[BTCC] BTCC 2020 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[RS67]

Originally Posted by thetool

Actually I'd say that statement means it's more likely the season won't start as scheduled. "unless of course a change in circumstances subsequently dictates otherwise." which, with the premier league amongst others being suspended, is almost certain to occur.

Difference is in a football stadium, people will be in closer proximity than people spaced out around a race circuit. Grandstands may have to be closed though.

[MagicBoy]

Originally Posted by RS67

Difference is in a football stadium, people will be in closer proximity than people spaced out around a race circuit. Grandstands may have to be closed though.

+ Pitlane walkabout and signing sessions cancelled etc.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by RS67

TOCA just announced that at the moment the season is a go.

TOCA statement feels like a response to the endless posts on social media asking is media day / Donington is going to be cancelled. It's just a short version of the MSA's recent statement, which itself is just repeating the government's advice.

The problem is, entire situation is changing rapidly. What it's like tomorrow may be very different from what it's like today, and who knows what it will be like in a week from now. I would take their statement as "we haven't cancelled anything YET".

Even if Donington isn't cancelled, I'm not sure I would want to be hanging around the paddock anyhow.

[bella]

i think the porsche media day is now going to just be a standard closed test day, which seems like a sensible solution for the minute. i can understand why the btcc would be a bit more keen not to close the doors on spectators, particularly considering the sheer size of the place.

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by redshoes

TOCA statement feels like a response to the endless posts on social media asking is media day / Donington is going to be cancelled. It's just a short version of the MSA's recent statement, which itself is just repeating the government's advice.

The problem is, entire situation is changing rapidly. What it's like tomorrow may be very different from what it's like today, and who knows what it will be like in a week from now. I would take their statement as "we haven't cancelled anything YET".

Even if Donington isn't cancelled, I'm not sure I would want to be hanging around the paddock anyhow.

It's a very fluid situation. Indy at St Petersburg has gone from behind closed doors to postponed in an instant.

[Alfisti]

Ditto this and next weekends NASCAR. Obviously all the NASCAR teams were at or pretty much about to rock up at Atlanta for practice.

Go home, shut the door and stay put me thinks.

[GregoryDG]

Originally Posted by RS67

TOCA just announced that at the moment the season is a go.

Don't be too euphoric... In Belgium some championships or races seemed to go as planned on Thursday, before all being cancelled on Friday. It can go very, very fast!

[fergus_r]

Originally Posted by RS67

Difference is in a football stadium, people will be in closer proximity than people spaced out around a race circuit. Grandstands may have to be closed though.

Clearly haven't been to BTCC or another major event at Brands...or Oulton...etc etc. There is little to no wiggle room. Club meetings- fine- but not BTCC.

TOCA's statement this morning was highly irresponsible and arrogant imo. The UK seems to be lagging behind the rest of the world right now but hopefully measures will be put in place, soon, to stop events of 20k+ people like BTCC.

TOCA showing they have no interest in fans and team safety if they think they can run events in the current situation.

[S griffin]

Two weeks to go, I’m sure Motorsport will continue to hear what the government advises

[Moneyseeker]

24 hours is a long time in motorsport at the moment so no one can confidently look ahead and predict anything IMO.

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[RS67]

Originally Posted by fergus_r

Clearly haven't been to BTCC or another major event at Brands...or Oulton...etc etc. There is little to no wiggle room. Club meetings- fine- but not BTCC.

TOCA's statement this morning was highly irresponsible and arrogant imo. The UK seems to be lagging behind the rest of the world right now but hopefully measures will be put in place, soon, to stop events of 20k+ people like BTCC.

TOCA showing they have no interest in fans and team safety if they think they can run events in the current situation.

I have been to every Brands Hatch BTCC round since 94, apart from 98 when they had large crowds due to Mansell racing, there is loads of room.

The UK is lagging compared to other countries in the world because our situation is less than other countries.

How is TOCA being arrogant if they are merely conforming to the UK's current guidelines.

[fergus_r]

Originally Posted by RS67

I have been to every Brands Hatch BTCC round since 94, apart from 98 when they had large crowds due to Mansell racing, there is loads of room.

The UK is lagging compared to other countries in the world because our situation is less than other countries.

How is TOCA being arrogant if they are merely conforming to the UK's current guidelines.

TOCA have a responsibility to protect their teams and fans, and if they went ahead with the event, they are failing to do so. Regardless of what government guidelines say.

Plenty of the sporting events cancelled worldwide have been a result of the organizers making a decision of their own. TOCA should follow suit.

[S griffin]

They have the guidance of Motorsport UK and it’s not as simple as just cancelling, they have to look at other things like contracts with circuits

[mj088]

Originally Posted by fergus_r

Clearly haven't been to BTCC or another major event at Brands...or Oulton...etc etc. There is little to no wiggle room. Club meetings- fine- but not BTCC.

TOCA's statement this morning was highly irresponsible and arrogant imo. The UK seems to be lagging behind the rest of the world right now but hopefully measures will be put in place, soon, to stop events of 20k+ people like BTCC.

TOCA showing they have no interest in fans and team safety if they think they can run events in the current situation.

TOCA are showing interest in fans, fans have bought tickets and they are reassuring people that at the moment the event is going ahead.
The UK government have not said to cancel the event, they are working in line with the latest government advice, which may change over the weekend.
Ultimately your health and safety is your responsibility not TOCA's, if the event is on and you do not feel safe going, don't go

[Craner Curves]

Ian Harrison is being rather scathing in his criticism on the Facebook thread.

[S griffin]

He’s always been a bit of an outspoken one that H.

[Alfisti]

Getting silly frankly.

I have no problem with anything TOCA has done. They're responding to a developing situation.

As someone who is heavily involved with a football club we only had notice today that tomorrow is off; the coach driver had literally just rocked up to take the lads away.

Still, better safe than sorry. Not being able to watch a ball get kicked about or some cars go round in circles won't kill you. As a nation of couch potatoes this whole virus malarkey will fit with many peoples lifestyle.

[thetool]

What is silly is all these bold statements about how events are going ahead when clearly the people making them don't have full control over the situation.

[mj088]

Originally Posted by thetool

What is silly is all these bold statements about how events are going ahead when clearly the people making them don't have full control over the situation.

These statements are in line with government policy and reflect the state of play at the moment. I fully expect this to change by mid week after media day but anyone sensible should know any event is subject to cancellation

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by mj088

I fully expect this to change by mid week after media day but anyone sensible should know any event is subject to cancellation

Have you seen some of the comments on social media? TOCA have released a statement so everything is ok and this whole virus nonsense will be over by next week.

Although you did say "anyone sensible" so that rules out a lot of people.

[RS67]

Originally Posted by fergus_r

TOCA have a responsibility to protect their teams and fans, and if they went ahead with the event, they are failing to do so. Regardless of what government guidelines say.

Plenty of the sporting events cancelled worldwide have been a result of the organizers making a decision of their own. TOCA should follow suit.

The fans are adults, no one under the age of 16 can enter without an accompanying adult. They can look after their own well being, they aren't being forced to attend.
WRC is on at the moment. There are music concerts and shows with large numbers in much more confined spaces still continuing at the moment.
By today's figures there is just short of 800 infected in the UK which has a 60 million population. The highest concentration of infected in a county is 22, a county with a population of around 680k. The chances of anyone infected attending a race meeting is minimal. Even if the UK infected number went up to 10k overnight, that is still a very tiny proportion of the population, and only approximately 30k attend each race meeting.

[mj088]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Have you seen some of the comments on social media? TOCA have released a statement so everything is ok and this whole virus nonsense will be over by next week.

Although you did say "anyone sensible" so that rules out a lot of people.

I have seen some nonsense posts on social media, the key line of the statement everyone is not seeing seems to be "unless of course a change in circumstances subsequently dictates otherwise."

People need to understand that this press release basically says "we are following what Boris said, and as things stand we see no reason to cancel the events".

I have no doubt this will change but at the same time I can imagine the backlash from certain fan groups if they decided to confirm round 1 was cancelled before it became government advice or rule.

[BillWiskins]

Originally Posted by RS67

By today's figures there is just short of 800 infected in the UK which has a 60 million population.

Total tested positive is not the same as total infected. I want the racing to go ahead just as much as anyone else, but let's not misrepresent things.

[RS67]

Originally Posted by BillWiskins

Total tested positive is not the same as total infected. I want the racing to go ahead just as much as anyone else, but let's not misrepresent things.

It is estimated that the number infected lies between 5k and 10k. Still a tiny amount scattered around the UK.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by RS67

It is estimated that the number infected lies between 5k and 10k. Still a tiny amount scattered around the UK.

And it’s estimated that 80% of the population will eventually be infected.