Welcome to 1999 Grand Prix Guestbook

1999

We will continue to oppose G.P's while they are sponsered by killer tobacco products which kill parents of children
and encourage children to smoke their addictive product.
Anomouse
Australia - Tuesday, December 07, 1999 at 21:56:09 (EST)

We will never go to gp,s while they are sponcered by killer tobacco products.
anomous
Australia - Tuesday, December 07, 1999 at 21:51:34 (EST)

I would be very grateful if someone could provide me with details of any jobs available at the Grand Prix 2000. I will be in Melbourne for a number of weeks prior to the event and am willing to start work whenever necessary.

Thanks for any help,
Simon.
Simon <sbhenderson@hotmail.com>
Sydney, Australia - Monday, November 15, 1999 at 22:27:35 (EST)

The greatest losing event in melbourne is to have even less spectator stands.
great popularity HA -AH WE WILL WIN.
A AUSTRALIAN FAN
Australia - Monday, November 01, 1999 at 12:14:50 (EST)

love the site even know i really dont know what a grand pix is i guess it's about racing? not sure but anyways i love australia and i might be going to sydney as an exchange studnet if any1 as any information e-mail me!Thank ye best o luck to every one in whatever ye need it for bye!

elyzabeth <splat@jagaursystems.com>
glasgow, scotland - Saturday, October 23, 1999 at 16:50:51 (EST)

hi,
i am very interested in buying formula 1 grand prix P O S T E R S (only official).
can anyone help,please.thanks.
marc
weber marc <weberlxw@pt.lu>
wiltz, luxemburg - Friday, October 15, 1999 at 04:13:56 (EST)

Your site is Wonderful site!!

My site is Free!! Internet e-mail penpal center

http://user.chollian.net/~pols
http://lycos.kr.ne.kr

My site is a free service dedicated to help find you friends around the world.
We guarantee that we have the best penpal services on the Internet!

If you want to make friends quickly, without ever being charged, and are
also concerned with Internet safety, then you have come to the right place.

Penpal
Australia - Saturday, October 02, 1999 at 09:48:38 (EST)

Looking for dimensions of the Melbourne F1 circuit -- specifically, the length of the various straights (in feet or meters). Anyone help me? Thanks,

Gary
Gary Knight <gknight7@gte.net>
Austin, Texas, USA - Friday, September 03, 1999 at 07:02:23 (EST)

Find Penpals Worldwide !!!

http://www.buy4fun.com/epal
JPO <jpo@lightstream.net>
Cleveland, USA - Thursday, August 19, 1999 at 02:22:34 (EST)

WHOMEVER.
I would like as much info on the Grand Prix, preferable Melbourne, but doesn't matter if it is else where (only in Australia though)Info to include as many recent statistics, Links it has to it, such as deals with hotels etc, who runs it, who started it all that sort of stuff, future trends (if can get). or if there are any good web sights or things out there about it all. Please e-mail me about it.
Thanks

Nikki <vpresvi@sia.org.au>
Geelong, Australia - Wednesday, August 18, 1999 at 20:08:07 (EST)

Hey all you tifosi have a visit to:

http://members.tripod.co.uk/greigmur/

Greig <greigmur@yahoo.com>
Lochgelly, Scotland - Sunday, August 15, 1999 at 09:34:32 (EST)

Anyone going to the grand prix next year?
chick
Australia - Monday, August 09, 1999 at 20:25:42 (EST)

http://www.maxpages.com/ohyah
Dan <Insane607@aol.com>
Australia - Monday, August 02, 1999 at 14:47:14 (EST)

When oh when is Channel 9 going to (a) get rid of the the dinosaurs hosting F1 and (b) get a decent host broadcaster and get Murray "lets see if I can get this right this time" Walker OFF THE AIR before we all go crazy ?????
speedfreek
perth, Australia - Friday, July 30, 1999 at 18:41:47 (EST)

As an out and out F1 fan i think all the teams are making the biggest mistake of all by not offering Damon Hill a decent contract. Its talent going waste, as Hill is anything but a spent force in competitive F1 - you don't just become World Champ of F1 by luck alone. Anyway it'll be a loss to the sport and to the numerous fans of Hill, like me. I'm sure he'll find a place where he'll have the opportunity to "do his thing" again! All the BEST to you Damon - give this season your best shot and go out in STYLE! Good luck!
Hope Hakkinen has a good season too and crowns himself 2nd year in a row! Whats happening with Frank Williams' team only he knows. They desperately need another Damon Hill!
Great site - once again, signing off with love and thoughts of my brother Burzin.
Mashya Amroliwalla <mashya@netscape.net>
Bombay, India - Wednesday, July 28, 1999 at 01:27:47 (EST)

GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nebojsa Bursac <gbursac@eunet.yu>
Belgrade, Yugoslavia - Thursday, July 22, 1999 at 20:46:55 (EST)

Links to cocain what next if tobacco was notr enough . good luck Ron
Ma lisia for ever the Brazil kEEP AUSTRALIA DRUG FREE.
a fan
Australia - Tuesday, July 20, 1999 at 22:59:40 (EST)

I AM A HUGE MOTOR SPORT FAN AND GO LIVE
TO WATCH OR WATCH ON T.V ON ANY CHANNEL
BUT I CANT STAND THE WAY "ALAN JONES"
BAD MOUTHS FORD ON TELEVISION
YOU ARE A FOOL WHAT BADGE WAS ON THE CAR
WHEN YOU WERE LEADING BATHHURST AND YOUR
CAR CAUGHT FIRE FROM A FAULT THAT YOUR TEAM / CAR BUILDER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR
BURN THOSE BRIDGES JONESEY
"YOU IDIOT"
GLENN
MELBOURNE, Australia - Thursday, July 15, 1999 at 02:24:10 (EST)

Hello, does anyone here seeks a real russian girl(nice, funny, tender careful)? Wanna ????

http://www.bancorp.ru/~orkhidea
Alexei <ecology@bancorp.ru>
Kazan, Russia - Wednesday, July 14, 1999 at 03:40:25 (EST)

Fantastic.
marco vitali <m.vitali@iol.it>
milano, italia - Sunday, June 13, 1999 at 02:27:43 (EST)

I think all u racers blow ass and hope u all crash
mike g. <Flagburn1@aol.com>
boston MA, USA - Thursday, June 10, 1999 at 01:40:53 (EST)

Oh, I thought the ribbons were for fence awarness day...
Dave
Australia - Wednesday, May 12, 1999 at 18:57:48 (EST)

The Clock on the Pit Buildings which dominate a peoples park is still on daylight saving time 2 months after daylidht savings ended in Australia .
WAKE UP YOU BACKWARDS G.P ORGINAZIATION.
OR THE WORLD WILL CONTINUE TO LAUGH AT YOUR SO CALLED SPORT. PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO YOUR "POMMEY BOSS " BERENIE.
an admirer
Australia - Tuesday, May 11, 1999 at 21:51:05 (EST)

I attended the 1998 GP, and was unable to be in Melbourne for 1999's GP. I think Australia is so hungry for Formula One racing (and believe it or not, NASCAR racing) that I think its only a matter of time before there's an AUSSIE world championship team.
David Mirsky <dmirsk@aol.com>
Sydney, Australia - Friday, May 07, 1999 at 21:04:18 (EST)

We are glad to inform you on discovery of new virtual shop. Welcome an ours
SuperMarket !
Best regards!
http://supermarket.virtualave.net
SuperMarket
Australia - Tuesday, May 04, 1999 at 02:23:42 (EST)

I am an avid follower of formula one and I enjoy the sport very but would like to know why the general public are cheated by team orders I know there is no rule against it and I understand why it is there from a technological side but for the average person that goes to the bookies to place a bet it is cheating and it takes the competition away.
It would be nice to see open races for once and entertaining to crowd that watch it on the weekends that the races are on. Also I would likes information on how to get tickets for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this year.
Gregory Ogbolu <me97ggo@brunel.ac.co.uk>
London, United Kingdom - Tuesday, April 27, 1999 at 04:53:52 (EST)

Congratulations to the Grand Prix Coorporation for another brilliant F1 event. However, It's time that the public had a better chance to get close to the F1 drivers for signatures.
Hundreds of fans stood for hours in the sun without success. Better luck next year.Cant wait for the 2000 Gp.
Chris <cork@eisa.net.au>
melbourne, Australia - Friday, April 09, 1999 at 01:38:18 (EST)

Congratulations to the Grand prix coorporation for another brilliant F1event. However, it is time that the public had a better chance to get autographs from the F1 drivers. The long lines of fans trying to get signatures was a disaster. Hundreds of fans stood in the sun for hours and most were unsuccessful.
chris <cork@eisa.net.au>
melbourne, Australia - Friday, April 09, 1999 at 01:29:19 (EST)

Congratulations to the Grand prix coorporation for another brilliant F1event. However, it is time that the public had a better chance to get autographs from the F1 drivers. The long lines of fans trying to get signatures was a disaster. Fan stood in the sun for hours and most were unsuccessful.
chris <cork@eisa.net.au>
melbourne, Australia - Friday, April 09, 1999 at 01:27:13 (EST)

Wow what a great GP, just arrived home after a holiday to OZ which started off with the GP.

The only gripe I have is that your separate states need tighter integration, I placed a bet on Eddie to Win at the GP with TAB, and didn't try to collect until I reached Sydney, "No can do" they said this is NSW not VIC, not something tourist would be use to.

Anyway if the Olympics is run anything like the GP it should be the best one ever.

Mike Keogh
Mike Keogh <Mike_Keogh@hotmail.com>
Dublin, Ireland - Friday, April 09, 1999 at 00:43:51 (EST)

All of these SAP members seem to me to just be a bunch of whingers. Let's move the race to a different trsck, the parking at the botanical gardens was disrupted for 0.82% of the year, we don't like cars so why should anyone who has the passion to travel half the distance of the world and spend their dollars in our country...gee I can't see why. Hello idiots, millions of dollars through tourism are also being brought into your state through this fine attraction. The local shops thrive, but hey, they don't need the extra buisness at all do they??
Seriously wake up to yourselves SAC, well done to Melbourne once again for putting on a fine race meet...I'm sure the group of us will be back again next year, for the 4th year running.
Michael Liehr
Canberra, Australia - Monday, April 05, 1999 at 13:53:53 (EST)

Since this is my first entry in the book, I'd like to dedicate it to my beloved brother Burzin (1972-1998). Formula-1 is something my brother and I enjoyed together tremendously - it was a silent bond. We each had our own favourites, but only ONE opinion about the sport - SHEER THRILL! Today and always whenever i watch a race or anything remotely associated with F-1, Burzin and I will be in it together again. So, the bond with F-1 is lifelong for me. KEEP UP THOSE REVS AND LET THE TRACKS COME ALIVE!
Mashya Amroliwalla <mashya@netscape.net>
Bombay, India - Tuesday, March 30, 1999 at 20:36:19 (EST)

Jonathan, I would like to ask this of you and the members of SAP. I am niether for nor against the GP, I am only satisfying curiousity.

If the SAP's are "such a large group' as you put it and you have protestors who will "never give up" and basically protest every day of the year why is it that for one years work the best form of "protest" you can come up with is putting ribbons on the GP fences and standing at entrance ways with balloons while counting people?

The GP Corporation can run two world class events in a year! Admittedly your group has no where near the resources of the state government but surely a group so dedicated to thier cause with so many memvbers has plenty of time to devise some more effective protests. Your media coverage has deminished quite considerably since your first event and it is probably due to the fact that you do nothing and no one is really interested.

I would be quite interested to know how you plan your protests each year and who the brilliant mind behind each of your ellaborate schemes really is.
Peter Cain
Melbourne, Australia - Wednesday, March 24, 1999 at 17:34:02 (EST)

Eric,

My final word on the subject: There's none so blind as those who won't see!
Johnathon
Melbourne, Australia - Sunday, March 21, 1999 at 11:39:37 (EST)

Jonathan,

That all sounds a bit anecdotal and hit or miss to me. Given the motivation of you guys and your track record to date, I think its still safer to trust the findings of the computerised ticketing system. Hey, since when has a computer ever been wrong anyway?

Eric Fuller
Australia - Friday, March 19, 1999 at 17:41:54 (EST)

Just to stop Fuller having a fit, the number in my previous post of the counters says it could be 148 or 15 should, of course, read 151. I hate him to have to work out that it was a typo for himself!
Jonathon
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, March 19, 1999 at 10:51:06 (EST)

I am not sure why I dignify Fuller's rantings with replies, but for the final time I'll try to get some sense into him.

He said:"Jonathan, I guess it must be frustrating to be caught out telling fibs. Your rantings
and manufactured numbers serve only to demonstrate just how feeble the SAP argument
against the Grand Prix really is. Is that the best argument you can come up with to
mask your bigotry toward motor racing?

I haven't been caught out telling a lie. We are such a large group that people only know full details of the activities they are involved in. A week before the Grand Prix, I knew that the counting was being organised. I knew that the small organising committee had appointed a captain to each gate and that it was the captain's duty to recruit and roster members to do the count and that they anticipated that this would involve about 125 people. They got on with the job and each gate was staffed from the time it opened until early to mid afternoon. They kept tally sheets all of which still exist showing how many people entered each gate every half hour. They also gained other information, such as the number who left before 1 pm assuming most of these would return and therefore be counted twice. Such as the colour of the ribbons which would give them an idea of the corporate, staff and general admission breakdown.

It wasn't until after the race period that I had a chance to talk to those who controlled the count and it was then I was informed that the number of volunteers who did the job was larger than first anticipated and 150 or thereabouts were involved - it could have been 148 or even 15, I hate you to feel deceived on this.

They also took a sample for one day at one gate and for that day and that gate, less than 10% of the patrons were female and less than 2% were children, which suggests this is not a family event.

Independant journalists have viewed the raw data and concluded the count was accurate. It is available to be audited if anyone is interested in doing that.

As for bigotry towards motor racing, watch out your paranoia is showing! There is no opposition to motor racing in its right place - a dedicated track or even a street circuit like Phillip Island - from Save Albert Park.

I think it's you who needs to get your facts straight, chum.

Jonathon
Melbourne, Australia - Thursday, March 18, 1999 at 22:51:40 (EST)

Well Eric, as many people have commented on viewing this site, the level of argument from the GP supporters shows a total lack of logic and even commonsense.
The comment was that it looks like third-grade comic book stuff!
And you would be top of the grade!
Peter Cowden
Drysdale, Australia - Wednesday, March 17, 1999 at 19:01:55 (EST)

Wow, that's intelligent, Peter, "You will enjoy those activities I say are to be enjoyed." Who elected you Minister for Leisure Activities? Answer no one. Thankfully our democratically elected members have listened to the thinking people of Victoria and acted to bring Formula 1 to Melbourne.

Grow a brain, Peter. Not everyone enjoys the same leisure activities as you. Not a problem though, motor racing fans rest comfortably in the knowledge that Formula 1 alone enjoys an audience of several million people worldwide per race. Not to mention the diverse range of other motor racing classes that families around the world enjoy every weekend.

Eric Fuller
Australia - Wednesday, March 17, 1999 at 09:59:11 (EST)

Thanks Jonathon for your information regarding the numbers count of people attending the GP.
The propaganda served up to gullible GP supporters seems to be swallowed by them hook, line and sinker! Perhaps they should take up fishing as a recreational activity - but in fact they are really the unthinking fish swallowing the bait dangled before them!
Interesting to note (front page of The Age 16/3/99) that a total of 1.5 million people attended Moomba this year. A far healthier activity for people than the mindless worship of racing cars!
Moomba is an event which has stood the test of time, is accepted by everybody and in order to be held does not need to trample all over the rights of others.
Peter Cowden
Drysdale, Australia - Wednesday, March 17, 1999 at 06:23:24 (EST)

Jonathan, I guess it must be frustrating to be caught out telling fibs. Your rantings and manufactured numbers serve only to demonstrate just how feeble the SAP argument against the Grand Prix really is. Is that the best argument you can come up with to mask your bigotry toward motor racing?

Thanks for those figures, Peter. I�m sure they�re as reliable as the ones our Jonathan has been dutifully providing for Albert Park. Were they collected by the same band of miserable old wowsers loitering at the gate or by the computerised ticketing system that Jonathan has so much trouble coming to terms with?

Thankfully motor racing fans are far more considerate people than these anti Albert Park folk. What an incredibly boring world we would live in if everyone had to be involved in what Peter regards as legitimate weekend activities. What a boring and unimaginative chap you are, Peter!

Eric Fuller
Australia - Tuesday, March 16, 1999 at 17:08:23 (EST)

As I said earlier, the official attendance figures are collected via a computerised
ticketing system over which politicians have no control
Fuller

Nonsense. The GPC don't even claim this. In Adelaide the SALES figures were published on the Monday after the race. No sales figure have ever been issued in Melbourne. None. The attendance figure is issued each evening and is not related to sales: corporate guests do not have individual sales tickets; people who buy grandstand seating have to pay for 4 days whether they use them or not. The GP only issues attendance figures (which includes an awful lot of freebees eg people who are invloved in one day's event on the lake but are given a 4 day pass) and these are inflated.

Harnden and Walker said that the count was made by people passing through turnstiles. A lie, there are no turnstiles in Albert Park. Louise Asher said that it was with laser technology. laser beams are only fitted to 2 gates. They do not distinguish between those who enter and those who leave or the gate attendants who constantly cross them.

Continue to believe lies if you want, Fuller, it is people like you who were sucked in by Nazi propaganda. You can fool some of the people... and with people like you around proving you are fools, the fooling will continue. Fortunately most of the people can be fooled only some of the time and then they will wake up to the costs of this race to the economy and the environment. It won't take much longer, that's why Ronnie's stoogies(like you) are so worried.
Jonathon
Melbourne, Australia - Saturday, March 13, 1999 at 15:23:13 (EST)

Well, once again supporters of the "Grand Prix With The Loss" are quoting over-inflated attendance figures in an effort to justify this Victorian government inspired spending extravaganza.
It's interesting to note that without all of the hype, publicity and artificial support that was pumped into the GP, several other events over the long weekend achieved great attendances - on their own merits.
Moomba - more than 300,000 attended.
Clean-up Australia (Melbourne only) - more than 60,000.
Ballarat Begonia Festival - more than 100,000 attended.
And these activities have to stand up financially with very limited - if any - government support!
And in Ballarat accommodation was totally booked out for more than a week, many travelling from distant places to enjoy this special event. Some genuine tourism benefit here to local traders!
Many Melbourne people went to Ballarat over the weekend so as to get away from the GP noise/nonsense and to bring some peace and beauty into their lives!
I can't help but wonder how many of these came from Albert Park and surrounding suburbs?

Peter Cowden
Drysdale, Australia - Friday, March 12, 1999 at 18:27:34 (EST)

And you expect us to listen to you, Jonathan? Last week you said there were 125 counters, this week you say 150. Which is it? Could that just be a rounding error, please Jonathan? Suddenly you have added 20% to your figure. Hmmm, sounds like you�re changing the numbers to suit your feeble cause rather than relying on facts.

As I said earlier, the official attendance figures are collected via a computerised ticketing system over which politicians have no control.

You are also mistaken when you say that about 60% (I hope you didn�t make this figure up either Jonathan) of those who went were guests in corporate facilities. Sure, they�re in corporate facilities, but the majority pay for that privilege. Again, you have not bothered to understand this issue.

Re the �public asset� nonsense, I presume you will be making similar squawks to have public areas like the MCG and tennis centre demolished and turned into parkland? No, I didn�t think so.

Its great to know that SAP has clowns like you promoting its cause. The full time motor racing facility proposal should be another pushover!

Eric Fuller
Australia - Friday, March 12, 1999 at 13:06:46 (EST)

Eric Fuller's real agenda is in his final paragraph. A full-time motor racing circuit in the centre of Melbourne. No full-time race track is appropriate in any place in the world when it is surrounded by 120,000 residents who live in inner-city conditions. Albert Park is the home of amateur sport. Fuller and his mob seek to take over a public asset for one commercial activity and deprive many, many hundreds of thousands of its use for football, cricket, hockey and many other sports as well as passive recreation, dog-walking, family picnics and barbecues and just the delight of feeding the swans and ducks on the lake. he would subject a crowded inner-city to year-round traffic chaos and parking restriction.

He is also totally wrong about the Save Albert Park count. 150 people participated in this over 4 days. Counters were on every gate from the time it opened in the morning till mid-afternoon. Every person entering the track was counted. In addition a second (and sometimes third) counter monitored the out-flow (presuming those who left in the morning would be returning and thereby counted twice) and the colours of the lanyard holding the tickets to gain an idea of how many were entering with general admission tickets as opposed to grandstand seating or corporate box invitations.

It turns out that about 60% of those who went were guests in corporate facilites. So Albert Park is given over for several months a year so that a commercial companies have a way of making their profits even larger? Hardly the appropriate use of valuable public land.

Fuller and those who seek to peddle lies will not win in the end.
Jonathon
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, March 12, 1999 at 10:52:07 (EST)

Alas the SAP wowsers seek once again to mislead the taxpayers of Melbourne. It is common knowledge among those who manned the gates at Albert Park that the SAP counters attended only on an intermittent basis and on some gates, not at all, over the F1 race event.

It is ridiculous that they expect us to believe data gathered on such an ad hoc and unreliable basis, compared to the official figures which are collected via a computerised ticketing system over which the Victorian Government has no control.

The sooner Albert Park is converted into a dedicated full time motor racing complex for the benefit of all Melbournians, the better.

Eric Fuller
Australia - Thursday, March 11, 1999 at 12:08:24 (EST)

LOOK OF MY PRIVATE F1 Homepage !!!!

Uwe <uwef@online.de>
Stugat, Australia - Wednesday, March 10, 1999 at 22:25:59 (EST)

the gonad prix - Kharma Coma.....

the grand prix is a grand pain the arse...disruptive, ugly, people and environmentally unfriendly. But you don't need me to say this really - we all know it don't we. It's obvious by comments that even the poor punter dribbling their overpriced coke and dropping their dagwood dog on the track is saying " this is loserville...."

What you may like to know is that "grand prix" is actually French for 'dumb idiot'. Therefore there are no two ways about it - the laugh is on the punters at the track - especially the corporate sponsor types. Kharma will undoubtedly deal with the ultimate and premier idiot who is responsible, Jeff.
loopda <loopda@hotmail.com>
melb, Australia - Wednesday, March 10, 1999 at 16:41:22 (EST)

Looks like you now have to go to the Grand Prix to see a nitro funny car.

Congratulations to the poor old drag racers for putting on a show on Thursday afternoon. For those of you that don't know what drag racing or a nitro funny car is, don't worry your tiny little brains about it.

I'm not an F1 fanatic, but its good to see people actually making something happen for a change instead of the whiny attitude of the drag racing promoters in this country who think its all too hard and let personal views dominate the way the sport is run.

I have the perfect solution. Forget about the F1 race in the park and get Ron and Jeff to organise drag racing instead. That would solve everybody's problems!!!
Georgie Newson
Australia - Tuesday, March 09, 1999 at 21:48:41 (EST)

Hi
I'm 14 years old and i was invited
to the event by Repco with my dad who runs Sandown International Motor Raceway. The progarm was not on time and there is to much security around the place.

E.g at gate 1 the general admission pays could'nt get in at the gate and then catch a tram to gate 2.
Around pit paddock people were told to go around differnt ways because only the people who had pit paddock
passes could go there, and the public don't like that!

I went up to the Indy cars and that was better for the public more relaxing a lot more amenites E.g Beach, restrauts. There were alot less security and the public could see the back of the pits when the mechanics
are doing work on the cars.
At last its beter fun and better atmosphere.

On the Sunday the pit paddock people ( Me) could go down to the pit walk and they were shulfyling us like sheep down the pit lane. There saying this to there corporates they have to be on drugs. the people who are on top of the pits are key sponsers in the sport E.g Fosters, Repco.

Jeff Kennet and Ron Walker are playing these games and saying that it is the best event how come the people i speak to they hate it.
Plus KENNET taking alway my dads event Sandown 500 really shows how much he knows about the sport.

Ron stole the event from Adelaide because he more money and they shifted it at Albert Park where it costs the tax pay 25 Million dollars to build it then pull it down. the crowds that they quote are absoute bull!!
and the money that they spend on it, it could've been moved to Sandown and spent the money on upgrading it.

Last u only see Ron on TV when the Grand Prix is on don't u?
And does Ron put his money into it? NO he uses the tax pays money.
Charles Davison <Davo45@hotmail.com>
melbourne, Australia - Tuesday, March 09, 1999 at 20:50:19 (EST)

I would have to say I agree with the anti-Grand Prix people - I have nothing against the idea of car races, I used to be a bit of a petrol head in my youth; but I think it's a shame to have it in a lovely area like Albert Park. Parks are for the kiddies to play in, not cars!
David Smythe
Melbourne, Australia - Tuesday, March 09, 1999 at 16:00:13 (EST)

What a fabulous event. I spent Saturday and Sunday at teh track, and have never enjoyed myself as much anywhere before. The free public transport worked a like a dream, and the number of overseas visitors at the track was amazing. Weel done Melbourne, we certainly know how to stage a world class event! roll on2000
Vikki <vikki@ssc.net.au>
Melbourne, Australia - Tuesday, March 09, 1999 at 13:30:27 (EST)

I hate the Grand Prix, not only does it use public land for private gain, and not only do we, as taxpayers, have to subsidise Jeff's mates, but it causes disruption all over Melbourne. Public parking near the Botanic Gardens was restricted over the last weekend - how can they possibly justify that? But I guess they don't have to, because it's not as if they care about the people of Victoria.
Mia
Melbourne, Australia - Tuesday, March 09, 1999 at 11:46:22 (EST)

Who do those commie pinko lefties think they are, opposing what our glorious premier, Jeffrey Gibb Kennett and his mates are doing with their private function the Grand Prix...hey, line them up against the wall and shoot them.

What did Goebbels say - "Der Fuehrer ein Kunstler ist" - the Fuhrer is an artist, the leader, saviour, and judge of all and likewise, we have erected Jeff's salute and the giant cheestick on our autobahn from the airport in his honor.

My only regret is that we still don't have knighthoods, I am sure that Ron Walker of the Committee for Melbourne would love one!!

With his patronising attitude, I am sure he would love the minions grovelling at his feet as he waltzed down the his casino steps.

And then, of course, Walker's contempt for the public good was demonstrated on the radio today when he brushed aside comments about the free advertising for
Malboro with the comment - 'well, I like a cigar, don't you'. That's right, bring on lung cancer as I have school fees to pay!

At least he is honest in his contempt for ordinary people's health and wealth.
Loyal patriot
Melbourne, Australia - Monday, March 08, 1999 at 20:13:11 (EST)

The grand Prix is held for the sole purpose of feeding the ego of our Premier and his mates; and not conincidentally to make heaps of money for his mates.he promised Victorians the area would only be closed for two or three days each year and that was an out right lie.The victorian taxpayers should not be made to contribute to something for which they get no benefit. It seems that the taxpayers are lining the pockets of the Premier's friends.
Ron
Ocean Grove, Australia - Monday, March 08, 1999 at 16:16:04 (EST)

How do you call sitting in a car a sport anyway? It's not as if it's a level playing field.

And what about the months of pre-activity and inconvenience for Melbourne people, for one 45 minute race? How stupid
dino
melbourne, Australia - Monday, March 08, 1999 at 13:15:17 (EST)

The Save Albert Park count (125 people over the 4 days, staffing each gate and counting all entries) is an accurate tally of all who entered the track to attend the Grand Prix. The raw data sheets are available to anyone who is interested. The counters were not in communication with people on other gates and yet the same in-flow rate ratio on each gate is the same, which validates our figures.

The cost of the GP is borne by Victorian taxpayers and if the numbers are boosted it is important for them to know.

I repeat (from an earlier posting) if the event were to be moved to a permanant track, even on current attendance, it would make a profit.

Let's stop an unnecessary subsidy.

Still enjoying life,

Jonathon
Melbourne, Australia - Monday, March 08, 1999 at 12:19:40 (EST)

who cares about the plastic car race, obviously not many people do because the attendance figures are less each year even if you believe kennett's grand prix organisation's figures whic double and triple count anyone who leaves the track for food or anything and returns and the thousands of volunteers and the thousands on corporate junkets.

And for this bullshit we aren't allowed in our park for months EVERY year.
Ian <eyemac@vicnet.net.au>
Caulfield Vic, Australia - Monday, March 08, 1999 at 11:04:34 (EST)

Hello from Luxembourg
What's a Grandprix ? Eddie Irvine on first place. That is very good for he, but normaly is he the number two in the Team. And McLaren , Pole Position is not a Race.
Bye !!!
MERRES Steve <smerres@pt.lu>
WILTZ, Luxembourg - Monday, March 08, 1999 at 04:50:07 (EST)

Jonathon. Get a life.
AGP forever.
Geoff
Melbourne, Australia - Sunday, March 07, 1999 at 19:36:06 (EST)

Excuse me Johnathon, but exactly where are you pulling your figures from.. I'm sure you your just pulling yours from thin air as well..

Albert Park - GP forever..
Andrew Morison <morrie@magnafield.com.au>
Avondale Heights, Australia - Sunday, March 07, 1999 at 19:16:14 (EST)

Well, in the terms of the Grand Prix Corporation, this event was a fizzer. 96,245 people entered the track today. The 4 day attendance was 267,553. More people go to the footy in an average home and away week.

The GPC claims about 105,000 more than this number. How do they get their figures? They refuse to say. How many were PAID admissions? They refuse to say. How much will the taxpayer have to kick in to support this event? Time will tell.

Enjoy yourselves race-goers, you are paracites living off others. When schools, hospitals, essential services are told that they must cut spending we throw money away on a motor race which is exclusive to foreign drivers. Great use of money.

Move it to a permanant track and it will be a benefit to us all.
Jonathon
Melbourne, Australia - Sunday, March 07, 1999 at 17:14:44 (EST)

keep watching Sky.. they may yet show it in NZ as a last minute reversal of the desicion of Ecclestone not to accept our 'too low' offer. This happened last year too. But we do get the 500's live this year by the looks.
Ripping Silk <sysop@bigred.co.nz>
Auckland, NZ - Sunday, March 07, 1999 at 12:59:16 (EST)

NO telivision coverage of AUS GP or any other for us in NZ. Someone tell us who made this decission, HELP
richard lehill <boris@winz.co.nz>
wellington, new zealand - Sunday, March 07, 1999 at 06:07:37 (EST)

I'm not much into debate... I'll just say that our pig premier would look as good converted to roadkill as he would with his head blown apart.
Stephen
Melbourne, Australia - Saturday, March 06, 1999 at 22:45:33 (EST)

Two wheel grandprix are better than four wheel grandprix GOOOOOO DOOHAN and suffer albert park residents.
fritzz <fritzz@one.net.au>
melbourne, Australia - Saturday, March 06, 1999 at 21:32:27 (EST)

Sorry, Anthony, you are wrong.

There were attempts to hold races in Albert Park long before the 1950s. Fortunately the governments and managements of the day had the integrity to say no to the proposal.

There were 2 Grands Prix held in the park in the 1950s (not formula one races thought), in 1953 as part of the coronation festivities and in 1956 as part of the Olympic celebrations. However it caused a great deal of complaint at the time and Sir Henry Boltr (Liberal Premier) banned them and said as long as the Libs were in power no motor racing would ever happen again in Albert Park. Motor racing is incompatible with parkland he said. How ironic that in the 1990s all the Libs are interested in is giving away parkland for inappropriate activities.

Anyone who moved into the Albert Park area had the word of a Liberal Premier that they would not have a race in the area. So it is not like moving close to an airport and complaining about the noise.

Anyway, the majority of SAP members do not live in the area. The park belongs to all Victorians and many are really angry that it is misused in this way, that the laws have been changed to exempt the GP from commmon law compensation rules, from all environmental regulations.

Now the news of the attendance: 84,840 which includes around 7000 who were either staff or left the park and returned thereby being counted twice. Not the numbers the GP wanted.
Johnathon
Melbourne, Australia - Saturday, March 06, 1999 at 17:10:18 (EST)

Bonsoir,Good Evening to all F1 racing fans, especially Jacques Villeneuve one's!! From what I just saw during qualifications, Albert's Park looks like Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, here, in Montr�al!Be sure to make it here in mid-June. Hey! Aussies,I heard that our Jacques is going out with rock singer, Ms Imbruglia. so, cheer for him!! Seriously, I hope that Hakennen will let Coulthard win like he did to him last year. E-mail from down under are welcome, I still have very goods memories with you guys from passed encounters in...Europe some years ago!! My language is french, doesn't matter which one you utilised, o.k.Ciao!Beno�t
beno�t l�veill� <veloblev@total.net>
ville de laval, qu�bec, canada - Saturday, March 06, 1999 at 15:31:55 (EST)

This is a very interesting page.
It gives me the chance to hear some meanings frome the homepeople dirctly. I will take partly some of them for use in my radiostation, to tell my listeners the information from melbourne directly.

Best wishes from Germany
P. Ingenhut, RadioMobil 90.1 MHz + RadioMobil.de, M�nchengladbach
Peter Ingenhut <SZS-GAN@online-club.de>
M�nchengladbach, Germany - Saturday, March 06, 1999 at 12:17:03 (EST)

Most of the media interest about the GP is focused upon the arrangements within the teams as to which driver should be allowed to finish first.
Just what sort of an event is this?
I was under the obviously mistaken belief that it is a race, where the fastest car/driver actually wins.
But I can tell you now who the real winner will be!
The winner is - Bernie Ecclestone !!!$$$!!!.
(It appears the Victorian public are all being taken for a ride - apparently we like nothing more than helping multi-millionaires get richer!)
Peter Cowden
Drysdale, Australia - Saturday, March 06, 1999 at 07:10:30 (EST)

Quand a eu lieu le premier grand prix en austalie?
Merci beaucoup de me r�pondre vite.

Mordin eric <Mordin.Eric@wanadoo.fr>
Paris, FRANCE - Saturday, March 06, 1999 at 05:55:57 (EST)

How many members of SAP have lived in the area since the early 1950"s ? Not too many I would think. Therefore the site was designated as a racetrack BEFORE most of these residents moved to the area! The Grand Prix held at "The park" during the 1950's had just as much restriction as now with less organisation. It would be like moving to Tullamarine and complaining about the airport!
The ironic part of SAP is that I'm suree most of the members have been staunch Liberarl party supporters for years and it was their party which brought us Melbourne's best PARTY!!
So just enjoy the race!
Anthony
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, March 05, 1999 at 22:50:18 (EST)

Have to say - the Adelaide race was a lot better to attend. It had much better facilities, no - one upset by it, and a better quality race.

As for fixing the result - well, we all knew that was happening anyway.
Gary <gg@zz.nu>
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, March 05, 1999 at 21:46:48 (EST)

Hello everyone, I am back again with more gossip. Tonight i had to go out to the other side of Melbourne on a job and on the way back the taxi driver said to me, lets call in to 'Embasy Taxi Cafe' I would like to get a coffee, i told him i would be in that too. when we went in there, it was so out of this world. The taxi driver said to me, 'have a look at the private taxi drivers all dressed up, it makes me a working class taxi driver feel small.
i just wanted to say that because does anyone else feel like that? When they are doing their job best they can, do they feel small over a particular venture that only lasts for 3 days. i felt sorry for this taxi driver, he was earning an honest dollar too.
(just another comment from a diferent point of view)
good luck everyone,
judi-ann
judi-ann <judiann@vicnet.net.au>
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, March 05, 1999 at 21:23:10 (EST)

Here Here i agree GREAT RACE GREAT PLACE
gazza
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, March 05, 1999 at 21:17:36 (EST)

it's the best thing in the world

tom <none>
melbourne, Australia - Friday, March 05, 1999 at 18:54:17 (EST)

First the typo. The attendance for the first day of 30,510 when discounted for staff and people who passed out and returned is about 25 thousand not 15000 - sorry.
Friday's total is 55,958 which is less than 1000 up on last year. Still a miserable total when you consider that the GPC boasted they would have a half million in the first year.

As for the comment that the yellow ribbon wavers come out of the woods at this time of year - you aren't looking mate, they are always there.

Victoria has as many golf courses as NSW, despite the fact we have about 1/4 of the land mass. The Albert Park course has always been for amateur hackers - a public course, inexpensive to use.

It has been extended to take in an area that had been faithfully promised as compensation for the land lost by the new acquatic centre but by now we are used to being lied to. It should have remained the size it was and for the purpose it was always used. But when it is leased to one of the "mates" circle which runs Melbourne, of course more land is given and the opportunity for the lessee to make more money. This is not for the people any more.

By the way, the PGA was not held there, merely a celebrity tournament. There is a difference.
Johnathon
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, March 05, 1999 at 18:17:16 (EST)

Quit complaining it took alot to get the Grand Prix here and now it seemsthat you want it to leave no sooner than it got here. Yes i have been to the Grand Prix. I went last year whilst I was with the Army. I know how loud those cars can be. And Ive heard louder things aswell. As for the spelling comments being at work I dont have much time to write on here and to check my spelling. Ive got other things to take care of but I do like voicing my opinion about the Grand Prix. Were lucky enough to have it here. It puts Melbourne in the spot light and gives us a chance to make ourselves known world wide. Quit complaining and for once in your life look at the bright side of it all
Brett Robson <arther_david@hotmail.com>
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, March 05, 1999 at 17:58:22 (EST)

Why aren't we hearing the same plaintive cries from people when our other public parks (the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Caulfield Racecourse) are closed off for the football/racing? I've been to all Adelaide GPs and to Melbourne's 1st, I think ours is more spectacular from the air and on TV, but for proximity to the CBD,cosmopolitan atmosphere and local support, unfortunately Adelaide wins hands down!
Gail Schmidt <gails@slv.vic.gov.au>
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, March 05, 1999 at 17:19:34 (EST)

Hello everyone,
Today 5th March i have just come past the sight where people are standing on motot-bikes, and push-bikes looking over the fence and watching the Grand
Prix, the cars were already racing around the track and what a noice. Lots of people gathered already, tall cranes with people with cameras on them and the air display of red & white planes was diferent this time, but you could see and feel the excitement building up already for the big event.
For 1pm in the afternoon the trafic was not too bad considering there were a lot of people already there, and parts of the road blocked off.
i hope all who go enjoy themselves, as the atmosphere looked pretty good for those who intend to spend the weekend there.
bye now,
judi-ann
judi-ann <judiann@vicnet.net.au>
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, March 05, 1999 at 14:22:25 (EST)

Well, the Grand Prix is here and all of a sudden all these yellow ribboned people from the "Save Albert Park group come out of the woods. Can anyone please tell me what needs to be saved at the park. The wild life are still there. All the grounds are in good condition and the golf course is at such a standard that Professional golf tournaments are being held there (ie: the Victorian PGA). The GP in Melbourne is superb for the city and should stay. All these interstate people who all want the GP to go to back to Adelaide or where ever, are just jealous because we (in Melbourne) actually know how to support an event. We turn up to the venue to watch it. We don't sit in front of the TV and use the remote control to watch it.

Long live the Aussie GP in MELBOURNE !!!!
Jason
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, March 05, 1999 at 12:49:42 (EST)

The Grand Prix Corporation claims that there were 48,000 people at the first day of the Grand Prix Carnival. How do they know? There are no turnstyles and they have always refused to reveal how they gain their numbers.

The truth is 30,510 people entered the Park on Thursday between the gates opening and 2.45 pm. This total includes quite a lot of staff and all those who left the park and went back in and were therefore counted twice. Therefore the actual number of race-goers was about 15,000.

This is confirmed by photos which show the empty and near empty stands all round the grounds.

The truth is out. Friday's attendance will be posted on Saturday in due course, so will subsequent totals.

Johnathon
Albert Park, Australia - Friday, March 05, 1999 at 12:26:06 (EST)

Hey Brett, I read what you said about the Albert Park thing regarding the lack of complaints from people about the MCG and the Melbourne Park.
Did it ever occur to you that there is a serious lack of housing in the direct locality ot the MCG and Melbourne Park? I am a supporter of the Grand Prix, however there is no relevance to your remarks. Have you ever been to the GP? Do you know how loud those cars are? I live in Williamstown and I hear the F1's clearly! STOOPID!
And since I've cut you to pieces with referance to your remarks I also wish to refer to your spelling. It is crap! Where (Not spelled "were") did you learn to spell? And it's spelled Albert Park, not Albort !

Back to school with you mate!

The GP is great and Albert Park deserves the award of Best Grand Prix in the World!
G. Mclean <S9801476@vut.edu.au>
Williamstown, Australia - Friday, March 05, 1999 at 12:02:12 (EST)

Ok location of the Grand Prix was chosen to be albert park, locality is everything to a sporting event. Idont hear people complaining about the location ofthe Tennis Centre of the MCG and there in the city, with public transport access to them. So if we start complaining about were things are take in account other sporting events are held in the city area and are left unsaid. It happens once a yr and then you dont see it again. Think of the people who dont have access to a car or other form of personal transport there the ones that rely on public transtport. Albort Park is easily accessable from the city via tram.
Brett Robson <arther_david@hotmail.com>
Melbourne, Australia - Thursday, March 04, 1999 at 12:52:35 (EST)

Brett Robson says that the GP is worth it because of the world-wide publicity it gives Melbourne. If this is true, then would the event not get the same publicity if it were held anywhere in Melbourne?

Too many people cannot see that the issue is not should we have a GP but should it be allowed to take-over a public part for close to 5 months each year. Put it in a permanent track and save $15 million set-up costs and the thing could even start to make real money, not dubious airy fairy "putting Melbourne on view to the world" hyped up claimes.

Josephine
Canterbury, Australia - Thursday, March 04, 1999 at 12:01:41 (EST)

Ok yes I can agree with the "Save Albert Park" peoplebut think this Grand Prix has generated alot of Media coverage for Melbourne, the race itself is shown World Wide and so Melbourne is on show. Generating more Tourism, more incomeing $$$ for the economy and also more jobs. Jobs equal less unemoployment, and also reduces crime on our streets as it puts people in a working position. Yes I can aree with saving our wildlife and tree's etc etc but sometimes the benifits outways saving something. We neecd to see both sides of the story and then really see if were just trying to be pesky people trying to make a noise or stopping progress that is inedible.
Brett Robson <arther_david@hotmail.com>
Melbourne, Australia - Thursday, March 04, 1999 at 11:41:21 (EST)

Just Quietly guys, Adelaide should get the GP back on the simple grounds that its a better track (e.g. Long straights
,faster corners, awesome chicanes). Albert Park is one of the worst tracks on the circuit!!!!!!!
Scott <sas04@uow.edu.au>
Sydney, Australia - Thursday, March 04, 1999 at 11:22:25 (EST)

Have just logged onto this site and cannot beleive the comments.
I have just moved to Melbounre after avoiding the place for the last few years. Melbourne is now a fine city, unlike the pre Jeff days, when the place was dirty, its many parks run down, and generally the ugliest city in Australia. Now Melbourne has a buzz to it, and I cannot believe the proad attitude of Melbornians.

The Grand Prix is a fine international event. When it was in Adelaide most of the city got involved and it really lifted general standards of the cities facilities. However it lost it due to people winging and Jeff's money.

Adelaide will gladly take it back.
B Coombs
Melbourne, Australia - Thursday, March 04, 1999 at 10:27:44 (EST)

Well done SAP. Saw Channel 7 News with pics from Pit Lane at midday today. Ron Walker spitting chips was a most delightful sight. He announced that security would have to be tightened. Do you think they'll landmine the park to keep SAP out?

Keep it up and SAVE ALBERT PARK. It's meant to be a PUBLIC park - a public open space - not a car park. And the public should not be locked out. It is not Bernie Ecclestone's park. It's our park.
Jean
Elsternwick, Australia - Wednesday, March 03, 1999 at 22:00:09 (EST)

Sounds like people want the Grand Prix at a permanent track. So turn Albert Park into a permanent track then....
It is an inconvenience and disruption for about a week (road closures, crowds, Noise, etc..) it is "Aesthetically Vandalised" for 2 months of the year. Afterwards it is a beatifully landscaped and well kept parkland many times nicer than pre-Grand Prix times. The City comes alive for 4 days where Melbourne is placed into the spotlight and recognised worldwide. Remember, it is a PUBLIC park and is not exclusive property for local residents. Some petrol heads may even appreciate the park in the months when it is not a racing circuit! Let EVERYBODY enjoy all the park offers including the Grand Prix!
NXR <nxr@rubix.net.au>
Melbourne, Australia - Wednesday, March 03, 1999 at 17:35:16 (EST)

If I was in Australia, I am sure that your site would be my way to get tickets for the Grand Prix; infortunaly, I will have to go to the Grand Prix LINKS and say Good Bye.
Pierre Poitras <ppoitras@videotron.ca>
Blainville, Canada - Wednesday, March 03, 1999 at 16:35:10 (EST)

SAP should get tough. Why be nice to dopey revheads? No brains, no headache.
Ron Wells
Brighton, Vic. Australia - Wednesday, March 03, 1999 at 15:25:18 (EST)

SAP folk...too nice! Tell the revheads they've ingested too much rubber and petrol. Let's face it, they are not big on brain power.
Kevin Summers
Melbourne, Australia - Wednesday, March 03, 1999 at 15:22:19 (EST)

SAP folk...too nice! Tell the revheads thy've ingested too much rubber and petrol. Let's face it, they are not big on brain power.
Kevin Summers
Melbourne, Australia - Wednesday, March 03, 1999 at 15:21:32 (EST)

The pro-GP boys have clearly been sniffing too many petrol fumes and dining on hot rubber. SAP and its supporters are always reasonable, informed and polite. Well, I'm not so polite...Enjoy the race revheads, it won't be there much longer. Put on your silly caps, ogle the tarts hired to smile in your direction and yell "Mika" in the second you see him pass by. Like wow, real cool dudes!
Kevin Summers
Melbourne, Australia - Wednesday, March 03, 1999 at 14:43:13 (EST)

To Jake in Toronto,
Canada has been indeed fortunate to have an island available for it's GP track.
We have an island available in Victoria - Phillip Island - which is where the international 500cc motorcycle GP is held each year. A very scenic venue, a dedicated circuit, well away from any densely populated areas, and hailed by both riders and bike enthusiasts as possibly the best site in the world.
Had the F1 car GP been located there, there would have been no public protest.
Instead, our state government hi-jacked a public park just 2.5 kilometres from the centre of a major city, right in the heart of a densely populated suburban district.Not only are suburban residents disadvantaged, but major hospitals, schools, child-care centres, elderly citizens homes all within sight and sound of the track are subjected to this assault on their rights.
Public roads through the park which normally carry heavy commuter traffic to and from southern suburbs have to be closed for weeks, creating enormous traffic congestion on nearby roads. At huge inconvenience to thousands of people each day, not to mention the disruption and extra cost involved in the movement of goods and services through this area.
A nightmare to transport companies!
And all this at huge financial cost to the taxpayer, money which should be rightly going towards essential services services such as education and health. And we see declining attendances at the GP each year, despite government attempts to say all is well.
There is no doubt that this park takeover will stand for all time as a sad and shameful episode in the political history of the state of Victoria - a classic story of political intrigue and mismanagement.
Peter Cowden
Drysdale, Australia - Wednesday, March 03, 1999 at 06:47:04 (EST)

To all the media dont listen to SAP they are a pack of idiots there brains are full of sap,GREAT RACE GREAT PLACE
LETS PARTY AND HEAR THE LOVERLY NOISE THE F1 S MAKE2 DAYS TILL START YOUR ENGINES LETS PARTY
gazza
melbourne, Australia - Wednesday, March 03, 1999 at 00:46:18 (EST)

To Australian Journalists and members of the International Media.

Save Albert Park requests the pleasure of your company in Pit Lane on Wednesday 3rd March at 12.30 p.m.

Formula One with the LOSS is the theme of this year's race and Save Albert Park will be delighted to demonstrate its truth to you.
Save Albert Park
South Melbourne, Australia - Tuesday, March 02, 1999 at 11:51:34 (EST)

Dear Jake
Well, I think my point was proved by David MacKay's post, that the pro-race in AP people haven't got facts, they just resort to personal abuse.

For the record, I have lived in the area since 1978 and am an owner occupier of a home not more than 5 minutes walk from the track. I also own 2 other rental properties in the area. My commitment to this part of Melbourne, which I love, is firm. You would hear a similar story from many of the other people who support Save Albert Park.

The issue is not a local one, it is a matter of principle and therefore Save Albert Park has supporters who come from all over Victoria. The government sees parkland as free real estate and many other parks are now under threat from those who want commercial gain from public land. The mood in Victoria is very angry among those of us who have the intelligence to see what is going on.

David says the event is worth it because it raises the global profile of Melbourne and falls into the trap of the unthinking - if this is true then it would raise the global profile as much if it were in any other part of Melbourne. You do not need a park to run a race. I suppose he has seen the global profile of Magny Cours, Aidia, Newburgring and the other F1 towns raised too? If you read the travellers guide books, they do not mention the F1 races as local attractions in the appropriate sections in France, Spain, Austria etc

So we are underachievers? How would he know? The membership is a very wide one and has a smattering of millionaires, many professional people, many middle class pillar-of-the-community types as well as honest workmen and women, pensioners and a few unemployed and struggling. Within the group we do not practice social segregation and each member is appreciated for his or her contribution and personal qualities regardless of rank or wealth. Some of the best people I have ever met are those I have associated with in this campaign.

We are compared, by David, with the "international elite" - whoever they are. I won't lower myself to his level by attacking the race goers and not the issues.
Jessica
Albert Park, Australia - Tuesday, March 02, 1999 at 11:25:31 (EST)

Fact no. one: the park may have been "run down" before the Grand Prix but it did have a large number of mature trees, and one very beautiful avenue called Aughtie Drive. And it was peaceful, with no noticeable druggies or homeless people. I say this as a long term cyclist in the park, and a frequent mid-evening runner in those more peaceful years.
Fact no. 2: the park is now an accumulating mess from mid December to at least some time in May. Too dangerous for cycling from mid Jan to May.
Fact no. 3: the park has been "improved" from some points of view because there are many (est. 1000) less mature trees, a lot more bitumen, more carparks and more artificial sports surfaces and a giant hangar in the middle. Open space has become a sports arena.
Fact no. 4: if this "improvement" had been done on one of several other sites, it could have been a permanent state of the art racing complex earning its keep and contributing to tourist numbers all year. As it is, it gets used for four days a year.
Fact no. 5: no.. sorry.. lets be honest, this is an opinion. I do not believe that the marketing benefits of having it close to the CBD (exposure, skyline on teev etc) outweigh the benefits of an all year complex a bit further out of town.
And a bit of politics - I don't appreciate being smeared as somehow deficient because I rent. Does a mortgage somehow make me patriotic? Does my brain grow? We dumped those ideas with full adult suffrage exactly a century ago.
But of course, in the eyes of at least one supporter of the Grand Prix, an attachment to democracy and the rational use of the common wealth makes me an "underachiever".
Mind you, that is typical of the level of debate we've had to endure about this issue.

David Tiley
St Kilda, Australia - Monday, March 01, 1999 at 19:10:28 (EST)

Jake,

Sadly you are being mislead by people like Jessica. Long term residents of Melbourne will tell you that before the Grand Prix came to town, Albert Park was a run down, neglected wasteland frequented by drug pushers and homeless people.

As for access to the Park around the time of the event, again we are presented with lies. Yesterday, less than a week before the F1 carnival begins, I enjoyed a peaceful barbecue at the Park with my family and friends.

You will find that most of the opponents of the race at Albert Park are transient renters, unwilling to compromise on less than one week of slight disruptions out of 52 every year. Long term residents love the race because it has removed a dump from their back fence.

The thinking people of Melbourne love the race for what is had done to rescue Albert Park and raise the global profile of Melbourne and indeed the whole of Australia.

Regrettably in our country, there is a phenomenon known as the �tall poppies syndrome�, whereby some underachievers find it impossible to cope with the success of others. Not only are they miserable at their own failing, but they seek to drag everyone else down with them. One can only imagine the anguish it must cause them when the international elite join us at Albert Park every year.

Enjoy the race everyone!!

David McKay
Australia - Monday, March 01, 1999 at 14:04:35 (EST)

I would like to say that i hope the Grand Prix will go well and i am looking forward to see it.good luck to all the players.
wajiha roshan <admin@networkingcom.org.au>
melbourne, Australia - Monday, March 01, 1999 at 11:20:00 (EST)

Dear Jake,

Yes, I apologise, your race is indeed close to Montreal (I checked after posting, which is not the right way round). But the point still remains, I have been told on good authority that the island was derelict after the expo and was only revived when the F1 track went in.

Albert Park was the home of amateur sport and has lost 7 sportsfields, 10 hectares of parkland and the traditional users are seriously inconvenienced by being thrown off their grounds for several weeks while the infrastructure goes in.

You call on race fans to give you the facts, all they seem to post is abuse and that has been the pattern for several years now. We assume it is because they do not have the facts to support them.

Our government is led by an ex-advertising executive and I have to admit that he comes up with the right slogans to convice the populace who do not know the facts. For example an analysis was done after the first race and he has since claimed the race brings $96 million benefit to Victoria. Most people think this means $96 m. profit. In fact he is misquoting his own report because the figure is a GROSS benefit, the net benefit is considerably less. The attendance has dropped from 400,000 (over 4 days) in the first year to 263,000 last year and he claims the same benefit.

How were those figures arrived at? Guesstimates. The report says that they have no evidence of any tourist come to Melbourne because of the promotion but they add in $10 million anyway and there are more figures like that. I am afraid that most people do not have access to the truth and believe the propaganda. The government has, after all, a deep pit of taxpayers' money to promote its views. Save Albert Park is a community group which has to raise funds as best it can.

I could go on but won't. We are not against motor racing but the fact that the F1 is on a temporary track and in a park, is extremely costly and doesn't benefit the State. If it were to be moved to a permanant track the opposition would vanish.

Enjoy the race anyway.
Jessica
Albert Park, Australia - Monday, March 01, 1999 at 08:37:17 (EST)

Keep up the good work Jake we have the best grand prix in the world it is good to see you sticking up for it dont worry about the idiots i will wave to you when i am at the grand prix keep up the good work Jake
GARY <carby67@hotmail.com>
HOME OF THE BEST GRAND PRIX, Australia - Saturday, February 27, 1999 at 20:47:50 (EST)

Hi Jessica ... good info. Granted I do not live there and of course can't be close to all the issues, but certainly the race can not be as disasterous as most folks on this B.B. seem to make it out to be. Like everything else in life, the truth is probably somehwere in the middle. IF the facts are exactly as you say they are and IF there are no hidden agendas by the anti-racers, then as a serious F1'er I'd have doubts too. Furthermore, if I were a taxpayer that had to dish out $91m, heck, I'd rather spend the money on schools and hospitals. I just can not honestly believe that this is a one sided, slam dunk bad thing. Just curious, if one were to survey most residents of your area (and I am being serious here), what would be the honest results for race vs no race be?

I'm sure politicians wherever they may be are not in business to get turfed out of office. As such, if this race is as terrible as you make it out to be ... and if EVERYONE (or the majority)saw it that way ... why would they let it happen??? I have to believe from this distance that there are certainly two sides to this story. Unfortunately this B.B. seems to be overrun by anti-race folks.

BY THE WAY ... YES I am Canadian and with respect, you need to get YOUR facts straight re the Canadian GP. The race is ABSOLUTELY in Montreal and NOT near Toronto. IN fact, I live in downtown Toronto and it is over 500km's from Toronto to Montreal. (By the way, the St. Lawrence River is NO WHERE near Toronto either). And yes the track is on an island ... but this island is literally a stones through from downtown Montreal. (In fact, I've walked from the track back to my hotel many times over the years). This island is a 100%, guaranteed, bonafide park which is also used for picnics, rollerbalding, walking, jogging, fishing, countless festivals ... heck there's even a great Casino right in the middle of the island. Does life change for the park before, during and after the race ... you bet. But it bounces back better and more beautiful everytime.

Anyway, please don't be so high and mighty about thinking you know the facts about our race because it seems that you are as ignorant of the facts about Montreal as I may be about Melbourne.

Finally, c'mon Melbourne pro-race folks ... are there any of you out there or is Jessica spot on here in her analysis.

I'm sure the show will look great on T.V. Good luck and I hope things turn out in the best possible way for Melbourne and its residents ... whether that means race or no race in the future.

Signing off.........
Jake
Toronto, Canada - Saturday, February 27, 1999 at 17:05:44 (EST)

Peter, thanks for drawing our attention to the brilliant web site which gives the true story behind the GP in Melbourne.

You missed the www. The full site address is:

http://www.save-albert-park.org.au/sap.html
Julia
Melbourne, Australia - Saturday, February 27, 1999 at 09:46:51 (EST)

I heard the Victorian Premier telling listeners that we can't afford more police unless we cut some other services.
How many millions of dollars are wasted each year over many months on setting up/dismantling at Albert Park (22 weeks in all last year)?
How many extra police, or teachers, or nurses is this wasted money depriving us of?
And for what purpose - a circus which plays to declining attendances each year.
And the winner is --- Bernie Ecclestone !!!$$$!!!.
Peter Cowden
Drysdale, Australia - Saturday, February 27, 1999 at 06:07:53 (EST)

Dear Jake,
You obviously don't understand the issues involved.
Just read and absorb Jessica's message, and for good measure have a look at the following site to learn some more facts:-
http://save-albert-park.org.au
Peter Cowden
Drysdale, Australia - Saturday, February 27, 1999 at 05:57:54 (EST)

Thanks Jessica, for telling Jake all those things which I wanted to say - only doing it much better.
Congratulations!
Peter Cowden
Drysdale, Australia - Saturday, February 27, 1999 at 05:51:56 (EST)

Dear Jake,

Despite your attempt to defend the Grand Prix, you can't succeed because your facts are wrong.

First it isn't just a temporary imposition in a park. Access to the park is limited for 5 months because of the time it takes to set up and take down - all for an event which runs for less than 2 hours. These months are in summer, the time of year a park is most used, loved and valued.

Albert Park was always the home of amateur sport. Now teams are unable to play home matches for months on end. Home matches are important because of the chance to raise needed funds with catering etc. It is also the "changeover season" between summer and winter sports so the need for grounds is more intense than other times.

The imposition of the race in a park means that a dangerous track has been laid which is the park road for 51 weeks a year. Because it is configured as a race track, it ignores, in fact deliberately flouts road safety guide lines. This has resulted in 200 accidents, which include several serious injuries and one fatality. Do you think a motor race is worth this?

When the race was announced, it was said there would be no permanant infrstructure, we were lied to (again) and there is - in the middle of a park - a pits building, 1/4 k long, 3 stories high. Is that what should be in a park?

As for it bringing in money - no. The cost to Victorian taxpayers to date is $91 million. The Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that hotel accomodation in March has gone down since the GP came to town. There is an avoidance factor which outweighs the numbers who come. The first race had 400 000 attending over 4 days, last year (3rd race) the crowd was down to 263 000 over the 4 days. The majority of these were locals. This is not a finacial gain.

The local traders were told the race would bring them a bonanza and were encouraged to bring in extra merchandise, stay open longer hours. Because the transport goes straight to the track and all the food and souveniers that anyone could want is inside the compound local traders lose heavily during race week.

By the way are you really Canadian? You don't seem to know much about your own race. It's not in Montreal it's close to Toronto, on an island in the middle of the St Laurence river. The island was used for the Canadian expo and had lain deserted until the proposal to build a race track was made.

There is no comparison with Melbourne. Which is a very well-known city in its own right and the arts capital of Australia. If a motor race were to benefit us, it would have to be in a permanant track which could be used year round for training and testing as well as other races.

Try thinking logically before you post, mate.

Jessica
Jessica
South Melbourne, Australia - Friday, February 26, 1999 at 18:40:35 (EST)

Hello,

Judging from this site, you guys in Australia (or should I say a relatively few "tree-huggers") sound like us Canadians ... always complaining or protesting about something or other! Is it our collective British heritage? Yes a race in a public park sounds like a bit of a temporary imposition for non f1'ers. However, surely even the GP demonstrators must see the benefits. In terms of using your tax money ... why would a GP need this? Is it not a huge revenue generator and don't you collectively take in more than you put out. How can the GP not bring in money and add to your coffers. Do all the vistors / teams / etc., not stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, drink your Fosters, buy souvenirs, etc, etc. Also, what great PR for your city and country. Everything I've seen and heard (until now) about the Australian GP "seems" positive and reflects well on your city and region ... in fact I'd love to visit someday and hope to. The reality is that when most outsiders think of an Australian city, Sydney comes to mind. Stuff like the GP being in Melbourne changes that. There are literally hundreds of millions that watch this stuff. We have a similar set-up at the Canadian GP in Montreal. It too is in a public park. The only difference is that Montrealers and Canadians embrace it. The little critters and trees and grass can share the space for a while. And funny thing about trampled grass ... it will grow back. So c'mon, enjoy the notoriety. It's great PR. If you hate the noise and crowds and everything else this circus brings to town ... don't go. Leave town for a few days. Above all, get a bit of perspective. You could be here in Canada enjoying a temperature of -9c with merely 10c temperatures still a month or two away. (P.S. Has anyone seen the sun!!!) Anyhow, I'll be watching ... it's always a great race.

Jake
Toronto, Canada - Friday, February 26, 1999 at 14:51:33 (EST)

Great Place for the Race!
For those who disagree pull the shades, insert some ear plugs and stay home.
I'll be having a fantastic time, thanks Jeff!
Brian Kane <bkane@smart.net.au>
Melbourne, Australia - Thursday, February 25, 1999 at 21:40:05 (EST)

no good
boring
make the new homepage
it's extremely stupid
mika hakkiken <mhakkiken@tanzania.com>
tanzania, Australia - Thursday, February 25, 1999 at 10:46:59 (EST)

no good
boring
make the new homepage
it's extremely stupid
mika hakkiken <mhakkiken@tanzania.com>
tanzania, Australia - Thursday, February 25, 1999 at 10:45:04 (EST)

Chris Tyrell, like so many others confuses the issue of the park upgrade and the imposition of the Grand Prix on public parkland. There is no denying Albert Park had been left to run down to an appalling degree by both sides of politics. This had been addressed however by the draft strategy plan which was going to "upgrade" public parkland in an appropriate way. The imposition of the Grand Prix into this equation was carried off only with a large amount of misrepresentation if not downright lying.

What sports facilities are enhancing our athletes? Mr Tyrell should contact the sports users who will assure him that Albert Park is now almost unusable by most clubs due to the disruption of putting up and pulling down of the GP infrastructure and the appalling state of the grounds for many months after the event.

Thirdly, it is known the Ron Walker got the GP by paying through the nose. So what if SE Asian countries wanted it - we paid much more than was necessary.

The park is simply not useable by amateur sports, we taxpayers pay Bernie for the privilege of making him richer.

It is simply brainlessness to call your opponents "flat earthers". Please open your eyes and have another look.
Selina Makepeace
Melbourne, Australia - Monday, February 22, 1999 at 20:12:27 (EST)

can't wait for all the action/noise/smoke... yawn... Oh? was that the sound of another tree dying?
Guess who?
Australia - Monday, February 22, 1999 at 13:52:40 (EST)

Hi there in Oz

Last year as the Secretary of the School Association, I ran a F1 fantasy competition in aid of the local school (Kettlethorpe High School, Sandal, Wakefield, Yorkshire, UK) and intend to do so again this year. We had entrants from Sweden, Cyprus and NZ, but not from Australia. The entry cost will be very small (about �2.50) a go, with all entry fees going to Kettlethorpe High School for the benefit of the pupils. I've no idea what the prizes will be, but I may donate my official 1997 British GP basebal l cap for the winner. If there is anybody interested, please send me a short e-mail (r.withill@dial.pipex.com). When I have entry details sorted, then I'll post them on a web page, and inform you of the URL etc. In any circumstance, thanks for reading this.

Regards from Yorkshire

Adrian Withill
Adrian Withill <r.withill@dial.pipex.com>
Wakefield, UK - Monday, February 22, 1999 at 03:53:12 (EST)

Well if the Australian F1 Grand Prix is really so good, then how come this year there are thousands of seats less than in 1998, several grandstands less than in 1998, and one entrance gate less than in 1998? And how come Holden has not renewed its contract as a sponsor? And how come there is no Ladies Luncheon in 1999? The fact is that anyone who knows the facts can see that this event is a loser. Even without the protestors it is self destructing, and nothing the Grand Prix Corporation (or its sponsor, the Victorian Government) says or does can increase the event's popularity.

Finally anyone who, in the face of the facts, still says the Australian Grand Prix is great, has bought the propaganda package which has been deliberately put out to be soaked up by the brains of those who can't assess the facts and think for themselves. I pity them.
Sam J. Myers
Melbourne, Australia - Sunday, February 21, 1999 at 20:26:25 (EST)

GREAT RACE GREAT PLACE GET LOST S.A.P
Gary <carby67@hotmail.com>
Melbourne, Australia - Sunday, February 21, 1999 at 14:47:02 (EST)

Melbourne had the good fortune to be planned with a reasonable degree of attention to spaciousness and airiness with wide streets and good parks. It is a city that breathes well because of the space and the trees this enabled to remain or grow over de cades. We have been given a metropolitan environment to live in which is the envy of the people of many other cities.

In more narrow-minded times, streets, such as Brighton Road (Nepean Highway), were narrowed and built on, only to be widened again a generation or so later; and parks were commandeered or encroached upon again and again.

During WW2 we saw the army installed at Albert Park and people housed poorly in Royal Park. It took years of citizen complaint to get these intrusions removed. I can remember my father, born in Albert Park in 1904 but living in the eastern suburbs most of his adult life, in the 1950's working through his membership of the Liberal Party to get these parks restored.

There may have been good reason for these wartime usages but not for prolonging their stay. There was no good reason for putting the Grand Prix in Albert Park in the first place when a permanent race circuit could have been used or established away from habitation. There is even less reason for prolonging its stay and retaining its massive buildings and dangerous roads. We do not need the airborne and physical pollution nor their endangering effects in the middle of our park. Much less money would hav e been spent on a desirable upgrade of Albert Park, such as was planned in 1990/1, than has been expended out of Victorian Government coffers propping up this event.

The Kennett Government should have expected the citizenry to come out in force against the GP in Albert Park and persist with its insistence that this intrusion be removed.

Barbara Hadkinson
Wheelers Hill, Australia - Saturday, February 20, 1999 at 16:52:45 (EST)

If it really was a temporary race track, and if there really were no permanent GP buildings, and if it really were only a few days a year, I suspect that most Melbourne people wouldn't mind the GP in Albert Park.

But the reality is that great chunks of grass and trees have been ripped out for pit buildings, chicanes, run-offs, and what-have-you. And that's permanent.

The reality is that local sports clubs who've been using the park for years are kicked off their own grounds for weeks on end.

The reality is that joggers and walkers have to thread or clamber their way around barriers and fences and concrete for three months a year from mid January to mid April.

The reality is that little children wanting to use their adventure playground (which was built by the community) have to do so in the middle of a construction site for a quarter of each year.

And the worst reality of all is that Albert Park does nothing for Australian motor racing. At least if you host the Olympics or Commonwealth Games, the community ends up with swimming pools or hockey fields or whatever which it can use for the next 20 ye ars. In the case of Albert Park, local motor racing folk don't even get to use the facility! They have to make do with the run-down circuits they currently have. They, far more than local residents, are the ones who'd prefer the Grand Prix to be on a permanent, purpose-built race circuit.

After all, F1 motor racing is a 'sport' in which not a single Australian participates.

Albert Park should be returned for the use of real sportspeople - community sportspeople.

Richard Barber
Melbourne, Australia - Saturday, February 20, 1999 at 14:17:58 (EST)

Gaetano, Hope you enjoy Melbourne, it's a great place. If the F1 race had been brought to a permanant track we'd all be happy with it. As it is, a public park has been taken and trashed and the event is very costly to taxpayers. So it will alway be tainted.

Gary, well done, another intelligent and well-argued few lines. Grow a few brains lad.
Joe
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, February 19, 1999 at 23:28:08 (EST)

Too bad some don't want the race in Albert Park. we can't get a GP here in USA & Indianapolis, a permanent track, doesn't appeal. I'll conintue to travel to see F1 - I'm coming to Melbourne (can anyone find me a room) and later in the year me and a bu ddy will go to Spain. Love the spectacle, the racing, and hope for all good things to the host city.
gaetano guttadauro <ggguttadauro@ucdavis.edu>
davis, california, USA - Friday, February 19, 1999 at 21:56:00 (EST)

GREAT RACE GREAT PLACE ALL YOU SAVE ALBERT PARK PEOPLE GET LOST THE PARK IS GREAT NOW EXCEPT FOR THE IDIOTS ON THE CORNER WITH THE YELLOW RIBBINS GET RID OF THEM
Gary <carby67@hotmail.com>
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, February 19, 1999 at 12:46:49 (EST)

Boy, has Chris Tyrrell swallowed all of Jeff Kennett's propaganda. "Albert Park used to be like a tip". "Now it's a world class park".

Yes Chris, you're word perfect. Jeff would be proud of you.

I doubt very much that any "world class" park in any other city would be turned into a construction site for five months every year, so a two hour car race could be run. Doesn't sound very world class to me.

Start using your own eyes and brain Chris. Jeff needs his back again.
Tom Sigley
Gardenvale, Australia - Wednesday, February 17, 1999 at 11:58:04 (EST)

You have lost our family each Labour Day weekend. The constant drone from Albert Park has always sent us scurring away to more pleasant parks, like away form Melbourne.

The placing of the GP in a public park is wrong. Pertolheads could have had their day elsewhere: Sandown perhaps? Or is there some fear that Peter Beatty will take it away?

Seriously, I am opposed to the holding of the GP at Albert Park: The despoilation of a passive recreational area for all people, to "benefit" the few.

I do see the disruption to the Park amenity from late December to long after the GP: sometimes to June. So much for only four days! (Or is it three now?)

John Hulskamp
St Kilda, Australia - Tuesday, February 16, 1999 at 16:43:59 (EST)

Dear Qantas,
I flew about 35 return trips last year, all with Ansett. I have not flown Qantas since they announced sponsorship of the Grand Prix in Albert Park. I will not fly Qantas until they develop some community sensitivity in their sponsorship decisions.
On Sunday night I am off to the MCG to see the mighty Demons play the Saints. The AFL pre-season competition is sponsored by Ansett, supported by footy fans, and all at no cost to Victorian taxpayers. A truly popular sponsorship decision.
Qantas instead choose to sponsor a motor racing circus, without a single Australian vehicle or driver, and with the result arranged in advance (they have to throw in a rock concert and an airshow to get anybody to come!!!). And it's held in a public park at a huge annual cost to Victorian taxpayers. As a sponsorship decision surely the all-time loser!!

Gerry
Yarraville, Australia - Tuesday, February 16, 1999 at 12:02:43 (EST)

Dear Sean,

You say the GP brings people and money into Melbourne. Where did you get this information? The Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that hotel occupancy rates go DOWN in March and a race which loses more than it generates doesn't benefit the city.

Are you aware that the majority of local traders have a downturn in business during the Grand Prix?

Are you aware that in building the track 200 homes were damaged by compaction works and denied access to the courts for compensation?

The race could have been held elsewhere without damage or controversy, but people who are as selfish as you are couldn't give ashit about anyone else as long as they get their petrol-smell fix.

In a permanent year-round track the $15 million annual cost of set-up would not be there and then the race could have MADE money, instead of being heavily subsidised by taxpayers and would have been available to the motor industry for training, testing an d other races. But as long as YOU get to the GP you couldn't care about its effect on Victorians, could you?

On the other hand a permanant track would not be near the casino owned by the man who is Managing Director of the GP. So we have lost a Park and pay dearly so foreign drivers can run fixed races. Great idea, but then you don't care for anything as long as you can go.

Grow up and learn the facts before you make any more posts.
Gerry
South Melbourne, Australia - Tuesday, February 16, 1999 at 09:57:56 (EST)

I used towork in Sth Melb & a couple of times, if I worked on a sat my wife & kids would come in for lunch. they stopped coming because if we went to the Albert Park Lake it was like going to the tip. Now it is a world class park for all to enjoy. Even the flat earthers can hug all the trees they want and the new sports facilities will help produce the best medal tallies aver at the Olympis and Com'wlth Games.
I worked at all except 1 Adelaide GP they were very special but the last 2 were loosing their energy and excitment, it may interest people to know that those two GPs had a large contingent of officials from the Suharto supported track and I think you will find that Melb STOLE the event from INDONESIA.

cheers and beers to all
I LOVE THE MELBOURNE GP
CT
Chris Tyrrell <ctyrrell@net2000>
Melbourne, Australia - Monday, February 15, 1999 at 23:21:05 (EST)

Yippeeeeeee finaly..benn waitng for ever
Kevin <kevin@netspace.net.au>
Crannie, Australia - Monday, February 15, 1999 at 23:06:21 (EST)

Finally March next month ..Gran Prix Yipppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Kevin <kevin@netspace.net.au>
Cranbourne, Australia - Monday, February 15, 1999 at 23:02:48 (EST)

My sister in law and her husband come down from Sydney to see the Grand Prix in Melbourne. What they tell me is that they wish it was back in Adelaide. They have been stuffed around with ticketting and found the people they deal with on the phone very rude and arrogant and unhelpful. They have been to F1s all around the world and have never seen a more poorly organised event than the one in Melbourne.
David Z
Melbourne, Australia - Monday, February 15, 1999 at 14:27:05 (EST)

If it's true that the park is taken over for 22 weeks then it's a shame but the GP brings many people (and money) into the city.
It ads to the profile of the city. Sydney is known worldwide and with the GP (which is an international sport) Melbourne is getting more recognition.

I am going down for the GP and plan to enjoy every minute of it.

22 weeks is a long time but ye are being very selfish about your park.

Sean

Sean Downey
Abbeyleix, Ireland (in Australia for a year) - Monday, February 15, 1999 at 14:07:35 (EST)

If the GP is so wonderful why is it losing money? Why are we all so desperate to get out of Melbourne on that weekend? Give us back our parks.
P.R. Lloyd
West Brunswick, Australia - Monday, February 15, 1999 at 12:22:52 (EST)

Scrapping it and starting again sounds the best idea yet. Sandown, Queensland and Adelaide are good starting points.
Kevin Woods <knjwoods@cdi.com.au>
Melbourne, Australia - Monday, February 15, 1999 at 12:10:46 (EST)

Albert Park is land designated in perpetuity for people's leisure and recreation. Kennett's seizure of this land for a large part of the year is a perversion of its promised purpose. How can any benefit be preserved for the people when an elected parli amentarian dishonours his position by swiping a public amenity for the benefit of himself and his friends? Shame.
Cath Green
Mont Albert, Australia - Monday, February 15, 1999 at 11:58:37 (EST)

"Every development is certain to have its impacts on the environment in some ways, but be open minded or else we'll have nothing at all." � An airhead way back on this guestbook.

Ever heard of brain removal? And park removal? Yes we need "wide open spaces", with trees, lake, beautiful vistas over undulating footpaths and expanses of green. Kennett has infiltrated and gone far to remove from popular use land designated for the peop le's leisure and recreation IN PERPETUITY. Who can hope to promise the community any permanent benefit, when an elected parliamentarian dishonours his position by swiping city amenities for the gain of himself and friends? This cock-up of a race (which is n't even a real race, as we saw last year) makes headlines with the connivance of the media. There's a lot of buying and selling of people and opinion going on. Shame, shame.

Cath Green <(visiting)>
Mont Albert, Australia - Monday, February 15, 1999 at 11:50:53 (EST)

I've lived in Melbourne almost all my life - spare 4 years I spent working in Europe. One of the endearing features of Melbourne life that drew me back was its unique open spaces - the almost illusion-like effect of living in a city, yet not in a city!

Sadly the Grand Prix at Albert Park has changed all that. We in the bayside inner city areas now live in a permanent 'corporate entertainment zone'. Albert Park is no longer a park, it's part F1 race-track, part golf course and (a small part) public recre ation area. Sadly it fails dismally at each. It is tragic to watch the pathetic, yet costly, 'preparations' happening at the park this time of year. Huge trucks and armies of men (bank rolled by huge wads of dollars) try to convert a park into a world-cla ss F1 sports arena. It is an economic disaster. Even sadder - I and a few million other Victorians have to pay for this fiasco!

Also sad is the loss of Victorian unification, of working together for all of us. Granted, motor sport is popular - but not, by any means, a mainstream sport. At the F1 level it is ellistist and exclusive. I'm quite sure a survey of Victorians (or Austral ians for that matter) would show that only a very small percentage have an ongoing interest in this 'sport'. To sacrifice a public Park is one thing - but to sacrifice for such an exclusive, minimal interest event is down-right tragic.

Meanwhile, this weekend, I'm going to an event that also takes over a public park - the WOMAD music festival at Adeliade's Botanical Gardens.

What a contrast. There is barely a single word raised against this 3 day event. Why? Because music (unlike F1 racing) has a far broader community appeal- it doesn't frighten children, it's inexpensive, people of any age can attend and enjoy and it doesn't reqire months to set up infrastructure.

But I guess the bottom line is - you sell more corporate boxes at a racing car event than a music festival, huh?
Allan Alderson <relate@wizard.teksupport.net.au>
Melbourne, Australia - Monday, February 15, 1999 at 09:40:18 (EST)

My wife and I visited Melbourne for the weekend to attend family events in the Prahran and St Kilda areas. Found Albert Park roads closed to traffic and other roads in the vicinity to be totally congested. And what an eyesore Albert Park is with barrie rs every where in sight! It just highlights the imposition foisted upon the people of Melbourne by putting this event in a place where it should never be! Not to mention the huge waste of public monies to cover the losses incurred
by this two hour event which ties up public facilities for 22 weeks of the year! What a disgrace!
Peter Cowden
Drysdale, Australia - Monday, February 15, 1999 at 07:33:50 (EST)

No, most Grands Prix are not held in people's "homes". Most GP are held in dediated tracks owned by private enterprise. There are 2 other execptions: Monza where the track is in a public park and was erected in Mussolini's time when protest was not possible. When it was extended a few years ago, which involved the cutting down of part of the Bosco Bella (beautiful wood) a protest group was started and is trying to relocate the race.

The other exception is Monaco where it is run in the streets and is apparently much loved and valued by the Monagesques. It also caused much less disturbance as the erection of GP infrastructure only begins 4 weeks before the race and is speedily removed .

In Albert Park, access is restricted from early December for a March event, it quickly takes over the whole park and prevents many other traditional sporting events as well as passive recreation. Although a 17 week period is legislated last year the occu pation was 22 weeks and much of the damage caused was not repaired.

Albert Park belongs to the people of Victoria. It is an inner-city park in an area where few people have gardens and it is used by schools and amateur clubs for sports.

It is wrong for a motor race to be allowed to take it over. The race costs the taxpayer dearly, the profits go to Bernie Ecclestone, an Englishman.

If the race were removed to a permanant track no one would oppose it. No one is anti-motor sport but want the event to be run where it does no harm. Move it and evertone will get behind it. Simple.
Robert R
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, February 12, 1999 at 15:04:15 (EST)

Just in reply to Jennys comment. Jenny,you clearly state that you won't goto the F1 bacauseit is in your "home. Aren't all the races all around the world held in someones home? Andit's notlike it destroys Melbourne. It was only one of many, many parks. I travel great distances to whatch the race, so if anyoneoutthere ever succeeds in removing the GP from Melbourne, I beg you, please bring it to Sydney!
Peter <donthaveem@il.com>
Sydney, Australia - Friday, February 12, 1999 at 14:11:24 (EST)

I love F1 racing. The technology is cutting edge. The drivers are talented and courageous (some are even cute). The race itself is breathtakingly exciting. I love just being among all the action and and enjoying the hype.
I've been to GPs in Germany and in Adelaide. But I've never been to the Melbourne GP. And I never will. Not until it's moved out of Albert Park.

I love F1 racing. But Melbourne is my home and I treasure it's public parks. Please get the race out of Albert Park. SOON. So I can go along and enjoy the action.

Jenny Johnstone
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, February 12, 1999 at 13:38:44 (EST)

Hey, I just realised, the more anonymous you are, the more crude insinuations and personal remarks you can make! Cool! A real boost to the ego!
Jeff Cannot
Melbourne, Australia - Thursday, February 11, 1999 at 20:27:53 (EST)

Who said petrol heads are stupid ? We are the silent majority, love all our sport and especially love Jeff.

Look at who's writing all these stupid things about Albert Park - trees, grass, playing fields, they're all people that sit around and think all the time. They would be better out there smelling the oil and burning rubber, getting a bit of fresh air in th eir lungs and instead of wondering around listening to the birds and trying to think up ways of upsetting poor Jeffrey. After all he's only doing it for us you know to make this state a better place to live in.

What you all seem to forget is he knows best.
Jeff Cannot
Melbourne, Australia - Thursday, February 11, 1999 at 16:30:35 (EST)

All Australians should read todays AGE page 8 to see how victorians are being starved of essensial services while goverment money is wasted proping up an event in a public park which is closed to the public for the event and is paying large sponsrshop rights to a foreign resident
robert
Melbourne, Australia - Thursday, February 11, 1999 at 14:48:19 (EST)

Isn't it interesting that the well-argued case is put by the people who think a public park should not be hi-jacked for a commercial event and all the abuse is from their simple-minded opponants who do their sport a disservice and make it look as if al l petrol heads are stupid. Or is it just all the followers of Jeff who are stupid?
George
Melbourne, Australia - Thursday, February 11, 1999 at 14:09:47 (EST)

The Melbourne F1 GP is the best thing to happen to Albert Park. Without it, it would look & smell like the shit head whingers still ( i.e Yellow Ribbbon Girly Men).
Andrew Mercieca
Bayswater, Australia - Thursday, February 11, 1999 at 12:13:53 (EST)

to all you winjers and complainer out there and I know ther is not many.
The australian gp is a great event of worldwide excellence.
Q. How else do we get international exposure?
A. I suppose you could put an advert in your local newspaper. Or even in the national press.
But that does not give you much exposure as international Televised events such as the Australian GP
Yours,
Gordon Stewart

gordon stewart <gordstew@alphalink.com.au>
melbourne, Australia - Thursday, February 11, 1999 at 02:26:33 (EST)

OK, so why can't Adelaide have the Grand Prix back then?
Jeff
Adelaide, Australia - Wednesday, February 10, 1999 at 23:25:18 (EST)

we all love f1 racing here in iceland
thank you
Johann Benjaminsson <joiben@mmedia.is>
Reykjavik, Iceland - Wednesday, February 10, 1999 at 18:57:52 (EST)

we all love f1 racing here in iceland please e-mail me for news or anything
thank you joiben@mmedia.is
Johann Benjaminsson <joiben@mmedia.is>
Reykjavik, Iceland - Wednesday, February 10, 1999 at 18:54:13 (EST)

The Grand Prix is good for Melbourne. Really looking forward to a really exciting weekend
Tony Tucan
victoria, Australia - Wednesday, February 10, 1999 at 13:53:10 (EST)

Everything about the staging of the GP in an inner city park, much needed as recreational space by densely populated suburbs, is wrong. Democratic conventions and citizens rights have been totally disregarded by people intent on perpetuating the terrib le Australian cultural cringe. Melbourne's asthetic layout and abundance of parkland would have in the future, brought many millions more overseas tourists that imported, phoney circuses. The benefits sold to us by the government are false and easily di scovered as such by anyone cares to go beyond the newspaper headlines.

Niki Lauda was employed prior to the first GP in Melbourne to do some pre-publicity. He is a sophisticated European who when confronted by a group of protesters said that he would certainly not like such an event anywhere near where he lived. That's how we feel.
Irene Jones
Melbourne, Australia - Wednesday, February 10, 1999 at 12:40:47 (EST)

Any goverment that lets a individual lock out the people of their park for up 3 months and denies the use of ovals to amature sporting for up to 6 months . Lied when they said the G.P would require the park for only ONE WEEK for Ron Walrker and hios ma tes plaqy at being little boys with toy cars
robrert
melbourne, Australia - Wednesday, February 10, 1999 at 09:55:50 (EST)

Yes, most people visiting this site do seem to have seen through the hype and cattle manure spread about by the government, the casino operators and the compliant media. The trick is to know which of these is which.
Perhaps it was Ron Walker who didn't play with enough cars when he was a boy (or perhaps his parents didn't let him wreck their lawn to lay his track?), and has had to compensate by usurping a public resource, with the aid of his mates in Spring Street. Well, he did apparently lend the Libs $4.5 million. You have to get something in return.
As for the people who think its 'good for Melbourne', I have been overseas a couple of times during the Grand Prix, and have struggled to hear or see 'Melbourne' mentioned at all. Some overseas media insist on placing it in Sydney.
And as we know, hotels are by no means booked out, and it's easy to get a table in a restaurant. What benefit?
It all seems to be Grand Pricks (as a little girl once said).
J Stockwell
Melbourne, Australia - Tuesday, February 09, 1999 at 22:11:53 (EST)

Most messages here have got the point, namely that the grand prix is just another excuse for the big prick Jeff to ignore the people and heap more bucket loads of millions of tax payers money on his mates & liberal party supporters.

But surely you realise it all in a good cause, Jeff's retirement income. How many directorships; consultancies or advertising contracts do you expect he will receive upon retirement (hopefully soon!)

The Melbourne Events Corp; Citilink; the Crown Casino and so on ... that's the real agenda here, it's look after Jeff and stuff the people, parks & our money.

Remember it when the election comes!

Peter Mckenzie <inspinfo@vicnet.net.au>
Melbourne, Australia - Tuesday, February 09, 1999 at 20:52:21 (EST)

What the general public are increasingly beginning to realise is that they are being treated as pawns in power plays of wealthy unscrupulous men whose bottom line is money. Whether it be public parkland, planning laws, freedom of information, checks an d balances in government, all of these things are swept aside in the pursuit of personal wealth at the expense of our democratic rights.

The Grand Prix was a forerunner of the whittling away of citizen's rights in this State.

We will look back in years to come on this low point in Victoria's history and say what a great price we had to pay, and for what!

Frances and John
Ivanhoe , Australia - Tuesday, February 09, 1999 at 20:43:51 (EST)

Urgent message for Qiueensland Premier Peter Beattie!
Heard today that you are in Victoria and that you've pinched the Sandown 500 from us Peter.
Whilst you are here, please take the Formula One Grand Prix back with you. No need to "pinch" it, we'll gladly let you have it!
This will save we Victorians a treasure chest of public monies (annually). It will also allow Albert Park to be restored and returned to its proper use, instead of being closed to ordinary citizens and sports people for a large part of each year.
Come on Peter, be a good sport and do us all a great favour!

Peter Cowden
Drysdale, Australia - Tuesday, February 09, 1999 at 16:53:36 (EST)

The Grand Prix a boost to business and Melbourne? Somw people would believe in the tooth fairy and Father Christmas.

The GP loses money, traders y rate is down.

Ron Walker's casino may defray its losses that week, most other businesses compound them!

Find out your fact before making claims like that, or are you only interested in the race at the expense of everything good and decent?
Tony
Melbourne, Australia - Tuesday, February 09, 1999 at 09:36:45 (EST)

The Grand Prix is great for business and a big boost to Melbourne. We welcome the Grand Prix and look forward to 1999 being the best Grand Prix Melbourne has ever seen.
Alfred Hartley
Melbourne, Australia - Tuesday, February 09, 1999 at 08:33:13 (EST)

As a local trader and someone who likes motor racing, I was delighted when we were told the Grand Prix would be in our back yard.

It was tough putting up with the noise and disturbance for months while the track was laid and the protesters ran wild but when the first race came along, we bought in lots of extra stock, employed more staff and extened opening hours and experienced one of the quietest weekends on record. Sorry, but the event is not good for business, as someone has claimed. Since the first year we have just closed up and gone away. Of course there is no compensation to a small trader like us at all. It is only a few big boys who actually benefit from the race.
Roger
Middle Park, Australia - Monday, February 08, 1999 at 23:31:05 (EST)

Sorry, Stu Bakker, but you have got your facts wrong. The local traders were promised that the Grand Prix would give them a bonanza but so most have lost money each year in the Grand Prix weekend. Australian Bureau of Statistics show that hotel occup ation goes down in March, obviously people are put off coming bacause of the race.

Just because a few seconds of cars on a track that could be anywhere in the world flash onto TV screens, doesn't mean many people get any sense of what Melbourne is like. If tourism is the goal then targetted ads would do much better for much less cost.< br>
The big picture is that the way it is run, means that the GP is BAD for Melbourne. Move it to a permanant racetrack and that could change.
Jenny Wilde
Prahran, Australia - Monday, February 08, 1999 at 18:40:45 (EST)

When the GP in Albert Park was first announced, I wondered about the location. Seemed to me that a permanent racetrack would be better for local motorsport. No doubt close proximity to Crown Casino was the important factor, I figured. Then I went to the final Adelaide GP and the mystery was solved.

It's the lake! The GP is so mind-numbingly boring - especially as it's essentially a two hour event drawn out over 4 days - that it needs the diversion of a beautiful location. Revved-up petrol heads, while waiting, waiting, waiting..... for something ex citing to happen, can at least gaze at the blue water and be entertained by Ron Walker's ejaculation (as the fountain is fondly known).

Kennett is right - Albert Park is a beautiful place for the race. It's just that it's a beautiful place for a park too. Can we have it back please?

Carol Morrow
Melbourne, Australia - Monday, February 08, 1999 at 18:13:11 (EST)

Frankly I am apalled at the incredible invasion that has been going on in Albert Park under the banner of "preparation for the Race". It seems both unfair and unnecessary to screw up the whole Park for the whole Summer just for the sake of a 3 day eve nt. I have no problem with providing sports facilities in the Park, which can blend in without serious disturbance to the quiter activities that parks are intended to provide (It is Albert PARK after all and NOT Albert RACECOURSE), in fact I regularly use and enjoy the aquatic centre & the golf range and golf course. BUT what is happening there is beyond all reason and common sense!! It is simply unfair to residents and existing all-year-round users of the place.
Surely if the people who organise this event cannot be much much more discrete about the degree of disruption, and the number of months prior to (and following) the event that this bizarre disruption goes on for, then they should be sent elsewhere!!
P Viola <pviola@alphalink.com.au>
Melbourne, Australia - Monday, February 08, 1999 at 15:53:43 (EST)

Ok, it's true that public parkland is being used top stage the Grand Prix. But please look at the bigger picture. It provides an economic boost for that area, in particularly cafe's bars etc. It also provides jobs albeit on the short-term. but most imp ortantly it gives Melbourne exposure to the world and the global economy. It gives the world a glimpse of what Australia can offer and produce. This Grand Prix is an example. Best Grand Prix for the lasr 2 years. This is important if melbourne is to becom e a commercial and trade hub in Asia

GO MIKA BACK TO BACK

Stu Baker
Stu Baker <stubak@yahoo.com>
Melbourne, Australia - Monday, February 08, 1999 at 14:36:09 (EST)

The decision to run the race in an inner-city park was wrong. The way it was implemented was wrong. It continues to be wrong. If the decision had only been to place the race in a dedicated track there would have been no outcry and it might even have been good for Victoria. The 16 million dollars it costs each year for set - up makes any profit impossble.

The only ones to blame for the anger and protests are Jeff Kennett and Ron Walker. If they had done the right thing by Victorians all of us would have loved and supported the event.

As it is the attendance numbers are declining each year and the costs rising.
Public amenties are more important than one major event which has proved a loser
Barbara
Kew, Australia - Monday, February 08, 1999 at 13:44:47 (EST)

I just don't understand why many people are against Jeff's decision to have the grand prix at Albert Park. Sure every development will certain to have its impacts on the environment in some ways, but be open minded or else we'll have nothing at all.
Tony NG <ttnmekong@hotmail.com>
Melbourne, Australia - Monday, February 08, 1999 at 11:28:40 (EST)

One would think that with all the thousands of people supposed to be coming to Melbounre for the race that locals, trying to avoid the noise, drunks walking up and down their streets, etc would be able to get cheap flights out of Melbourne! Qantas cer tainly aren't offering any and one wonders why?? Maybe the race doesn't attract that many interstate people? One wonders after the months of disruption to Albert Park and the enormous cost if the whole thing is worth it for 3 days of formula one racing. What a shame it wasn't put on a permanent circut somewhere that could have had multiples uses! Oh well, the taxpayer subsidizes it so who cares? Not Bernie, Jeff or Ron for sure!!!
Anita Claus
- Monday, February 08, 1999 at 10:15:43 (EST)

I am amazed at how clever Jeff and the Grand Prix committee are. How can they manage to remove 1000 trees and replace them with 200 potted versions for easy removal? How can they fill what was a wonderful public park with broken glass ruining any chanc e of safe public sports after the GP? How can they keep telling us that the GP is a great revenue raiser when it costs us thousands of dollars each year (after deducting revenues)? Did anyone mention the lack of wildlife or the pollution (noise and otherw ise)? All of this has happened while most of the Melbourne public has been left in the dark. What a sales job!

I'm not saying don't have a GP - just don't have it in the heart of one of the world's most livable cities. Keep Melbourne livable!

Anyhow, I think we should package Jeff up, and get the GP committee to sell him off to the higest bidder. Let's see how much of the deficit we can get rid of. And as for those stupid poles on the Tulla feeway! Wake up Jeff.

Keep fighting Save Albert Park - supporting you all the way!
CC
Melbourne, Australia - Monday, February 08, 1999 at 09:57:34 (EST)

Like many under the Kennett Reich I feel totally helpless as valued freedoms, cultural traditions, institutions, neighbourhoods, buildings and parks are destroyed.
But one thing I can do, and that is to make every effort to avoid doing business with Qantas and any other company associated with the Grand Prix in Albert Park - with the destruction of parkland, the misappropriation of public funds, the public lies and deceits, the promotion of cigarettes, and the damage to the immediate neighbourhood and to Melbourne culture in general. Qantas must spend its customers' money on this exercise in the belief that this is somehow good public relations, and good for busines s. Everything should be done to make sure that it BAD for Qantas business, that the company realises it, and that other potential sponsors get the message.
Miles Lewis <lewis@architecture.unimelb.edu.au>
Melbourne, Australia - Monday, February 08, 1999 at 09:45:03 (EST)

Save Albert Park
B. Scarlett
Melbourne, Australia - Monday, February 08, 1999 at 08:45:53 (EST)

Save Albert Park
B. Scarlett
Melbourne, Australia - Monday, February 08, 1999 at 08:43:14 (EST)

Have always been Formula 1 fan and Niki Lauda is my no. 1 hero. I would love to attend a Formula 1 race but I refuse to go to the Australian Grand Prix whilst it is being held at Albert Park. Why not move the race to Sandown ? And by the eay, Jeff, han ds off Royal Park !
Hans Groenewegen <hans.groenewegen@lib.monash.edu.au>
North Balwyn, Australia - Monday, February 08, 1999 at 08:38:31 (EST)

If the Melbourne Grand Prix is so good, how come we are bombarded with advertising for two months before the event. Melbourne's truly great sporting events (AFL Grand Final, Boxing Day Test, One day Cricket, Australian Tennis Open, Melbourne Cup) attr act hundreds of thousands and enhance the reputation of our city with a fraction of the setup costs and very little advertising.
David Thompson
Melbourne, Australia - Monday, February 08, 1999 at 07:46:35 (EST)

Hollywood. Glitz and glamour on the surface. Bitching, drugs, and ugliness beneath.
The fashion business. Much the same.
And then there's Formula One. The image is one of money, glamour, excitement and very big bottles of champagne. The machine that delivers this heady mixture is rather less than beautiful.
For a start, take at a look at a photograph of Bernie Ecclestone, the King of the business. Nuff said.
Just about the only use F1 has for women is as pouting bimbos. These desperate girls are hired to give away cigarettes around the track, and for the winning drivers to hug, wearing white T-shirts that the aforementioned very large, and very phallic, bott les of champagne, can be sprayed over. No missing the imagery there.
Then there's the race fixing. Formula One has to look good at any cost, apparently. There's no law against it, of course. It's a private circus, and they can run it any way they want. But to call it sport?
Then there's cigarettes.
It is now rather difficult to determine whether the cigarette companies need Formula One more than Formula One needs cigarette companies.
And the performance of governments is unbelievably gutless.
When it comes to saying a gentle 'No' to cigarette advertising at the venues of a marginal "sport", their guts turn to water and they trot out all the lame excuses which might have been written by the aforesaid Ugly Bernie.
Just what is the hold that this nexus has over governments? You begin to get the impression that Marlboro must have pictures of just about every minister in some sort of compromising position, or that Ecclestone has at some stage hypnotised our leaders w ith those nasty looking eyes of his.
Our own premier and his government keep attempting to make out that the Melbourne Grand Prix actually has some value to the state beyond giving his mates at the Casino an annual boost (which they need more than ever, it seems). Jeff's publicity machine, the Herald Sun, has put about the '$90 million economic benefit' line so often now that most of us seem to believe it. The Auditor-General thinks rather differently, of course, but we all know what's happening to the Auditor-General.
And Qantas has been sucked into being the 'major sponsor' of this expensive piece of tat. And the kangaroo, as well as being the Qantas symbol, will now apparently be worn by Winfield cigare