2006 calendar

[Jason Whittaker]

I'm bored and something's got me curious. The racing rags are yet to pick up on it.

Due to the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne next year the Formula One Grand Prix will move from its March date. AGP supremo Ron Walker is off to FIA headquarters to push for a new one-off April 28-30 date, which he reckons will be the second round of the series after Malaysia. It has to be ratified, but Walker is hopeful.

So beyond the clash of dates with AFL (which will put Channel 10 in a major bind), what of the V8 Supercars' involvement? Surely they can't delay the V8 series so the AGP will still be the traditional pre-season curtain-raiser? So will they interrupt the season proper for a meaningless support event? One week after the Clipsal 500? Are the V8s even booked in at the AGP for next year? What is the contractual situation?

Any thoughts?

Jason Whittaker
jwhittaker@pubserv.com.au
http://www.fullyloaded.com.au

[Vee8]

I have heard rumblings around the place that 2005 could be the last year of V8SC participation in the AGP. There are numerous reasons for this, including:

- AVESCO and TEGA pride. We're the best damn touring car series in the world and we don't take second place to no one!
- Team logistics. It's getting harder and harder every year to get cars ready in time for an event which effectively means diddly squat (just ask FPR!)
- Lack of return. The GP Corp squashes any chance for the V8s to promote themselves at the AGP, and the coverage achieved doesn't justify the spend.

So the potential date move into the season proper could be the straw that breaks AVESCO's back and prompts the decision to abandon the support gig.

[mayhem]

Further to this:
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0...-23770,00.html

[racer69]

If they gave the race a meaningful format i think it would be more popular with the teams.

Provide some decent prizemoney, make the race a decent length, and have only the one race like they used to in Adelaide until the late-80s.