Bernie Is "Thinking About" Buying Nurburgring

[MOWOG]

Well, here's a little something to consider while the circus is at the Nurburgring this weekend. I seem to recall that Bernie also has or had a financial interest in Paul Ricard and the Turkish racing facility. So his buying the Nurburgring could be the kiss of death for this historic circuit.

JULY 6, 2013
Ecclestone considers buying Nurburgring

Bernie Ecclestone has revealed he is thinking about securing the future of the Nurburgring's formula one race, by buying the embattled circuit. Weighed under by financial problems and now for sale, this weekend's round at the famous track in the Eifel only survived on the 2013 calendar because the F1 chief executive heavily reduced his sanctioning fee.

Asked by Die Welt newspaper about the Nurburgring's future beyond the German grand prix on Sunday, Ecclestone answered: "It's quite possible that I'll buy it (the circuit). At least I'm thinking about it. If I do that, it would mean the German grand prix is secure in the future, taking into account of course the existing contracts with Hockenheim."

The 82-year-old Briton said he will make his final decision "in a few months".

"At any rate," Ecclestone insisted, "the German grand prix next year will be at Hockenheim. There are binding contracts and I will keep to them."

The F1 supremo also said he is hoping "two new races" in America will complement the now annual Austin race, "namely in Long Beach and New York (New Jersey)".

And Ecclestone said F1 is also planning races in Thailand, as well as Baku -- the capital of Azerbaijan.

What is Bernie's fascination with holding races in countries run by repressive, totalitarian regimes (Azerbaijan) ? Maybe it's because he feels comfortable with dictators. Or maybe it'$ $omething el$e???

[krisfx]

Epic amounts of cashflow comes into his reasoning for the daftest dictator led countries I would imagine!

It gets me how he wants to have 387million circuits per season haha

[WhiteBlue]

The creditor who is going to loose a ton of money will be the old owner the state of rhineland palatine. If you loose €200m by selling it to a foreigner or €300m by selling it to the national automobile club it is quite clear which option is gonna be more attractive. There is also the impact of running a GP there or not. The ADAC could potentially take the stance that he will not shell out for a German GP contract there. The consequence could be thatwe would have German GP only every second year potentially shared with Spa or France.

A lot will depend of the EU politics. If Bernie makes a combined offer where he offers more money and a guaranteed GP every second year for 10 years the difference in price could be staggering. However it shakes out there are tremendous national symbols at stake. Germans are car nuts and loosing the Ring or the annual GP would be taken very badly. On the other hand the state government is by the green party and they will be pretty hard nosed in the negotiations. They have no automotive industry in the state. It is all in Bavaria and Swabia and up North. So the situation is complex. Todt and the EU could influence it one way or the other.

[Cocles]

It'd be a lot cooler if Michael Schumacher purchased the track, moved into the castle (renamed "Castle Schumacher"), and made the Nurburgring his own personal kingdom.

I can only imagine taking my grandkids someday to the German GP, "Up in that castle lives old man Schumacher. One of the greatest from many decades ago. Once a year, he invites Formula 1 to partake of the Green Hell over which he rules.

Some day, I will write an alternate reality novel, and this will be in it.

[WhiteBlue]

oh LOL

[MOWOG]

Some day, I will write an alternate reality novel, and this will be in it.

And I shall be quite happy to purchase a copy when you do!

[WhiteBlue]

http://www.crash.net/f1/news/193329/1/n ... mpaign=rss
good summary

[xpensive]

I'd like to see MrE investing in the Nordschleife, repaving and remodel the pits, then talking MrT into allowing the F1 race.