Last week I read speculation the State Government will face record losses of up to $50 million on this year's Australian Grand Prix. Last year there was a $40 million loss and $35 million the previous year. I'm appalled by that, really and truly.

I'm a Formula 1 fan and have been for many years. Each year since I've been here I've gone along to the Melbourne Grand Prix and had a great time. I've also encouraged others to go. This year The Who are playing after the main race, which should drag in some extra fans.

This year, I have been putting off buying my tickets for the race weekend. Due to saving my annual leave allowance for the trip back to the UK later in the year I shall not be going for the four-day grandstand passes that I bought the previous two years. I do want to go along to the Saturday and Sunday, though, and I'd like to pay the extra for grandstand tickets to get a better view. Being next to the grid when the full complement of Formula 1 cars rev their engines for the start of the race is an amazing experience. K wants to join me on the Sunday this year, but that's more about the after-race gig than motorcars driving in circles around Albert Park Lake.

Today I went to the temporary Ticktek outlet that has been erected in City Square to buy some tickets. The guy at the counter asked "Who's Next?" I said I'd like to buy two grandstand tickets for me and one for "My Wife" (did you see what I did there?).

He told me that I could only buy grandstand tickets for the whole four days. Now, I could take two days off work at a real push, but there is no way K would want to spend four days at the circuit. No way. I explained my predicament and he said "I know" in a manner suggesting that he'd heard a million other potential customers air the same complaint but there was nothing he could do about it. I want to see the race and so if the only way I can see it live with K is with the cheaper general admission tickets then that is what I shall have to do. I asked for these and he told me that the booking system was down. I walked away.

I am so angry with Australian Grand Prix Corporation right now, I am seriously considering boycotting the race. I wonder how much of the huge annual deficits could have been cut by firstly having ticket booking systems that work during office lunch breaks but also by not having such tedious restrictions on the sale of grandstand tickets. No doubt Australian Grand Prix Corporation will end up giving these tickets away so that the stands are full for the television cameras on race-day.

Frankly, I hope Melbourne loses the grand prix. I'd rather see my tax dollars go to people more deserving: the homeless of Melbourne, the hospitals or the schools. Anyone other than Australian Grand Prix Corporation!