Abu Dhabi is going to discover that it takes more than pretty lights and a crap circuit to build a tourist industry. Dubai has already discovered the folly of building for Chavs.

The property bubble has burst and there is no repair kit for a burst bubble. You can only attract the serious wealthy if you are perceived to be successful. Dubai is now a building site and Abu Dhabi is conjoined at the hip. It is has been claimed that the 'success' of the first Abu Dhabi GP, and its capacity crowd, minus the empty seats, will kick a programme of expansion which will take capacity to 75,000, which will mean more empty seats.

We are told by PR people that Abu Dhabi was a success, but we all know that the circuit is rubbish, as was the racing and there was not a capacity crowd. In fact, the Yas Marina circuit is another disaster.

Except, according to its PR, Abu Dhabi was an amazing success. That is the official line, believed by nobody. Its attempt to stage a second meeting, a 'truly unique experience' was cancelled hours before cars were due to be shipped there.

It had two international meetings planned in 12 months and one has been cancelled. Spare a thought for all the Historic racers who will not see the pretty lights change colour.

I suggest that we relax and enjoy the experience of watching PR people under pressure. We know that Abu Dhabi's ambitions are useless therefore, unless we were booked to compete in the Classic, we can at least enjoy the excuses.

Mike Lawrence
mike@pitpass.com

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