[E90SLAM]

You have got to be FUCKING KIDDING ME!!!

One of the BEST track in the world got suspended by fucking tree-huggers???!!!

And trying to make 20 (26 next year) F1 cars quiet...that's like trying to sleep when you attend a rock concert....

The future of the Belgian Grand Prix appears to be up in the air again after the Spa-Francorchamps circuit had its operating licence suspended for the next 17 years.


The decision comes from the Council of State, effectively Belgium's supreme administrative court, after a noise complaint was made by a board of local residents in 2007.

It resulted in the track operators being ordered to undertake an environmental impact study, which has been described in a Council of State ruling as "seriously inadequate and incomplete".

That has resulted in the licence suspension until 2026, with the decision coming as a major shock to circuit director Pierre-Alain Thibaut.

"The whole viability of the circuit may be questioned," remarked Thibaut on lesoir.be, a Belgian news website.

"Since the filing of the complaint, the situation has changed. The circuit has worked hard to reduce noise, and relations with local residents have improved.

"It is a difficult situation, but we've made commitments vis-a-vis a range of people, and we must comply on pain of having to pay damages.

"We will challenge the government, and organise a dialogue with the board of residents."

The race was already under discussion after it was confirmed on the Sunday of this year's event just over three weeks ago that it had made a £2.6million loss.

It prompted the president of the race organisers, Etienne Davignon, to suggest the prospect of renegotiating its current contract with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, or even alternating the event with another circuit such as Germany's Nurburgring.

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,189...578145,00.html

[xbook]

I was gonna PUKE when I read this. Such sad news. I truly hope this decision gets overturned or overruled or over-in-general.

[SlammedM6]

wow
sorry to go off topic here,
but OP - you have 50 000+++ posts...

thats nuts! I thought I spend too much time on the forum in the day. HOLY!

[JC919]

Remind me to punch the next hippie I see in the face

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by xbook

I was gonna PUKE when I read this. Such sad news. I truly hope this decision gets overturned or overruled or over-in-general.

Originally Posted by JC919

Remind me to punch the next hippie I see in the face

I remember I read something like Monza had similar complaints....but the Italian court overruled and stated that to held a F1 Grand Prix is for the better good and the pride of the country...the slight inconvience is necessary!!!

COMMON SENSE prevailed!!! once a while...

[KingOfJericho]

My favorite track!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

can't they live with the noise for 3 fucking days??????

[E90SLAM]

Noise row temporarily closes Spa

By Edd Straw

Belgian Grand Prix venue Spa Francorchamps has been reopened following the suspension of a ruling which temporarily closed the circuit because of noise complaints, AUTOSPORT understands.

The track was briefly closed in response to complaints raised by a not-for-profit anti-noise organisation whose name literally translates as 'the quiet ones'. Although the group originally lodged its objection in 2007, the local authorities did not take action until this week, when a 17-year closure order was imposed.

However, following a meeting of government officials, sources have said that the closure of the circuit has been called off pending further legal discussions to take place next week following Spa's decision to appeal against the decision.

This means that this weekend's blue riband Spa Six Hours historic event can go ahead, although a lasting solution to the noise disputes still needs to be found.

Circuit boss Pierre-Alain Thibaut admitted in an interview with Belgium's Le Soir that the situation "calls the whole viability of the track into question", but added that since the original complaints were made the track has made significant developments in reducing the environmental impact of its activities.

"Since the complaint was made, the situation has changed," said Thibaut. "The track has worked hard to reduce noise pollution and our relationship with local residents has been much improved."

Sources at Spa claim that the track complies with the stipulated noise limits, and are hopeful that the situation will not threaten the long-term future of the circuit.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78806

[KingOfJericho]

PHEW!!!! That was a close one!

[FStop7]

Originally Posted by xbook

I was gonna PUKE when I read this. Such sad news. I truly hope this decision gets overturned or overruled or over-in-general.

LOL, this from one of the forum liberals. You reap what you sow.

[Formel1]

AMEN....I'm worried between the local towns' people and Bernie, there won't be any more European races at this rate by 2015. Geez, F1 was founded in Europe....

[JoosyJoos]

Wonder how much revenue they lose because of that...?

Hope they don't want new roads or anything in those nearby towns...

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by Formel1

AMEN....I'm worried between the local towns' people and Bernie, there won't be any more European races at this rate by 2015. Geez, F1 was founded in Europe....

That's one thing...and also 90% of the BEST F1 tracks are in Europe, Monaco, Spa, Monza, Silverstone, Mangy-Cors, Nurbergring, San Marino, Hockenheim, Istanbul...etc etc....

The ONLY tracks that is good and not in Europe are Melbourne Fuji/ Suzuka, and Montreal....none of the brand new tracks in Asia Pacific and Middle-East that i find as good viewing and challenging as European circuits....they can only prove they have a deeper pocket than Europeans to fill up Bernie's bank account...

[Bols]

god i hate my own government so bad

They do this to everything, they gave DHL huge fines because of BS reasons, so DHL completely left brussels airport leaving hundreds without a job. I see stupid stuff like this everyday. At this rate we'll have nothing left in a few years :/

[MontegoblueE92]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

That's one thing...and also 90% of the BEST F1 tracks are in Europe, Monaco, Spa, Monza, Silverstone, Mangy-Cors, Nurbergring, San Marino, Hockenheim, Istanbul...etc etc....

The ONLY tracks that is good and not in Europe are Melbourne Fuji/ Suzuka, and Montreal.

I would put Interlagos among the best behind Spa, Silverstone, and Suzuka.

[xbook]

Originally Posted by FStop7

LOL, this from one of the forum liberals. You reap what you sow.

Huh?? Yeah I am a liberal, but I still have common sense.

When people move next to a noise emitting venue, then complain that it's too noisy, they are being really unreasonable. On the other hand if you are trying to imply that because I take a liberal stance on many things that I have to be a hippie tree hugger who is on the side of "the quiet ones". Nope, not at all.

Just because someone is liberal, it doesn't mean that they 100% agree with the actions of every environmental group on the planet.

[BrokenVert]

I still want to see that NYC on the streets of midtown...but at least SPA is safe for now.

Next thing we will see is the ending of the 24 hours of LeMans because the campers didn't recycle their water bottles.

[mastek]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

That's one thing...and also 90% of the BEST F1 tracks are in Europe, Monaco, Spa, Monza, Silverstone, Mangy-Cors, Nurbergring, San Marino, Hockenheim, Istanbul...etc etc....

The ONLY tracks that is good and not in Europe are Melbourne Fuji/ Suzuka, and Montreal....none of the brand new tracks in Asia Pacific and Middle-East that i find as good viewing and challenging as European circuits....they can only prove they have a deeper pocket than Europeans to fill up Bernie's bank account...

whaaaat??
Sepang over Fuji anyday
Montreal and Melbourne are life-less clones.

Top 10 F1 tracks (from best to worst)
1- Spa
2- Suzuka
3- Sepang
4- Ring
5- San Marino
6- Magny-Cours
7- Monza
8- Catalunya (older version)
9- Silverstone
10- Hungaroring

[Formel1]

So who's staying awake for practice this early a.m.? Think I'm saving the energy for qualifying and the race. Don't think I'm gonna get much sleep this weekend....

[mastek]

Originally Posted by Bols

god i hate my own government so bad

They do this to everything, they gave DHL huge fines because of BS reasons, so DHL completely left brussels airport leaving hundreds without a job. I see stupid stuff like this everyday. At this rate we'll have nothing left in a few years :/

ya .... but u guys have the lowest emissions per ckm in the world
+ the most pristine nature reserves ... all BECAUSE of those crazy Belgian lawmakers.

but Spa MUST remain ..... and eventually, it will become a national landmark with the same strict conservancy laws.

The greatest pass in F1 history happened there ...... Mika on Schumi

[mastek]

Originally Posted by Formel1

So who's staying awake for practice this early a.m.? Think I'm saving the energy for qualifying and the race. Don't think I'm gonna get much sleep this weekend....

its on Live in the evenings over the weekend ...... in the US

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by MontegoblueE92

I would put Interlagos among the best behind Spa, Silverstone, and Suzuka.

oops...i forgot that one...

Originally Posted by xbook

Huh?? Yeah I am a liberal, but I still have common sense.

When people move next to a noise emitting venue, then complain that it's too noisy, they are being really unreasonable. On the other hand if you are trying to imply that because I take a liberal stance on many things that I have to be a hippie tree hugger who is on the side of "the quiet ones". Nope, not at all.

Just because someone is liberal, it doesn't mean that they 100% agree with the actions of every environmental group on the planet.

good for you!
i just hate some of the liberals just fighting against watever the government or anything they do not like and feel "non-enviromental friendly"....

reminds me the protesters against airport expansions....especially in Heathrow....there's so much potential that LHR to become a bigger hub of Europe and help British Economy.....with limited runway operation...its suffocating....

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

I still want to see that NYC on the streets of midtown...but at least SPA is safe for now.

Next thing we will see is the ending of the 24 hours of LeMans because the campers didn't recycle their water bottles.

Shit....if NYC-Manhatten does host Formula 1...there will be a MAJOR overhaul of the city....first...dig out at least 5 feet deep of the road and repave all the potholes and trentches....even a normal E90 feels bouncy and horrid in NYC....

Originally Posted by mastek

whaaaat??
Sepang over Fuji anyday
Montreal and Melbourne are life-less clones.

Top 10 F1 tracks (from best to worst)
1- Spa
2- Suzuka
3- Sepang
4- Ring
5- San Marino
6- Magny-Cours
7- Monza
8- Catalunya (older version)
9- Silverstone
10- Hungaroring

Not sure about Sepang....it feels too technical and kept reminds me its a bit similar to Shanghai....not historial, glamour, or just giving me the WOW factor like Spa....once a while it does put on a good show....

Originally Posted by Formel1

So who's staying awake for practice this early a.m.? Think I'm saving the energy for qualifying and the race. Don't think I'm gonna get much sleep this weekend....

its only 1am for east coast viewers....so what....nothing with some coffee and redbull won't help...
our west coast viewers used to wake up 4:30am and watch it live....finally we have some better showtime here....late evening and morning for Interlagos....

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

Shit....if NYC-Manhatten does host Formula 1...there will be a MAJOR overhaul of the city....first...dig out at least 5 feet deep of the road and repave all the potholes and trentches....even a normal E90 feels bouncy and horrid in NYC....

Haha, The proposed route wasnt that bad, but yeah massive repaving would need to be done, but common, they close down 3/4 of the city for a turkey to walk to 34th street, yet we dont get badass races, its not fair.


I drive in the city every now and again, try driving 2nd ave from the Triboro to the midtown tunnel, then talk to me about shit roads. haha