Club races - how long do people stay?

[Shoestringracer]

I guess I'm really asking how long do you spend at the track?

I live in Norwich and have a long drive back from most places. I've done a bit of sprinting and hillclimbing and get frustrated after final run while waiting around for trophies etc. I realise that its sometimes a bit antisocial but I've got a young family that I often don't see awake during the week and I want to get back to them. I'd like to move to racing and would genuinely favor a race series that was first on the bill so I could get packed-up and on the road very soon after my race is over. I don't mind how early I'd have to get up to get there, by the way.

thanks

[Truckosaurus]

Pretty much everyone packs up and leaves as soon as their race ends.

[vjay48]

I dont think there is such a thing as a race series that is always first on the program !!!. Clubs tend to set the timetable to even out the number of times you are last to race,people would moan even more if a series was always last. I suggest if you are short of time to compete in amateur/club racing choose another hobby,you could be at a circuit from small hours of saturday morning to early sunday evening. If you look at TSL timing, race meeting timetables are on there for you to look at.

[norwichphoto]

Some clubs give prizes on the podium immediately after the race, others choose to give trophies in the paddock shortly afterwards as everyone has some distance to travel home.

Running order is shuffled so you are never consistently last unless your series is being greedy and having more than one quail and race per day.

[Heatherj]

Hi

I doubt that any race series have a particular race that remains early on the timetable all the time I know that with the 750mc everyone gets turns.

Why not look at it slightly differently.. take your family along.
The 750mc is very family orientated (and I suspect many other organising championships as well) many of the drivers bring the family along, the age ranges from newborn babies right through to the teenager vying to drive the car.
There is all manner of ways people stay, they either have the family size tents, converted vans, motorhomes or B & B locally.
I can only speak of our experience with the 750MC, everyone is included and it becomes as much of an outing for the families as just the racing with some lasting friendships set up.

[Timbo_S2]

Based in Norwich too...

Race with Bemsee, they tend to mix classes up so sometimes you're first, sometimes last. Places like Brands Hatch doesn;t really matter as you can't always get out of the paddock until racing is over.

I tend to pack up before the last race, after that its straight in the trailer and ready to go...

[woof]

Everyone tends to go as soon as possible. Those starting early want to get away, which is fair enough.
I've been in paddocks when we're the last race and you'll see the tumbleweed blowing through when returning to the paddock

At the last BRSCC Porsche weekend I didn't even bother with the 3rd race and was already on my way home (one of my better decisions of the year ) but that's another story!

(750MC - friendliest and most welcoming paddock )

Edited by woof on Monday 2nd December 17:51

[wildman0609]

another norfolk based racer here.
Yes leaving oulton park after the last race of the day is a massive pain in the arse, but its worth it if you love racing.

We tend to do premier inn the night before a race meeting and pack up as soon as the race is over. If its a nice day and the racing is good we will on occasion stay and watch a race, but if its one of the further tracks we just head straight back. We always try to have the whole family there, I couldn't race if the whole family didn't love it too.

[Greensleeves]

MR2 Series is always "Top of the Bill" so we get to perform last. Typically we will sign on at 7am on a Saturday morning (Nippon Challenge) and do our cooldown laps as the marshals are clearing up on the Sunday evening.

Generally, the lower down the pecking order you are in terms of vehicular value or race status, the earlier you get up and the later you go to bed. Brilliant value for money if you don't have the kids constraints you mention.

[Shoestringracer]

Thanks for all the replies. Family consists of wife and 2 year old twin boys so I don't she'd enjoy trying to keep them corraled for a day. I hope they'll come along when older (between winning karting championships, of course!)

Do you know where you are going to be on the bill before sending off your entry fee? Given that I probably on't do every race in the championship anyway, could I apply for races that are likely to finish early?

[Heatherj]

Again I only have experience of the 750MC where entries open about a month before the event and there is a closing date about a week before the event which is when the timetable is issued, but usually as long as the race isnt oversubscribed they will always accept a late entry.
I am sure most other clubs will have similar policies.