Now, information on this is very limited at the time of writing but:
Jarkko discovered today that in the brand new issue of Tuulilasi magazine, 'Finland's Only Car Magazine' as their slogan goes, there's some kind of car test. And some of the photos of the feature have been shot on the Käpylä Velodrome here in Helsinki.
With the cars driving ON the velodrome.
I haven't seen the issue or any more photos than the one above and don't know more about this but the Helsinki velodrome is a publicly-owned municipal sports facility and the Tuulilasi magazine needed to ask someone at the City for a permission to conduct this stupidity. And someone somewhere in the City administration has actually granted them the permission. And probably for free. One would think that the City is supposed to maintain, not destroy, the velodrome with the tax money, right?
Another thing is that to my knowledge the Käpylä velodrome has the status of an official historical preserved monument (or something like) that due to being of certain architectural value. As a cycling velodrome, not as a car racing track.
Now let's see where this goes next when the word spreads because I certainly hope that we're not the only people seeing the fucked-upness of all this.
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8 comments:
I'd be more concerned about all the snow they put on the track.
Doesnt really matter, the track can withstand a couple of cars...
Almost as cool as driving a car in the bike lane.
Even if the cars don't do any damage to the surface of the track, it's still disgraceful and stupid looking.
Why are people having a hissy fit over this? It's just an article/photos! Some cars on a velodrome, big deal. I once saw a bike on a high way, it freaked me out!
It's an outdoor track with concrete surface. It is also the only cycling track in this country.
Yeah, maybe this is not such a big deal, just some funny pics and that's all. Hey, they do cool shit like that on car ads on television all the the time!
And maybe the surface was not damaged, which would be great. It's just that it was not in such a great condition in the first place and it's mainly the local cycling club maintaining the track on voluntary basis, because the City doesn't seem to want to waste funds on fixing such marginal sports facility. But letting some mag shoot pics there and do whatever, that's apparently all fine for them.
Finally, if someone should think there's some animosity between cyclists and car-drivers in the traffic sometimes, one could see certain symbolism in this act, yes?
Obviously the cars wouldn't damage the surface if they used "normal" tires but presumably they used studded winter tires which would eat up the already battered surface even more.
The velodrome (which gets natural snow coverage during winter because it is an outdoor velodfrome) is preserved not because it has architectural value, but because it was built for the Helsinki Olympic games in 1940 (actually held in 1952 because of WW2).
The velodrome is not UCI legal (it is unsafe) and thus can not be used in international events and because it must be preserved, it can not be made safe.
I really have to think hard to figure out what's the news in this and really don't end up in any conclusion. You write it like it's a Muslim performing profanities in a Lutheran graveyard.
Pictures of cars are taken in many places, even on pristine grass. Get over it.
Jussis got a point.
Peace.
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