Brands Hatch new catch fencing.
Discussion
Hi there, my first post on the forums - think this is the right one....
I have been going to Brands Hatch to watch racing on both two and four wheels since the early Nineties. It is a truly fantastic circuit. One of the draw-cards for spectators and amateur photographers like me was the wide open viewing - you could always get to pretty much any part of the track if you were prepared to walk (ie for the GP circuit). However as of my visit yesterday for the Blancpain GT championship, I don't know if I will be going as much. They have put up tall, silver steel fencing in most parts of the circuit that makes taking any photographs pretty much impossible unless you have a massive lens or a media pass. For example, Stirlings is now 'out of bounds' completely for spectators, whether taking pictures or not. You can't get to it at all. There are fenced off paths that you have to follow - signs remind you that walking outside these paths is trespassing.
I spoke to many people yesterday (both spectating and trying to take pictures) who were equally unhappy with these fences. One person who seemed to know a lot about Brands in general said that they had been put in so that Brands could host the DTM - not sure if that is true though? I understand the need for an amount of spectator safety however motorsport is dangerous and people know this and still go, even before these huge fences were put in. They are complete overkill. In my opinion, whatever the reason is, they have completely ruined it as a spectators' venue, unless you like watching from a grandstand - a real shame.
I have been going to Brands Hatch to watch racing on both two and four wheels since the early Nineties. It is a truly fantastic circuit. One of the draw-cards for spectators and amateur photographers like me was the wide open viewing - you could always get to pretty much any part of the track if you were prepared to walk (ie for the GP circuit). However as of my visit yesterday for the Blancpain GT championship, I don't know if I will be going as much. They have put up tall, silver steel fencing in most parts of the circuit that makes taking any photographs pretty much impossible unless you have a massive lens or a media pass. For example, Stirlings is now 'out of bounds' completely for spectators, whether taking pictures or not. You can't get to it at all. There are fenced off paths that you have to follow - signs remind you that walking outside these paths is trespassing.
I spoke to many people yesterday (both spectating and trying to take pictures) who were equally unhappy with these fences. One person who seemed to know a lot about Brands in general said that they had been put in so that Brands could host the DTM - not sure if that is true though? I understand the need for an amount of spectator safety however motorsport is dangerous and people know this and still go, even before these huge fences were put in. They are complete overkill. In my opinion, whatever the reason is, they have completely ruined it as a spectators' venue, unless you like watching from a grandstand - a real shame.
Yeah, I remember that crash, a big one - back in 2010. I completely get the need for spectator safety, but there should be a balance between safety and accessibility.
Motorsport is dangerous and people go to watch knowing that there is a risk - there is an indemnity printed on every ticket, I think. The fencing that was in place before the new stuff was erected was enough. But the biggest disappointment is making some of the track (ie Stirlings) completely inaccessible - just can't understand why they would do that?
Motorsport is dangerous and people go to watch knowing that there is a risk - there is an indemnity printed on every ticket, I think. The fencing that was in place before the new stuff was erected was enough. But the biggest disappointment is making some of the track (ie Stirlings) completely inaccessible - just can't understand why they would do that?
Just received an answer, very similar to yours:
'The new fencing has been put into place for spectator safety. We understand that some of the views are not the same as they were before and we have tried to put as many photography holes in the fence for spectators to take photos. We are doing all of this to make sure you are safe with motorsport constantly developing and getting faster we never know how big the next crash will be so we are lowing the chances of spectators getting hurt.'
Right then - don't know too much about Thruxton apart from it being fast - what is that like for spectators/amateur photographers?
'The new fencing has been put into place for spectator safety. We understand that some of the views are not the same as they were before and we have tried to put as many photography holes in the fence for spectators to take photos. We are doing all of this to make sure you are safe with motorsport constantly developing and getting faster we never know how big the next crash will be so we are lowing the chances of spectators getting hurt.'
Right then - don't know too much about Thruxton apart from it being fast - what is that like for spectators/amateur photographers?
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