Britcar 24 hours 2008 date

[Marc W]

I've just seen the provisional date for the 2008 24 hours on the EERC site, 21st september;

http://eerc.co.uk/cms/news.php

I realy hope they don't leave it on this date, it clashes with the 2008 BTCC finale :eek

That'll also mean several of this years drivers might be able to compete if they are racing(/running) in the BTCC again (Fiona Leggate, Alan Gow, Gareth Howell, John George etc.)

Does any know how likely that date is and if there's is any chance of it moving, I'll be really gutted to miss the 24 hours but I can't miss the BTCC finale. Surely it doesn't seem the best idea to clash with an event like the BTCC if the aim is to increase the crowd numbers?

[Izzy]

Well, can't the BTCC change their date?

[2priestsferrari]

Marc W said:

I've just seen the provisional date for the 2008 24 hours on the EERC site, 21st september;

http://eerc.co.uk/cms/news.php

I realy hope they don't leave it on this date, it clashes with the 2008 BTCC finale :eek

That'll also mean several of this years drivers might be able to compete if they are racing(/running) in the BTCC again (Fiona Leggate, Alan Gow, Gareth Howell, John George etc.)

Does any know how likely that date is and if there's is any chance of it moving, I'll be really gutted to miss the 24 hours but I can't miss the BTCC finale. Surely it doesn't seem the best idea to clash with an event like the BTCC if the aim is to increase the crowd numbers?

Well it clashed with British GT this year so I don't really think much notice is paid to this sort of thing.

[Jemco Andy]

2priests - shut the f*** up and say something positive, or better still, don't say anything.

Unless you know and understand the process of allocating dates to the EERC, why would you want to have a pop?

Only two circuits can host the race, its got to be held at the end of the EERC season, that narrows it down to about 3 or 4 weekends. Of course there will be a clash with someone. Yes its unfortunate that 4 (of the 250 drivers)cannot make it, and Belly & Simon may have to call upon another 'star', but the race will go on!

[2priestsferrari]

Jemco Andy said:

2priests - shut the f*** up and say something positive, or better still, don't say anything.

Unless you know and understand the process of allocating dates to the EERC, why would you want to have a pop?

Only two circuits can host the race, its got to be held at the end of the EERC season, that narrows it down to about 3 or 4 weekends. Of course there will be a clash with someone. Yes its unfortunate that 4 (of the 250 drivers)cannot make it, and Belly & Simon may have to call upon another 'star', but the race will go on!

Once again you get all emotive and don't read what has been posted before and therefore the context of what my post was.

READ and you'll see the previous poster was talking about CROWD NUMBERS - nothing to do with drivers.

[Bellly]

It does not matter what weekend it is, but as Andy says, it needs to be at the end of the EERC season and enough time for car prep etc.
Who really gives a sh*t if it clashes with another series, it does not affect the drivers!

[2priestsferrari]

If all you are interested in are the drivers then I'd agree with you. However the EERC and JT have always stated that they need to attract a bigger gate to make the numbers add up in order to make it a long lasting thing.

Hence the TV, advertising, air display, camping, etc, etc. If it was just drivers then all that is surplus.

[Simon Leith]

I am not really bothered when it is...I don't think the 24 will get big crowds anyway unless it is publicised in the right way.

Andy, just to clarify, Gareth is a mate who I have raced with in the past, who called me to ask if he could race with us this year in the Britcar 24. He paid the same as the rest of us (25% of the budget) for the weekend and has asked if he can do it with us again next year. We didn't really 'call' on him as a star. More we all agreed to race together........

[Bellly]

2priestsferrari said:

If all you are interested in are the drivers then I'd agree with you. However the EERC and JT have always stated that they need to attract a bigger gate to make the numbers add up in order to make it a long lasting thing.

Hence the TV, advertising, air display, camping, etc, etc. If it was just drivers then all that is surplus.

You are right, as a driver i have no interest in the number of people watching the event. I cant really see any other drivers being bothered either! We dont exactly drive round the circuit going 'Oh look at all those people watching me!'

[Nurburgsingh]

Bellly said:

2priestsferrari said:

If all you are interested in are the drivers then I'd agree with you. However the EERC and JT have always stated that they need to attract a bigger gate to make the numbers add up in order to make it a long lasting thing.

Hence the TV, advertising, air display, camping, etc, etc. If it was just drivers then all that is surplus.

You are right, as a driver i have no interest in the number of people watching the event. I cant really see any other drivers being bothered either! We dont exactly drive round the circuit going 'Oh look at all those people watching me!'

It's nice to wave at someone other than your Pit crew though...

[Simon Leith]

I didn't even wave at my pit-crew.....where do you find the time??

- YES

- NO !

[Racing Rod]

Bellly said:

2priestsferrari said:

If all you are interested in are the drivers then I'd agree with you. However the EERC and JT have always stated that they need to attract a bigger gate to make the numbers add up in order to make it a long lasting thing.

Hence the TV, advertising, air display, camping, etc, etc. If it was just drivers then all that is surplus.

You are right, as a driver i have no interest in the number of people watching the event. I cant really see any other drivers being bothered either! We don't exactly drive round the circuit going 'Oh look at all those people watching me!'

I accept your point about not being bothered about how or if indeed anyone watches us race, but in overall motorsport terms, it is important for sponsors and for the future of motorsport in the UK. I think it also adds greatly to the day/weekend for I remember well the crowds and support we had in Tuscan racing, up to 25000 sometimes at Castle Combe on a warm summers day, fantastic atmosphere, and the Tag Heuer support race to A1 at Brands where at 0500 in the morning of race day the spectators were already five deep all around the circuit, 50,000 plus apparently, amazing !! I also remember a Tuscan night race where we supported BTCC, at Silverstone, again about 50,000 cheering fans and if it were not for their encouragement and air horns, I would have pitted as I had no lights, every time I came round the support was there, Keep going! who needs lights, what black flag !!!

[Nurburgsingh]

Simon Leith said:

I didn't even wave at my pit-crew.....where do you find the time??

- YES

- NO !

You have to wave at your pit crew.... it contributes to good Karma... and good karma ultimatly leads to to a good result!

I was even singing down the radio during the night shift!!

[Tankman]

Nurburgsingh said:

I was even singing down the radio during the night shift!!

Singing?

That's not what Rich called it. I daren't use the words or else some of the posters on this thread might get upset that I have used profanity!





By the way, what's happened to the long awaited answer from The Doubly Reverend Italian Stallion on what he races? Did I miss it?

Edited by Tankman on Tuesday 25th September 14:09

Edited by Tankman on Tuesday 25th September 14:11

[Bellly]

When i started singing on the pit radio they all told me to shut up.....

[RichUK]

Tankman said:

Nurburgsingh said:

I was even singing down the radio during the night shift!!

Singing?

That's not what Rich called it. I daren't use the words or else some of the posters on this thread might get upset that I have used profanity!

It was like a wild banshee had risen from the start finish line to welcome in the dawn sunlight!

Still, we had a little duet of 'Fly me to the moon' to the surprise of the Germans stood next to us on the pit wall

[porka968]

Speak nicely to each other boys otherwise you'll go to bed with no supper.
Speaking as one of the pitcrew, everyone had a great time and its a shame that the spectators didn't get such a good deal.
If we want motorsport to mean as much in this country as everywhere else then you've got to get families involved not just the diehard petrol heads.
It would be a shame to clash with other series - but HEY thats racing!

[Nurburgsingh]

RichUK said:

Tankman said:

Nurburgsingh said:

I was even singing down the radio during the night shift!!

Singing?

That's not what Rich called it. I daren't use the words or else some of the posters on this thread might get upset that I have used profanity!

It was like a wild banshee had risen from the start finish line to welcome in the dawn sunlight!

Still, we had a little duet of 'Fly me to the moon' to the surprise of the Germans stood next to us on the pit wall

Yeah!! Well we'll just see what Simon, Sharon, Louie and Danni have to say on the matter....

Nurburgsingh has the X - Factor!!!

[Racingdude009]

Interesting to note that this years Britcar was the same date as the British GT yet serveral Teams opted to do the Britcar 24 Hours ?

[Henry-F]

Because it`s a hell of an achievement to complete and the only chance you get in the UK, indeed world-wide there are not that many chances.

There are quite a few 1 hour (or there abouts) races available and you can do them in your sleep!

The other big draw are the other guys racing. A walk up the pit lane takes for ever because you keep bumping into friends. Is that the same in British GT (I don`t know as I`ve never competed in a round).

Henry