Australian GP Chief Criticises Silverstone

Australia's Grand Prix chief has slammed Britain's Silverstone motor racing circuit, saying that without government intervention and the huge popularity of motor racing the venue would not have survived.

"The fact that it's a sell-out has everything to do with motorsport and nothing to do with the venue, because the customers are treated with contempt," Chairman of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation Ron Walker was quoted as saying in The Sunday Times newspaper.

"If Prime Minister (Tony) Blair hadn't intervened, Silverstone would be history."

The 2002 British Formula One Grand Prix looked set to be axed at the end of last year because of the severe traffic problems that have plagued the Northamptonshire circuit for decades. But Blair intervened with a letter to the International Automobile Association and the event was given the go-ahead.

"There's always an excuse for failure but it's equally true that there's always a way to fix it if you want it badly enough. We reduce congestion by laying on free and frequent public transport.

"I can get 145,000 people away from here in 45 minutes. I could save a lot of money by not watering the grass or bringing in a million flowers but we do it because it looks good on TV.

"I defy you to find a cigarette butt on the ground," added Walker, responsible for making the Australian Grand Prix one of the biggest and most popular sporting events in the world.

"You either value top-quality sport and what it can bring to a community, and you set out to get it, or you don't. If you don't then fair enough, but don't complain if the sport goes elsewhere."