Aug.03 (GMM) As Lewis Hamilton and others vie for this year’s Formula One championship, the organisers of the first 2011 Delhi Grand Prix have a dilemma to deal with – how much to charge for tickets. Those directing the event will closely watch the forthcoming October Commonwealth Games, which are seen as a guideline to local interest in global sporting events.
The Formula One brand is one that defines itself as exclusive, but the Jaypee Group, which is building the track more than 20 miles from the city centre, is adamant that the range of tickets will attract abroad interest from all income groups. Delhi’s drivers know all about car races – the whole city resembles a rally track that would challenge the skills of any Formula One driver – but with the organisers promising to release 25,000 tickets for general release at around £20, they seem confident they can set prices at high-end IPL level for the remaining 150,000 spectators.
Emerging countries are increasingly looking at hosting major sporting events to showcase their new competitiveness and, while you often read about this or that country being behind schedule, the truth is that things are always completed in time, whatever the cost – the stakes are simply too high.
Delhi is thinking big and capacity is expected to reach 175,000 spectators. The main grandstand that holds 29,000 is second only to China’s Grand Prix track. At present, however, the track is yet to be laid but once the ongoing monsoon is over, tenders will go out to asphalt the surface. And that’s what worries me. The race is scheduled to take place in October 2011 after not just this year’s monsoon, but next year’s as well, meaning ticket prices may be the least of the organisers’ concerns.
Already the history of a potential Indian Grand Prix is as chequered as the finish flag. The idea was first mooted in 1997 for a race in Kolkata, but in 2003 Hyderabad signed a seven-year pre-arranged deal to hold it there. Not to be outdone, Mumbai then stymied that arrangement the following year by putting forward another bid. Neither materialised and nor did offers from the cities of Bangalore and Lucknow.
Delhi was finally announced as the venue in 2009 after months of negotiations with the Indian Olympic Association and everything is pointing towards a successful event that will employ 10,000 people and bring in more than £120 million for the city. But as the monsoon rains crash down around me, there a many signs that this particular event has a long way to go until it finally gets off the grid.
Source:blogs.telegraph.co.uk
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