Leaving race car and trailer at the circuit
Discussion
I'm planning to start racing this year and just trying to figure out the practicality of a race weekend.
Assuming I want to test on a Friday and then race Saturday and Sunday. If I'm not camping on site and want to stay locally is it allowed/advisable/safe to leave the race car and trailer in the paddock over night or should I take it all to the hotel every night and seek out hotels with secure parking?
I would assume that entry/exit to the circuit is tightly controlled so it's relatively safe?
Do I need to buy some security like a wheel clamp for the trailer and chain to attach car to trailer or is it generally a safe environment to leave it overnight?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Assuming I want to test on a Friday and then race Saturday and Sunday. If I'm not camping on site and want to stay locally is it allowed/advisable/safe to leave the race car and trailer in the paddock over night or should I take it all to the hotel every night and seek out hotels with secure parking?
I would assume that entry/exit to the circuit is tightly controlled so it's relatively safe?
Do I need to buy some security like a wheel clamp for the trailer and chain to attach car to trailer or is it generally a safe environment to leave it overnight?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
I did just that, leave my trailer and kit at the circuit.
There is normally circuit security + most likely people you will be racing with, will either be testing when you are there or turn up later that evening and not leave the circuit. As you get to know people they will perhaps keep and eye on the trailer for you.
The only issue I found was, testing days are often quite different paddock layout to the race weekend.
The championship organisers perhaps won't be there on the test day.
Therefore you'll need to test. then move your stuff to where you hope it should be for the race weekend before you leave that evening. Hopefully your championship will issue a paddock plan in advance and stick to it, sometimes these change.
The advantage those arriving late and staying in the paddock have, they will set up... car out etc, ready for the morning. When you arrive in the morning most will be set up and you may find your self limited for space once awnings go up etc, if you did not set up the day before.
Scrutineering can kick off earlier than they state too which can compound the problem.
I never had a real issue with it and did it many times but if I had my choice. I'd stay at the circuit but then I'd have a lorry with sleeping space, or a motorhome to tow the trailer which I could not warrant.
Cost vs use = many stops in the premier inn. I paid for my team mate to stop too. Still cost effective.
We'd always get to the circuit the night before if it was not drive-able each day.
Just to get that trip out the way.... 9/10 we left the car out, covered up.
There is normally circuit security + most likely people you will be racing with, will either be testing when you are there or turn up later that evening and not leave the circuit. As you get to know people they will perhaps keep and eye on the trailer for you.
The only issue I found was, testing days are often quite different paddock layout to the race weekend.
The championship organisers perhaps won't be there on the test day.
Therefore you'll need to test. then move your stuff to where you hope it should be for the race weekend before you leave that evening. Hopefully your championship will issue a paddock plan in advance and stick to it, sometimes these change.
The advantage those arriving late and staying in the paddock have, they will set up... car out etc, ready for the morning. When you arrive in the morning most will be set up and you may find your self limited for space once awnings go up etc, if you did not set up the day before.
Scrutineering can kick off earlier than they state too which can compound the problem.
I never had a real issue with it and did it many times but if I had my choice. I'd stay at the circuit but then I'd have a lorry with sleeping space, or a motorhome to tow the trailer which I could not warrant.
Cost vs use = many stops in the premier inn. I paid for my team mate to stop too. Still cost effective.
We'd always get to the circuit the night before if it was not drive-able each day.
Just to get that trip out the way.... 9/10 we left the car out, covered up.
You cant overlook security...and just because it is at a track, doesnt mean it is secure, even more so if it is on a trailer etc or easily moved
IMO anything that can stop the car rolling is good, prevent it steering and of course trackers. Trackers are pretty cheap these days....and would do no harm to have one for the car and another for the trailer. People steal trailers too !
Nothing is foolproof, but if you're at a hotel and the car/trailer is elsewhere, if there is a perimeter on the tracker it could at least alert you of a problem pretty quick.
IMO anything that can stop the car rolling is good, prevent it steering and of course trackers. Trackers are pretty cheap these days....and would do no harm to have one for the car and another for the trailer. People steal trailers too !
Nothing is foolproof, but if you're at a hotel and the car/trailer is elsewhere, if there is a perimeter on the tracker it could at least alert you of a problem pretty quick.
Frequently left cars in trailers at many of the MSV tracks. Be aware though, places like Silverstone often wont let you enter the night before and you'll be shown to the overflow parking to the right of the roundabout before the gate. Snett is good though the gate never seems to be shut! Saying that they do have good security.
Brands shuts some evenings or if they have an event at the Octagon you wont get in.
Oulton has security but is like Brands regarding opening. Donington I just dont bother, I park in the hotel and block the trailer in. They (in my view) have a strict no entry but this may change seeing as its changing hands.
Be aware, there are some b
ds out there, I wont go into it on here but some have no respect for others property and if it aint nailed down its fair game. Ive been using an RS5 and didnt realise the locks could be bypassed with a screwdriver and a swift hit. Just a joke! Use every means possible to deter - wheel and hitch locks saved our one a few months ago. They still took the winch, spare wheel and battery pack though worth nearly a grand.
Brands shuts some evenings or if they have an event at the Octagon you wont get in.
Oulton has security but is like Brands regarding opening. Donington I just dont bother, I park in the hotel and block the trailer in. They (in my view) have a strict no entry but this may change seeing as its changing hands.
Be aware, there are some b
ds out there, I wont go into it on here but some have no respect for others property and if it aint nailed down its fair game. Ive been using an RS5 and didnt realise the locks could be bypassed with a screwdriver and a swift hit. Just a joke! Use every means possible to deter - wheel and hitch locks saved our one a few months ago. They still took the winch, spare wheel and battery pack though worth nearly a grand.It is better to leave the racecar and trailer at the circuit rather than at a hotel where there are more public around. But even at the circuit i always have wheel clamps and hitchlocks on the trailer as they are the top magnet for a certain class of people. Onec you get to know the folks your racing with then often we will box cars and trailers in or chain together. One more thing - always lock away any tools and out of sight!
Vantagemech said:
Frequently left cars in trailers at many of the MSV tracks. Be aware though, places like Silverstone often wont let you enter the night before and you'll be shown to the overflow parking to the right of the roundabout before the gate. Snett is good though the gate never seems to be shut! Saying that they do have good security.
Brands shuts some evenings or if they have an event at the Octagon you wont get in.
Oulton has security but is like Brands regarding opening. Donington I just dont bother, I park in the hotel and block the trailer in. They (in my view) have a strict no entry but this may change seeing as its changing hands.
Be aware, there are some bds out there, I wont go into it on here but some have no respect for others property and if it aint nailed down its fair game. Ive been using an RS5 and didnt realise the locks could be bypassed with a screwdriver and a swift hit. Just a joke! Use every means possible to deter - wheel and hitch locks saved our one a few months ago. They still took the winch, spare wheel and battery pack though worth nearly a grand.
bloody was the other day. 3 hours ride and the outermost gate/barrier in position. And that's after I'd called them the day before to tell them I was coming. And did they answer the mobile phone number, did they chuff?Brands shuts some evenings or if they have an event at the Octagon you wont get in.
Oulton has security but is like Brands regarding opening. Donington I just dont bother, I park in the hotel and block the trailer in. They (in my view) have a strict no entry but this may change seeing as its changing hands.
Be aware, there are some b
ds out there, I wont go into it on here but some have no respect for others property and if it aint nailed down its fair game. Ive been using an RS5 and didnt realise the locks could be bypassed with a screwdriver and a swift hit. Just a joke! Use every means possible to deter - wheel and hitch locks saved our one a few months ago. They still took the winch, spare wheel and battery pack though worth nearly a grand.My understanding at Snet, is that if no one turns up by 10pm, the security guard can go home. Clearly he ain't gonna wait til 5 past before doing one. ( I turned up at 5pm on a Saturday)
We often left car/trailer at the circuit, and also at hotels, never had an issue with either (touch wood!!). Have a hitchlock and wheel clamp as has been said. Even if attached to van I still.out wheel clamp on trailer!
Also with regards to circuit gates being closed the night before/not being allowed in - in 25 years of going racing with dad and racing myself we have never had this! Even arriving at Silverstone at midnight still got in... And thats with many otganising clubs too!
Also with regards to circuit gates being closed the night before/not being allowed in - in 25 years of going racing with dad and racing myself we have never had this! Even arriving at Silverstone at midnight still got in... And thats with many otganising clubs too!
ctsdave said:
We often left car/trailer at the circuit, and also at hotels, never had an issue with either (touch wood!!).
Be careful what you say...http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/50_000_lotus_belonging...
Jakg said:
Thefts of all sorts can happen anywhere is simply the bottom line. Whether that's from your house, the roadside, a hotel or a race circuit.The scum are everywhere...watching when you're not realising or just opportunistic. All you can do is take steps to make it less attractive for them to tamper with, and as difficult as possible for them to move in order to take it.
Never assume they arent out there ! While you and I are sleeping etc...they're out scoping the place to steal and the police do very little to try and stop or catch them. And that is such a sad reality.
Jakg said:
To be fair, I always park in an.area covered by cctv, well lit and where I can block the trailer in... Van is secured as is trailer but as has been said, things get nicked! Though from what Ive heard it happens more at race circuits than hotels!! I know of a good few cars/trailers/tools been taken (including during the day at Croft when an endurance race took place so the thieves knew the teams werent at their trailers - took all tools!!). ctsdave said:
To be fair, I always park in an.area covered by cctv, well lit and where I can block the trailer in... Van is secured as is trailer but as has been said, things get nicked! Though from what Ive heard it happens more at race circuits than hotels!! I know of a good few cars/trailers/tools been taken (including during the day at Croft when an endurance race took place so the thieves knew the teams werent at their trailers - took all tools!!).
The thing is...a hotel is more like to be opportunistic theft, unless you have been followed and targeted.Theft from a race circuit....well, they're guaranteed to find race cars there if that's what they're after. And lets face it someone towing cars/trailers about at a race circuit...wont really raise suspicion whether it's the owner or a thief, unless the vehicle/owner are well known and people recognise there is a problem
corporalsparrow said:
I've left my car and trailer at circuits many times.
BUT…I use a wheel clamp and a tow hitch lock, and I disable the car. So far, there's been no issue. And I should point out, there are usually at least a dozen people doing the same.
This I run in the javelin sprint series go up the day before and leave the trailer at the track and go to the hotel. There is a good group of people that camp at the track so usually leave it with them and they box it in with there cars. The other event is at an airfield so no camping but usually get a few together at the same hotel and box it in, in the hotel car park.BUT…I use a wheel clamp and a tow hitch lock, and I disable the car. So far, there's been no issue. And I should point out, there are usually at least a dozen people doing the same.
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