Would Korean Grand Prix Persist?

Responds to Lee McKenzie's "Does Korea work as an F1 venue?" and several other columns with foreigners' sights, which have been incredibly pointed out what may not be expected to be noticed by foreigners, giving other prescription to the phenomena as a view of Korea, however.

Well, first of all, in gratitude for Korean governors spending their money to maintain the Grand Prix, I will mention some good things, some of which were not expected at all before getting into the place. As a Korean, the date was perfect to enjoy whole week for a spectator and also for the drivers. Most drivers love to stay in Japan than Korean countryside, so they usually got back to Japan after the Korean Grand Prix. As Japan and Korea schedule has been changed, there is no need to zigzag travel. They may just go to Korea for the short weekend, and go to Japan and stay for the rest until the next Grand Prix. For a spectator, Thursday was holiday in Korea, so if somehow took vacation on Friday, one could enjoy the whole weekend.

Also, what I was worried about was accommodations. I heard that the Grand Prix running committee controlled price of the accommodations in the area after the first year's merciless increase of the room charge. "Motels" are usually used for couples to stay out 'for a moment from their family' though many businessmen use to stay over nights. Thus, you can see the price for 'stay (1hr)' and 'night', both of which are still very cheap. So, inversely, I worried that my room can be borrowed for others to 'stay' during day 'as happened in the first year to the Italian writer' if the price is that cheap. I only stayed one night near the Mokpo station, the cheapest place, but the bed was normally clean, and it seems dirty behind the chests, but no way to be problem for hygiene. And, every morning, several maids came to clean with only $30 a night. So, you don't have to worry about Mokpo city. Transportation is little bit uncomfortable as small city, but most of things are there.

Now, I want to mention about the things. When I went to the circuit to spectate the Friday session, I saw many school kids for field trip, as mentioned by McKenzie. If you did not grow up in Korea, you may just think it as just a 'school trip' maybe decided by school headmaster. However, I know what's behind. If there is something 'patriotic' (or something by government) not making profit, they bring students (and purchased by school). This is pushing sales. Tradition from military dictatorship. I was also mobilised to see a terrible movie about Taekwondo, the producer of which made terrible box-office failure. There were all students from 3 middle schools in the area i.e. all students in my town. It seems they (i.e. governors maybe) doing this for every students every school in Korea for every other day, showing their terrible movie to the student and take money from the school or the government whatever. Of course, finally the movie failed and the producer seems to be bankrupt. The point is, the Korean Grand Prix is held by the local government, and the government thought that the ticket will not be sold so well, so pushed to the students. That's what I see from my experience. But, what's point of that? The debt of the government was not sold to the spectator and circulating inside the government. And, the students pushed to here may not know about the Grand Prix so they just went back after just 30 minutes. They, the students, were just interested in chatting each other, eating something, and to avoid sunlight. Chatting was definitely impossible because of the 'noise'. Even some of them were without earplugs, while most teachers brought earplugs for their students. So, I saw it as compulsory mobilisation -- pity for those who were not interested in -- which is also pity for those who could not buy tickets because of the occupancy by the students.

But, still, I have to mention that, including those 'education', the effort to advertise by the promoter seems making some success in Korea. F1 fans definitely increasing after the Grand Prix. Most of the Korean fans now are since the first Korean Grand Prix. Some are even since the last year's Grand Prix. Most Korean feels excitement about speed so some of them makes trouble on the public roads. Grand Prix definitely showed people about motorsports and led people to circuits. Grand Prix is leading to make motorsport tradition in Korea as the promoter wished.

Also, the boring Tilke's circuit also make excitement every year. I thought the circuit layout is very boring at the first time. Sector 1, long straights and stops, is definitely boring, but double apex turn, the complex of the last turns (14, 15, 16, 17 & 18), and the turn 1&2 are the masterpiece. "14, 15, 16, 17 & 18" shows the characteristic, and turn 1&2 and the dangerous pit exit give such excitement.

The problem is that the promoter seems to know nothing about what they are doing. Fans were increased and enthusiastic enough, but those hard-headed government officers has no idea about the details of the Grand Prix and tough security men are pushing people so I felt offended all the week. Those green guys have no interest of Grand Prix, don't know who are coming, just interested in controlling people and going home earlier. They insulted people taking picture of the garage after the podium, and pushed people out of the stand to see their local star 'SISTAR'. It seems only 3 people succeed to make through the security and stay on the track after the security guys left, those who shot by the Ted's notes. I wish that they should hire someone understanding at least 'terms and conditions' of the event. i.e. about what's the right of spectators, what's the obligation of them.

So, the reality is that the promoter pushing enthusiastic people out and filling with mobilised people which are good to control. They definitely don't know that why Korean Grand Prix is not popular. They are killing atmosphere. What they should do is not to cover up contract violation of Korean Broadcasting. (MBC did not broadcasted most Grand Prix every year which is violation of contract) They just should not kill fans. In that view, this year's Grand Prix was worst ever, and I don't think I want to go ever again.

#f1 #f1kr Weather analysis concerning effect of typhoon appearing this week

Today, a typhoon occured in Malaysia, proceeding north toward Korea. In 4 days, it is expected to reach Okinawa. Apparently, it will not pour significant amount of rain on the peninsula this week, with this speed.

I will discuss about indirect effect of this storm during the race session. It is good to be informed that the typhoon will not reach to the spot, but it does not mean that we can do as usual.

During the session, local weather forecast is provided, as you may have seen on the television. This pitwall warning system is basically based on the measurements. Korea is in the eastern cost of the continent, so in the Westerlies area. Basically, winds blows from the west, and every clouds and meteorology flows from the west to the east. "Shower in 10min" alert comes from the actual cloud 10 minutes away to the west from the area.

However, any storm in the northern hemisphere spins counterclockwise. It means, as this typhoon is in the south from the spot, the wind from the typhoon may blows westward, which is opposite to the tendency. This can make weather flow unexpectable and even make small storm.

The result is: no local weather forecast, no expectation of wind direction so downforce may be affected. Of course, we do not know how big it will be so it may not affect so much, except it will just hit the spot after the race.

Typhoon may affect directly from next Tuesday. I know that most teams will pack up on the race day and leave to Seoul. However, it could be affected if the storm speeds up.

I hope that there be no disaster, but storm effect could give more fun. So, it is sad that the hit is in the next week.

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