Valencia to get Formula 1 + America's Cup (maybe)

by Gerald New on 20 Jul 2007
With the traditional August shut-down in Spain approaching fast, the Valencian local government has been pulling out all the stops to get the future of the two events that will turn the city into a major force on the world sporting scene - Formula 1 and the America's Cup - settled.

Two articles this morning in Peter Gooch's Valencia Life email newsletter show that they have had some success. In the first Gooch reports that work on the Formula 1 track is to start after the summer break, and be ready for next July, in time to hold the European Grand Prix in the late summer of 2008.

In the second he reports that at a meeting with Michel Bonnefous, the President of Americas Cup Management, the council still did not get a firm decision but it seems from comments by Bonnefous after the meeting that a decesion is near, possibly before the end of the month.

Formula 1 (from Valencia Life)

Valencia Town Council yesterday officially gave notice that work is to begin for the installation of the Formula 1 circuit in accordance with the conditions set out in the contract between the Valencian Government, Valencia Town Hall and Bernie Ecclestone of Formula 1.

The plans envisage linking the Paseo de la Alameda, Avenida de Francia and the Avenida del Puerto and as well as building a bridge the will connect the city with the port. The date for the works to be completed is July next year - barely a month before the first Formula 1 Race is set to take place in Valencia

America's Cup (from Valencia Life)

Francisco Camps, the President of the Valencian Community, yesterday held a meeting with Rita Barbera, the Mayoress of Valencia and Michel Bonnefous, the President of Americas Cup Management, the collective that looks after the interests of the Americas Cup.

The aim of the meeting, which took place in the Palau de la Generalitat, was to try and eliminate the differences between ACM and the Valencians over the staging of the 33rd edition of the Americas Cup in 2009.

The main sticking points still appear to be finance and the extension of Valencia Port and how this could affect any future Americas Cup Races. No one made any comments after the meeting yesterday, with Mr Bonnefous stating that some sort of statement about the 33rd America's Cup races would be made soon.

Valencia Life website: http://www.valencialife.net

Challenger of Record hold Regatta - http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=35835