Melbourne F1 is a Pain to Some

[drewbles]

We're just so deserving!

Mr Sprucegoose... i was skeptical... but finally i organised a trip which would allow me to visit the Mel Flounge and yes i'd have to agree... it's smaller but you're much better looked after in it... fantastic... so you Melbourne people get the Aussie open, the F1, the best casino and now this...

Yes but you can gladly have the F1, it's just 2-3 months of hell on the roads here (I drove through Albert Park every week day for 6 years getting to/from work (I lived in St Kilda) and it was a nightmare during the Grand Prix; Most of us here in Melbourne would be happy with it gone to NSW or back to SA where we stole it from).

 

[Sprucegoose]

Re: Qantas First Class Lounge Melbourne - Operating Hours.

Yes but you can gladly have the F1, it's just 2-3 months of hell on the roads here (I drove through Albert Park every week day for 6 years getting to/from work (I lived in St Kilda) and it was a nightmare during the Grand Prix; Most of us here in Melbourne would be happy with it gone to NSW or back to SA where we stole it from).

Well penned my friend!

 

[ab156]

Re: Qantas First Class Lounge Melbourne - Operating Hours.

Yes but you can gladly have the F1, it's just 2-3 months of hell on the roads here (I drove through Albert Park every week day for 6 years getting to/from work (I lived in St Kilda) and it was a nightmare during the Grand Prix; Most of us here in Melbourne would be happy with it gone to NSW or back to SA where we stole it from).

Opinons are great aren't they....

 

[drewbles]

Re: Qantas First Class Lounge Melbourne - Operating Hours.

Opinons are great aren't they....

They certainly are. Just ask all the residents around the area, along with a lot of others, who are all asking 'why do we have an event that is costing us money with no tangible benefit?'.

I've actually started to travel when the F1 is on, going overseas to avoid the traffic chaos it caused me when living in St Kilda. That's 2 weeks of holiday a year, every year. That's even more money lost from the economy. I'm the exception to the rule though, i'm sure not many people do that.

But I do understand the fans. It's a sport, it's always going to have its supporters

 

[Will]

Re: Qantas First Class Lounge Melbourne - Operating Hours.

I've actually started to travel when the F1 is on, going overseas to avoid the traffic chaos it caused me when living in St Kilda. That's 2 weeks of holiday a year, every year. That's even more money lost from the economy. I'm the exception to the rule though, i'm sure not many people do that.

I make sure that I never, ever, go out in St Kilda or the city when the F1 is on. I tend to stay indoors with earplugs.

I actually worked it for 4 years a little while back - in the Paddock Club - so saw it from pretty much the best and most luxurious angle. Still didn't do it for me. Now I know that I can save the $600 or however much a pavilion ticket costs these days

 

[ab156]

Re: Qantas First Class Lounge Melbourne - Operating Hours.

They certainly are. Just ask all the residents around the area, along with a lot of others, who are all asking 'why do we have an event that is costing us money with no tangible benefit?'.

I've actually started to travel when the F1 is on, going overseas to avoid the traffic chaos it caused me when living in St Kilda. That's 2 weeks of holiday a year, every year. That's even more money lost from the economy. I'm the exception to the rule though, i'm sure not many people do that.

But I do understand the fans. It's a sport, it's always going to have its supporters

I am a resident... can always do with spare beds for interstate guests if you are ever looking to recoup some of your self imposed costs.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Re: Qantas First Class Lounge Melbourne - Operating Hours.

They certainly are. Just ask all the residents around the area, along with a lot of others, who are all asking 'why do we have an event that is costing us money with no tangible benefit?'.

I've actually started to travel when the F1 is on, going overseas to avoid the traffic chaos it caused me when living in St Kilda. That's 2 weeks of holiday a year, every year. That's even more money lost from the economy. I'm the exception to the rule though, i'm sure not many people do that.

But I do understand the fans. It's a sport, it's always going to have its supporters

Oh dear....

 

[drewbles]

Re: Qantas First Class Lounge Melbourne - Operating Hours.

Oh dear....

Oh dear? There have been many reports showing that cost of money going out to host the event is far greater than the benefit we receive in return.

Bernie is a greedy man, what sports organisation isn't?

Anyway, we will agree to disagree

 

[Undercover Brother]

260,000 people can't all be wrong! I dont live or the work so I can't imagine what it must be like, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I go as many days as I can manage, and having been to a few GP's overseas, ours is much more spectator friendly!

Jeff Kennett wrote a fabulous article in the Herald Sun about 2 weeks ago having watched the GP from overseas, and commenting on just how powerful the exposure is.

But like you say, opinions are opinions. There are those who never will like it. Relaity is it will go to a more wealthy nation by end the of 2014, so enjoy it while it lasts!

 

[adayvis]

Maybe it should be at a less populated city in Aus, or away from the City.

 

[nlagalle]

Re: Qantas First Class Lounge Melbourne - Operating Hours.

Oh dear? There have been many reports showing that cost of money going out to host the event is far greater than the benefit we receive in return.

Bernie is a greedy man, what sports organisation isn't?

Anyway, we will agree to disagree

What is interesting is the Australian Open (tennis) is subsidised more than the F1. The F1 also has a far greater audience worldwide (FTA) than the tennis (cable only).

I agree Bernie is greedy, but while you have other countries throwing stupid amounts of money to host a race, who wouldn't be!

I've worked at every GP since Melbourne aquired it. I do enjoy it, however I like the bikes at Phillip Island better. And don't get me wrong, I love the tennis too, but when mentioning subsidies on sporting events they all should be mentioned!

 

[drmikki]

Maybe it should be at a less populated city in Aus, or away from the City.

Unfortunately that would take away one of the selling points of the MEL race, which is convenience and proximity to the city and the fabulous atmosphere. Melbourne, along with Montreal and Singapore are popular with both the fans and the paddock people for being cosmopolitan and vibrant races, and this draws people from all over the world. If you move the race to the middle of nowhere, noone is going to come. There are enough racetracks in farmland or desert with nothing else around, as a UK/European fan you don't need to travel to the other side of the world for that - you can go to Belgium or Britain and get a lot more history and better racing for your effort.

Having listened to international fans talking in Melbourne 2 weeks ago, and KL yesterday, I can assure you that the convenience and atmosphere in Melbourne is drawing far more international visitors who are planning to be repeat visitors to the state, compared with KL. Sepang racetrack is inconveniently located - although only a couple of km from the airport, traffic made it a 1hr45min journey back to the airport after the race.

An estimated 550 million viewers regularly watch Formula One - thats 550 million people seeing the sights of Melbourne via the preview shows, the landscape shots and the race footage itself. The Australian Open has less than half of that (240million, estimated). I'm curious as to why noone is up in arms about the tennis, if as nlagalle says, its subsidised more?

Disclaimer: F1 fan, recently returned from 6th Melbourne race and 3rd KL race...