2015 Race of Champions at Olympic Park
Discussion
If there was a stadium full to the rafts, I guarantee they'd have somehow found WHATEVER they'd needed for it to go ahead, even if they need to go and find some barriers put down around roadworks on the m25. 
The organisers probably thought they'd cut their loses, and finish the flop as early as possible.
The organisers probably thought they'd cut their loses, and finish the flop as early as possible.
chris333 said:
Wh00sher said:
What happened to the Karting after the racing ???/quote]
There was a reply to a comment on their Facebook page:
Shame it didn't happen, but I was freezing by the end!
I booked the tickets earlier this week and got some on offer at half price (agree with a previous comment about the terrible website though). I thought £30 was pretty good value for the show and this view:
There was a reply to a comment on their Facebook page:
Shame it didn't happen, but I was freezing by the end!
I booked the tickets earlier this week and got some on offer at half price (agree with a previous comment about the terrible website though). I thought £30 was pretty good value for the show and this view:
Edited by chris333 on Sunday 22 November 12:20
Leroy902 said:
If there was a stadium full to the rafts, I guarantee they'd have somehow found WHATEVER they'd needed for it to go ahead, even if they need to go and find some barriers put down around roadworks on the m25.
The organisers probably thought they'd cut their loses, and finish the flop as early as possible.
Were some destroyed during the earlier rounds?!?! Why would they not have enough in the first place?! Did seem like a bit of a flop event.The organisers probably thought they'd cut their loses, and finish the flop as early as possible.
I went yesterday and it was excellent. Sat v close to the start/finish and the view was great, could see everything but damn it was cold! Stadium seemed about half full and with 27k in a 54k capacity the organiser's claim seems to stack up.
I think the previous format of parallel tracks works better for the racing, but still thoroughly enjoyed it and the sound of the 2013 F1 car inside the Olympic stadium was awesome! Excellent donuting too.
Would go again but only in a much warmer country!
On another note, felt privileged to witness S.Woolfs retirement from competitive motorsport
I think the previous format of parallel tracks works better for the racing, but still thoroughly enjoyed it and the sound of the 2013 F1 car inside the Olympic stadium was awesome! Excellent donuting too.
Would go again but only in a much warmer country!
On another note, felt privileged to witness S.Woolfs retirement from competitive motorsport
I quite enjoyed it. I got tickets through EE, 2 tickets for Saturday @ ~£60 each which gave you a free ticket for Friday. (so £30 a ticket a day basically) Took a mate on the Friday night after work and the missus on the Saturday.
Friday was quieter, the celebrity stuff was a bit meh but I guess they have to fill the time somehow. Having been to a few random raceday weekends it was certainly more focused and engaging than the 15-20 minutes you often end up getting on a normal raceday in the lower categories, better views too and obviously all the stars. Yes a bigger track would have meant more speed etc but you'd not be able to see the drivers for the full lap. Entertainment between the rounds was good fun, the merc demo run was amazing to hear, the sound echoed round the stadium in a really unique way.
Sat was busier, we missed the first few rounds due to traffic (which was mental) the organisation was tighter and smoother. The missus isn't a race fan, she likes cars to look at but watching f1 or btcc on tv is the dullest thing she can imagine but she had a good time here, she liked the noise, the different cars, she got to "spot" the AMG GT which she's been in before, listen to an F1 car (Apparently it sounds like a dying animal) and after 4 hours she got to leave. She now understands a bit more about who she invariably watches on tv every week when I'm "doing nothing", (the Scottish commentator, the f1 guy, the guy from cars that look like f1 but are electric and the "ordinary" cars) I had a good time watching some fun races, some of the finishes were exceedingly close and you could see the higher level drivers really pushing, you only had to watch the big screen and see how hard they focused on the lights to know most of them took it very seriously.
AT the end of the day it seemed like a decent few days out and if it gets more people into motorsport then well done. Ultimately the whole thing is for fun, nobodies really going to say who the bets driver is without some year long championship across every motorsport discipline and a million cars. Having a large circuit isn't going to make the results more or less valid. SO maybe good fun for purists and interested parties is where it should sit. Nobody needed DRS/tyres/ballast or any other rule explained to them.
Friday was quieter, the celebrity stuff was a bit meh but I guess they have to fill the time somehow. Having been to a few random raceday weekends it was certainly more focused and engaging than the 15-20 minutes you often end up getting on a normal raceday in the lower categories, better views too and obviously all the stars. Yes a bigger track would have meant more speed etc but you'd not be able to see the drivers for the full lap. Entertainment between the rounds was good fun, the merc demo run was amazing to hear, the sound echoed round the stadium in a really unique way.
Sat was busier, we missed the first few rounds due to traffic (which was mental) the organisation was tighter and smoother. The missus isn't a race fan, she likes cars to look at but watching f1 or btcc on tv is the dullest thing she can imagine but she had a good time here, she liked the noise, the different cars, she got to "spot" the AMG GT which she's been in before, listen to an F1 car (Apparently it sounds like a dying animal) and after 4 hours she got to leave. She now understands a bit more about who she invariably watches on tv every week when I'm "doing nothing", (the Scottish commentator, the f1 guy, the guy from cars that look like f1 but are electric and the "ordinary" cars) I had a good time watching some fun races, some of the finishes were exceedingly close and you could see the higher level drivers really pushing, you only had to watch the big screen and see how hard they focused on the lights to know most of them took it very seriously.
AT the end of the day it seemed like a decent few days out and if it gets more people into motorsport then well done. Ultimately the whole thing is for fun, nobodies really going to say who the bets driver is without some year long championship across every motorsport discipline and a million cars. Having a large circuit isn't going to make the results more or less valid. SO maybe good fun for purists and interested parties is where it should sit. Nobody needed DRS/tyres/ballast or any other rule explained to them.
I went on Friday evening with a mate, my 10-year old son and his mate. We got the tickets free from my wife's work.
The stadium could only have been around 15% full at most. It really needed a live band or a comedian to keep people from getting bored between the races, especially as it was so cold.
The gaps between races were just two long. The 10 year olds didn't mind the gaps so much, they were just playing games on their smartphones.
I'd have preferred a series of kart races which would have enabled some proper wheel to wheel action - the stadium is just too small for Ariel Atoms and the like.
Disappointed.
The stadium could only have been around 15% full at most. It really needed a live band or a comedian to keep people from getting bored between the races, especially as it was so cold.
The gaps between races were just two long. The 10 year olds didn't mind the gaps so much, they were just playing games on their smartphones.
I'd have preferred a series of kart races which would have enabled some proper wheel to wheel action - the stadium is just too small for Ariel Atoms and the like.
Disappointed.
Here's my vid from yesterday's action with all shot from the "cheepie" seats. If they took out the FMX and all the Terry Grant demos, as good as they are don't get me wrong, this would free up time to have held the kart race as Crofty said towards the end that the stadium had to be handed back over to owners by midnight sunday so that could be reason for it not being held.
Also if they are going to keep using short compact layouts, then maybe changing to cars that better suit it would help, sumthing like a WRC machine but in full gravel spec.
Anyhow here my vid, skip to 16:45 to see Pascal Wehrlein's demo with the Merc F1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24PtAiIGqPc
Also if they are going to keep using short compact layouts, then maybe changing to cars that better suit it would help, sumthing like a WRC machine but in full gravel spec.
Anyhow here my vid, skip to 16:45 to see Pascal Wehrlein's demo with the Merc F1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24PtAiIGqPc
I enjoyed Friday more that Saturday, racing seemed to be tighter, and less mechanical issues which resulted in a lot of down time yesterday.
Queues for drinks were fine on Friday, but not Saturday. The stadium was only half full so no real excuse from the organisers.
If were down to me, I would slash ticket prices and get more bums on seats. Empty stadiums are rubbish, no matter what the sport.
Oh, my bro got 'given' a pair £168 (each) seats, he came and met me halfway through and conceded that the cheap seats were better, higher up gave a better perspective.
Queues for drinks were fine on Friday, but not Saturday. The stadium was only half full so no real excuse from the organisers.
If were down to me, I would slash ticket prices and get more bums on seats. Empty stadiums are rubbish, no matter what the sport.
Oh, my bro got 'given' a pair £168 (each) seats, he came and met me halfway through and conceded that the cheap seats were better, higher up gave a better perspective.
Leroy902 said:
What an awful flop
I very much doubt they'll be doing another next year!. Even if they did, I very much doubt any of the top drivers will bother.
I think you'll find the drivers like it as they get to compete against each other in equal machinery. I wouldnt say it was an awful flop just could do better. I would consider it again but definitely in the cheap seats.I very much doubt they'll be doing another next year!. Even if they did, I very much doubt any of the top drivers will bother.
Leroy902 said:
I very much doubt they'll be doing another next year!. Even if they did, I very much doubt any of the top drivers will bother.
Err, you do realise that the Race of Champions has been running since 1988 don't you? It's an end-of-season giggle for the drivers and it's very popular with them and they love it.
Well, I watched the highlights on MotorsTV and switched over in boredom after the third 'race'. There's only so many times you can watch the same thing, particularly given the slightly unengaging format of incomparable splits and low speeds.
I briefly dallied with the idea of paying £40-odd to go and watch, but I'm bloody glad I didn't.
I briefly dallied with the idea of paying £40-odd to go and watch, but I'm bloody glad I didn't.
As mentioned in another thread
It really was all a bit weird
The ticket said start time was 14:00 but they did all the skills challenges before that, we went in for 13:30 and caught the last half of them.
Then the checked flag went off before the first trial completed leaving everyone a bit confused as to what was going on, they parked the drivers parade bus blocking peoples view, the kart race that was advertised but never actually happened or was mentioned that it was cancelled, the stadium camera getting caught with stuff on the podium bringing it all down.
The best part was the commentators "And ladies and gentlemen, for possibly the last race of her career, please give a massive round of applause for Susie Wolff!"
In enters David Coulthard.....
Oh and the advertised Rage Comet and RX 150 were never used
Honestly?
A Shambles, wont be going again
It really was all a bit weird
The ticket said start time was 14:00 but they did all the skills challenges before that, we went in for 13:30 and caught the last half of them.
Then the checked flag went off before the first trial completed leaving everyone a bit confused as to what was going on, they parked the drivers parade bus blocking peoples view, the kart race that was advertised but never actually happened or was mentioned that it was cancelled, the stadium camera getting caught with stuff on the podium bringing it all down.
The best part was the commentators "And ladies and gentlemen, for possibly the last race of her career, please give a massive round of applause for Susie Wolff!"
In enters David Coulthard.....
Oh and the advertised Rage Comet and RX 150 were never used
Honestly?
A Shambles, wont be going again
I went to Wembley a few years ago and really enjoyed the racing.
Was going to go this year but decided not to. I think every ticket should be £10/£20 in order to sell the stadium out, they would sell much more merchandising and food etc... They cannot fix the weather. The atmosphere would also be much better.
Was going to go this year but decided not to. I think every ticket should be £10/£20 in order to sell the stadium out, they would sell much more merchandising and food etc... They cannot fix the weather. The atmosphere would also be much better.
geordiecraig101 said:
Here's my vid from yesterday's action with all shot from the "cheepie" seats. If they took out the FMX and all the Terry Grant demos, as good as they are don't get me wrong, this would free up time to have held the kart race as Crofty said towards the end that the stadium had to be handed back over to owners by midnight sunday so that could be reason for it not being held.
Terry Grant is clearly the "filler" that is called upon when something unexpected happens, like someone's car dumping oil all over the track. I'm no fan as you can only see so many doughnuts, but without him I think it would have run to the same time with nothing in the gaps other than a dash to the bar/toilets.geordiecraig101 said:
Anyhow here my vid, skip to 16:45 to see Pascal Wehrlein's demo with the Merc F1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24PtAiIGqPc
That makes me sad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24PtAiIGqPc
, akin to seeing a fully active big cat (... leopard, cheetah or the like) cooped up in a way too small cage in some crappy zoo. I hope there were no 'non-enthusiasts' who came away thinking "Meh, is that as impressive as F1 gets?".geordiecraig101 said:
Here's my vid from yesterday's action with all shot from the "cheepie" seats. If they took out the FMX and all the Terry Grant demos, as good as they are don't get me wrong, this would free up time to have held the kart race as Crofty said towards the end that the stadium had to be handed back over to owners by midnight sunday so that could be reason for it not being held.
Also if they are going to keep using short compact layouts, then maybe changing to cars that better suit it would help, sumthing like a WRC machine but in full gravel spec.
Anyhow here my vid, skip to 16:45 to see Pascal Wehrlein's demo with the Merc F1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24PtAiIGqPc
Don't know what was up with Ryan Hunter-Ray's RoC buggy but it was spitting flames out at idle. Would have been great if they'd all done that.Also if they are going to keep using short compact layouts, then maybe changing to cars that better suit it would help, sumthing like a WRC machine but in full gravel spec.
Anyhow here my vid, skip to 16:45 to see Pascal Wehrlein's demo with the Merc F1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24PtAiIGqPc
I thought Terry Grant was awesome.
We were in the £40 seats, Some friends were moved down to the more expensive seating but I think that was mainly to group people together so they didn't die of hypothermia.
I think cars in a stadium is a great idea as long as they can actually get out of 1st gear, they needed to make more of the space available.
I felt very sorry for the dancers having to do the splits on ice cold Tarmac.
We were in the £40 seats, Some friends were moved down to the more expensive seating but I think that was mainly to group people together so they didn't die of hypothermia.
I think cars in a stadium is a great idea as long as they can actually get out of 1st gear, they needed to make more of the space available.
I felt very sorry for the dancers having to do the splits on ice cold Tarmac.
DJFish said:
I felt very sorry for the dancers having to do the splits on ice cold Tarmac.
True.On Friday, every time the dancers came out the cameramen weren't in place to film their set, so you couldn't get a better view on the big screens.
The dancers had finished half their routine before the cameramen realised and trotted over to get a vantage point.
But then they'd be filming from the other side of the track barriers so, when the dancers got on the floor you could only see their heads bobbing about because their bodies were obscured by the barriers.
It was comical.
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