GP Live @ Donington, Heaven & Hell
Discussion
Just got back and I thought I would give everyone my thoughts. It was interesting for a couple of reasons.
Good points: Some rare F1 cars that haven't been seen a little while. RAM 02, Leyton House March CG91 (which was lovely.), WC winning Williams and Mclarens and some nice Ferraris including Mr Masons 312T3. The Historic F1 race was great and very competitive and if it hadn't been for an engine failure the Lotus 88B would have won its first race. The live coverage on the diamond vision screenings was also very good.
Bad points: I am VERY lucky as I get tickets from one of the historic teams but I would not have paid the money they were asking for to go to that. Some of the all in tickets were priced at £200 which considering a 1/3 of the advertised cars didn't show or were withdrawn early was crazy. Hardly any trade stands and the ones that were there were locked away in the Conference hall at the far end of the circuit, where they were doing very poor business. The two of the shops by the paddock hadn't even bothered opening which shows how poor they must have thought it was. Lots of delays and cancellations with no explainations been given and it seemed to be very poorly organised generally.
But the really bad news I've saved to last. At some stage during the weekend, someone somewhere in the pit road had a laptop stolen. In order to combat this the organisers drafted in some bouncers for 'security'.
That's right, BOUNCERS, proper nightclub heavies, black suits, your names not down your not coming in, walkie talkied up, bouncers. This at an event where the public were supposed to get as close as they can to F1 cars!! It led to a very poisonious atmosphere within the paddock and lot of people (public, drivers, team bosses.)seemed to be very concerned about the situation from what I can see. I had passes and the looks that I got from these guys when I walked into a pit WHERE I WAS GUEST were unbelievable.
I have never seen anything like it at any motor racing event I have been to in the last 21 years. To my mind, this was totally unacceptable and I hope that it never happens again.
From the people I talked to, both fans and participants, I get the distinct feeling that not a lot of them will be back.
All in all a concerning afternoon.
Good points: Some rare F1 cars that haven't been seen a little while. RAM 02, Leyton House March CG91 (which was lovely.), WC winning Williams and Mclarens and some nice Ferraris including Mr Masons 312T3. The Historic F1 race was great and very competitive and if it hadn't been for an engine failure the Lotus 88B would have won its first race. The live coverage on the diamond vision screenings was also very good.
Bad points: I am VERY lucky as I get tickets from one of the historic teams but I would not have paid the money they were asking for to go to that. Some of the all in tickets were priced at £200 which considering a 1/3 of the advertised cars didn't show or were withdrawn early was crazy. Hardly any trade stands and the ones that were there were locked away in the Conference hall at the far end of the circuit, where they were doing very poor business. The two of the shops by the paddock hadn't even bothered opening which shows how poor they must have thought it was. Lots of delays and cancellations with no explainations been given and it seemed to be very poorly organised generally.
But the really bad news I've saved to last. At some stage during the weekend, someone somewhere in the pit road had a laptop stolen. In order to combat this the organisers drafted in some bouncers for 'security'.
That's right, BOUNCERS, proper nightclub heavies, black suits, your names not down your not coming in, walkie talkied up, bouncers. This at an event where the public were supposed to get as close as they can to F1 cars!! It led to a very poisonious atmosphere within the paddock and lot of people (public, drivers, team bosses.)seemed to be very concerned about the situation from what I can see. I had passes and the looks that I got from these guys when I walked into a pit WHERE I WAS GUEST were unbelievable.
I have never seen anything like it at any motor racing event I have been to in the last 21 years. To my mind, this was totally unacceptable and I hope that it never happens again. From the people I talked to, both fans and participants, I get the distinct feeling that not a lot of them will be back.
All in all a concerning afternoon.
Edited by The Hypno-Toad on Sunday 20th May 18:56
Edited by The Hypno-Toad on Sunday 20th May 20:38
I was at Oulton Park yesterday for the Elise Trophy and the original plan was to stay somewhere between Oulton and Donington and got to GP Live today. After seeing that tickets were £50 I decided not to. I'm glad I made that decision.
BTW security issue is a worry - there was a recent story about a Subaru being stripped in the public car park
BTW security issue is a worry - there was a recent story about a Subaru being stripped in the public car park
I was thinking of going to this, but for various reasons I couldn't make it. After reading that I'm quite glad that I didn't go! It's a shame as it sounded like an excellent event. I hope they sort out the car park security by the time the BTCC goes there, I don't fancy my car being stripped!
I had a quiet day planned. The missus was working, and the boy doing GSCE revision. The sun was shining, so I thought I'd pop a long to support a 'local' event.
When arrived at the main gate at 12.30, I thought I'd missed it by a day, no trafic, no queues, empty car parks. But there a few cars around the entrances, so I wandered up to the cash desk - that'll be £50 mate
No wonder the car park was empty!
I was about to turn away, but I really had nothing else to do, and I really love the sound of an F1 at full clatter, so dug deep and went in - what a mistake.
THIS WAS THE CRAPEST, DEAREST, POORLY ATTENDED MEETING I HAVE BEEN TO - EVER....There were no displays, no support races, and the paddock was less than half full.
In celebration 50 years of the Moss/Brookes victory in the Vanwall at Aintree, they reunited these fine fellows to recreate the event. Tony Brookes did 2 laps, then came in to the pits to do a racing driver exchange with Sir Stirling, who then left for another 2 lap parade (in front of the crowd of 2 dozen). Sounds fair enough. These two guys are not as quick in and out of the cockpit as they once were, but hey, they carried it off with dignity you'd expect from these professionals. HOWEVER - all this was done without a hint of embarrasment or apology, in a KIT CAR !!!!!!!!!!!!
It couldn't have been too big an ask to get the real thing there, surely?
Absolutely appalling.
I can't wait for the FOS, to reinstate my enthusiasm for motorsport again.
When arrived at the main gate at 12.30, I thought I'd missed it by a day, no trafic, no queues, empty car parks. But there a few cars around the entrances, so I wandered up to the cash desk - that'll be £50 mate
No wonder the car park was empty! I was about to turn away, but I really had nothing else to do, and I really love the sound of an F1 at full clatter, so dug deep and went in - what a mistake.
THIS WAS THE CRAPEST, DEAREST, POORLY ATTENDED MEETING I HAVE BEEN TO - EVER....There were no displays, no support races, and the paddock was less than half full.
In celebration 50 years of the Moss/Brookes victory in the Vanwall at Aintree, they reunited these fine fellows to recreate the event. Tony Brookes did 2 laps, then came in to the pits to do a racing driver exchange with Sir Stirling, who then left for another 2 lap parade (in front of the crowd of 2 dozen). Sounds fair enough. These two guys are not as quick in and out of the cockpit as they once were, but hey, they carried it off with dignity you'd expect from these professionals. HOWEVER - all this was done without a hint of embarrasment or apology, in a KIT CAR !!!!!!!!!!!!
It couldn't have been too big an ask to get the real thing there, surely? Absolutely appalling.
I can't wait for the FOS, to reinstate my enthusiasm for motorsport again.
Edited by nioks on Sunday 20th May 21:41
You could always see if you could park on the infield? I don't know how much it would cost extra but with all the people around no ones going to attack your car there. Just a thought.
By the way, none of this extra security was directed towards the public parking areas, it was all in paddock areas. As I said in my original post, just out of order.
By the way, none of this extra security was directed towards the public parking areas, it was all in paddock areas. As I said in my original post, just out of order.
I thought it was a pretty good idea that could do with a bit more organisation, the paddock area was a bit of a free-for all which was good but there was very little signing of team areas. I did wonder why the bouncers were about. Also I was surprised that there were no trade stands. I didn't realise that tickets were £50 - I got in as a "VIP" guest of a supplier. The event reminded me of a BORC rally but with F1 cars. That said, I'd never seen an F1 car going for it other than on telly - the Toro Rosso F1 car was pehonomenal and watching the different demonstration / race runs gave a good idea of how much the technology and cars have progressed. Might go back next year - if the price drops or organisation improves. Trouble is that you only experience the organisation after you've paid your money!
SWMBO & myself went, she had bought the tickets several months ago as a treat.
The F1's were great, I have a soft spot for the late Sixties F1's
The A1GP demonstration was just the Ireland car doing a few laps all on it's own.
We visited the museum, £7.50 each but overall better VFM than the GP live tickets, highlight for me at the museum was finally seeing a BRM H16 !
The F1's were great, I have a soft spot for the late Sixties F1's
The A1GP demonstration was just the Ireland car doing a few laps all on it's own.
We visited the museum, £7.50 each but overall better VFM than the GP live tickets, highlight for me at the museum was finally seeing a BRM H16 !
I was there on Saturday and was lucky enough to have full access as I had a pit crew pass. Being allowed to wander round the pits with very few others was an experience to savour ... I was in touching distance of the Redbull car as the demo started and was on the pit wall as it blasted passed at an astounding rate!
I stayed for 4 or 5 hours and watched most of the old cars go out to play ... the six wheel Tyrell of course providing much amusement to me. Damon Hills old car was also out to play.
All together a great experience .... no ques, plenty of parking but would I have paid nearly £60 for a ticket ... probbaly not!
[url]http://s203.photobucket.com/albums/aa[/url]
I stayed for 4 or 5 hours and watched most of the old cars go out to play ... the six wheel Tyrell of course providing much amusement to me. Damon Hills old car was also out to play.
All together a great experience .... no ques, plenty of parking but would I have paid nearly £60 for a ticket ... probbaly not!
[url]http://s203.photobucket.com/albums/aa[/url]
Edited by oola on Monday 21st May 17:47
I was working there all weekend for one of the competing teams, it certainly wasn't the big event we were expecting! When we arrived in the Transporter on thursday morning, no-one there seemed to know what was going on and that continued pretty much all weekend. The paddock was virtually empty, rumours of teams leaving on friday etc. I think it could be a fantastic event- a real celebration of F1, but it's started out the wrong way by charging the public a fortune to get in! Hopefully they'll learn from this years event and turn things round if they run it again next year..on a positive note- some fantastic cars there!
I went to the 'La Grande Passione' meeting on the 7th of May which was excellent, historic grand prix, sports cars and touring cars, from the 50's to the 70's. 9 races on the Sunday of up to 75 minutes, no problems wandering round the paddock and all for £15. Sounds like whoever put on the GP Live event has a lot to learn!
danster said:
I was working there all weekend for one of the competing teams, it certainly wasn't the big event we were expecting! When we arrived in the Transporter on thursday morning, no-one there seemed to know what was going on and that continued pretty much all weekend. The paddock was virtually empty, rumours of teams leaving on friday etc. I think it could be a fantastic event- a real celebration of F1, but it's started out the wrong way by charging the public a fortune to get in! Hopefully they'll learn from this years event and turn things round if they run it again next year..on a positive note- some fantastic cars there!
I await this weeks Autosport with interest as I can't believe there won't be a few letters of complaint.
MrKipling43 said:
Not great for a circuit that wants to nick the actual GP off Silverstone in 2011.
Are they going to rebuild the pit-lane and building complex all over again before then? It'll never happen with the pile of shit they've just built. F1 circuit pit-lanes don't have 'steps' down them...
racefan uk said:
Are they going to rebuild the pit-lane and building complex all over again before then? It'll never happen with the pile of shit they've just built. F1 circuit pit-lanes don't have 'steps' down them...
Exactly! The garages themselves weren't that bad, reasonable size with power and water points in the right places but the steps in the pitlane could be a problem. Our cars grounded out several times, nothing major but it was noted!
The garages were done that way to give a flat surface for the Moto GP teams to work from. There is enough of a lead in to use the secondary part of the pitlane apron for low slung racecars, including doing a driver change pitstop. Not to current F1 standards but certainly plenty of room for most events.
The only reason I went was the kids got in for free. If the tickets had been £20 then it would have been worth it for what was there. £40 per adult for that was a disgrace. Not to mention £2 for a kids drink and other rip off food prices, hence picnic.
I went to see the Historic F1 as the Tyrrell P34 was racing (got to meet Mauro Pane, get photos and see the beast close up!) and enjoyed that race.
Too much of "nothing going on" inbetween short "demos" If they don't review the prices, then I will not go back.
Kids got bored so we went early as the commentators were babling on about not being able to bring a race forward as no-one had told the drivers - utter shambles.
Any address to send this link to so they know crap it was?
I went to see the Historic F1 as the Tyrrell P34 was racing (got to meet Mauro Pane, get photos and see the beast close up!) and enjoyed that race.
Too much of "nothing going on" inbetween short "demos" If they don't review the prices, then I will not go back.
Kids got bored so we went early as the commentators were babling on about not being able to bring a race forward as no-one had told the drivers - utter shambles.
Any address to send this link to so they know crap it was?
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