The Pits
‘SPORTS fans who get their kicks from sitting in massive traffic jams as they queue to watch a procession of cars are upset this morning.
| What next year’s winner would have looked like |
The Times leads with the news that after 54 unbroken years of racing, the British Formula One Grand Prix is no more.
Bernie Ecclestone, the man who effectively controls the sport, declined to accept an offer from the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC), which runs Silverstone, to stage the event, it falling £3 million short of his £9 million asking price needed to guarantee the future of the race until 2007.
This has deeply upset not only British motor racing fans but, as the Telegraph says, Sir Jackie Stewart, president of the BRDC.
He is disappointed not only by Eccelstone but also by the British Government which he sees as having sold the sport short.
And I regret that the Government, unlike governments in almost every other country which hosts a grand prix, have not been able to pull together a package to help the retention of the grand prix in this country, says he.
It is a shame that a mainstay of the British sporting calendar is no more. But this is a sport seemingly awash with money, and it appears odd that an extra few million could not be found to secure its future.
Odder still, though, is the story of the Arsenal feud, as the Mail says how a fight broke out on the champions team bus as the players left the ground after the weeks 1-1 draw with Rosenborg.
Apparently, the teams Lauren and Patrick Vieira had a disagreement after the Frenchman blamed the Norwegians equaliser on his teammate.
The story goes that police and security guards were called and boarded the team bus to break up the melee.
However, the club seem not to be overly bothered by the fracas.
Arsene Wenger saw little wrong with it (if, that is, he saw anything at all) and the Mail suggests that full and frank exchanges of views are not uncommon among Arsenal players.
Given that it been quite some time since any of the squad received a red card, its understandable that some steam had to be let off.
Just like with Michael Owen, whos releasing the pressure by telling the Guardian about the frustrations of life at Real Madrid.
Though happy with his form so he says the 24-year-old is worried about his limited chances at the Spanish giants.
At Liverpool, says Owen, I was first choice every week…I was a big important player. The big difference is that Im not playing as much in Madrid.
And with Raul, Ronaldo and Morientes ahead of him, chances are high that he wont be collecting too many playing bonuses this season.
After which period, he says hell reassess his future. And then, as with Ian Rush, Jimmy Greaves and, dare it be said, Luther Blissett, come home…’
Posted: 1st, October 2004 | In: Back pages Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
