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March 16, 2008
So the Formula 1 spectacle is back in Melbourne for close to the last time. It is becoming too expensive for the Brumby Government to subsidize, its benefits re the global branding of Melbourne are becoming less, the numbers are falling and it looks tired.
Matt Golding
Guy Debord's central argument is that direct lived experience in our society has been obliterated by its representation in a dizzying proliferation of manufactured images and objects. We are positioned as spectators for whom reality has become a disorientating object of contemplation of viewing of a welter of mediated images of sleek cars, grid girls, bare flesh rock stars, junk food, booze, boorish behaviour and corporate sexism packaged up as part of the day's entertainment.
Grid girls, pit babes and paddock chicks spread the gospel of cars, beer, fast food, mobile phones based around the old tits-and-arse formula.
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Gary,
Formula I cost the Victorrian state government about $35 million last year and is tipped to cost around $40 million this year — around four times the $10.6 million spent in 2003.
With the licence to run the race in Melbourne to expire in 2010, Premier John Brumby has said it will only be renewed if an assessment finds it remains a good use of taxpayers' money and a good event for the city.
Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has said he cannot see the Melbourne race continuing past 2010 unless it is made into a night race, which would allow it to be shown live on prime time television in Europe, where its biggest audience is.
Time to let it go.