Competitors' evening / sleeping arrangements?
Discussion
Ok then, a real basic question for the racing community.
I'm looking to go racing this year and several of the meets are double headers. What does everyone do in the evening?
Do circuits have a lounge or bar area? As much as I'd love a motorhome, do I need one? Can I kip in a tent and then get a shower somewhere? I'm bloody lost quite honestly. A motorhome would would of course give me all of the above but it's more £££££££ again. If I did stretch to a motorhome, are the facilities to plug in and get water all there too?
Questions questions.....
Any advice from the those who know gratefully received!
I'm looking to go racing this year and several of the meets are double headers. What does everyone do in the evening?
Do circuits have a lounge or bar area? As much as I'd love a motorhome, do I need one? Can I kip in a tent and then get a shower somewhere? I'm bloody lost quite honestly. A motorhome would would of course give me all of the above but it's more £££££££ again. If I did stretch to a motorhome, are the facilities to plug in and get water all there too?Questions questions.....
Any advice from the those who know gratefully received!
what i do when i am away racing is kip in a tent. I have bought a gas canister powered heater to keep me warm, an inflatable mattress and a 4 season sleeping. it is a bit rough and ready, but it does the job. you do not need to buy a motorhome, but obviously if you want to fair enough, a word of warning tho, older motorhomes can have many things go wrong with them, not just engines and clutches etc. you also have to park them somewhere when you are not racing. i would look at a part converted mazda bongo as my campervan of choice. also most circuits do not have mains hook up, so you'll be cold any way. also think how many hotel rooms you can book for the cost of even the most measly motorhome.
as for the evenings, if you are in a friendly formula, the usually there will be a few beers shared at the bar, but obviously you have to get to know people to enjoy that aspect. it can really make the weekend an activity holiday tho, racing during the day and then drinkngi, eating chewing the fat in the evening. however not all circuits have a bar, and not all circuits have washing facilities, and those that do, well you wouldn't wash your dog in them.
bacically if you are a champagne and caviar type of person, then you need to either pay for a hotle room, or buy an expensive motorhome, otherwise you'll be ok.
as for the evenings, if you are in a friendly formula, the usually there will be a few beers shared at the bar, but obviously you have to get to know people to enjoy that aspect. it can really make the weekend an activity holiday tho, racing during the day and then drinkngi, eating chewing the fat in the evening. however not all circuits have a bar, and not all circuits have washing facilities, and those that do, well you wouldn't wash your dog in them.
bacically if you are a champagne and caviar type of person, then you need to either pay for a hotle room, or buy an expensive motorhome, otherwise you'll be ok.
speaking as a Marshal, rather than a competitor, but who tends to stay over at most events.
generly speaking there is usually plenty of space to camp and pitch your tent at circuits, which is free for both competitors and officals.
In the evenings - if its a big meeting then the on site bar/cafe may stay open but for the smaller club meetings, it tends to shut at the end of the racing. but those meetings, the guys all know each other, so get together for a beer. so usual thing is to bring beer and say hi, you'll soon be welcombed.
Certainly at both the MSV tracks i've visited (oulton and Snetterton) there have been shower facilities, and the toilet blocks near to the paddock have been open all night, i'm guessing the same can be said of Cadwell and Brands. other tracks have varied in whats available, but theres usually toilets at least during the night. Mallory is the only one i think that has limited camping, as there isnt much grassed area to get the pegs in, around the paddock area, but plenty of hard standing.
(tho have seen competitors set their cars up under a marquee, or covered in a tarp and sleep in the covered box trailer.)
If your planning any hillclimbs - then most hills have a similar set up of plenty of space to camp. and have over night toilets and most have shower facilities as well, except for the likes of Loton Park and the temporary hillclimbs like Bardon, Longleat which run one or 2 events a year.
generly speaking there is usually plenty of space to camp and pitch your tent at circuits, which is free for both competitors and officals.
In the evenings - if its a big meeting then the on site bar/cafe may stay open but for the smaller club meetings, it tends to shut at the end of the racing. but those meetings, the guys all know each other, so get together for a beer. so usual thing is to bring beer and say hi, you'll soon be welcombed.
Certainly at both the MSV tracks i've visited (oulton and Snetterton) there have been shower facilities, and the toilet blocks near to the paddock have been open all night, i'm guessing the same can be said of Cadwell and Brands. other tracks have varied in whats available, but theres usually toilets at least during the night. Mallory is the only one i think that has limited camping, as there isnt much grassed area to get the pegs in, around the paddock area, but plenty of hard standing.
(tho have seen competitors set their cars up under a marquee, or covered in a tarp and sleep in the covered box trailer.)
If your planning any hillclimbs - then most hills have a similar set up of plenty of space to camp. and have over night toilets and most have shower facilities as well, except for the likes of Loton Park and the temporary hillclimbs like Bardon, Longleat which run one or 2 events a year.
I used to sleep in my Mitsubishi Delica with a blow up mattress although i've also used my awning which is similar to an ezi-up one and a simple camp bed. Then all you need is some basic camping gear, stove, kettle etc and off you go. If you're feeling sociable pack a bbq and ivite some fellow competitors over for a few beers. 
Showers at most circuits are pretty basic - Lydden anyone!
Showers at most circuits are pretty basic - Lydden anyone!
Just bought myself a van which I am going to convert into a basic campervan. After a combination of camping and sleeping in the car for the past few years it will be luxury and give me somewhere to keep my tools etc.
I have always preferred to stay on circuit rather than going off to hotels etc. Most club series are very sociable and the majority of circuits will also have a bar. Its also nice to wake up at the circuit as its often an early start and their is normally lots to do before you go out.
If you can afford it, get yourself a camper. It will make things much nicer and give you somewhere to relax during the day. Setting up is also much easier, not nice if you arrive at night, its raining and you have to set your tent up. Remember that you cant just pick the weekends with the nice weather, a wet weekend at Pembrey in April is not that enjoyable if you are camping.
I have always preferred to stay on circuit rather than going off to hotels etc. Most club series are very sociable and the majority of circuits will also have a bar. Its also nice to wake up at the circuit as its often an early start and their is normally lots to do before you go out.
If you can afford it, get yourself a camper. It will make things much nicer and give you somewhere to relax during the day. Setting up is also much easier, not nice if you arrive at night, its raining and you have to set your tent up. Remember that you cant just pick the weekends with the nice weather, a wet weekend at Pembrey in April is not that enjoyable if you are camping.
Camping is usually fine although some circuits have limited space, and they can be a bit windswept. Anglesey is particularly bad as it's right by the sea and Donington is under the flightpath of East Midlands airport so pack some earplugs. Even if the bar is shut there's normally a crowd having a beer (in the scrutineering bay if the weather's crap
)
I'm looking at converting a VW transporter this year, but only because we now have a sprog.
) I'm looking at converting a VW transporter this year, but only because we now have a sprog.
Join the rest in a tent. Is it really worth spending a fortune on a motorhome, unless you plan to use it for many years.
Or try a nearby B&B (we stayed in a lovely one near Cadwell).
When my other half races, we commute, stay at B&B, or stay with family.
By not camping, I think we probably miss out on some good evenings at the circuit.
(If you are reading this Darren, it does not mean I want to camp this year)
Or try a nearby B&B (we stayed in a lovely one near Cadwell).
When my other half races, we commute, stay at B&B, or stay with family.
By not camping, I think we probably miss out on some good evenings at the circuit.
(If you are reading this Darren, it does not mean I want to camp this year)
Edited by Nicol@ on Friday 11th January 13:50
Edited by Nicol@ on Friday 11th January 14:36
I can highly reccomend one of these Mazda Bongo's it'll to the towing job too 
4-5k will get you a gooden, they'll sleep one or two upstairs, electric pop top roof, room for sleeping bags etc upstairs, room to stand up in the daytime, some even have a factory camper kits with fridge/cooker/shower handle (outside job) so sufficient for a weekend. Comfy & fast to drive though mpg is 20mpg towing most car/trailer combos.
I'd suggest to bring a BBQ as it'll end up being the social hotspot
an awning on the side helps when the weather is crap & acts double as a garage for repairs too.
This is my "pimped" one, lowered, bodykit, BBS's, Leather trim too! so a wee bit different. Shall be my home for many of 2008's weekends all over Europe.
4-5k will get you a gooden, they'll sleep one or two upstairs, electric pop top roof, room for sleeping bags etc upstairs, room to stand up in the daytime, some even have a factory camper kits with fridge/cooker/shower handle (outside job) so sufficient for a weekend. Comfy & fast to drive though mpg is 20mpg towing most car/trailer combos.
I'd suggest to bring a BBQ as it'll end up being the social hotspot
an awning on the side helps when the weather is crap & acts double as a garage for repairs too.This is my "pimped" one, lowered, bodykit, BBS's, Leather trim too! so a wee bit different. Shall be my home for many of 2008's weekends all over Europe.
Edited by cptsideways on Friday 11th January 13:59
If you're in a clubbie series, there are often a load of campers. Most places have somewhere you can put up a tent - Snett, Cadwell, Thruxton, Anglesey all have (some) grass Paddock so you can pitch up beside your race car. But as others have suggested, plan on bringing your own food, booze, and at least one mate (for spanners in the daytime, company in the evening).
However, don't rule out the option of a pub/B&B. There are often some cheap ones close by, and don't underestimate the value of a proper, dry bed and Full English, delivering you bright & breezy back to the circuit. Check the circuit websites, and a copy of the Circuit Guide book is very handy for options.
However, don't rule out the option of a pub/B&B. There are often some cheap ones close by, and don't underestimate the value of a proper, dry bed and Full English, delivering you bright & breezy back to the circuit. Check the circuit websites, and a copy of the Circuit Guide book is very handy for options.
First race... B&B
Rest of first season... back of box trailer & ate bbq
Second season... Audi A4 Avant & luxury of eating out
Third season... 7.5t sleeper cab & eating out
If you work out the cost of a Travelodge at £45 a night, 2-3nights a meeting over 10meetings it gets expensive i.e. cost of >50% of your race entry fees? For me it was a case of having to do it to do all the rounds.
The plus side is that there is always someone having a drink or food and becomes more social as the evening goes on (or the beer flows)
Rest of first season... back of box trailer & ate bbq
Second season... Audi A4 Avant & luxury of eating out
Third season... 7.5t sleeper cab & eating out
If you work out the cost of a Travelodge at £45 a night, 2-3nights a meeting over 10meetings it gets expensive i.e. cost of >50% of your race entry fees? For me it was a case of having to do it to do all the rounds.
The plus side is that there is always someone having a drink or food and becomes more social as the evening goes on (or the beer flows)
Thankyou all for your replies. I'd have to stay within the circuit, rather than a Chavelodge or B+B. I wouldn't want to miss out on the atmos. Plus there's the early start, I'd hate to be held up outside. I 'spose I'll have to keep trawling the classifieds until a suitable camper comes up. I shan't stretch to a 40 foot race transporter, but a reasonable late 80s / early 90s van with bog and cooker will be just great. Toasted sandwich anyone??
CaptiV8ted said:
I shan't stretch to a 40 foot race transporter, but a reasonable late 80s / early 90s van with bog and cooker will be just great. Toasted sandwich anyone??
£2k-£3k will get you something that will do the trick.Try www.gumtree.co.uk quite a few campers being sold by backpackers who have been round Europe and are on their way back to Oz. I got myself a 1999 Fiat Ducato 2.8 that had been parted converted with a sofa/bed, fridge, gas hob etc. Its basic but its warm and dry. Even with the additional bits of finishing off I have done it still owes me less than £2k with a towbar! So I cant see it depreciating to much either.
This time of year there are some good deals to be had.
CaptiV8ted said:
Thankyou all for your replies. I'd have to stay within the circuit, rather than a Chavelodge or B+B. I wouldn't want to miss out on the atmos. Plus there's the early start, I'd hate to be held up outside. I 'spose I'll have to keep trawling the classifieds until a suitable camper comes up. I shan't stretch to a 40 foot race transporter, but a reasonable late 80s / early 90s van with bog and cooker will be just great. Toasted sandwich anyone??
Miss out on the atmos? Well, last time we stayed over at Cadwell, the miserable baggage in the bar shut it at 8pm, and wouldn't serve any food. So we upped sticks and bogged off to Louth for a ruby. And found an offy that was open for some sherbert. I was running an Iveco Daily van in those days, and kipped in the back. C.c.c.cold in March and October, but OK the rest of the season.A bit like being in a tent (did that in the 90's) - as well as kip in Chateau Senator (my old tow-barge in those days).
Some of the best nights out have been at Mallory. As much a I dislike the circuit, I love the bar, and the cafe.
Since upgrading to a fatter car, and a much fatter trailer, I needed something bigger to pull it (3.5T gross trailer) I'd changed the Daily for a Sprinter (for work), and the bigger trailer was just a little too big for a 3.5Tonne 'tug'. So the solution was something over 3.5T, and an American motorhome was the solution (having a 7.5T spec chassis).
A spot of eBay scouring, and I had a 32ft Class A Fleetwood. It's great towing the trailer to the point of you don't know it's there! It sleeps up to four adults in comfort, proper fridge freezer, cooker, central heating, air conditioning, TV, Video, DVD, Sky Digital, khazi, shower, storage lockers for lots of racing junk, awning, etc...
OK, so it only does 12mpg on petrol (towing)(big block Chevy V8), you could convert it to LPG, but I don't really do enough miles to warrant the cost of conversion.
I've outgrown that now, and I'm looking to go an artic, mainly due to the amount of spares (sets of wheels, and tools) I need to carry to do the job properly. I can just about do it with the motorhome, but it's cluttering up the interior with stuff when we load up, so it's not ideal if you need to stop en-route to circuit - you have to climb over everything to get to the bed, etc..
Once I get it (the motorhome) cleaned up (carpets need cleaning, and the wallpaper in the master bedroom got badly marked, so it's being redecorated), and serviced, it's going up for sale (£12795ono) MOT to July 08, on SORN at the moment as it's not work taxing it between October and April as it doesn't get used. I'll probably tax it before flogging it though.
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