is gonna be £195 !!!!

[Peter Mallett]

Hmph.

Not expensive enough!

[Jay]

lol...3 day General Admission in Canada is $75...about 30 quid.

[RWC]

silverstone has got to be worth the price to be able to 'modify' bernies 'copter alone!

[Armco Bender]

£10 for a program

Thats dearer than than the last Harry Potter book was here,I hope its good reading.

£4 for a Bacon Buttie..........

can get a sit down meal for that price...

[Peter Mallett]

Yep but think of the cost of the flight!

[DriverT]

Yes, I was stunned when they asked me for £10 for a programme. It is horribly expensive, but I think the biggest rip-off is the merchandise and burger vans.

From what I saw on Sunday, there were a few empty seats...