supercar sunday - busiest GBC ever?

[dts439]

Arrived at 7:45 after great run down some quiet roads and queued only back from the roundabout (hope yellow Dino marooned on the verge was OK in the end). However after arriving at entrance was told to park in the field as "already 100 Porsches" inside. Triffic. Mate behind in his Esprit Sport 350 gets in but is then directed away from the paddock (has been on the grid on previous years). Walk in to see that there is plenty of space in the 'overflow' infield car park so a bit cross (I didn't expect to go in the paddock as the 996 I'm in is not a "supercar"). I'm guessing they had a policy this year of keeping space back for 'late' arrivals.

What got our goat was the random nature of what cars were let in to the paddock on what was meant to be a supercar day, and that it seems that any Ferrari was let in. I don't think it helps to see so many similar cars together as they lose their wow factor.

Ok rant over, but I guess I was disappointed after really enjoying our last visit for the "Sporting 4 seaters" theme which brought down a greater variety of cars then I've seen at Goodwood before. At least it gave me a rare chance to stretch the 911's legs.

[GKP]

sadlerj said:

Totally Fantastic morning out. Started wonderfully with an early morning blast down the A272 and then through South Harting, with non of the morons that invade those roads after 9am

Just a quick reminder (not specifically aimed at you) that the road through South Harting, despite the lack of street lamps, is a 30 limit and in places has no pavement for the villagers to get from one end to the other.

[jtremlett]

dts439 said:

Arrived at 7:45 after great run down some quiet roads and queued only back from the roundabout (hope yellow Dino marooned on the verge was OK in the end). However after arriving at entrance was told to park in the field as "already 100 Porsches" inside. Triffic. Mate behind in his Esprit Sport 350 gets in but is then directed away from the paddock (has been on the grid on previous years). Walk in to see that there is plenty of space in the 'overflow' infield car park so a bit cross (I didn't expect to go in the paddock as the 996 I'm in is not a "supercar"). I'm guessing they had a policy this year of keeping space back for 'late' arrivals.

What got our goat was the random nature of what cars were let in to the paddock on what was meant to be a supercar day, and that it seems that any Ferrari was let in. I don't think it helps to see so many similar cars together as they lose their wow factor.

Ok rant over, but I guess I was disappointed after really enjoying our last visit for the "Sporting 4 seaters" theme which brought down a greater variety of cars then I've seen at Goodwood before. At least it gave me a rare chance to stretch the 911's legs.

Whilst I have sympathy with much of what you and others have said, I do think it is easy to be critical. Also, when you think about how to improve these things you start to realize that it isn't easy. Firstly things would have been very different if the weather had been poor. Secondly, you have this issue of many people holding up the queue trying to argue that their souped-up Fiesta or whatever is a supercar. Later on the public car park was actually full and all and sundry got directed onto the far end of the pit straight as a result. I really don't see the issue with having the Maserati trailer or whatever there. We all get in for free and great they've brought some cars along and if they've paid Goodwood a few bob too then so much the better. Goodwood are a business and if they don't make money at the end of the day then there won't be an event at all.

I had a brilliant time and thought the whole morning was fantastic. The queue to get in was mildly frustrating but what a stunning array of cars to be queuing with! Yes, the event is a victim of its own success but why not help Goodwood with that by seeing if PH posters can't come up with some suggestions to help improve things? How do you better separate the theme cars from the wannabees and the general public cars without holding everyone up? Can access be arranged better and faster especially as older cars in particular are not great with queues (yellow Dino was fine by the way and did make it in)? How can they better manage re-filling the space vacated by cars that have left? etc. etc.

Jonathan

[Isimmo]

In my humble opinion I think they all do a superb job, especially as the vast majority are volunteers and are up at the circuit at the crack of dawn. The arrival of cars is a 'fluid' situation and they can only react to what is happening at the time, or they 'think' might happen. They rely on the enthusiasts cooperation as much as anything else, and to keep these events alive we (the enthusiasts) just have to give credit where due and go with the flow.

Likewise, when it comes to the 'theme' I think we've all got an opinion as to what is or isn't a 'Supercar'. I know I don't own one, and I suspect precious few of us, genuinely do.

But, we turn up, we (erm) don't pays our money, and we takes our monthly fix… It really is an institution we shouldn’t take for granted.

[thatone1967]

Maybe they could have some sort of "pre-registration" ie: you email a pic of your car, and if you are "worthy" they let you in the back gate?

[PompeyM3]

Speaking to one of the members of Goodwood staff on Sunday and mentioning about the amount of people there, they said that the biggest concern was traffic in the area for these as some of the locals are not happy about the roads being brought to a standstill for a few days every year for breakfast clubs, FoS, Revival etc.

I would say that the historic race circuit was there before they moved in and I can imagine it does help the local economy when you have people visiting the area for hotels, restaurants, pubs etc

I think the marshals do a great job and it really is down to what cars turn up at what time. I've made it onto the grid before, other times I've not. Not a problem, just glad to be around such like minded people with a keen interest in cars.

[KO993c4s]

shoestring7 said:

Get up earlier? I queued for a BB at 8.45, and waited for all of 5 minutes - and I could see the cars arriving in the paddock too. And i didn't tihnk £4-50 for a very tasty bacon+egg butty was bad - at least not compared to the £2-50 latte.

Agreed ... have to get up earlier... I was in the queue for the roundabout for the "PUBLIC CAR PARK" at 8:35am --- it took over 35 mins to park up... I should have just bitten the bullet and had the even more outrageously priced cooked English breakfast... there were plenty of empty seats !!

[loltolhurst]

I think its fine as it is - this year was mad due to the weather if you have to queue for 40 mins surrounded by nice cars so what get over it. personally we were in in 15 mins. They could do with slightly better signs in that I didnt realise that i was in the queue for the main bit and knew already i was not worthy!

if they want to start charging then they could bring in preregistering and give out coloured stickers to let people in - prob with this people in v fancy cars will not turn up if the weather is bad.

the queues for drinks were far more serious though! so diff for them to judge though so well done on putting this FREE event on.

[HarryW]

We come in from the lavant road and didnt que at all @ 8am. Just get up earlier.

[Harsh]

I lead the first group from Guildford, we left there at 6.45am and arrived atound 7.25 taking a detour along the a272.
the roads were nice and empty and we queued for all of 5 minutes before getting in to park.
no queue at the food stands (although i had brought sandwiches as well just in case it was a nightmare)

it's just a case of being aware of how popular each GBC is going to be

this one is always the busiest and for good reason, even supercar owners love other supercars.

i think the marshalls did a fantastic job, there's always the odd car that sticks out but remember GRRC members get in without question (as they should) so there will always be some 'off theme' cars around. The traffic flow in and around the circuit was well managed, bear in mind they had people mixing with the cars it's not easy for the volunteers to deal with. a couple of them that i spoke to later on were clearly worn out. It's hard work.

On the subject of trade stands, i really don't see the problem. these things have to pay for themselves. If they had off topic stands i could understand the annoyance but car related stuff...it's hardly in your face, if you don't want to look then don't if something interests you then wander over.
GBC's are free and need to remain so....adding a few more bits for people to look at that helps to pay for the event (thus keeping it free for us the punters) can only be a good thing surely?

[jgoodwood]

[quote=Harsh]

i think the marshalls did a fantastic job, there's always the odd car that sticks out but remember GRRC members get in without question (as they should) so there will always be some 'off theme' cars around.

Not so mate - there are no priviliges for GRRC Members at the breakfast club..
J

[Harsh]

jgoodwood said:

Harsh said:

i think the marshalls did a fantastic job, there's always the odd car that sticks out but remember GRRC members get in without question (as they should) so there will always be some 'off theme' cars around.

Not so mate - there are no priviliges for GRRC Members at the breakfast club..
J

Really? fair enough then...it was just an assumption I made from the GRRC stickers in some, lets say 'non supercars' parked in and around the paddock.

no worries either way (although i do think GRRC members should! )

[Stuart J]

Harsh said:

jgoodwood said:

Harsh said:

i think the marshalls did a fantastic job, there's always the odd car that sticks out but remember GRRC members get in without question (as they should) so there will always be some 'off theme' cars around.

Not so mate - there are no priviliges for GRRC Members at the breakfast club..
J

Really? fair enough then...it was just an assumption I made from the GRRC stickers in some, lets say 'non supercars' parked in and around the paddock.

no worries either way (although i do think GRRC members should! )

So do I ,

Sorry J, couldnt resist

[CivicMan]

Harsh said:

Really? fair enough then...it was just an assumption I made from the GRRC stickers in some, lets say 'non supercars' parked in and around the paddock.

How dare you! Are you suggesting that us GRRC members drive anything BUT a supercar? Pistols at dawn sir, on the lawn in front of Goodwood House.

[clarkey318is]

Harsh said:

jgoodwood said:

Harsh said:

i think the marshalls did a fantastic job, there's always the odd car that sticks out but remember GRRC members get in without question (as they should) so there will always be some 'off theme' cars around.

Not so mate - there are no priviliges for GRRC Members at the breakfast club..
J

Really? fair enough then...it was just an assumption I made from the GRRC stickers in some, lets say 'non supercars' parked in and around the paddock.

no worries either way (although i do think GRRC members should! )

Us staff are allowed to park across the road from the paddock and most of us have goodwood stickers on our cars.

[clarkey318is]

Harsh said:

jgoodwood said:

Harsh said:

i think the marshalls did a fantastic job, there's always the odd car that sticks out but remember GRRC members get in without question (as they should) so there will always be some 'off theme' cars around.

Not so mate - there are no priviliges for GRRC Members at the breakfast club..
J

Really? fair enough then...it was just an assumption I made from the GRRC stickers in some, lets say 'non supercars' parked in and around the paddock.

no worries either way (although i do think GRRC members should! )

Us staff are allowed to park across the road from the paddock and most of us have goodwood stickers on our cars.