Spa shortfall clouds future of popular race

 Spa shortfall clouds future of popular race
Lewis Hamilton (GBR), McLaren Mercedes leads at the start - Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 13, Belgian Grand Prix, Sunday Race, 29.08.2010 Spa, Belgium / Copyright: Davenport / xpb

Spa-Francorchamps fell more than 10,000 tickets short of its spectator target for the recent Belgian grand prix.

Only 52,500 spectators attended last Sunday's race, after the organisers had targeted the figure of 65,000 in order to "achieve a balanced financial position".

Crowds well above 100,000 were regularly recorded early last decade.

According to the AFP news agency in a French language report, the organisers are concerned about seeing the event's local government funding reduced when the current contract expires in 2012.

"It is necessary to reduce the impact of this event on the finances of the Walloon region," admitted local economy minister Jean-Claude Marcourt.

Added budget minister Andre Antoine: "It doesn't mean we intend to end the contract. But at the time of negotiation, it (the finances) will be borne in mind."

It was reported in August that Spa is under threat from potential rival hosts who can offer much higher annual promotional fees to formula one.

One solution known to be under consideration for Spa-Francorchamps is an annual race-alternating scheme with another European circuit.

"We are playing with the idea. That is the current situation, even if we are not quite at that stage," Spa president Etienne Davignon told hln.be.

The actual financial figures for the 2010 event will only be known in October, and Spa official Andre Maes is not jumping to any conclusions.

"Obviously the horrible weather all weekend was little incentive for people to come," he said.

 

Source: GMM

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 sw1000 sw1000
This legendary race can't be allowed to be taken off the calender, I'm worried about all these bland tracks in the middle east all designed by the same guy. Bernie needs to remember that F1 is built on tradition and heritage, if you lose this F1 has nothing!!! Spa always throws up crazy races you can never predict where the true champions shine
September 3, 2010 10:18 am
 ricer8 ricer8
i totally agree with you. Spa, Suzuka and Monza are all thats left. How can they worry about Monoco? Its like watching race horses run around your living room. I love that with all the technology, at Spa the pit crews are looking to the sky and the drivers are looking to their soul. SPA IS FORMULA 1 at its best.
September 3, 2010 1:58 pm
 astroturf777 astroturf777
what a ridiuclous news report. it was RAINING... tell me one race in the year that gets that close to target in the wet. they did VERY well to get 52000. shows there are plenty of die-hard fans more interested in f1 than keeping dry.
September 3, 2010 3:30 pm
 Gone Until F1 Returns Gone Until F1 Returns
Too bad the powers that be in Formula One has other matters than "true racing" on their mind, and some of the minds, by the way, are getting awfully old... Long live F! @ Spa Francorchamps!
September 3, 2010 7:37 pm