If Silverstone really want the 24 hour to work.....
Discussion
2priestsferrari said:
.....It will finish the event in a moment. We all think Le Mans is a hoot but the behaviour in some areas there would not be tollerated in the UK anywhere. It borders of the down right out of order.
Regarding the locals embracing this event - well show the community that the 24hrs is good for them in some way and the parish council will support it 100% but they are not stupid. Right now it brings close to zero benefits and a lot of noise thoughout the night.
I think Silverstone would differ from Le mans in that it will be very self contained, we`re not racing round the village, we`re on a circuit with lot`s of space to contain spectators. The circuit is also fortunate in that it has a very good dual carriageway to both deliver and remove spectators. To that extent I would hope the roses would survive unscathed.Regarding the locals embracing this event - well show the community that the 24hrs is good for them in some way and the parish council will support it 100% but they are not stupid. Right now it brings close to zero benefits and a lot of noise thoughout the night.
Just as you are looking at the bigger picture in not singling out the 24 hour race from any other event in the calender I think the locals have to see that it is just one of the events that help to keep motorsport alive in the uk and money flowing into the local coffers. Local accommodation, people working at the circuit, companies who supply motorsport related products and services all benefit and I think events like the 24hr mean competitor such as myself don`t look overseas for our racing.
See this as the F1 of GT club racing, it encourages and promotes people to go racing throughout the rest of the year.
The other obvious venue would be Snetterton, an area I know very well having grown up there. The locals there embrace the financial benefits the circuit brings. I think the planning would probably be easier, JP`s grass is truly magnificent but I still think Silverstone is a better venue, it`s more central and the facilities are far better.
Isn`t it a shame that whilst we, as a nation, embrace heroes of a bygone era like Moss, Hill and Stewart, see ourselves as world leaders in motorsport technology and chomp at the bit to get close to stars such a Hamilton (presumably from the press` point of view so they can take delight in pulling him down again), we stifle the sport on a day to day basis. We stick our chests out when talking about how we still dominate the sport, how many of the F1 teams are UK based or have key British personell, then moan about any disruption it causes. Silverstone circuit hasn`t just appeared overnight.
I`ve just been on the BRDC website & didn`t realise it was founded by one of the Bentley boys. Dr Benjafield would be turning in his grave were he to think the club wasn`t going out of it`s way to welcome drivers from the UK`s recently revived international 24 hour event. Don`t forget one day all the cars racing will become classics, maybe only then will the club open it`s doors as it did last weekend, that is of course providing we (as a nation) haven`t killed off the sport.
Henry
An intresting way to get round camping, last year we took a renualt espace and took the back seats out and put a BIG AIR BED in the back, worked preety well parked it facing the tracklol, mind didnt use it much racing was far to good!!!
I think silverstones facilites are preety good for a spectator such as myself and the pits are good for getting close to the teams, shame about the camping but hope the event does grow great race!!
I think silverstones facilites are preety good for a spectator such as myself and the pits are good for getting close to the teams, shame about the camping but hope the event does grow great race!!
Chris Patey said:
An intresting way to get round camping, last year we took a renualt espace and took the back seats out and put a BIG AIR BED in the back, worked preety well parked it facing the tracklol, mind didnt use it much racing was far to good!!!
I think silverstones facilites are preety good for a spectator such as myself and the pits are good for getting close to the teams, shame about the camping but hope the event does grow great race!!
I've seen Guy Povey merely kip in his E30 Road Car. Sod the air bed.I think silverstones facilites are preety good for a spectator such as myself and the pits are good for getting close to the teams, shame about the camping but hope the event does grow great race!!
Having followed this thread from the 'camping site' for the past few days I'd VERY much support HenryF's point of view - perhaps a change of date to the recent festival date would be a good compromise FOR spectators - but perhaps not for those charging £ for circuit hire...
2PF - ALL of your posts have been entirely negative & generally pouring pi$$ upon some great suggestions - perhaps it's required to 'balance' opinion - however you've inspired me to write so good on you...
I think your viepoint is wrong - who the heck wants to race for 24hours without any support? There's only so much cheering friends & family can do, a 24hr race IS a BIG DEAL not just for teams & drivers but also for the nation (by this I mean how many 24 races are there globally?) so c'mon why be such a killjoy?
I'd love to see people there - even if they've got lost on the way to Brighton I'll still REALLY appreciate their presence whether they're there camping, accidentally, for a daft afternoon out etc etc.
2PF - ALL of your posts have been entirely negative & generally pouring pi$$ upon some great suggestions - perhaps it's required to 'balance' opinion - however you've inspired me to write so good on you...
I think your viepoint is wrong - who the heck wants to race for 24hours without any support? There's only so much cheering friends & family can do, a 24hr race IS a BIG DEAL not just for teams & drivers but also for the nation (by this I mean how many 24 races are there globally?) so c'mon why be such a killjoy?
I'd love to see people there - even if they've got lost on the way to Brighton I'll still REALLY appreciate their presence whether they're there camping, accidentally, for a daft afternoon out etc etc.
OK - I have read this post with interest over the past day or so. I am not going to get into the rights, wrongs, you don't pay enough billsh*t.
The 2cv 24 hour event is a great thing. You're right, it doesn't bring big crowds but they have been bigger over the past couple of years because Pistonfest (the Pistonheads festival) has run there. Now, I speak with a little experience as I sponsor the 2cv 24 hour event, I organise Pistonfest and I have raced the last 3 years. So, we said to Jamie Hopper (circuit manager), we want to run a Le Mans style event where people can camp and park their cars next to their tents. Jamie says, "Oh my god, cars on the grass? JP would never allow that"! Now we all know JP likes his grass. And Snet has the same H&S issues as the other circuits. But, within 4 weeks, we had additional toilets and showers, a huge marquee, live band and bar until 2am! Why? Because they wanted to! Because they made money from it! Because they like the idea of having a Le Mans type event! So, they made it happen. So, why do Silverstone not want people to camp for the Britcar 24 hour? For the exact opposite reasons I just mentioned. Gloss it up any way you want but this is how I see it. Silverstone is too posh to have people in tents drinking their own beer!
I am not saying that anyone who has posted here is right or wrong. I can only speak from my own experience and the team at Snet could not have done more to help to set up and run the event over the past 2 years which is a credit to them. It would be nice to say the same about Silverstone.
IF Silverstone wanted camping at the event, for sure there would be camping. There is no real financial issues as people would pay extra to camp which would cover the cost of security etc., which is how it works at Snet. However, if Silverstone don't want camping........FOR SURE...there will be, and is, NO CAMPING !
Personally, I don't really care if people come and camp or not! I just wanna win !
Happy Days!
The 2cv 24 hour event is a great thing. You're right, it doesn't bring big crowds but they have been bigger over the past couple of years because Pistonfest (the Pistonheads festival) has run there. Now, I speak with a little experience as I sponsor the 2cv 24 hour event, I organise Pistonfest and I have raced the last 3 years. So, we said to Jamie Hopper (circuit manager), we want to run a Le Mans style event where people can camp and park their cars next to their tents. Jamie says, "Oh my god, cars on the grass? JP would never allow that"! Now we all know JP likes his grass. And Snet has the same H&S issues as the other circuits. But, within 4 weeks, we had additional toilets and showers, a huge marquee, live band and bar until 2am! Why? Because they wanted to! Because they made money from it! Because they like the idea of having a Le Mans type event! So, they made it happen. So, why do Silverstone not want people to camp for the Britcar 24 hour? For the exact opposite reasons I just mentioned. Gloss it up any way you want but this is how I see it. Silverstone is too posh to have people in tents drinking their own beer!
I am not saying that anyone who has posted here is right or wrong. I can only speak from my own experience and the team at Snet could not have done more to help to set up and run the event over the past 2 years which is a credit to them. It would be nice to say the same about Silverstone.
IF Silverstone wanted camping at the event, for sure there would be camping. There is no real financial issues as people would pay extra to camp which would cover the cost of security etc., which is how it works at Snet. However, if Silverstone don't want camping........FOR SURE...there will be, and is, NO CAMPING !
Personally, I don't really care if people come and camp or not! I just wanna win !
Happy Days!
[quote]The Silverstone sucks comments are just staggering - why?? The track is excellent (full GP), the facilities are at least equal, and in a lot of cases better, than any other UK track, its easy to get to, easy to park in the paddock, lots of hotels, bars near the track. What more do you want?
[/quote]
Tell you for why. Having sat and watched F1 and the facilites that they visit, having raced at many European tracks and visted many more then Silverstone is in the dark ages.
Having previously invited sponsors to Silverstone for the LMES it was embarressing to find stands closed, toilets locked and little or no catering facilities - granted the latter has been improved on recently.
Having you ever been caught short and used the toilets near the fuel station - unpleasant is the only word I will use to describe them.
The most enoying factor is that there is little or no imagination when it comes to marketing anything other than F1, in fact I'm still convinced the only reason F1 visits Silverstone is because its the UK.
Whilst the BRDC hands are very much tied if you look at the bigger picture then Silverstone isnt a world class motorsport facility. It is a shame the goverment dont help/care when you look at the money being sank into the Olympics.
Where are all the driver facilities likes showers, changing areas etc.
You have to admit it could be much much better.
[/quote]
Tell you for why. Having sat and watched F1 and the facilites that they visit, having raced at many European tracks and visted many more then Silverstone is in the dark ages.
Having previously invited sponsors to Silverstone for the LMES it was embarressing to find stands closed, toilets locked and little or no catering facilities - granted the latter has been improved on recently.
Having you ever been caught short and used the toilets near the fuel station - unpleasant is the only word I will use to describe them.
The most enoying factor is that there is little or no imagination when it comes to marketing anything other than F1, in fact I'm still convinced the only reason F1 visits Silverstone is because its the UK.
Whilst the BRDC hands are very much tied if you look at the bigger picture then Silverstone isnt a world class motorsport facility. It is a shame the goverment dont help/care when you look at the money being sank into the Olympics.
Where are all the driver facilities likes showers, changing areas etc.
You have to admit it could be much much better.
Edited by wilbo on Thursday 2nd August 23:04
You guys are on drugs. Silverstone is a worse venue than other European circuits, err name the better ones...
The camping, the clubhouse, dealing with the BRDC, the local people, etc, etc. Tell you what try running the event elsewhere...
Do you really think you could do this at Combe, Brands, Oulton or Thruxton???
Maybe, just maybe Snet could do it but then you'd struggle to have as good a race with the number of cars on track. The track itself wouldn't be as fun to drive as Silverstone GP and I can't see the locals being all that keen on two 24hr races.
Anyway for 07 we have what we have. Lets hope its a good one.
The camping, the clubhouse, dealing with the BRDC, the local people, etc, etc. Tell you what try running the event elsewhere...
Do you really think you could do this at Combe, Brands, Oulton or Thruxton???
Maybe, just maybe Snet could do it but then you'd struggle to have as good a race with the number of cars on track. The track itself wouldn't be as fun to drive as Silverstone GP and I can't see the locals being all that keen on two 24hr races.
Anyway for 07 we have what we have. Lets hope its a good one.
2priestsferrari said:
You guys are on drugs. Silverstone is a worse venue than other European circuits, err name the better ones...
Erm. Nurburgring? For the 24 hours, sort out a room in the Dorint and you're sorted. Generally though, I was there from Friday morning all the way through to the end and the catering is better, I found somewhere for a beer at every different concievable hour, interesting side shows etc.Bagman said:
2priestsferrari said:
You guys are on drugs. Silverstone is a worse venue than other European circuits, err name the better ones...
Erm. Nurburgring? For the 24 hours, sort out a room in the Dorint and you're sorted. Generally though, I was there from Friday morning all the way through to the end and the catering is better, I found somewhere for a beer at every different concievable hour, interesting side shows etc.As for the Dorint, well first off you try sleeping in their during a 24hr race and then secondly try getting Mr Average clubman to pay the room rate.
How about going to Whittlebury Hall if you like a nicer hotel?
2priestsferrari said:
Bagman said:
2priestsferrari said:
You guys are on drugs. Silverstone is a worse venue than other European circuits, err name the better ones...
Erm. Nurburgring? For the 24 hours, sort out a room in the Dorint and you're sorted. Generally though, I was there from Friday morning all the way through to the end and the catering is better, I found somewhere for a beer at every different concievable hour, interesting side shows etc.As for the Dorint, well first off you try sleeping in their during a 24hr race and then secondly try getting Mr Average clubman to pay the room rate.
How about going to Whittlebury Hall if you like a nicer hotel?
I haven't managed to sleep in the Dorint in the 24 hour race as I was up all night running after a few drivers. Still, a very wired driver managed a few hours in there so it can't be that bad.
What is this Whittlebury Hall like? Don't normally arrange any accomodation for the britcar, just grab 40 winks in the car after the race is over then set off home.
One small fly in the ointment you nurburging place sounds awfully foreign. I think we were rather hoping the race was going to be UK based, besides it`s hard enough to compete in a 24 hour race in the UK, you try doing it overseas and it almost doubles your costs with shipping, accommodation, extra time for crew etc, etc. Not to mention the hassle if you have any gremlins, (you can`t just nip to a mate`s for a spare gearbox or to get a bit of work done in his workshop after practice.
Let`s keep focused, Silverstone is a great venue and has the potential to be even better. Some of those things that would improve the event wouldn`t take that much effort but may have to be instigated by parties other then J.T. / eerc.
Henry
Let`s keep focused, Silverstone is a great venue and has the potential to be even better. Some of those things that would improve the event wouldn`t take that much effort but may have to be instigated by parties other then J.T. / eerc.
Henry
Henry-F said:
One small fly in the ointment you nurburging place sounds awfully foreign. I think we were rather hoping the race was going to be UK based, besides it`s hard enough to compete in a 24 hour race in the UK, you try doing it overseas and it almost doubles your costs with shipping, accommodation, extra time for crew etc, etc. Not to mention the hassle if you have any gremlins, (you can`t just nip to a mate`s for a spare gearbox or to get a bit of work done in his workshop after practice.
Let`s keep focused, Silverstone is a great venue and has the potential to be even better. Some of those things that would improve the event wouldn`t take that much effort but may have to be instigated by parties other then J.T. / eerc.
Henry
Henry, Let`s keep focused, Silverstone is a great venue and has the potential to be even better. Some of those things that would improve the event wouldn`t take that much effort but may have to be instigated by parties other then J.T. / eerc.
Henry
Agree wholeheartedly with you and I do hope you'll be bringing along your jacuzzi for entertainment value this year. The question posed by the Ferrari chap was "name any European circuits that are better". Though it's not perfect, I believe the general facilities at the Ring to be better.
That said, I think the Britcar 24 is a pretty unique event that needs to be supported and agree that little ammendments would make a great difference.
I`m worried the Jacuzzi might be mis-construed and people think all we are interested in is getting babes to strip off and hop in with us. It did take a bit of work to get it there that year - if the eerc can guarantee me a spot for it and the support vehicle (changing facilities !) opposite out garage I`ll move heaven & earth to find another. Certainly I feel it adds another dimension to the event. So have your 2 pieces at the ready girls.
(This won`t hinder my consideration for membership of the BRDC will it? I`m pretty sure the Bentley Boys would have had one if they existed then).
Henry
(This won`t hinder my consideration for membership of the BRDC will it? I`m pretty sure the Bentley Boys would have had one if they existed then).
Henry
Henry-F said:
I`m worried the Jacuzzi might be mis-construed and people think all we are interested in is getting babes to strip off and hop in with us. It did take a bit of work to get it there that year - if the eerc can guarantee me a spot for it and the support vehicle (changing facilities !) opposite out garage I`ll move heaven & earth to find another. Certainly I feel it adds another dimension to the event. So have your 2 pieces at the ready girls.
(This won`t hinder my consideration for membership of the BRDC will it? I`m pretty sure the Bentley Boys would have had one if they existed then).
Henry
Perish the thought. And I for one would not stand for it if it was solely for that purpose. (This won`t hinder my consideration for membership of the BRDC will it? I`m pretty sure the Bentley Boys would have had one if they existed then).
Henry
Just a thought,
if you were to levy £5 for every old bloke asking if they could get in with the chicks then you'll probably cover the cost of opening the doors of the BRDC.....
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