F1 Bid to race in Thailand

[stud muffin1234]

Not sure what section to put this in but hey ho..!!!

 

Thailand revs up F1 bid

Published: 5/09/2011 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: Business

 

Thailand will bid to stage a Formula One race to help spur tourism and meeting businesses, according to the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).

 

 

Visitors admire the Renault R31 Formula One racing car at a promotional event staged over the weekend at Siam Paragon by Total lubricant oil, Lotus sports cars, CTS car protection products and TW Steel watches. Deputy Public Minister Torphong Chaiyasarn (centre) attended the event.

 

TCEB president Akapol Sorasuchart said the agency was responding to calls by businesses to bring in or hold big events to enhance the country's reputation among foreign tourists now that local political conditions have improved.

 

Formula One races are seen as major tourism money-spinners for their host countries and also bring huge worldwide media exposure.

 

Mr Akapol said the bureau would ask experts to help estimate the revenue the country could receive from staging a race.

 

Next year, 20 countries will hold FIA Formula One World Championship races including Malaysia, Singapore, China, India, Japan, South Korea and Abu Dhabi.

 

A recent one-day demonstration race by a Red Bull Formula One car on Bangkok streets attracted 150,000 spectators and this prompted the TCEB to think about holding a race in Thailand.

 

Mr Akapol said Singapore sold about 120,000 Formula One tickets last year.

 

The event, he said, helped the city-state draw one million foreign tourists in the periods immediately before, during and after the race, with hotels almost fully booked. Room rates jumped to 50,000 to 60,000 baht a night at premium hotels from 5,000 to 6,000 baht.

 

As well, the country generated revenue from landing fees for private jets and helicopters and dock charges for yachts of wealthy race spectators.

 

Singapore will stage this year's Formula One race, the only night-time event on the global circuit, on Sept 23-25.

 

"Building an F1 circuit is very costly but it would be useful after the races end," said Mr Akapol. "I think that street racing is interesting for Thailand because it involves lower investment. A good location would be Ratchadamnoen Avenue because it has a good atmosphere."

[slacko]

This would be great, hope it isn't just a rumour.I can't wait for the Singapore race and it would be good to be able to do a couple of Asian races a season so a back to back schedule would be cool if you are reading this Bernie.

[Stoxtrader]

Bernie... lmao

[M.C.H.]

As the Thai billionaire owner of Red Bull & a mate of Bernies is keen to see F1 in this country think it must be a possibility

[otapiri]

Been to F1 in Si ngpore,from Bkk.Was agreat weekend for $5000. but as far as watching the actual race,it was hard to identify the drivers

 

because of the lighting reflections.Better to watch on tv

[Nuruzotic]

I can't imagine it would be easy to run one here.

Too any things to steal the night before

and too many bribes to pay to keep them in place till race time.

Not to mention keeping people off the track during the race...

 

And what roads are good enough for these cars at this speed?

Sure can't do a Monaco in Bangkok...hell can't even keep

your teeth in your head in most taxis. The over head roads are good,

but can you imagine an F1 car flying onto Rama Gaow from up above.

[paulyd2k]

they could`nt keep up with half the c~~nts on sukhumvit rd,lol, plus there would be a bent copper on evry corner booking them for speeding and no tax, good if it happened though, the gp i mean,lol

[Digsy]

I wouldn't mind a Thai gp, gives me an excuse to go over again, only thing would be how much would it cost to get there and how Mich the accommodation would be.

 

Always said I'd love to go to a gp but Monaco and Montreal are the only ones that would interest me. Weather is pish when at Silverstone

[Thaihot]

If Thailand had a formula one Grad Prix it would be excellent & a fantastic Photo feast.

 

[stud muffin1234]

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

 

(Bangkokpost) Thailand bid to host a race and freshly received the support of F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, according to Red Bull GmbH boss Dietrich Mateschitz.

 

"The idea is good. We are in talks. Thailand could host a Formula One race in the next two or three years," Msteschitz told bangkokpost yesterday."Ecclestone agrees with the idea. We may sign an agreement soon."

 

Asked how long it would take for Thailand to get approval, Matesschitz said: "I don't know. That is as far as I know. I can't give you details because it is not my responsibility. All I can tell you is that a race could take place here in the next two or three years."

 

He believed that a Grand Prix here would be a success judging from the huge crowds who watched Thailand's first-ever Formula One show along Ratchadamnoen Avenue two years ago.

 

The exhibition was organised by Thailand's Red Bull Beverage Co and featured Red Bull driver Mark Webber.

 

The show was presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn who represented His Majesty the King and who granted an audience to Webber.

 

"I remember that a lot of people watched the show and a race here will be successful," said Matesschitz who is in town to attend the funeral of Chaleo Yoovidhya, his friend and co-owner of Austria-based Red Bull GmbH which owns the Red Bull Racing team.

 

"People could see champions compete here."

 

Earlier this month, Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa held a constructive meeting with concerned parties to discuss Thailand's bid to organise a Formula One race.

 

Participants included Sports Authority of Thailand governor Kanokphand Chulakasem, Red Bull Beverage chief Chalerm Yoovidhya and a Formula One representative.

 

The participants agreed that the race should be held on Ratchadamnoen Avenue instead of building a circuit in Pattaya which would be too costly.

 

Chalerm said after the meeting that hosting a Formula One race would prove that Thailand was capable of organising a major international sporting event and all concerned parties wanted to make this happen in honour of His Majesty the King.

 

If the government is successful in bringing Formula One to Thailand, the competition would be the third road race on the international circuit along with the Monaco Grand Prix and the Singapore Grand Prix.

 

The idea of turning Ratchadamnoen Avenue into a race track was initiated by Prince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanuban _ better known as Prince Bira _ the country's first and only Grand Prix winner.

 

He planned to close roads in the Sanam Luang and Ratchadamnoen areas in 1939 for a "Bangkok Grand Prix" but his dream was ultimately broken when World War II was declared.

 

Article Source: Bangkokpost.com

 

 

 

Edited April 20, 2012 by stud muffin1234