[Aloking]

F1 will come to india but not in another 5-6 years. there were many proposals for it but due to elections everything fell out of place and f1 wont come before five years

[Shan2nu]

It'll surely come to India, only question is when?

Regards...
Shan2nu

[Aditya]

With the attitude of our politicians and other elements, I'll be surprised if F1 does come to India.

[Stratos]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Aditya @ July 14 2004,00:58)]With the attitude of our politicians and other elements, I'll be surprised if F1 does come to India.

Same here!!
Cauz there is no use if a very small part of the population is interested in F1.. there shud be some rock steady stance that shud be taken to take the first step towards F1..!

[ajmat]

End of the day, there is no return on investment on Formula 1 vs the infrastructure it requires. There are more pressing investment needs like boosting the agriculture sector, rural development etc. Am not a commie, just a practical company executive

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (ajmat @ July 14 2004,11:30)]There are more pressing investment needs like boosting the agriculture sector, rural development etc. Am not a commie, just a practical company executive

I agree totally.

[Tom]

yes true.....wrc needs to come here first though

[GTO]

As much I as I would love to experience an F1 race in India, I have to admit it does not look like a possibility - atleast for a long long time.

Lets go back in time and remember the one person who was extremely pro-active about getting Formula 1 to India...Chandrababu Naidu. The "CEO" of AP even met with Bernie Ecclestone and last I heard, there were going to be some officials coming down to evaluate the possibilities. But what happened to Naidu? He was unceremoniously kicked out during the last elections - Reason? HE focused too much on the urbans and not on the rurals. I dont want to get into an argument over whether his focus was right or wrong, but the bottomline is....the rural sector voted him out.

Second, the infrastructure. Hosting an F1 race requires BIG $$$, an extremely efficient traffic network, hotels, massive airport facilities etc. etc. The average price of a ticket is $100 = Rs. 4500. How many locals do you see paying that kinda money? How many cities have that kinda infrastructure?

Third, the benefits of hosting an F1 race are more long-term. Putting India on the world map of sports, tourism money, jobs, promoting the local automotive and other industries and so on. Unfortunately there arent too many politicians who think long-term in India...its more about winning the next election than anything else. Sirs Manmohan Singh, Montique and Chidambaram are stars - the like of which India hasent seen in a long time...but it will still take a while for the trickling effect to spread all over.

Fourth and the most important, More than 50% of India lives below the $2 daily wage line. Only 1.3% own an automobile. According to the IRS 2002, less than 2% of the population has a monthly household income of more than 10000. As Ajmat has rightly mentioned, there are far more pressing issues to be dealt with than invest in an F1 track...the benefits of which will be seen only after 10 years. And even that is a probable.

Fifth, our next door neighbour and an automobile market larger by many times - China has already got an F1 race in place. With Malaysia, Japan and China Bernie has got the asian presence he was looking for.

GTO

[Rehaan]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Tom @ July 14 2004,11:38)]yes true.....wrc needs to come here first though

Hey Tom,

I agree with that and think that WRC comming is of a much higher possibility than F1 (which is almost a non-existant possibility in the next 5-10years)

Plus, we dont need to build a track, coz our entire country is one SS

R

[Psycho]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Rehaan @ July 14 2004,14:21)]Plus, we dont need to build a track, coz our entire country is one SS

R

Hey Rehaan,

Just imagine the Ferrari with Micheal doin something like this on the Indian track.

Gosh if F1 did come to Bangalore it would be godsend for the Roads

[anoops]

big F1 fan...but would like to see the WRC here first and fast!

[GTO]

Since so many Team-BHPians want the WRC to come soon, I hope to see some strong support toward the MRF India Rally 2004 which is intended as a stepping stone to Indias hosting of the WRC one day. Details of this event are available in this thread.

GTO

[Rehaan]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Psycho @ July 14 2004,14:26)]

Hey Rehaan,

Just imagine the Ferrari with Micheal doin something like this * on the Indian track.

Hey Psycho,

I was saying we dont need to build a track with reference to WRC comming to india, saying that our whole country is one SS (=Special Stage for rallying)

cheers
R

[Tom]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Rehaan @ July 14 2004,14:21)]Plus, we dont need to build a track, coz our entire country is one SS

R

LOL
which place do u think would offer the most ideal conditions for a WRC venue,ie, SS and other basic infrastructure??

Pls dont say Pune

[Rehaan]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Tom @ July 14 2004,15:21)]which place do u think would offer the most ideal conditions for a WRC venue,ie, SS and other basic infrastructure??

No idea man, as i dont know much about the indian rally scene.

But i am guessing somewhere down south...whats your take?

R