Expensive affair, locals moan
27/9/2004 10:42
Shanghai Daily news
Formula One raced away as the ultimate winner, but many local viewers were
left wondering if it was worth it. "There is no doubt it is money that runs
the sport," said Zheng Jie, a 26-year-old white-collar worker. The Formula
One racing is considered by many as equal to Olympic Games and the World
Cup. Zheng said he paid 3,800 yuan (US$459) for the ticket and spent another
1,000 yuan on souvenirs. "That's as good as my one month's salary," Zheng
said. Although Zheng admitted he was impressed by the circuit and the fast
cars, he found the affair too commercial - something, he hoped the organizers
would take care of in next year. "Everybody is stealing from my wallet," he
said. He was particularly miffed with teams/companies selling souvenirs
around the circuit and charging astronomical prices. "Can you imagine a
simple key ring with Ferrari's logo costing 150 yuan? That's outrageous," Zheng
complained. But the sponsors of the racing teams were happy with the sales
over the weekend. Their products largely ranged from T-shirts to models of
cars. But none of them, including big guns in the sport - Ferrari, Michelin
and Bridgestone - however revealed any figures of the sales. "It's like a
bonanza here. People are crazy about our products," said a Ferrari saleswoman,
who would only give surname Tian. Ferrari's licensed stores were selling
T-shirts and caps which cost 350 yuan and 250 yuan, respectively. Even fairly
well-off fans complained that the organizer should do more to make it a one big
party rather than just another cash-collection event. "It's too commercial.
It lacks participation from fans," claimed Parry Huang, a 31-year-old audit
expert. "The event organizers should allow for more auto-related activities
and allow fans to get a fell of the track after the end of the race," he
said. "Otherwise, it's a little bit boring and cost ineffective." Tickets,
which were all sold out, ranged from 380 yuan to 3,800 yuan. An average monthly
income of a Shanghainese is around 2,000 yuan. "I wish they would lower the
price next season," Zheng said.
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