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6 Nov 2019, 16:01 (Ref:3938899) | #126 | ||
The Honourable Mallett
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Yes, Willie Poole.is on standby.
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I've decided to stop reaching out to people. I'm just going to contact them instead. |
6 Nov 2019, 16:03 (Ref:3938900) | #127 | |
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8 Nov 2019, 14:20 (Ref:3939240) | #128 | ||
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Some interesting comments from Diogo Ferrão in an email to his IHE competitors today. Suggests the relationship between organiser and circuit boss is not good, and because of that the IHE may not be returning to the AIA.
The meeting needs the grids Diogo brings as the UK numbers were down this year, with only the GTSCC grid being healthy. I can’t see it being viable next year without the Iberian support, so hope the circuit sees sense and considers the issues raised..... |
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9 Nov 2019, 14:02 (Ref:3939441) | #129 | |
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I went with my media hat on this year. My first visit. Quite a strange event. The circuit has had a lot of money spent on building it and thousands of seats but no PA/commentary system of screens for results for spectators to see.
There were perhaps a few hundred spectators at best and the admissions system could not have coped with any more. Do they not promote it? I reckon half the spectators were from the UK. There were some good races but some poor ones with small grids. Four cars in the FF race of which only one was a FF. Others with single figure grids which soon got spread out. Two two hour races were really only for the drivers. The 50s sports cars running into the dark might seem a good idea but a dozen cars of varied speed did not make a spectacle. 62 Westfields was a recipe for disaster and it was, I think they actually got 4 laps in their first race that were not under the safety car. I like to go to different events each year and I am glad I went but I would not return. I wonder of the circuit/organisers did not have their heart in it. |
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9 Nov 2019, 15:57 (Ref:3939457) | #130 | ||
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9 Nov 2019, 16:04 (Ref:3939460) | #131 | ||
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Welcome to the forum, Derwent!
IMO one reason the event suffered reduced numbers this year because of the later date. When it started in 2009 (from memory) it was mid October, and stayed more or less there, until moving to the following weekend. This year the ELMS 4hr took precedence and the Classic was thrust into November. To make matters worse it was 2 weeks after a meeting at Estoril, making it difficult for some competitors to consider ‘back to back’ meetings in Portugal. If it had been the following weekend I’m sure there would have been more FJs, for instance. Some grids such as U2TC have been poor this year regardless of location, so that has to be taken into consideration, and I don’t think any car meeting attracts big spectator numbers. Not sure how many attended the recent WSBK and ELMS weekends, but would be interesting to find out. Since the circuit went bust and was taken over by the Portuguese government, it’s never been the most welcoming place, which is a shame because it’s a fabulous race track. They seem to be more interested nowadays in manufacturer events and exclusive track days. Maybe there’s more money to be made...... |
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9 Nov 2019, 16:42 (Ref:3939466) | #132 | |||
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In a nutshell, sounds as if it’s not easy to forge a working relationship with the circuit boss(es)..... There's always been agro getting in on Wednesday eve, but to his credit, Diogo took control this year and we were allowed in at the appointed hour. Also, in previous years the circuit tried to turf everyone out Sunday eve, including truckers who legally couldn’t drive after having worked all day. Again, this year it was in the finals that competitors could stay until 0700 Monday. One problem last weekend was a change to the carefully planned timetable. With shorter days in November, the organisers had a very tight schedule, only to be told on Friday that the circuit had arranged a road car session on Saturday off their own back, which had to be squeezed in. There were also other issues mentioned, such as the way on track penalties were handled by the ‘stewards’, timing problems and no access to the VIP viewing tower for competitors, which has always been open to them before. As I said in the previous post, it never feels the most welcoming circuit! Compare with Estoril- After Paul Ricard I drove there and parked up for a week. (Pre-arranged) Not even racing there. The staff I had contact with couldn’t have been more helpful and welcoming.... |
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9 Nov 2019, 17:13 (Ref:3939470) | #133 | |||
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9 Nov 2019, 17:31 (Ref:3939473) | #134 | |
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It must be difficult to be viable with no spectators. I wonder why it has no PA system. I've not been to any other circuit that has not got one.
I was dealing with the lass who was the commercial manager who seemed clueless re motorsport and has never been to another circuit. I am not actually new. I've been a member for many years but when my Freeserve email addy went out and I got a new one I could not alter my profile to get back in. |
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9 Nov 2019, 18:20 (Ref:3939484) | #135 | ||
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10 Nov 2019, 07:22 (Ref:3939642) | #136 | ||
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Thinking about that, the circuit does have a PA system, but I guess not all around the track. Maybe its broken..... In the paddock it was quite easy to listen to the dulcet tones of Marcus and the Portuguese commentator. Appreciate that's not much use to spectators the other side of the circuit!
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10 Nov 2019, 08:53 (Ref:3939654) | #137 | |
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10 Nov 2019, 09:44 (Ref:3939661) | #138 | |
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Just to balance things up, I should say that I found the circuit staff pretty helpful.
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10 Nov 2019, 09:57 (Ref:3939664) | #139 | ||
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10 Nov 2019, 10:31 (Ref:3939670) | #140 | ||
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10 Nov 2019, 11:45 (Ref:3939686) | #141 | ||
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Well I didn’t dream hearing the commentary while in the paddock, so it’s obviously very limited......
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10 Nov 2019, 12:20 (Ref:3939691) | #142 | |
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I too heard the dulcet tones of Marcus Pye
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10 Nov 2019, 12:38 (Ref:3939695) | #143 | ||
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FWIIW, I would not bother going every year if it was not for the fact that the track is brilliant,I have been lucky and raced many different cars over the years and every year I just love getting back to the track .You just have to stand up to the security staff and after a while they give in and let you back in to the paddock.
The officials have their own ideas and I guess you just have to accept that's their way of doing things. I did think this year they were a lot more friendly.I even had a kiss and a cuddle with the pit lane lady chief marshal. No juniors in 2020 but I sure hope we can take something there next year. Atlantic's ????? . |
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10 Nov 2019, 13:12 (Ref:3939700) | #144 | ||
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Yes, it is a pretty awesome track to drive on, and that draws me and many others back every year. Plus the weather, even if not perfect, will be better than UK.....
Let’s hope the organisers can negotiate a date back to mid October for next year. Weekend after Estoril would be neat...... |
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11 Nov 2019, 00:17 (Ref:3939835) | #145 | ||
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A shame to hear of the Sierra crash, Carey McMahon has been racing for years in Group A cars here and I don't think I've seen a mark on one of his cars.
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14 Nov 2019, 13:17 (Ref:3940566) | #146 | ||
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So guys, those of you that have done this event can you let me know the following, how long to drive there, which route across the water from UK and how many days of travel please.
I really fancy doing this event but this year the transport company never got back to me so Im contemplating driving there using my own trailer etc. |
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14 Nov 2019, 13:38 (Ref:3940571) | #147 | ||
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Ping me an e mail next week when I get back to UK with your contact number . I can talk you through the options .
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14 Nov 2019, 16:38 (Ref:3940594) | #148 | |||
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