Minardi boss Paul Stoddart has suggested the idea of running "celebrity races" using two-seater Formula 1 cars as a curtain raiser to the main event. He put forward the idea at a team owner's meeting in Magny-Cours. "We are aware that people have not got much to come to see on a Sunday," he said, referring to the fact that race day warm-up is no longer part of Sunday's timetable.


From: http://f1.racing-live.com/en/index.html


I am sure all the other teams are just going to be lining up to put a celebrity in their car for a dog and pony show.....
Can you imagine the implications if there is a wreck and somebody significantly important was hurt or something?

Did he even consider the additional cost to the teams too? I bet the sponsors of the smaller teams (of which Bernardi is one) are going to love this idea.....more outlay....

The idea leaves me indifferent, but makes me wonder ... who bought up the Arrows X3 cars?

It is not something new though. In 2001 he even organised "Thunder in the Valley" where they raced, I think 5 2-seaters with passengers at Donnington. Amongst the drivers was Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill. Nigel had a big shunt there - sounds familiar he, but no-one was got hurt.

In stead of doing this play things he should invest the money in the development of a decent race car. When Minardi goes defunct at some day, it will like with Prost and Arrows because of bad management... :wink:

should have sticked to his airline company.

It may not be something new Guido, but it is a complete waste of money and team resources.

What gets me is one of the worst of teams in F1 and they are suggesting ridiculous ways to spend money?
Like you said, he should be spending the money on getting the cars up to speed instead of worrying about trying to turn F1 into an even bigger circus......hhmmmm......do I smell Bernie here?

Stoddy is a Maverick, breaking rules and stretching conventions

Stoddart is an embarrassment. I’m ashamed such a clown hails from Australia. He’s been if F1 for what? Three years? He has no history but acts as if he owns the joint and everybody owes him something. Minardi ceased to exit when Giancarlo sold out as far as I’m concerned.

Like the title of the thread Ray - Stoddy is Dodgy!

Stoddart may be smart, the other teams paid him 5 million pounds to shut up and go along with the crowd! He said he can live with the program til the end of this season, and he really didn't want to stir things up given such a close championship so far. :rolleyes:

It would be better to invite Vinatge F-1 cars to have some sort of race or races in the morning leading up to the F-1 race. I would rather see classic F-1 cars racing around then over paid celebs in expensive two seater F-1 cars.

True it would be great to c the classics of F1 racing around. but i bet they wouldnt come to Australia.

They showed Goodwood festival of speed live (!!!!!!!!!) on MotorsTV this weekend (right before whowing live BTCC races, as well as support races :p). Plenty of classic cars, plenty of modern cars, and a great variety of drivers, like Sterling Moss, driving none other than 300 SLR, Jackie Stewart, Button, JPM, to name just a few. Great spectacle. And Minardi were entrtaining the public in Hyde park a couple of days ago with a bunch of 2-seaters. :p

I was at Goodwood this weekend!! :bananasmi

Originally posted by huudo
I was at Goodwood this weekend!! :bananasmi

I hate you!

Originally posted by huudo
I was at Goodwood this weekend!! :bananasmi

We expect a thread of photos then....NOW!! :icon16:

As you guys know, I don't have a digicam. so it might take a while before I get the pics, since I'm still thinking of buying a slide scanner. Then just have the film developped - not printed - and then scan 'em. I tried once with the scan offer from the local shop, but the results were crap, although the slides were good. So.

Anyhow, I didn't take a lot of pictures of the action. Did mainly walk-arounds of Mercedes cars and last years Scoob in which Petter won the RAC! So you'll have to be patient, I'M SORRY! I'll get them on my site as soon as they are done.

And as far as Goodwood is concerned. It's awesome!