KICKING AGAINST THE PRIX

31-07-2007

Claims that the Super Prix road race could be returning to Birmingham have met with short shrift from green campaigners who've accused the city council of "double standards". The Stirrer has an objection too - WE'VE HEARD IT ALL BEFORE!

On a quiet Bank Holiday the other month, the Birmingham Mail ran the latest in a long line of “Super Prix To Return” stories, and in today’s Post, the estimable Neil Connor has a similar line (link).

His report suggests that the organisers of the British Rally Championship are keen to stage an event in the city centre next year, which could - note the conditional - serve as a precursor to a bigger race, similar to that staged in Brum between 1986 and 1990

Officials from Advantage West Midlands and the council even visited a rally in the Isle of Man recently to suss out the possibilities.

Our sources suggest that none of this will happen without substantial public backing - with AWM and/or the city subsidising the event to showcase itself to a global television audience. Hey, maybe Marketing Birmingham could throw some cash at it too.

This at a time when the local authority can’t even keep all of its swimming baths in good nick or fund a new Central library. Hmmm. Somehow, we don’t think so.

If you want to “put Birmingham on the map” (and it was already there, the last time I looked) surely we should be looking at ways to highlight its ability to innovate and move forward.

Next year’s planned Digital Expo, highlighting developments in the world of film and gaming, is a prime example of how sell ourselves to the world on the basis of what we can do, and are doing - not what we used to do.

Then there are the reservations voiced by West Midlands Friends of the Earth.

Their spokesman Chris Williams says: “Birmingham City Council are promoting double standards.On somedays, the City Council is claiming that it wishes to become a world leader in tackling climate change and being green all round.

“Right now, what we are seeing is instead of the City Council trying to wean people off their addiction to the motor car, it is putting effort into glamourising driving more and faster.”

Super Prix? We reckon that’s one idea you can park.

Super Prix - good idea or not? Leave a comment on the Message Board.