24hr Spectators Point of View, i.e. Paying Public?
Discussion
M3 you were one of the lucky ones.
I agree with your comment about the EERC but Silverstone is a Shambles at the moment, I'm not surprised Bernie's looking eleswhere!
The only way I can see Silverstone improving is by MSV taking over all management concerns associated with the day to day running of the circuit.
Oulton Park and Brands have improved immensely since MSV have taken over.
I agree with your comment about the EERC but Silverstone is a Shambles at the moment, I'm not surprised Bernie's looking eleswhere!
The only way I can see Silverstone improving is by MSV taking over all management concerns associated with the day to day running of the circuit.
Oulton Park and Brands have improved immensely since MSV have taken over.
Dancin said:
M3 you were one of the lucky ones.
I agree with your comment about the EERC but Silverstone is a Shambles at the moment, I'm not surprised Bernie's looking eleswhere!
The only way I can see Silverstone improving is by MSV taking over all management concerns associated with the day to day running of the circuit.
Oulton Park and Brands have improved immensely since MSV have taken over.
I cant see the BRDC giving it all away to MSV no matter how good Dr Palmer has been to Brands and Oulton. Its their circuit and as such their responsibility to do more the paying guest. The facilities overall arent that bad compared to say Donington.I agree with your comment about the EERC but Silverstone is a Shambles at the moment, I'm not surprised Bernie's looking eleswhere!
The only way I can see Silverstone improving is by MSV taking over all management concerns associated with the day to day running of the circuit.
Oulton Park and Brands have improved immensely since MSV have taken over.
C9/89 said:
The facilities overall arent that bad compared to say Donington.
Actually comparing the two as a competitor and a spectator I'd say Donny offers better facilitiescheaper food, cleaner loos, and lacking the hundreds of fences and gates everywhere... Oh yes and they have camping...
Silverstone could and should be so much better and it wouldnt take much, just a bit of care and some respect for the grass roots and the paying punter.... At the moment it doesn't deserve the tag "home of british motorsport", although the "because its Silverstone" rings true....
G
So you've highlighted three things, cheap food, camping and cleaner toilets. Actually I didn't think the toilets were dirty- although I guess in any pop at a circuit toilets are a No.1 favourite...
As for the food its a margin call and camping haven't we done this one to death?
This year on that date Donington already had a meeting. A free to anyone who wanted to show up Renault world series meeting. I think the free entry might have been the key factor in who gained more spectators. Oh and I'll bet you the toilets at Silverstone were far nicer than Donington that day - or any day come to think of it!
Pity people don't come to a race meeting these days to see some racing. Go to a world motorcross meeting and see the facilities you get in a field - racing is great though.
As for the food its a margin call and camping haven't we done this one to death?
This year on that date Donington already had a meeting. A free to anyone who wanted to show up Renault world series meeting. I think the free entry might have been the key factor in who gained more spectators. Oh and I'll bet you the toilets at Silverstone were far nicer than Donington that day - or any day come to think of it!
Pity people don't come to a race meeting these days to see some racing. Go to a world motorcross meeting and see the facilities you get in a field - racing is great though.
I take it you didnt go into any in the paddock then.... Silverstone sets its self out as the top of the food chain in uk motorsport, and it simply isnt... Its an old boys club, they dont really want you there and you are made to feel that way... Its the Only circuits in the uk that I dont like to take sponsors to. The viewing is crap, everything seems locked or fenced, and dont get me started on the waste of time the national circuit is.....
If I went to a motocross event I know exactly what I would be getting, At silverstone it sets its self up for more but delivers nothing...
The bins hadnt been emptied or the loos in the paddock cleaned in at least 2 weeks, there was rubbish about that had been there on the test day two weeks before...
Silverstone could and should be great, but it isnt... It has one of the best circuits in world but doesn't capitalize on it with the rest of the infrastructure. For motorsport to be sustainable in the long term it needs external funding, which means sponsorship, which means fans. If the fans don't get good facilities then they will not go, so it is important... You and I may be quite happy to pee in a hedge, but I dont think my wife and daughter would be..
If I went to a motocross event I know exactly what I would be getting, At silverstone it sets its self up for more but delivers nothing...
The bins hadnt been emptied or the loos in the paddock cleaned in at least 2 weeks, there was rubbish about that had been there on the test day two weeks before...
Silverstone could and should be great, but it isnt... It has one of the best circuits in world but doesn't capitalize on it with the rest of the infrastructure. For motorsport to be sustainable in the long term it needs external funding, which means sponsorship, which means fans. If the fans don't get good facilities then they will not go, so it is important... You and I may be quite happy to pee in a hedge, but I dont think my wife and daughter would be..
Graham said:
I take it you didnt go into any in the paddock then.... Silverstone sets its self out as the top of the food chain in uk motorsport, and it simply isnt... Its an old boys club, they dont really want you there and you are made to feel that way... Its the Only circuits in the uk that I dont like to take sponsors to. The viewing is crap, everything seems locked or fenced, and dont get me started on the waste of time the national circuit is.....
If I went to a motocross event I know exactly what I would be getting, At silverstone it sets its self up for more but delivers nothing...
The bins hadnt been emptied or the loos in the paddock cleaned in at least 2 weeks, there was rubbish about that had been there on the test day two weeks before...
Silverstone could and should be great, but it isnt... It has one of the best circuits in world but doesn't capitalize on it with the rest of the infrastructure. For motorsport to be sustainable in the long term it needs external funding, which means sponsorship, which means fans. If the fans don't get good facilities then they will not go, so it is important... You and I may be quite happy to pee in a hedge, but I dont think my wife and daughter would be..
Hi Graham, I'm not setting out to simply say the opposite of you. However you're main beef seems to be with the bins and loos. You cite your wife and daughter might like to go to a nice toilet but I can't believe the womens loos are nasty, and in fact the one behind the paddock next to the petrol station is nice (even the mens is and thats after much use). If I went to a motocross event I know exactly what I would be getting, At silverstone it sets its self up for more but delivers nothing...
The bins hadnt been emptied or the loos in the paddock cleaned in at least 2 weeks, there was rubbish about that had been there on the test day two weeks before...
Silverstone could and should be great, but it isnt... It has one of the best circuits in world but doesn't capitalize on it with the rest of the infrastructure. For motorsport to be sustainable in the long term it needs external funding, which means sponsorship, which means fans. If the fans don't get good facilities then they will not go, so it is important... You and I may be quite happy to pee in a hedge, but I dont think my wife and daughter would be..
Of course the garage loos are a bit messy but then surely we need to look at ourselves (as in those that use them most) if they are a state.
But Donington loos are for sure no better either way.
As for the rest of your issues, if the view is naff then that can't be changed to easily can it.
The grandstands being locked is a health and safety thing and is just a question of staffing - see JT he hired the venue and can pick from a menu of the things he wants to pay for....
<LOL> no they are not my only beef just an obvious one, and one thats easily solved and serves to highlight the general malaise with which they treat the place...
Also health and safety is right up there with Data Protection act for the most used excuse's in the uk, so please excuse me if i think its bollox.... ( in a previous life my department was responsible for both)
as I said the actual circuit well gp,International and even southern are great, no complaints there. the national on the other hand is possibly the crappest circuit in the uk.. or both driving and specating..
The general problems with Silverstone, other than the aforementioned cleanliness, are loads of fences and gates trying to get from a-b drives me nuts ( explain why one of the viewing pens with a gate at either end has one of them locked), poor facilities, the ones that are there are usually shut, or very expensive..
etc etc etc I could go on...
to put it simply the place just isn't user friendly, and is the one circuit I really hate going to as the overall experence isnt great...
The owners also dont seem to want to support grass roots motorsport, or anything other than the GP. If they did they would realise the potential of the Britcar 24hr and put some of their weight behind it to help promote it....
All imho of course and as they say opinions are like arseholes, everyone has one... but thats the feeling I get everytime I go there, and I know from talking to others Im not alone.. I should feel proud to go to silverstone but I'd rather race somewhere else....
cheers
G
Also health and safety is right up there with Data Protection act for the most used excuse's in the uk, so please excuse me if i think its bollox.... ( in a previous life my department was responsible for both)
as I said the actual circuit well gp,International and even southern are great, no complaints there. the national on the other hand is possibly the crappest circuit in the uk.. or both driving and specating..
The general problems with Silverstone, other than the aforementioned cleanliness, are loads of fences and gates trying to get from a-b drives me nuts ( explain why one of the viewing pens with a gate at either end has one of them locked), poor facilities, the ones that are there are usually shut, or very expensive..
etc etc etc I could go on...
to put it simply the place just isn't user friendly, and is the one circuit I really hate going to as the overall experence isnt great...
The owners also dont seem to want to support grass roots motorsport, or anything other than the GP. If they did they would realise the potential of the Britcar 24hr and put some of their weight behind it to help promote it....
All imho of course and as they say opinions are like arseholes, everyone has one... but thats the feeling I get everytime I go there, and I know from talking to others Im not alone.. I should feel proud to go to silverstone but I'd rather race somewhere else....
cheers
G
Graham said:
and I know from talking to others Im not alone.. I should feel proud to go to silverstone but I'd rather race somewhere else....
You are not alone, far from it..The toilets? I've never had an issue with the cleanliness aspect as i've worked on building sites with toilets that make Sillystone's look HRH's bog, but the fact that many of them are locked on anything other than a major event day is unacceptable...Health & Safety issue #1
Locked stands for the 24 Hours. It costs peanuts to hire a couple of Grocks to mount a Fire/Safety watch in the stands. They manage it for lesser events at other circuits / stadiums.
Camping. Done to death it maybe, but for the success of a 24 hour race i'd say it's pretty vital. MSV manage a whole weekend with tents & caravans for the Oulton Gold Cup (for example) with attendances at least equal to, or greater than the Bitcar 24. To coin a popular phrase, it ain't brain surgery...
Now it's easy to point the finger and blame the EERC for not stumping up the cash for any / all of the above, but if Bernard ever pulls the GP, then the BRDC will be glad of an event like the 24 hours as it could grow into a great race...maybe a bit of a gamble now will pay off in the long run.
But what do i know, i'm just one of the muppets who spends good money travelling around the country to watch racing and when i'm there i don't sit on my arse on a deckchair. I like to get around and see different parts of the track...which requires facilities
I doubt if i'm the only one..
Edited by MonkeyHanger on Monday 24th September 23:04
Silverstone/24hrs - I know this doesn't sit very well with people but the reality is this.
1) Silverstone's day to day running is by Silverstone Circuits Ltd (SCL) - NOT the BRDC.
2) SCL rent the circuit to JT/EERC for the 24hrs and are not the promoter.
3) SCL do not want to be the promoter because there is hardly anyone paying to come through the gate
4) If JT/EERC did not rent the track someone else would, perhaps SCL's own driving school, a trackday company, another race organiser, etc.
The 24hrs is not something that either the BRDC or SCL are desperate to promote or run. Why? Not because they hate motorsport but because they are not involved in race promotion in a big way and only do one or two events per year max.
1) Silverstone's day to day running is by Silverstone Circuits Ltd (SCL) - NOT the BRDC.
2) SCL rent the circuit to JT/EERC for the 24hrs and are not the promoter.
3) SCL do not want to be the promoter because there is hardly anyone paying to come through the gate
4) If JT/EERC did not rent the track someone else would, perhaps SCL's own driving school, a trackday company, another race organiser, etc.
The 24hrs is not something that either the BRDC or SCL are desperate to promote or run. Why? Not because they hate motorsport but because they are not involved in race promotion in a big way and only do one or two events per year max.
2priestsferrari said:
Silverstone/24hrs - I know this doesn't sit very well with people but the reality is this.
1) Silverstone's day to day running is by Silverstone Circuits Ltd (SCL) - NOT the BRDC.
2) SCL rent the circuit to JT/EERC for the 24hrs and are not the promoter.
3) SCL do not want to be the promoter because there is hardly anyone paying to come through the gate
4) If JT/EERC did not rent the track someone else would, perhaps SCL's own driving school, a trackday company, another race organiser, etc.
The 24hrs is not something that either the BRDC or SCL are desperate to promote or run. Why? Not because they hate motorsport but because they are not involved in race promotion in a big way and only do one or two events per year max.
This is why I keep saying motorsport in this country is all done the wrong way around.1) Silverstone's day to day running is by Silverstone Circuits Ltd (SCL) - NOT the BRDC.
2) SCL rent the circuit to JT/EERC for the 24hrs and are not the promoter.
3) SCL do not want to be the promoter because there is hardly anyone paying to come through the gate
4) If JT/EERC did not rent the track someone else would, perhaps SCL's own driving school, a trackday company, another race organiser, etc.
The 24hrs is not something that either the BRDC or SCL are desperate to promote or run. Why? Not because they hate motorsport but because they are not involved in race promotion in a big way and only do one or two events per year max.
The BRDC, ok, Silverstone Circuit Ltd (a company wholly owned by the BRDC), rents out the circuit to the EERC, and they (SCL) keep the gate money and money from any concessions within the circuit (bars, food etc..).
James promotes the 24hrs because he wants it to be a success. But his hands are tied by common sense. If he promotes it very well, people come, pay for tickets, and he doesn't get any financial return for his promotion because SCL get the gate money. So why promote it? Other than because the events prestige requires it.
SCL don't promote it. Why? that costs money, takes time, and they already have a ruddy great cheque from JT in the bank for the rent. Sod promoting it.
The BRDC stands up and says it supports grass roots and national motorsports as the ladder to the top.
Please will the BRDC tell their underlings at SCL to promote meetings, get the great unwashed through the gate, and turn motorsport into the entertainment that it "could" be.
We've already heard that the reason camping wasn't allowed was due to lack of security staff. So, how much does it cost to lay on three or four more blokes at £100/night? Hmmmm £3-400. How many people would have paid £10 extra for a camping permit, to camp on the infield between the national straight and the paddock? 50-60? Maybe more? That's £5-600 income for £3-400 outlay. Errrr helooooooooooo, mr accountant... P R O F I T!
OK, only a little, but profit none the less.
Until the circuit owners start to think about these sort of things, they will be throwing good income in the direction of other things, like going to watch poxy football, or other pointless things.
Motorsport should be considered and operated as an entertainment, not a whim of a few chums who fancy thrashing their MGC's down at jolly old Thruxton at the weekend.
Then it will blossom. The stands will be filled, Britcar will flourish because sponsors will come in to support the teams/drivers. In fact, it will roll all the way down to grass roots.
Who will lose? Nobody really. There is enough money in the economy to fulfill it, perhaps premier league football could be brought down a peg when companies realise what a waste of money it is to pile millions into such utter drivel. Big brother on grass.
One other comment. On other forums, and perhaps on here, there has been talk about the growing complaints about circuits being in use 7-days a week, making noise, winding up the neighbours. Their comments were along the lines of "I don't mind it at the weekends, that's when people are out there doing their sport, but it's this constant day in day out with trackdays, experience days, and corporate days". Perhaps if the sport because a success as a sport, then the circuits wouldn't need to open up 24-7 to keep their heads above water. Experience days would be fuller when they ran, trackdays would be a thing of the past when motor racing becomes cheaper because the circuit PAY the competitor to entertain the thousands of paying spectators.
I shall go away to cloud cuckoo land, where marketing men plot the takeover of the world with V8 powered stock cars, names like RickyBobby, and Earnhart, and the whole world runs on GASOLINE, not petrol.
Here's to dreaming, that one day the spectator is put first.
thunderbelmont said:
If he promotes it very well, people come, pay for tickets, and he doesn't get any financial return for his promotion because SCL get the gate money. So why promote it?
Hi - sorry you are ill informed. In 2007 EERC kept the gate money. The way you described was how EERC wanted it but SCL didn't want that. So your question "why promote it?" is because EERC would have made more money...Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff