spectators in motorsport
Discussion
l am at present writting a book re 'spectators in motorsport' and would like to hear from anyone who has gone to extraodinary lengths to see a particular motorsport event, be it Le Mans, a Grand Prix or even a club race race at perhaps Knockhill.
also l would like to find the most seasoned of all spectators, ie who has actually seen the most motorsport events in one year. many thanks
also l would like to find the most seasoned of all spectators, ie who has actually seen the most motorsport events in one year. many thanks
Travelled to Australia in 1999 to go to the Bathurst 1000. Drove there early on the Sunday morning from Sydney.
The spectators are a lot more rowdy than any other event I've been to jeering any women who are walking around the crowd.
The other things I remember are a swarm of bees, and while watching at the dipper I noticed something moving on the ground. I looked down to see a brown snake slithering next to my foot.
After a long drive back to Sydney the excellent day was topped off with a couple of beers and a good nights sleep.
Fond memories.
The spectators are a lot more rowdy than any other event I've been to jeering any women who are walking around the crowd.
The other things I remember are a swarm of bees, and while watching at the dipper I noticed something moving on the ground. I looked down to see a brown snake slithering next to my foot.
After a long drive back to Sydney the excellent day was topped off with a couple of beers and a good nights sleep.
Fond memories.
Travelled to Silverstone last year to see the BTCC final with a MASSIVE hangover and while dozing off through some support races manged to muster up the strength to stay awake (and warm, as i was f-ing freezing) and watch all 3 rounds of the touring cars. It was a battle well won I think.
This second only to the Oulton Park round of the same series in 11' where I went all day without a cigarette as no where seemed to sell them in the grounds.
That said now though I'm not sure this is what you're looking for.
This second only to the Oulton Park round of the same series in 11' where I went all day without a cigarette as no where seemed to sell them in the grounds.
That said now though I'm not sure this is what you're looking for.
Furthest I've travelled to actually watch a race rather than go as part of a team was to Belgium for the European Rallycross. It was a spur of the moment decision in the pub, in fact we ommitted to tell one of our party where he was going, we stopped off at his house on the way out of town and told him to grab his passport. He's a game fellow so duly obliged, don't think he even brought a change of undercrackers. It was a fantastic weekend!
jig-saw said:
l am at present writting a book re 'spectators in motorsport' and would like to hear from anyone who has gone to extraodinary lengths to see a particular motorsport event, be it Le Mans, a Grand Prix or even a club race race at perhaps Knockhill.
also l would like to find the most seasoned of all spectators, ie who has actually seen the most motorsport events in one year. many thanks
In 1981 my mate and I cycled from Denmark to Silverstone to watch the GP - overland via Holland - got some funny looks when we drew up to get a camping site...also l would like to find the most seasoned of all spectators, ie who has actually seen the most motorsport events in one year. many thanks
can provide some pictures and more tales..
Some years ago when we were watching BTCC regularly, had a clash of a party Saturday night and BTCC at Donington on the Sunday: Solution was to go to the party and then drive through the night from Hampshire to Donington - including a stop on the A34 by the police as they'd had a report of a car coming the wrong way down the carriageway ahead of us 
- that woke me up again! Then a snooze outside the gates at Donington until the gates opened and we could get in, park up and get a bacon buttie and more snooze before the action started.
- that woke me up again! Then a snooze outside the gates at Donington until the gates opened and we could get in, park up and get a bacon buttie and more snooze before the action started.
calling Truckosaurus... He watches Sprints and most other motorsport!!zaphod42 said:
I got away with going to Monza F1 race whilst on my honeymoon. Sat in general admissions with the locals. It was excellent. (with my wife I hasten to add)
Nice.Been to Japan to attend weddings of the OH's family members twice now, both times managed to swing a trip to a motorsport event in the process - Super GT at Suzuka and then D1 drifting at Nikko. Result!
llewop said:
Some years ago when we were watching BTCC regularly, had a clash of a party Saturday night and BTCC at Donington on the Sunday: Solution was to go to the party and then drive through the night from Hampshire to Donington - including a stop on the A34 by the police as they'd had a report of a car coming the wrong way down the carriageway ahead of us - that woke me up again! Then a snooze outside the gates at Donington until the gates opened and we could get in, park up and get a bacon buttie and more snooze before the action started.
A few years back I had a mixup with holidays at work. Did half a nightshift at work, finished at 12am Saturday, home to get my gear, then drove down South (from Central Scotland) through the night and arrived at Thruxton at 10am. The kind of dedication I used to put into following the BTCC! I was shattered that night, but thankfully my friend drove my car to where we were staying that night. - that woke me up again! Then a snooze outside the gates at Donington until the gates opened and we could get in, park up and get a bacon buttie and more snooze before the action started.I average about 25 events per year (most on my own), but I'm easing off a bit now as the travel costs are simply too much. That's a mix of major events (BTCC, British GP) to club racing, sprints, rally and the occasional one-off (FoS, sand racing at Weston etc)
In the UK you could comfortably attend 40+ events and I know a few guys who are regulars at Castle Combe who are out spectating pretty much every weekend, everything from club circuit race days to autocross to bangers. So if you're interested in volume a good number would certainly be up in the 30s or 40s.
In the UK you could comfortably attend 40+ events and I know a few guys who are regulars at Castle Combe who are out spectating pretty much every weekend, everything from club circuit race days to autocross to bangers. So if you're interested in volume a good number would certainly be up in the 30s or 40s.
just the kind of stuff l was looking for...cycling across continents to watch a race and the like is perfect. if it is possible to forward any info to skideasy@gmail.com it would be much appreciated. also l will be including a section on those who work in motorsport ie: photographers, marshalls, helpers (rather than professional mechanics) once again, much appreciated. after all the true hero's of our sport is indeed the 'spectator'
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