Attendance

[Asp]

It was a low attendance at Imola this weekend, drawing some stick from Max Mosely (on ITV on Saturday), and commentators alike, this from John Legard on 5Live today:

The crowd rises as one... as it is

So, why? and what can be done about it? According to John and Morris Hamilton on the wireless, there's a few reasons:
* Ferrari are too successful - attendance has been dropping since the double in 2000
* Easter weekend - Italians are very religous, of course
* Costs - apparantly tickets were very expensive

Interesting theories - but not good for the survival of teh race!

[jetsetter]

I think having it at Easter in Italy was a mistake with it being one of the most religious countries in the world.

[Mekola]

In the last decade there were races at Brazil and Argentina during Easter Sunday; it also affected the attendance of those races (for example in Argentinan GP 1998).

[Hugh Jarce]

I'm surprised they have a race at Easter, even on the basis of all the teams families who are 'off' for those days.

Regarding your points Asp:

1. What does that say about many so-called Ferrari fans?
2. Could do with changing.
3. Yup - when this begins to happen at other sporting events they do things like letting the kids in free (to attract a new generation) I'd reckon they'd make more money by selling more cheaper seats than a few expensive one's.

[Tye]

It should come as no surprise to the questions about attendance at the race in Imola.I think a more pressing question should be asked...why?

I think that the race organizers and the FIA have to get over the deaths of Ratzenberger(yes,he also died that weekend)and Senna, and restore the circuit to it's former glory.The circuit as it stands today, has no rhythum and I hope that changes soon.Bring back the Tamburello and Villeneuve corners and we may see the fans fill the stands again.I saw an awful lot of green today!

Tye

[Miss Hardt]

Originally posted by jetsetter
I think having it at Easter in Italy was a mistake with it being one of the most religious countries in the world.

Definitelly.
So, they should have taken our Easter for the race (27th(

[GP Racer]

Holding the race on Easter Sunday is the best reason given here for the bad attendance. Being its very much a day for family get-togethers, I'll bet TV ratings were pretty high.

As for Ferrari being to succesful, come-on, your kidding, right!? We all know Italians could never get enough of all things Ferrari, especially winning!

[esorniloc]

I think the problem is to do with Monaco. There is a bank holiday in Monte Carlo when the GP takes place and that is normally 6 weeks after Easter (last year it was 8). As Grand Prix are normally every 2 weeks there is a problem as 6 weeks before Monaco (3 GP's) its normally Easter Sunday.

[EERO]

Monaco is always on Epiphany. Hence, the calendar as it falls with two week intervals gives us a race on Easter. I recall several years ago, (99 0r 2000) Imola was on Easter sunday and there was less impact upon the attedance than had been expected. Therefore, the diminished crowds this year are due to other factors.

[climb]

Originally posted by jetsetter
I think having it at Easter in Italy was a mistake with it being one of the most religious countries in the world.

That's not exactly a problem of religion; they were just on holiday, 'cos' also april 21st and 25th are off in Italy and there was the chance for a good combination.

[bcobbus]

Even the NASCAR boys how have 36 races a year took this psst weekend off! Next year Imola may not even be on the calander, so we will not have to worry about this again. Why not give an extra week between the Brazilian GP and the first European GP? It would give the constrcuters a bit more time to get things in order. Plus it would push the Canadian GP back a week, so it won't clash with the 24Hours of Le Mans.

[Rob29]

NASCAR actually has 39 race days a year,including 2 non-championship and mid-week heats at Daytona!
Here in the UK easter is traditionally the biggest weekend for racing.I remember one year going to Oulton Park on Thursday & Friday,Thruxton on Saturday,Brands on Sunday & Thruxton on Monday! However,this year there was no race on Good Friday,I think for the first time since 1965.
I doubt that people have become more religious.More likely factors involved are high prices,boring F1,cold weather? crowd seemed to be wearing anaraks in Italy!,better TV coverage,etc.