1st Tickets Statement on Coronavirus

[chum racing]

Potential Impact of Coronavirus:

The virus, and its unforeseen impact, has come out of the blue and is something that we could not have prepared for. All we can do is give you the facts available and point you in the direction of further information to help you make an informed decision as to whether or not to travel.

At this stage there is no indication that events at Le Mans and/or Spa Francorchamps will be affected by the current Coronavirus outbreak. However, we are monitoring travel advice updates from the UK Government Foreign Office and NaTHNaC plus the ACO about the event. If there is any significant update, we will let you know.

If the situation changes and FCO issues a travel advisory advising against all but essential travel to a whole country or island, customers of ABTA Members who have booked package holidays to that destination for the period that the advice is in force will be entitled to receive suitable alternative arrangements, or where these aren’t available, a full refund of all monies paid to the tour operator. Customers may be able to recover the refund from their travel insurance, but if this is not the case, the tour operator must provide a refund. Unfortunately you won’t be entitled to any additional compensation, as the reason for the holiday not continuing is outside the control of 1st Tickets Limited.

In the meantime, please do ensure that everyone in your group has adequate travel insurance and a valid European health insurance card ( EHIC) as this will allow access to state-provided healthcare in EEA countries, at a reduced cost, or sometimes for free. The EHIC, however, is not an alternative to travel insurance.

You can, of course, choose to cancel your trip at any time, however termination charges as per our Booking Conditions will apply.

If there is a significant change to the travel guidelines or an update about the events from the ACO and/or Peter Auto, we will keep you updated.

Useful Links:
UK Government – Foreign Office
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice where you can subscribe to travel advice updates on a country by country basis
www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronaviru...

NaTHNaC
https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/news/498/novel-coro...
https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/news/499/novel-coro...

ABTA
https://www.abta.com/news/coronavirus-outbreak - general advice for travellers

Brian Sheehan
Managing Director

1st Tickets Limited
Registered Office: Bedford i-Lab, Priory Business Park,
Stannard Way, Bedford, MK44 3RZ
Registered in England and Wales No: 06408068
Vat Registration No: GB 921 3460 53

[ferrus]

I appreciate the post.

I received the balance statement from 1st Tickets today, and still have a number of transport and accommodation items still to book.
Yet even with the uncertainty of whether the event will take place, and how much I could stand to lose - we should recognise the pressure others must be under right now.

The ticket agencies, local businesses and not forgetting - the local population around Le Mans, that face the prospect of having a quarter of a million people from around the globe descending on them, during a cross-border health crisis. And yet knowing that their attendance provides so much to the local economy.

I'm going to carry on with the travel plans until told otherwise, but really - I think we have to hope that the virus outbreak is contained soon.

[Kev_Mk3]

I shall still make the trip if the race goes on or not

[LawrieC]

Thanks Brian

We'll just have to wait and see - and we thought Brexit was going to cock things up

[wsn03]

Brian is Moto 24 under threat? Im booked aside from grandstand tickets

[chum racing]

wsn03 said:

Brian is Moto 24 under threat? Im booked aside from grandstand tickets

Not that I am aware of yet, but will keep an eye on it too

[wsn03]

chum racing said:

wsn03 said:

Brian is Moto 24 under threat? Im booked aside from grandstand tickets

Not that I am aware of yet, but will keep an eye on it too

Thanks Brian, I'll get in touch for tickets once we know

[PW555]

Thanks Brian

As far as we are concerned we are all still fully intending to attend.

Balance settled over the weekend btw.

Regards
Paul Wallis

[lowdrag]

Well posted Brian. I still hope we shall be able to meet up. Tony However, it is only fair to warn people that the first case of the coronavirus at Le Mans was announced in this morning's newspaper.

[gt6]

The ACO could follow advice and ban all italian teams and cars, i think the Aston, porsche and corvette teams would like that. So one case of Covid19 but how many people have died or ordinary flu in Le mans this year so far. Still panic is a human nature

[chum racing]

Unfortunately the Moto 24h has been postponed until 5th - 6th September.

THE "24 HEURES MOTOS" POSTPONED TO 5 AND 6 SEPTEMBER 2020

All purchased tickets will be valid for the new dates

[LawrieC]

Thanks, but I'd pencilled that in for the 24h Auto

[lowdrag]

Off topic, but SWMBO's sabbatical trip to Jordan at the end of April was cancelled today.

[anonymous-user]

Well, in for a penny and all that. This weekend we shall be paying the remaining balance for our PH enclosure ticket package at the Classic. Considered pulling out, but on balance decided that if the event is running and there's no travel ban, then it is safe and we'll go. I don't envy any tour operator at the moment.

[MrC986]

mstrbkr said:

Well, in for a penny and all that. This weekend we shall be paying the remaining balance for our PH enclosure ticket package at the Classic. Considered pulling out, but on balance decided that if the event is running and there's no travel ban, then it is safe and we'll go. I don't envy any tour operator at the moment.

I’m in the same position. The 24 hr and Classic events are 3 months or more away & a lot can happen in that time. The Classic bookings are apparently very strong given the every other year frequency. By using an agent, at least we have the peace of mind of event cancellation though I hope we never get to test it.

[mikeN54]

Yep, we're paying in full tonight for the PH camping at the 24h.

They're an ABTA agent, we have insurance and we're paying on a credit card. If its cancelled or official advice is not to go, we'll be covered.

See you there

Edited by mikeN54 on Friday 13th March 21:13

[chum racing]

This update is based on the information made available to us via the ACO and their website

So far, the following events on the FIA WEC & ACO calendars have been impacted by the virus:

Event	Series	Location	Action	Original Date	Revised Date
1000 Miles of Sebring	WEC	Florida, United States	Cancelled	18-20 March	N/A
4 Hours of Barcelona	ELMS	Barcelona, Spain	Postponed	4-5 April	TBA
Moto 24 Hours	FIM EWC	Le Mans, France	Postponed	18-19 April	5-6 Sept
Total 6 Hours of Spa	WEC	Spa Francorchamps, Belgium	Postponed	23-25 April	TBA
4 Hours of Monza	ELMS	Monza, Italy	Postponed	9-10 May	TBA

In a question and answer session published on the Lemans.org news feed, ACO President, Pierre Fillon gave more insight about when a decision would be made about the Le Mans 24 Hours ( read the full article) :

A few days ago, you announced the postponement of the 24H Motos and published a list of cancelled events scheduled for March and April. The start of the European Le Mans Series has been put back too. Two rounds of the World Endurance Championship, Sebring and Spa, are also affected. What about the 24 Hours of Le Mans this June?

We postponed the 24H Motos because the date was looming, and it was better to give teams and spectators ample warning. The race was scheduled for April – just a few weeks away – and we had very little doubt as to how the situation would evolve. We chose to give everyone plenty of notice. Following the government announcements, we cancelled or postponed other events scheduled for March and April.

For the 24 Hours of Le Mans (13-14 June 2020), we are monitoring the situation and following instructions issued by the authorities. We shall announce our decision on 15 April. Whatever happens, the 24 Hours of Le Mans will go ahead this year.

At this stage we all need to wait until the 15th April to find out more about the 24 Hours and we will keep updating our website as, and when, more information becomes available.

For the Spa Classic and Le Mans Classic, we have asked the event organisers similar questions and are waiting to hear. We continue to work on the basis that they will go ahead as planned, whilst working on our contingency plans in case they are postponed to later on in the year.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers for their support, loyalty and kind words during what is a difficult period for everyone.

Stay safe

Brian Sheehan
Managing Director

1st Tickets Limited
Registered Office: Bedford i-Lab, Priory Business Park,
Stannard Way, Bedford, MK44 3RZ
Registered in England and Wales No: 06408068
Vat Registration No: GB 921 3460 53

Edited by chum racing on Tuesday 17th March 17:29

[wsn03]

Hi Brian
Do you not accept connections on LinkedIn from your customers? I can't message you on there and can't get through on the phone - sorry but that's put nose out of joint as I'm on the verge of buying tickets from you

[lowdrag]

Buying tickets for what? September? The Classic? For goodness sake, people are so tied down answering calls that people can't get through. We were stuck last week in Mauritius, our flight arbitrarily cancelled by Air France. Could we speak to our travel agent? Could we get hold of Air France? Not on your life we couldn't. It was only because SWMBO's son works for Air France that we got home. Looking at the situation there now I am damned glad to be back in my little home in the forest. I think you are being too harsh in your judgement given the situation as it is. If the Italian situation is, as they say, some weeks in front of the UK situation we shall be in lockdown for several months more, and who can blame people for looking after themselves and their families in these circumstances. Have a little faith and a lot more patience!

[MrC986]

wsn03 said:

Hi Brian
Do you not accept connections on LinkedIn from your customers? I can't message you on there and can't get through on the phone - sorry but that's put nose out of joint as I'm on the verge of buying tickets from you

1st Tickets website has an email on it I [e-mail].