Bedford Autodrome safe to leaving spare wheel in car park?
Discussion
Have booked a trackday at Bedford Autodrome and I want to bring a spare set of wheels.
I have asked the organisers if it's ok to bring the wheels and they have said yes but I would need to book a garage or leave the wheels in the car park.
Do other people leave wheels, tools, etc in the car park or is booking a garage the only way to ensure that your stuff doesn't get nicked?
I have asked the organisers if it's ok to bring the wheels and they have said yes but I would need to book a garage or leave the wheels in the car park.
Do other people leave wheels, tools, etc in the car park or is booking a garage the only way to ensure that your stuff doesn't get nicked?
It shouldn't be too risky, you'll be sharing the day with like-minded enthusiasts not a bunch of randoms from the general public. I'd be a lot more cautious at something like an action day.
The garages aren't secure at Bedford either so having stuff in the garage is no guarantee that someone won't just waltz up and nick it. I've left sets of wheels and tools at various track days over the last year without worrying about it, but basically I'd say don't leave stuff lying around unattended if you can't afford to lose it.
The garages aren't secure at Bedford either so having stuff in the garage is no guarantee that someone won't just waltz up and nick it. I've left sets of wheels and tools at various track days over the last year without worrying about it, but basically I'd say don't leave stuff lying around unattended if you can't afford to lose it.
It's quite a long way, a few minutes walk. certainly way out of sight.
Here's a pic of the layout they sent me last time I was there:
Just get there early and grab a garage, they're first come first served (if it's an MSV day at least)
Here's a pic of the layout they sent me last time I was there:
Just get there early and grab a garage, they're first come first served (if it's an MSV day at least)
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 26th October 22:30
Unless someone pops up who's done a day at BGT with Javelin you'd be best just asking them TBH. I've never done a Javelin day but I've seen garages done:
completely first come first served
available to book but any left over are first come first served
booking only and any unbooked stay closed and unavailable
Depends on both the track and TDO.
completely first come first served
available to book but any left over are first come first served
booking only and any unbooked stay closed and unavailable
Depends on both the track and TDO.
Normally at bedford you don't use the car park, except at the start of the day. You drive over to the pits and either park in the garages, or in the pitlane in front of the garages - there are (IIRC) 2 rows of parking in front of the garages.
Also the garages are not separated - it's like a long warehouse kind of deal with no dividing walls. then there's the hospitality area at the end. I'm 99% sure you'll be able to find somewhere in the pit area to leave the wheels.
Also the garages are not separated - it's like a long warehouse kind of deal with no dividing walls. then there's the hospitality area at the end. I'm 99% sure you'll be able to find somewhere in the pit area to leave the wheels.
t400ble said:
Why not take some chain and a lock and lock them to something?
I've seen people at track days lock wheels together with wire, same as the stuff you use to lock bikes up. It's enough to stop an opportunistic thief but I'm sure it'll be fine without. Someone is more likely to pick up some tools or a helmet which can be taken with ease.arginite said:
Thanks, that does seem miles away.
Is it a first come first served for Javelin to?
Unless it's really quiet, you'll need to book a garage with javelin to guarantee one. It's £30, normally share one with mates.Is it a first come first served for Javelin to?
I always leave stuff at the back of the garage at all the tracks and never had an issue.
I always lock my wheels together with the trolley jack and toolbox using a 10 foot . Never had anything go missing!! 
)
something like:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5M-STEEL-CABLE-10MM-MULT...
)something like:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5M-STEEL-CABLE-10MM-MULT...
i was at bedford for a Javelin day on saturday.
Garages are bookable, but any left over are first come first serve. Despite a good 50 cars being signed on, only 8 garages were reserved, so plenty of free ones.
As it was due to chuck it down, i went over to try and blag a garage before the briefing - helpful chap then allocated me garage number 9, which i parked the track car in, then walked back to the briefing.
but even so, a guy who wasnt so lucky asked if he could dump some stuff in the back, which was fine as well.
Garages are bookable, but any left over are first come first serve. Despite a good 50 cars being signed on, only 8 garages were reserved, so plenty of free ones.
As it was due to chuck it down, i went over to try and blag a garage before the briefing - helpful chap then allocated me garage number 9, which i parked the track car in, then walked back to the briefing.
but even so, a guy who wasnt so lucky asked if he could dump some stuff in the back, which was fine as well.
james_gt3rs said:
If someone has spare space in the garage they would probably let you put stuff there if you ask nicely.
This ^^I always try and get a garage and invariably, I offer one or two other nearby vehicles to keep their tools/spares in a corner.
I have even given the garage up temporarily on wet days to allow others to fix their cars under cover.
Its just how I would want to be treated, if the shoe was on the other foot.
Hey,
I've done Bedford a number of times and in all cases there were spare garages going.
There is plenty of space in the back of the garages to leave something like wheels sitting around. As a matter of fact, the Palmer Audi single seater wheels and tyres were seen on more than one occasion sitting on wheel racks seemingly unattended. Not sure of course but I don't think anyone nicked those
Alternatively, on either side of the garages there are small open areas with tables with toilets and kiosks (coffee machine, etc.). We have thus far been using the space around that area to leave tool boxes, jackets and other small trinkets should we need to use them.
Personally I would say you need not worry, but I offer not guarantees of course.
In fact we are going back on Monday the 9th for our next shake down following a number of works on the vroom vroom toy.
Humour
I've done Bedford a number of times and in all cases there were spare garages going.
There is plenty of space in the back of the garages to leave something like wheels sitting around. As a matter of fact, the Palmer Audi single seater wheels and tyres were seen on more than one occasion sitting on wheel racks seemingly unattended. Not sure of course but I don't think anyone nicked those
Alternatively, on either side of the garages there are small open areas with tables with toilets and kiosks (coffee machine, etc.). We have thus far been using the space around that area to leave tool boxes, jackets and other small trinkets should we need to use them.
Personally I would say you need not worry, but I offer not guarantees of course.
In fact we are going back on Monday the 9th for our next shake down following a number of works on the vroom vroom toy.
Humour
I tend to go with friends, but when on my own I just park amongst the ranks of MX5s and say "HI". I then dump my tools, wheels etc out of the car with theirs. You can guarantee that at any time one of the 4 or 5 cars you are near will be parked there, ie not out on track, hence effectively keeping an eye. TBH, track-dayers are a good bunch and I have never lost anything or spent even one minute worrying about it in 30 track days.
The only difference with Bedford is that you have to unload your track cars off their lorries/trailers in the car park and drive them over to the pits, as no trailers or lorries are allowed in the pits.
The only difference with Bedford is that you have to unload your track cars off their lorries/trailers in the car park and drive them over to the pits, as no trailers or lorries are allowed in the pits.
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