Donington this weekend - Is it on? - It is NOW! - And there's more!

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by delta

Me again sorry everyone but what was Mons Al.

It can be an interesting lady part but I think Al is referring to the 1st battle in WW1 where the British cocked up.

[compte deGraves]

Mons:
On the way to meet the French Army at Charleroi, the 70,000 strong British force met the advancing German Army at Mons.

To stop the advancing Germans, orders were given to a group of Royal Fusiliers to destroy the bridges over the Mons-Conde Canal. The men came under heavy German fire.

On the morning of 23rd August, General Alexander von Kluck and his 150,000 soldiers attacked the British positions. Although the German First Army suffered heavy losses from British rifle fire, the British Commander was forced to instruct his outnumbered forces to retreat. French favoured a withdrawal to the coast but the British war minister, Lord Kitchener ordered the British Forces to retreat to the River Marne.
The Battle of Mons was generally considered to be the first of many cock ups by the senior army staff under the direction of Kitchener. Undeterred the idiots in charge of both the French and British Armies continued until millions of the cream of Britain and France were killed.

We, the French, never really recovered from the decimation of our youth between 1914-1918.

[Dave 455]

If you are marshalling in this area, if the drivers don't take Mcleans very slowly, you could be seeing a few shunts head on into an earth mound or wall. A speed limit on top of the yellow flag zone would make more sense, somethig like drop to 30 MPH between Mcleans approach until Coppice exit, it would reduce the chance of nasty shunts. The MSA have only awarded Donington a 2 day licence because of this yellow flag zone being implmented, but will it be enougth?

[Derwent Motorsp]

As an entrant in the MGCC event, I find Donington's behaviour totally unacceptable. I'm also a Clerk of Course and anyone will realise that if you intend to alter a track you consult John Symes at the MSA first and he then has to inspect the work before issuing a new licence. Surely the Donington management should know that?
As we are unable to race on part of the course, will Donington give us a pro rata refund?
It really makes one wonder if they are capable of running a GP.

[Dave 455]

Yes, its a shame such a nice racetrack is so poorly run. There is never any problems at any other circuit. They managed to put East Midlands Airport out of action last year, by putting up radio masts and fairground rides over the flight path without telling the airport! They also tried to run 2 days racing that there licence wouldn't enable, meaning that Britcar lost it's Donington night race event and also 7 BRSCC championships lost there final rounds, which totally upset the final points tables!
The place is a mess now, hopefully Someone new will take over the venue in the near future!

[simon drabble]

Does the ongoing work mean they now have their funding in place? If so I take my hat off to them - they have succeeded where many corporates globally have failed....

[Dave 455]

The only work to have taken place is a new tunell, this has caused the MSA race licence to be refused. No further work is taking place, the infield is as it was last september, with a large motocross track and 2 large earth banks overlooking the wheatcroft straight, so even if money was found, no building work could start, until the infield was cleared. Although at the weeknd there was 1 digger and 1 dumper truck on-site, but no builders!

[Marcus Mussa]

I have just been advised that they are running the races anti clockwise - this way the run off areas are no problem. Has anybody else received this information and can they please confirm?
Marcus

[Dave 455]

The runoff is the same at both sides of the track - non-existant, so it would not have any effect running anti-clockwise. The climb up the craners would be steep for old cars too, someone is having you on I think!

[Alan Crook]

Think running wrong direction is probably an April Fools joke however the no racing area is not !!!

[delta]

Originally Posted by Marcus Mussa

I have just been advised that they are running the races anti clockwise - this way the run off areas are no problem. Has anybody else received this information and can they please confirm?
Marcus

Missano Marcus. Its been done guys.

[brands]

Is the infield open to spectators ?

[simon drabble]

up by the first corner it is as so presume it is all round but they would not be able to get very close to teh flagged area

[Dave 455]

No, the infield is totally closed and out of bounds according to Donington

[simon drabble]

have those corporate suites now gone?

[Dave 455]

No they are still their.

[delta]

Originally Posted by Dave 455

No they are still their.

Glad you on board here Dave. My english is not so bad after all.

[John Turner]

Pot and Kettle come to mind here, Iain!

[Marcus Mussa]

Originally Posted by Alan Crook

Think running wrong direction is probably an April Fools joke however the no racing area is not !!!

You were right, it was my idea of an April Fool's Joke - I assumed the yellow flag between McCleans and Coppice was also an April Fool's Joke but I am starting to get the nasty feeling that that is not true - I wish people would not announce news like that on the 1st of April!
I guess I will just find out on Sunday - what a bore.
Still we qualified last year behind a pace car so if we do the whole race behind one this year, why not?
But, coming from Monaco, who needs run off areas anyway?
And in qualifying if we come up behind some slow coach just before the first yellow it will mean aborting the whole lap. It's going to make the last braking zone before the yellow flag very critical and dangerous!
And Mr. Gee going to have to define very precisely exactly where the no passing zone starts - this has never been very clear to me. Is it as you go past the yellow flag or as you come to the braking point before the yellow flag?

[Alan Crook]

Marcus I`m sure there will be a full drivers briefing on Sunday explaining the rules regarding the no overtaking area. Hopefully we all get a much drier weekend than last year.

[John Turner]

I learnt of the possibility of yellow flag between McLean's and Coppice before 1st April, so you may draw your own conclusions - remember this licence was acquired at fairly short notice and is temporary.

[HRSTR5]

As of this morning, the whole circuit was due to be available for 'racing' - no yellows, no speed limits, etc., but the advice was also that a lot has changed over the last few days, so further change is not impossible...

James

[Dave 455]

The final decisions have been made this afternoon, and the whole Mcleans to Coppice area will be a full yellow flag zone and the meeting will be terminated if any drivers act irresponsibly in this area. Full update on www.hscc.org.uk

[brands]

Originally Posted by Dave 455

No, the infield is totally closed and out of bounds according to Donington

Thank you, I'll maybe try Donington next season then.

[simon drabble]

before I decide whether to cancel my entry or not can somebody just confirm - where will we start being under yellow flags and where will we come out of yellow flags? Will it be on the rise to the right hander after the bridge and then all the way round to Wheatcroft Straight?