Bernie Announces Grand Prix of Somalia

[DNQ]

From F1-Live.

Bernie Announcs Grand Prix of Somalia

Somalia is the latest nation to join the Grand Prix calendar. Formula One supremo, Bernie Ecclestone today confirmed a five year contract to host a Grand Prix in the Somalian capital, Mogadishu, starting from 2004.

The event sees Formula One return to the African continent for the first time since Kyalami hosted the 1993 South African Grand Prix.

"Somalia has the potential to become one of the classic events," Mr Ecclestone said. "This is a big oppurtunity"

Herman Tilke, of Hockenheimring fame, will design the stop start motodrome. Construction will begin later this year.

With an overflow of potential Grand Prix candidates including Turkey, Lebanon and Bahrain, one or more European events are expected to be dropped in favour of the new Somalian Grand Prix.

[woodbine]

And then, unable to keep a straight face he p***ed himself laughing

[Mr V]

Can't ever see this getting off the ground to be honest. BTW, is Herman Tilke the only track designer on the face of the planet?

[Down F0rce]

for gods sake, why is Herman Tillke still alive?! and if your gonna move to the African continent again, whats wrong with Kylami?

[Valve Bounce]

Yeah Right!! And the main straight will be in the shape of a Banana.

[f1manoz]

Is it already April 1st?

[dragon x]

The latest film I saw was Black Hawk Down. I guess a Hum-Vee will be the pace-car and instead of start lights they'd use a AK-47(that's a very popular assault rifle).
Bernie must be out of his mind. May be next race will GP of Antarctida.:confused:

[Valve Bounce]

This is a wind up, right

[DNQ]

Valve Bounce, correct, it's false, I made it all up.

Why? To prove what has happened to Formula 1 - there is now an emphasis on 'new markets' as opposed to challenging cirucits, to such an extent that a Somalian Grand Prix sounds believable

Spa isn't good enough for Formula One, but Turkey, Bahrain et al are. It's a shame.

[Mantis13]

If the Big E can make money he'll take F1 anywhere. Perhaps a race through my neighbourhood

[senna12]

If your neighborhood includes a smoke shop or two, then you're in.

[fousto]

/the EU subsidizes tobacco farmers and then turn around and stab everyone in the back. Bernie is just moving the venues to countries who support free advertising. This will save the cig companies sponsorship. Look for all EU races to be moved Spa is just the beginning!

[Airhead]

Originally posted by senna12
If your neighborhood includes a smoke shop or two, then you're in.

Yes,

The money doesn't talk it swears. Truely disgusting. And the foolish few (all of us) think of it as a sport. In the same way that those who have died competing have.

Beam me up Scotty,

I've seen enough, and am in need of mouthwash!

[Total-F1]

What next, eh? The Massey Ferguson Grand Prix of Zimbabwe?

[garcon]

I'm not sure they'd want to relocate that from Norfolk...

[Dutton]

Bernie's long said his long-term ambition is to move F1 out of Europe when the ban comes in, unless I am imagining things. Step by step, one day a Somalian GP may well happen.

[Total-F1]

Will the European tv providers be allowed to televise tobacco advertising after 2006?

[MiniMe]

Grand Prix of Somalia "the rumble in the jungle"

[Splatz the Cow]

I understand there's money going around in the fields of Columbia these days, perhaps that will be of interest.

Or perhaps a GP there would be overlooked in favour of a race in Algiers or Sierra Leone.


Clever though, DNQ, I actually wasn't 100% sure whether it was a joke or not, which certainly proves your point.

I can see it now, a street race in Mogadishu, with burnt cars used to mark the chicanes, and UN aid bags of grain instead of a tyre wall. Or perhaps they could be used as curbing, and the Militia has to try and steal them while the race is underway. And the tyre-barrier is made of... tyres, burning tyres of course. TV cameras would be mounted under Blackhawks.

After its all over, the circus takes 90% of the profit, leaves town, and the city would be poorer than before the GP arrived. But everyone could be happy in the knowledge that they were really part of the F1 community.

[Super Tourer]

I don't know why Bernie doesn't cut to the chase, and just name his 'new' tracks as The Grand Prix of Anywhere that will accept Fag Advertising....