where was Everyone at the track.

yer!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, its ridiculous…and they’re talking bout having 2 rounds in Bahrain…what a joke!! Have 2 rounds at some aussie tracks (cause we appreciate it and actually go to watch!!) before they give other countries more races!!

Although there where not alot of spectators by Australian standards, 35,000 people did attend the race. i was at the race and the grandstand I was in was very well packed at one end… however the camera angles do not show it. Many people from Australia actully where there which surprised me. However every penny is spent advertising the Grand Prix here, so not much is left on the V8’s although first year around 11,000 people attended the weekend next year 28,000 and this year 35,000 which is a healthy number. Bahrain asa nation spends so much mony on its motorsport it would be a shame to see it go and no one can possibly deny the action is some of the besst we get all year.

Also during the F1 GP here during the first year in 2004 only 45,000 people attended. 5 years later that number was up to 100,000. I think Bahrain would stay… I was a V8 fan before the races here so I dont mind 2 races…. but I dont think it would be worth a while for V8 Supercars… also the other reason the standss seem empty is because only two 20,000 people and 10,000 seat stands are open on the day of the V8SC and the circuit can take much much much more people so it looks empty… 35000 people is not a great amount but hey, in the place I was in there where some great Jamie fans with the whole kit on and a large flag and the atmosphere was a huge improvement on anything I have witnessed at a non F1 event there…. give it a couple of years and intrest will be way high.

It is the worst circut ever.
The only reason they go there is becasue they get tons of money. Why otehr reason would Mr Tony Cochrane want to go there twice a year? To extend his pay check.

I wouldn’t say it’s the worst circuit ever. It’s really exciting to watch - especially after Indy where they get in a procession and can’t pass or anything (which gets kinda boring). And Tander has been having nothing but bad luck there - so its great!!!

From a driving point of view Bahrain may be the worst track because there is no grip and the teams have trouble getting the set up of their cars right but from a spectator point of view, I love Bahrain because there’s heaps of action!! And boy are we glad for Tander’s bad luck, now we just need Frosty to have a bit of bad luck too just to make sure that Jamie can have this championship in the bag!!!! Frosty can have next year….. No wait I want to see CL get a championship next year.

Thanks for the insight there Mohammed, i never knew the crowd figures. Bahrain IC looks to be a massive facility, and 35,000 people wouldnt really make the place look full. It would be like having 5,000 people at the MCG…

In terms of the track, it is an interesting layout but it produces great racing. In V8's lots of people whinge about lack of passing, well Bahrain has great opportunities to pass and then for the passed car to re-pass in switch-back style. Turn one is a great spot to pass. But get it wrong and you take out half the field…

The track is nice and wide, which makes it hard to block and facilitiates exciting door to door racing. Plenty of run off too.

The fact it is low grip and abrasive i think it is a good thing. It challenges the teams, and it spices up the racing. Look at Frosty's run through the field in race 2 on his premo rubber.

The facilities for the teams looks to be fantastic, but I am not sure that a crowd of 40,000 warrants a second race in a season.

agreed with Christa on the Tander bit
its a very big track & does make things harder with no grip..

but for the big stands and the size.. the crowd attendance is very average.

i saw no one it was just the pit crew

Bahrain is a fantastic circuit and from the looks of the place it has great facilities. The great thing about the lack of grip is that it test the driver and crews.
If a crowd of around 40, 000 is all they can get, then instead of doing 2 rounds at Bahrain, just go back to Eastern Creek for a round if its the 40,000 people and under mark they are trying to get. Tony Cochrane has lost his mind if he wants to do 2 rounds there. So much for cost containment.

I thought it was great too - loved all the passing. But twice in a year is not necessary I don’t think - especially when they’re talking about Singapore as well - It might be great for them as far as the dosh goes but when there is only 14 or 15 rounds, you can’t have three overseas… Wow, it didn’t look like 35,000 on tv but you could tell that the place was massive.

Looks like great facilities and nice wide track for over taking but probably need a better track to give the cars better performance.

I dont understand. How can they even think about another round in Bahrain, when not every state in Australia has a round? When Mr Cochrane was talking about the second round in Bahrain, there was absolute outrage in my loungeroom here in WA. Absolutly unbelievable.
How about they think about giving the Australian fans the chance to watch their sport live, before they go sending it off to other countries??
If they arent careful we will go from Aussie Touring Cars to International Touring Cars.
I wonder if they think people in WA can go to the rounds in the Eastern states, whenever we feel like it?

Does anyone know how i can send an email or letter to the V8Supercar board?

Something needs to be done by someone… might aswell be me.

Bahrain is yet another Herman Tilke designed POS track, like half the current F1 circuits, with constant radius corners and an unexciting layout. And on the other side of the world, to boot. I know that the V8s are paid a substantial sum to go over there, but really… Little silly…

Lakeside’s hosting events again - cancel Bahrain and go back there. Or Calder Park. Or heck, a second round in Tassie at Baskerville would be better - over 13% of Tassie’s population attend the V8 round each year. We’re talking almost triple the number of spectators at Bahrain, plus a lot of interstate people. Or figure out a solution for WA. Or Wakefield. Or Mallala. Or get rid of the Paperclip and move a little further out to Morgan Park. Or have a second NZ round, and then you’ve got your (supposed) maximum of 2 overseas event.

There are so many options to keep the sport entirely in Aussie (with NZ as a side), so why go elsewhere?