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How Kingston plans to hold a Grand Prix
Peter Dominiczak26.02.09
KINGSTON residents are lobbying to host a Formula1 Grand Prix after a motoring expert designed a street circuit.
The circuit that would make Kingston the UK's answer to Monte Carlo was dreamed up by the editor of Autosport magazine, Andrew van de Burgt, who lives in the area.
Highlights include the John Lewis Tunnel and a right-hand turn at the Mecca Bingo Bend.
Kingston town centre manager, Graham McNally, has his sights on making the dream reality.
"It would be mad, but hell, it would be memorable. It would really put Kingston on the map," he said.
"Formula 1 may be slightly fanciful, but some sort of race is a genuine possibility."
There are stumbling blocks to the plan - Donnington Park, Leicestershire, is to host the British Grand Prix for 10 years from 2010 and the Government would have to change the law, as the Road Traffic Act prohibits speeding on any road.
Reader views (18)
Another bargain for the rate payers of Kingston. Maybe to town centre manager could also look to organise the next world water ski championships. Given the local authorities habit of repaving the town on a regular basis maybe there's potential there for some international event.
The one way system is already a race track some nights which seems to follow a similar route. Good thinking town centre manager. Its what Mr Mosley would call a half baked idea.
- Martin, london
"Start/finish straight up Park Lane, left into Hyde Park, u-turn onto The Ring, chicane before The Serpentine, left onto South Carriage Drive, back to Park Lane."
Sorry to quote myself but i now thought maybe it's better to go around clockwise because of any accidents at the chicane. Also the Start/Finish on South Carriage Drive, minimising disruption to Park Lane. Also you could use Speakers Corner as Park Ferme, though Im sure that would cause some controversy on a Sunday morning.
- Tim, London, UK
Kingston Council cannot even organise refuse collection let alone a Formula 1 race. Rather than this, cut my council tax and concentrate on direct public services.
- Graham, Kingston, Surrey
It depends on the economic turn-around;cost/ benefit ratio should be calculated,then decison taken...
- Andre, switzerland
London one.
Start/finish straight up Park Lane, left into Hyde Park, u-turn onto The Ring, chicane before The Serpentine, left onto South Carriage Drive, back to Park Lane.
- Tim, London, UK
Close to where I live a town does the same thing every year, great fun - hay bales for crash barriers etc!
Kingston has no chance once the H&S police and envirnomentalists get involved.
- K A Guilfoyle, Cersay, France
I say "Go for it" we lost F1 in Canada (Montreal) last year, and with the economy affecting some car manufacturers. F1 needs new venues and if Kingston can get the show on the road good for them.
- Roger Allen, St.Albert, Alberta, Canada
What a fantastic idea, this is js the thing to revive Britain's interest in motor sports, especially F1. Although surely this could be done in the West End, Hyde Park Corner & Marble Arch, Oxford Street etc... Boris Johnson where are you?????
- Stan, Bexley
When would this happen? Not in the forseeable future,the only road race KoT could hold is the one to see which road works finish first. Better get in quick when they do though,before the next round of 'essential' major road
works begin
- Betilda, kot uk
Too funny. Is this the same council that charges people with Range Rovers double the 'Prius' charge to park outside their own house!!
- Larry, Amsterdam, NL
I knew nothing good would ever come of Google Earth!
:o)
I would love to see an F1 street race held in London...wherever, but sadly it will never happen. The forms, the insurance, the health and safety will ensure that raods are closed for a good four or five weeks before and probably for two or three weeks after...
...Monaco seem to have it off to a tee. Roads more or less stay open for the duration, even to the extent of fixing up barriers in the tunnel, while keeping the two lanes of traffic running...that would never happen in the UK...you can just see the moustacioed, anorak wearing, clipboard holding, mono-toned, health and safety foot soldier from the council objecting at every turn.
- Escobar A-Lop-Lop, Camden County
The residents of the kaleidoscope could sell some good viewing spots
- Ken, ipswich suffolk
Brilliant! Certainly better idea then that theatre!
I think the roundabout at the end of the bridge may need a bit more thought thought.
- Mike, Kingston
Rather throws Kingston council's view on CO2 emissions into the air ... or will they charge the racers by the foot?
- Matthew, london
Fab!
Just watch out for the buses pulling out.
- Anthony, Surbiton
AC cars were made in Thames Ditton, just a short hop from Kingston, and they were the basis of the famous racing AC Cobra, twinned with Carol Shelby's engines in the US.
What about a historic rally weekend- a little like the Goodwood festival?
Or what about cycle races, like the ones held in Smithfields?
- Fresh, London
Taking the roundabout outside the White Hart, west of Kingston Bridge should be fun.
- Martin H. Watson, Teddington
This would be wonderful. Kingston has such a motorsport connection from before the war which continues even today. One resident who spans the generations is Anthony Crook, a war time pilot who went on to race in Formula 1 and still is top man at Bristol Cars, the only British luxury car maker.Of course he has never had an honour unlike that RBS fella.
- Jack Spratt, Richmond, England
