Japanese Earthquake

[forty-two]

I know it's WAY too early to start a formal thread for the Japanese GP, but I am just wondering if the aftermath of the earthquake, tsunami and apparent Nuclear incident happening in Japan might jepoardise the race?

I have heard that the emergency planning in Japan is first class, and that they had people repairing power cables etc. within 30 minutes of the quake, but surely the cleanup operation after a tsunami and a quake, and now I'm hearing that the cooling equipment at a nuclear power station has failed, will take a lot of time.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

some pretty awful pictures coming in.

[raymondu999]

I'd think the situation there far exceeds the cruciality of a race there, great as Suzuka may be

[forty-two]

Absolutely right IMO. Hundreds of people have apparently already been killed by this, please don't misunderstand my reasons for asking the question. I was in no way suggesting that the bad news was that the race was cancelled or anything, it just occurred to me that this event would be likely to have an impact.

Formula 1, and indeed every sport is a few hundred rungs down the "ladder of importance" than people's lives, I was certainly not suggesting anything other.

There is a clip on the BBC news website of an airport being flooded:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12714713

Scary stuff.

My thoughts are firmly with the people in Japan.

[WhiteBlue]

Suzuka isn't affected by the tsunami. It is located at 50 m altitude and the maximum height of the tsunami was 10m. Any damages due to the quake will be quickly repaired. I think this thread does not belong here but in the off topic chat.

[forty-two]

Track itself might be safe, but I know that at least one international airport has been inundated by the tsunami. There will definitely be repairs needed to national infrastructure, including power grids etc.

I note your point about this thread belonging in the "Off topic" section, but I am afraid that I disagree. It's subject is a formula one race, and whether or not it will take place.

I shall leave it up to the moderators to decide, as that is their job and not mine (or yours).

[ESPImperium]

Hope all is fine at Suzuka, the great thing about Japan is that they have a second Grade 1A track in the form of Fuji.

Above all, I just hope and pray that all in Japan are all safe and well.

[horse]

Above all, I just hope and pray that all in Japan are all safe and well.

Quite. Stuff the race tracks, here's to as little loss of life as possible. Good luck Japan.

Massive fires near Sendai.

[raymondu999]

I'm not saying this from the utilitarian point of view that the tracks are intact. I'm talking from the point of view that, "so, a few thousand people lost their homes, and another few thousand are spending buckets of money on a luxury good such as f1 tix?

[Ciro Pabón]

Perhaps FIA could help somehow with the reconstruction effort, given the fact that they're gettin a few bucks out of Suzuka. Just like Ayrton did with the NSX "Godzilla". If Japan needs help, well...

Ayrton testing NSX at Suzuka (just for you to watch the feet play)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAwJsOECGBU[/youtube]

[strad]

Well my condolences certainly go out to the tens of thousands of people affected by the huge losses.
To ponder the state of the tracks is a bit odd when the infrastructure that would get the people to the track is destroyed.
There is more than just the impressive tsunami. An 8+ quake no doubt destroyed a few miles of road and a few bridges.
Once again, my complete sympathys for those affected.

[forty-two]

Just to clarify my reason for posting, I was in no way "concerned" about the viabilty of the race when compared to the enormity of this situation.

Seriously, I think F1 should make a contribution to the relief campaign, as let's face it, formula 1 have made a serious amount of cash from hosting races in Japan and it's only right to give something back.

Something I am especially concerned about however is the latest news that the authorities in Japan intend to vent some gas from the nuclear reactor which suffered a cooling failure in order to release pressure. I only hope they are right when they say that there is no risk to the area.

[D'Leh]

Well right now I don't care about Suzuka GP. Best wishes to the Japanese to overcome a tragedy like that as good and fast as they can.

What I find amazing is how quake-proof their buildings are. For a quake that extreme it is almost unbelievable how little damage the quake actually did. Nearly a 9 on the Richter scale but no pictures of collapsed buildings. Impressive.

Obviously the Tsunami was devastating, mostly because it came on such short notice. My condolences to the victims and their families.

Also crossing my fingers for them to get the nuclear plant situation under control. A meltdown in Japan of all places would be another unbelievable tragedy. But I'm sure they can solve this.

[forty-two]

Let's all hope so.

Poor souls.

[manchild]

Just check the news. Interior radiation levels 1,000 times than normal. Some of it had spilled outside already. The cooling water in one of 6 reactors is boiling despite plant being shut down (they obviously can't dip bars or there is a water leak).

They've wanted to let some of the radioactive steam in the atmosphere but it couldn't be done since there is no electrical power to operate the plant's systems. The pressure within boiling reactor has risen from 1.5 to 2.1 more than what it was designed for.

There is radiation in the other building with steam turbines.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/ ... TE=DEFAULT