Motorsport and the Coronavirus

[midgetman]

Here's a new effect of the virus - more pressure on kart tracks since lockdown. The biggest track in the country, PFI, is mandating that certain engines run an extra silencer and Fulbeck next door has taken similar steps. Rissington Kart Club based on an RAF base just south of Stow on the Wold in the Cotswolds has been prevented from re-opening for this year. Negotiations proceed for 2021 but with a new expensive housing estate just outside the gates I'm sure these discussions will be difficult.

It appears that the local population to all these circuits has got used to the peace and quiet. Let's hope it doesn't spread to car venues.

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[andy97]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Here's a new effect of the virus - more pressure on kart tracks since lockdown. The biggest track in the country, PFI, is mandating that certain engines run an extra silencer and Fulbeck next door has taken similar steps. Rissington Kart Club based on an RAF base just south of Stow on the Wold in the Cotswolds has been prevented from re-opening for this year. Negotiations proceed for 2021 but with a new expensive housing estate just outside the gates I'm sure these discussions will be difficult.

It appears that the local population to all these circuits has got used to the peace and quiet. Let's hope it doesn't spread to car venues.

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I have already read complaints about Donington Park on the fb page for residents of Castle Donington, and developers are in the middle of building 850 new houses nearer the circuit, too.

[Gerard C]

Exactly what happened in Jarama, Andy, a nice track we could use for 12 hours enduro back in the day. Then the golf course took a lot of importance with new expensive houses built. Many restrictions for the organisers/ competitors followed.

[The Fat Clerk]

[QUOTE=midgetman;3989657]Here's a new effect of the virus - more pressure on kart tracks since lockdown. The biggest track in the country, PFI, is mandating that certain engines run an extra silencer and Fulbeck next door has taken similar steps. Rissington Kart Club based on an RAF base just south of Stow on the Wold in the Cotswolds has been prevented from re-opening for this year. Negotiations proceed for 2021 but with a new expensive housing estate just outside the gates I'm sure these discussions will be difficult.

Sorry to contradict you Max but Rissington had a 2 day meeting last weekend, I known cos I was there

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by The Fat Clerk

Sorry to contradict you Max but Rissington had a 2 day meeting last weekend, I known cos I was there

It seems that the DRS was the last event this year. On their website:

'It is with deep regret to announce that following concerns raised by our landowners we are unable to offer any racing for the remainder of 2020. We are actively working with them to reach a mutual agreement for 2021 and we are hopeful that this will be achieved given the history of over 60 years of working amicably together with our joint tenants.
The support we have received from our members, visiting series, spectators and local residents is incredible and extremely appreciated, and we hope to be able to keep this momentum going whilst under negotiation.
Any monies received through our online system will be refunded in full.
We are extremely sad to have to deliver this message but we are working extremely hard to quickly get the situation resolved.'

[Gerard C]

I've nothing against another set of noise restrictions if it becomes a matter of that or nothing. In many places we have special allowances called "noisy days". At Dijon for instance, no racing cars during lunch time. It makes sense.

[The Fat Clerk]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

It seems that the DRS was the last event this year. On their website:

'It is with deep regret to announce that following concerns raised by our landowners we are unable to offer any racing for the remainder of 2020. We are actively working with them to reach a mutual agreement for 2021 and we are hopeful that this will be achieved given the history of over 60 years of working amicably together with our joint tenants.
The support we have received from our members, visiting series, spectators and local residents is incredible and extremely appreciated, and we hope to be able to keep this momentum going whilst under negotiation.
Any monies received through our online system will be refunded in full.
We are extremely sad to have to deliver this message but we are working extremely hard to quickly get the situation resolved.'

Sad news indeed, can't say the DRS Series would have helped much, by having two large speakers outside Race Control blaring 'music?' out for the 2 days.
Hopefully the issues will be resolved as it's a lovely venue.

[S griffin]

This is not what we wanted to hear. Good to get some racing going, even if it wasn't the best. We'll see if the venue can operate again next year

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Good to get some racing going, even if it wasn't the best.

What was wrong with the racing?

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by The Fat Clerk

Sorry to contradict you Max but Rissington had a 2 day meeting last weekend, I known cos I was there

I had forgotten the DRS meeting. They've only just come back into the MSUK fold after a stint of running outside their jurisdiction. I doubt DRS will endear themselves to their new governing body if this is what happens after their first race meeting back.

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[Mike_Powell]

The CSCC have asked for marshal numbers to be reduced for this weekend's Thruxton meeting.

[bella]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Rissington Kart Club based on an RAF base just south of Stow on the Wold in the Cotswolds has been prevented from re-opening for this year. Negotiations proceed for 2021 but with a new expensive housing estate just outside the gates I'm sure these discussions will be difficult.

it's interesting because without doxxing myself, i live in a new estate close to a loud and visually... challenging facility. it's simply not even an option to complain about the noise. nobody has tried to encourage others to moan about it. nothing on the town facebook pages suggesting people do so.

that ship sailed when a developer bought the land and planning permission was given.

for what it's worth, the MOD caused some grief elsewhere when they wanted to use a previously mothballed base for some training, kicking well established leisure tenants off for security reasons. it may be that they've decided they want to do some exercises or training there and it's not compatible from a security perspective.

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by bella

it's interesting because without doxxing myself, i live in a new estate close to a loud and visually... challenging facility. it's simply not even an option to complain about the noise. nobody has tried to encourage others to moan about it. nothing on the town facebook pages suggesting people do so.

that ship sailed when a developer bought the land and planning permission was given.

Give it ten years...then the new lawyered up NIMBY arrivals will start making noises about the noise!!!

[S griffin]

I hope we don’t see anymore of those NIMBYs. It’s bad enough how some circuits have been slightly affected by those people

[S griffin]

Really if you don’t like the sound of racing cars, don’t move there. Don’t ruin it for others

[midgetman]

Guys for the record I never said the new housing estate was the reason for the closure. I just said the negotiations for re-opening would be difficult. I don't know why the track was prevented from running events for the rest of this year.

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[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Guys for the record I never said the new housing estate was the reason for the closure. I just said the negotiations for re-opening would be difficult. I don't know why the track was prevented from running events for the rest of this year.

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True, I think some assumptions have been reached.

From their statement:

'The support we have received from [...] local residents is incredible and extremely appreciated,'

[coppice]

Let's not fall into the trap of demonising residents while casting a blind eye at our own failings.



Example - queuing to get to a CSCC Silverstone meeting at Silverstone I got caught up in Japfest traffic. It was 7-30 am , on Sunday and - IN THE VILLAGE - a pack of silly young men in pimped up Skylines etc were trying to out compete each other by pumping up the stereo and holding the engines on the rev limiter . It was appalling , and if I'd lived there I'd have rung Silverstone to complain, and then the police to confess that I'd just put a paving slab through a GTR's windscreen .



Left a bike meeting recently? It's a God given opportunity to share with locals the sound of your illegal race cans at 12,000rpm.



Track days , rare 30 years ago , are now run day after day - that's what caused the biggest problem at Croft and Mallory .



Seen the litter in and around a circuit after a BTCC meeting ? It's an utter disgrace



Nobody loves the sound of racing engines more than me , as my damaged hearing bears witness , but sometimes we really do not help our case do we ?

[crmalcolm]

The best driver in the world?

The person who has just left a race meeting and nails the apex of every junction/roundabout on their way home.....

[Gerard C]

Nice avatar, Malcolm…
Not all the residents have been complaining over the years, we've always appreciated the commitment of the neighbors at Spa when using the long track. They had to stand the closure of their gardens by guard rails, several trucks supplying food, drinks and other stuff prior to the 24 hours or 1000 kilomètres. The Belgians love cars, cheers to that. Dont expect the same thing to happen in France…

[andy97]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Really if you don’t like the sound of racing cars, don’t move there. Don’t ruin it for others

I absolutely agree with this. And I live v near Donington Park. However only this week on another forum, someone was asking where the noise monitors were at DP so they could short shift near them but get back on it during the rest of the lap. They knew their car was too loud for the day but wanted to circumvent the rules.
It is fine to tell people not to move near a race track. But it is also fine to tell people not to be a pr**k and cause a noise nuisance for 80% of a lap. It does annoy the neighbours and it could threaten the existence of our sport in the future.
The track noise limits are for the whole of the track, not just for the 30 yards either side of the noise meters. As participants we do have a responsibility to understand the rules and comply with them for the long term good of our sport.

[The Fat Clerk]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Guys for the record I never said the new housing estate was the reason for the closure. I just said the negotiations for re-opening would be difficult. I don't know why the track was prevented from running events for the rest of this year.

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The information I had was that it was the MOD causing the issues.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Nice avatar, Malcolm…
Not all the residents have been complaining over the years, we've always appreciated the commitment of the neighbors at Spa when using the long track. They had to stand the closure of their gardens by guard rails, several trucks supplying food, drinks and other stuff prior to the 24 hours or 1000 kilomètres. The Belgians love cars, cheers to that. Dont expect the same thing to happen in France…

As with Mt Panorama at Bathurst, the upmarket housing occupants who access from what is a public road normally, either have to escape early and disappear for the day or settle in and enjoy.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by The Fat Clerk

The information I had was that it was the MOD causing the issues.

As I understand it, the MOD have made the decision to not allow the Karting activities during the current restrictions.
This is, in part, due to the need for the MOD to make all of its premises COVID-safe. They are also under pressure to use/make available a lot of land for COVID-based activities. If Rissington is one of those locations identified, then it's unfortunate but inevitable that other activities will be restricted.

To jump to the conclusion that local residents have caused a problem is not only unfair, but also runs the risk of causing animosity where non exists already. I'm sure those involved with Rissington Kart Club would not want their relationship with the local community to suffer due to idle speculation and assumption.

[Tanker62M]

Yeah, it's better to avoid scandals and confrontations with local communities over misconceptions, the times are hard for the sport, and it'd be better not to take risks and cause it more issues!
Sure, waiting is hard, but if it allows the sport to keep existing and not be the target of petitions and other demonstrations, then it's worth it.