[BTCC] 2020 the long wait is over, BTCC Rd1/2/3 Donington Pk

[GT6]

i wonder if that goes for barnds next week as well

[redshoes]

Alternate link for those without Facebook
https://news.donington-park.co.uk/ms...gton-park.aspx

[S griffin]

Unfortunately that link doesn’t work, so I can’t tell if the story is true or not lol

[Greem]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Unfortunately that link doesn’t work, so I can’t tell if the story is true or not lol

Works for me but here you go

NO SPECTATORS AT THIS WEEKEND’S BTCC ROUND AT DONINGTON PARK

[https://news]

Wednesday, July 29 2020

We are incredibly disappointed to inform BTCC fans that we will be unable to allow spectators or season pass holders to attend this weekend's (1/2 August) British Touring Car event at Donington Park after all.

MSV has been allowing the safe return of a modest number of spectators to its race events since 11 July, with a comprehensive range of measures in place to comply with government COVID-Secure guidelines. These race meetings have all run extremely successfully, with much positive feedback from visitors.

We have worked closely with North West Leicestershire District Council and Leicestershire County Council on our plans to welcome spectators to the BTCC event this weekend. A multi-agency Safety Advisory Group approved MSV's Covid-Secure policies and confirmed its support for our plans for the opening round of BTCC at Donington Park. This approval was subject only to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) being satisfied that BTCC is not elite sport. Regrettably, following consultation, DCMS has confirmed today that this is not the case.

This decision has nothing to do with MSV's comprehensive Covid-Secure procedures for keeping our customers and staff safe, but requires that an event including a round of BTCC, as the leading car championship in the UK, must follow the government's five stage elite sport pathway with spectators presently unable to attend.

The majority of our race meetings fall outside of this definition and are unaffected. We are clarifying the position for other BTCC events on MSV circuits and will communicate an update soon.

We fully understand and support the need to have clear policies in place for the reintroduction of spectators to sports such as Premier League football and Rugby League that tend to attract huge crowds, mostly in stadiums, and typically rely on public transport. By contrast, circuit venues are by their very nature wide-open spaces, and have ample room to enable social distancing across dozens of spectator viewing areas. We are therefore very disappointed and frustrated by this turn of events, and are so sorry for the inconvenience this decision will cause to the fans we were expecting to welcome this weekend.

Please do not contact us regarding your booking, as we will be in touch in the coming days with everyone affected (including season pass holders).

[GT6]

So brands could still be OK, fingers crossed

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by GT6

So brands could still be OK, fingers crossed

If BTCC is classified as Elite Sport this week, what makes you think that will change by next week?

[GT6]

Originally Posted by redshoes

If BTCC is classified as Elite Sport this week, what makes you think that will change by next week?

The MSV note posted above

[thetool]

Originally Posted by GT6

The MSV note posted above

I think you are somewhat wilfully misinterpreting their statement. There is no reason to think any other round of the BTCC will be considered different to Donington Park.

You'll have to wait until either a) the guidance for spectators at elite sports events changes or b) the BTCC is re-evaluated as not being an elite event.

[mark_l]

Originally Posted by thetool

I think you are somewhat wilfully misinterpreting their statement. There is no reason to think any other round of the BTCC will be considered different to Donington Park.

You'll have to wait until either a) the guidance for spectators at elite sports events changes or b) the BTCC is re-evaluated as not being an elite event.

If the standard of driving is up to the usual standard then it certainly won't be classed as elite.

[bella]

don't really understand how that's classified as elite but british f3/gt isn't. btcc has gentleman racers mixing it with the yoof too

still, i suppose it's yet another demonstration of how everyone is learning on the hoof with this pandemic. even government.

[GT6]

Well if Professional Cricket is allowing some spectators attend then why not the BTCC, Ruddy annoying that outdoor activities that can easily be social distanced by limiting numbers are being picked on.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by bella

don't really understand how that's classified as elite but british f3/gt isn't. btcc has gentleman racers mixing it with the yoof too

still, i suppose it's yet another demonstration of how everyone is learning on the hoof with this pandemic. even government.

Originally Posted by GT6

Well if Professional Cricket is allowing some spectators attend then why not the BTCC, Ruddy annoying that outdoor activities that can easily be social distanced by limiting numbers are being picked on.

It's just a guess, but I wonder if some of the decision comes down to the status of governing body and regulation hierarchy?

TOCA is the highest level of governance for the BTCC, and there is no higher international series running to NGTC regs.
SRO is the governing body for many international series, which run to the same regulations as British GT. So British GT would not be seen (by the UK Govt) as being at the top of that category's hierarchy of competition.

Similarly for professional cricket - in the UK, the national series is not the top of the hierarchy.

The 'professionalism' of a sport is not the factor, but where it sits in the global hierarchy.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by bella

don't really understand how that's classified as elite but british f3/gt isn't. btcc has gentleman racers mixing it with the yoof too

Me neither. I assume it's due to BTCC's 'manufacturer' teams and 'professional' drivers, or at least the perception that such things exist.

I reality we can't expect non-motorsport fans and random government departments to understand the nuisances of different series.

[Greem]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Me neither. I assume it's due to BTCC's 'manufacturer' teams and 'professional' drivers, or at least the perception that such things exist.



I reality we can't expect non-motorsport fans and random government departments to understand the nuisances of different series.

"nuisances" - perfect

I did know what you meant!

Are they simply classifying "elite" as "likely to attract N thousand spectators", i.e. "really popular"?

[porsche962fan]

when was last time we had a Plato free BTCC season ?

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

when was last time we had a Plato free BTCC season ?

2003

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by Greem

"nuisances" - perfect

I did know what you meant!

Are they simply classifying "elite" as "likely to attract N thousand spectators", i.e. "really popular"?

I think there are other factors:

- BTCC is without question the most important championship in the UK (as the BSB is on two wheels)
- BTCC has significant live TV coverage (as BSB does)
- BTCC gets the biggest crowds of any national championship

[GT6]

Oh well we will just have to watch it on itv4

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by GT6

Well if Professional Cricket is allowing some spectators attend then why not the BTCC, Ruddy annoying that outdoor activities that can easily be social distanced by limiting numbers are being picked on.

Only about 4 people go to cricket.

Football no fans until at least October.

[GT6]

Hey, there were quite a few more than that watching Kent last season, ok not a lot more but some of us like cricket as well as motorsport

[tux]

Personally i think You'll be lucky if fans are allowed back past the next couple of weeks as the infection rate is increasing again. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...-r-rate-rises/

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by peebee2

Only about 4 people go to cricket.

Football no fans until at least October.

They put a lot of effort into that Oval game. They worked closely with the government in assessing and planning to make it safe for 1,000 people and also in reviewing how it went for future games and improvements, not just for cricket. This included considering getting to the game, which is harder for a stadium sport in a city than a track.

It was only a friendly, but were obviously over subscribed because it is the only cricket game you can go to at the moment.

Good effort all round. I dare say motorsport could do well to learn something from them.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/53544599

Oh, and while we are off topic. Well done Broad!

[GT6]

Every sport is desperate to get fans back and without them most sports are unsustainable financially so every effort they make is progress. Also glad i am not the only motorsport fan that likes cricket as well.

[bella]

Originally Posted by tux

Personally i think You'll be lucky if fans are allowed back past the next couple of weeks as the infection rate is increasing again. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...-r-rate-rises/

it’s rising everywhere in little fits and starts as governments get a handle on the best way to contain outbreaks in their own communities and cultures though.

but i think you’re right - we need to get used to finding out if fans are going to be allowed in at short notice.

[RS67]

Originally Posted by thetool

I think you are somewhat wilfully misinterpreting their statement. There is no reason to think any other round of the BTCC will be considered different to Donington Park.

You'll have to wait until either a) the guidance for spectators at elite sports events changes or b) the BTCC is re-evaluated as not being an elite event.

" We are clarifying the position for other BTCC events on MSV circuits and will communicate an update soon."
Seems clear enough to me, perhaps the misinterpretation is all yours.
I would assume MSV will be lobbying the decision and with TOCA and MSA trying to come to an agreement with the government that will allow spectator attendance. As other motorsport events have been taking place and are continuing, A cap on the number of spectators down to an more manageable level similar to what other events attract, could see a lift on the current decision.