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India GP (34 posts)

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TBWG said 1 year, 10 months ago:

Hi

Anyone know when Charlie Whiting is due to visit and check progress on the new Indian circuit?

I want to book tickets for plane & hotel but reluctant till I am sure it will go ahead.

Also any recent pics of circuit progress or info would be appreciated.

TBWG

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Todfod said 1 year, 10 months ago:

A friend of mine stays a few kms away from the circuit, and the last update he gave me was a couple of weeks ago. He says there is a lot of work left, and there is no way it would be complete by the end of August. I’m guessing the inspection would be sometime in September, and accordingly the ticket sales would begin.

Being a citizen of India, it would come as no surprise to me if the circuit isn’t ready and the GP is cancelled. If you are planning to catch a race live this year, India shouldn’t be your best bet.

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TBWG said 1 year, 10 months ago:

Hi Todfod

Thanks for prompt response. Well thats not very encouraging, are there any recent pics of progress?

I have today had an email from AirAsia plugging flights to the event including a draw for some free race tickets tickets so they must be confident it will be going ahead and if anyone knows the score it must be Tony Fernandes!

Suspect I will soon bite the bullet and book hotel and flight but would like a bit more info first!

More comments welcome.

TBWG

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Todfod said 1 year, 10 months ago:

Check this out.. I think these pics were taken on the 5th of July

http://oneclick.indiatimes.com/photo/0faSaIPc2f5s0?q=Switzerland

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Prisoner Monkeys said 1 year, 10 months ago:

I don’t think any circuit has ever actually failed a homologation. South Korea came close last year, but was approved. Even the infamous 1984 Dallas Grand Prix – where the high heat meant the track started breaking up – went ahead as planned. I’ve seen photos of progress of the Indian circuit, and I do believe they are well and truly on schedule. I see no reason why it should fail homologation. I know a lot of people point to the shoddy construction of the Commonwealth Games venues, but the difference here is that the Commonwealth Games facilities were built by public contractors (who work for the lowest bid) whereas Buddh International is being built by a private contractor, and that contractor is Tilke GmbH, who have the most experience in building Formula 1 circuits. They’ve built every circuit since Sepang (with the exception of South Korea, but they were called in at the eleventh hour and got the circuit over the line).

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Todfod said 1 year, 10 months ago:

Not true PM. The Commonwealth Games contracts were also allotted to private contractors, but they were allotted by the government. Which is is similar to how the Jaypee group got the Budhh Circuit contract. Tilke is just a designer and will assist the Jaypee group in the construction of the circuit.

I hope the circuit is done in time as well, but I’m not expecting the sale of the tickets to begin anytime within a month.

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Prisoner Monkeys said 1 year, 10 months ago:

Jaypee also have real estate holdings. I believe they own the land the circuit is built on. After all, the original name of the circuit was the Jaypee Group Circuit

Whatever the case, they are a private contractor. Buddh International is a specialised job, which is why Jaypee received the contract – only a handful of organisations could actually do it. Given that they’ve been in business since 1957, I’d say they’re a fairly safe pair of hands. Concerns that the facilities are going to collapse are unfounded.

Besides, the Commonwealth Games this was overblown. A lot of media outlets were reporting that conditions in the athletes’ village were unsanitary, but as the story kept going, it became fairly obvious that journalists were in incompelte buildings that were the last ones scheduled to be finished. The collapse of the bridge was a big deal, but the journalists were just fishing for a bigger story.

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vickyy said 1 year, 10 months ago:

I want to share some relevant updates with you all.
My uncle works in Siemens systems, which is responsible for all electrical and IT infrastructure of the circuit.
Last weekend, as I stay in Noida, which is roughly 40KM from Buddh international, got a chance to visit the site with my uncle (of course, with his references).
I was all pumped and raring to click some pics of the circuit with my Sony H70, but came near close to loose it to security personals.
As far as progress is concerned, track and service roads are near completion (obviously require some finishing touch), grand stand, other stands and pit buildings have some significant work left to do.
Although my experience doesn’t speak of much volume regarding these infrastructure projects,but they are not in very comfortable position and will require last minute hush-hush, although it is definite that circuit will be ready for the race
with remotest chance of cancelation (as I followed last year, things are way too better than Korea).
Todfod, my friend, sorry but you are sounding little cynical and I hope you would have to eat your words (and you would be hoping the same :))

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wasiF1 said 1 year, 10 months ago:

Thanks vickyy,I hope this is true & we have the GP on time.

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TBWG said 1 year, 10 months ago:

Thanks Vicky

Thanks for update ~~~ Vicky do you think main grandstand i.e. startline/pits has much further to go to finish?

Also what hotel did you stay in in Noida and was it OK.

Thanks

TBWG

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vickyy said 1 year, 10 months ago:

Hi TBWG (sorry couldn’t catch your name :))

Yeah as it appeared to me, pitlane building was more or less done with internal stuff pending (electrical wiring, AC n stuff) but main grandstand needs most attention, it seemed quite behind.
And I am Noida resident here, working in IBM, so I already know this place.
There are not many options in Noida, mostly comes under Jaypee umbrella only (very expensive).
But you will get a lot many choices in Delhi, which is some 70-80 km from the circuit and conveyance is pretty easy.
The cabs will charge you 15Rs/km (official rates) which will come round to 20-25 Euros for you.
And yeah let me know if you need any help here if you decide to land here :)

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Todfod said 1 year, 10 months ago:

Hey vicky, didn’t mean to sound cynical. Just wanted TBWG to be aware of the fact that there is a chance of a cancellation. I dont think I need to tell you about how infrastructure/construction projects in our country have never been completed in time. But you’re right.. I hope I have to eat my own words, and show up in Noida for quali and the race :)

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vickyy said 1 year, 10 months ago:

Hi Todfod, you are right, it sucks big time here when it comes to infrastructure projects.
But here it’s little different scenario, a total private entity taking care of the project where everything matters is money and global reputation.
And I am positively hoping that these factors will lead to successful completion of the project.

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HounslowBusGarage said 1 year, 10 months ago:

Can anyone help me?
In one of the Round Up pages earlier this year, there was a link to a forum on construction projects in India, and someone had posted up a whole raft of pics of the Buddh construction site. I went back there to read the postings when the race was re-scheduled for December and there was a general feeling of relief and gratitude for the extra time.
I wanted to go back there to see what the latest posts had to say, but can I find the site? I CANNOT find the Round Up link and I can’t spot the site in Google . . . Does anyone have the faintest idea what it might have been called or when it appeared in the Round Up?

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TBWG said 1 year, 10 months ago:

Hi Houunslow BusGarage

Think the link you are looking for is ~~~~ http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=708714&page=51

TBWG

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