Silverstone Classic - my car towed!
Discussion
I attended the Silverstone classic today and had my car towed.
I had complimentary tickets sent to me but no car pass to allow my car into the circuit. There was a marquee with event staff situated near the main gate that gave me a car pass.
This car pass of course wouldn't allow access into the National paddock so I parked close by next to an ice cream van on a fairly deserted piece of tarmac. Not in anyones way or restricting any access whatsoever.
I came back an hour later to leave only to find no Golf R and the car that I had parked next to was in the process of also being towed, out of the circuit completely to a car park.
I didn't pay much attention to how the cars were being moved, other than it was a chunky small truck - not a 7.5 tonne- with a spectacle shaped frame on the back that sat under two wheels and lifted them, I think leaving the two other wheels on the ground.
I had to walk to this car park to find my car had full lock on the front making it very difficult to release the steering lock. unsure if any mechanical damage has been done to rack, tyres steering lock etc. or the haldex 4wd system. The car was left with the auto handbrake on and in gear.
The second point is that I thought towing a car is illegal unless by Police, DVLA or council.
I'm pretty miffed as I thought I was ok with the vehicle pass in the windscreen with my phone number to contact as per the request by the event team upon entry. Not only that, but one of the event stewards saw me park up and said nothing.
I had complimentary tickets sent to me but no car pass to allow my car into the circuit. There was a marquee with event staff situated near the main gate that gave me a car pass.
This car pass of course wouldn't allow access into the National paddock so I parked close by next to an ice cream van on a fairly deserted piece of tarmac. Not in anyones way or restricting any access whatsoever.
I came back an hour later to leave only to find no Golf R and the car that I had parked next to was in the process of also being towed, out of the circuit completely to a car park.
I didn't pay much attention to how the cars were being moved, other than it was a chunky small truck - not a 7.5 tonne- with a spectacle shaped frame on the back that sat under two wheels and lifted them, I think leaving the two other wheels on the ground.
I had to walk to this car park to find my car had full lock on the front making it very difficult to release the steering lock. unsure if any mechanical damage has been done to rack, tyres steering lock etc. or the haldex 4wd system. The car was left with the auto handbrake on and in gear.
The second point is that I thought towing a car is illegal unless by Police, DVLA or council.
I'm pretty miffed as I thought I was ok with the vehicle pass in the windscreen with my phone number to contact as per the request by the event team upon entry. Not only that, but one of the event stewards saw me park up and said nothing.
I normally only go to events with a race car/team and the same ticket doubles as a car pass, so it didn't really occur to me that i might need a car entry pass at all thanks.That's 30 years of experience blown out of the water! And as i got a vehicle entry pass from the event team which then allowed my car as well as me through the gate I naturally assumed I would be able to park my car as they are pretty difficult to carry round! 
Not sure what that has to do with my question about the legality of being towed. As far as I can see, you cant move a third party car if its blocking your driveway!
Not sure what that has to do with my question about the legality of being towed. As far as I can see, you cant move a third party car if its blocking your driveway!
At least they only moved it to a car park and not miles away to a secure compound .
Many of these type of venues have to keep access and perimeter roads clear for safety reasons ( an ice cream van is manned and can be moved rapidly ), it may also be part of the restrictions imposed by the overseeing authority.
Many of these type of venues have to keep access and perimeter roads clear for safety reasons ( an ice cream van is manned and can be moved rapidly ), it may also be part of the restrictions imposed by the overseeing authority.
Nope, the car wasn’t causing any obstruction or access at all. I have been to Silverstone lots over the years and usually that spot is marked out for competitors, but it was left unallocated , nearest allocation area was for show cars arriving Saturday.
Nevertheless, the question remains insofar as towing is illegal?
Nevertheless, the question remains insofar as towing is illegal?
andygo said:
Nope, the car wasn’t causing any obstruction or access at all. I have been to Silverstone lots over the years and usually that spot is marked out for competitors, but it was left unallocated , nearest allocation area was for show cars arriving Saturday.
Nevertheless, the question remains insofar as towing is illegal?
On private property? Nevertheless, the question remains insofar as towing is illegal?
- I seriously doubt it's illegal.Look at it this way, if you had somehow managed to get onto the circuit and park your car on the starting grid, do you think they'd have to leave your car where it is, and race around it because the Law states they cannot tow it to another position?
There may even be some small print somewhere on the parking information stating that vehicles parked in unauthorised areas will be towed to a public car park.
andygo said:
I normally only go to events with a race car/team and the same ticket doubles as a car pass, so it didn't really occur to me that i might need a car entry pass at all thanks.That's 30 years of experience blown out of the water! And as i got a vehicle entry pass from the event team which then allowed my car as well as me through the gate I naturally assumed I would be able to park my car as they are pretty difficult to carry round!
Not sure what that has to do with my question about the legality of being towed. As far as I can see, you cant move a third party car if its blocking your driveway!
Nothing, PHers have a habit of being obstreperous about any detail other than the question you are asking Not sure what that has to do with my question about the legality of being towed. As far as I can see, you cant move a third party car if its blocking your driveway!
Mhttp://consumer-rights.org/guidance/transport/driving-and-parking/wheel-clamping/when-your-car-can-be-clamped-or-towed-away/
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/greater-rights-...
This seems to assert that cars can’t be moved..
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/greater-rights-...
This seems to assert that cars can’t be moved..
Mhttp://consumer-rights.org/guidance/transport/driving-and-parking/wheel-clamping/when-your-car-can-be-clamped-or-towed-away/
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/greater-rights-...
This seems to assert that cars can’t be moved..
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/greater-rights-...
This seems to assert that cars can’t be moved..
t?
I have worked out the truck was a Ford Iveco 70-170. The towing kit looked something like this example:
Looks to me like it only lifts one end of the car., presumably the rear.
God knows what it did to the front end of the car as it was left in gear, meaning if the wheels were turning so was the engine and possibly the 4wd system.
Looks to me like it only lifts one end of the car., presumably the rear.
God knows what it did to the front end of the car as it was left in gear, meaning if the wheels were turning so was the engine and possibly the 4wd system.
I can understand your frustration op, I think these popular events take a ruthless attitude now to rules and regs, I'm guessing the company that towed your vehicle are getting top $ on the strength of them enforcing the rules and making sure there's no hiccups.
I must admit these sort of dos have become so popular that there is a bit of arrogance about them now, went to Goodwood FOS a few years ago £4.50 for one of them rubbery hot dogs that seagulls turn their nose up to.
I must admit these sort of dos have become so popular that there is a bit of arrogance about them now, went to Goodwood FOS a few years ago £4.50 for one of them rubbery hot dogs that seagulls turn their nose up to.
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