Falling or thriving grids? - Page 4

greenamex2 · 18 Oct 2006, 16:42 (Ref:1741379)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

DOnt know Dennis as I don't know their names and there is no separate class but it may account for the upsurge, fancy some!

The car is already in several hundred pieces distributed across the country. It's going to be a busy winter finally getting to correct the rest of Toyota's cock ups.

Al Weyman · 18 Oct 2006, 17:02 (Ref:1741391)

Oh well good luck, come and watch on the Sunday!

terence · 18 Oct 2006, 19:10 (Ref:1741470)

Like I already said, and has been repeated by Eddy, the quality of the racing does need to be more interesting,also ,as the local economy does benefit from the meetings being advertised,F.1 brings in approx 27million locally to Silverstone, I know we cant compete with that, but If these events are advertised then you will get more spectators attend, but we do need to give them something to watch!!!!

Old Andy · 18 Oct 2006, 19:53 (Ref:1741504)

I think the Donnigton event promoted by renault with zillions of free tickets was great for attracting new spectators. Lots of different Renaults, clios, Renault FR UK (surely one of the best series, attracts drivers from all over the world) World Series Renault, track demonstrationof last years F1 championship car and lost of stuff around the circut. About 60,000 turned up (even though the weather in the morning was lousy). Next year apply for the free tickets and take your (non race mad) friends, its a great introduction to our sport.

Incidently I went to the BTCC last weekend at Silverstone (a godless cuircuit for spectators if ever there was one), very large numbers there, could hardly get a seat at Luffield to watch the UK FR (which went to the final race with Paddy Hogan and Seb Hohentahl finishing the series tied on points).

andy97 · 19 Oct 2006, 05:06 (Ref:1741784)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

And believe me there is one big event on this weekend so make sure you make it! The Classic Touring Car Racing Club has a fantastic entry across all its 4 races with no less than 4 (maybe 5) Camaros entered and a seasons best in Classic Thunder and I believe in Pre-66 as well. Plus all the Mini, Ginetta and Radical action, its looking real good.

And believe me, know one knows that it is on (apart from us!)

Al Weyman · 19 Oct 2006, 09:09 (Ref:1741919)

Thats just crazy. I do printig and you can get a great price on colour print these days so what would it cost to knock out a few A3 posters and distribute them around.

Eddy V · 19 Oct 2006, 14:18 (Ref:1742147)

The problem is that the clubs think the trackowner should issue those posters, where as the trackowner thinks the clubs should do it.

In the days when I still organised races, I took it upon me to have posters made, it did cost the club some money but it brought us a lot of spectators.
And a nice profit it was too.

Now if everybody did something like that.

**dtype38** · 20 Oct 2006, 15:54 (Ref:1743256)

Yeh, tried that when Brands Hatch was owned by Octogon. I got a letter saying that advertising rights for Brands Hatch and any and all events held there were the sole right of the venue owners. They said that anyone caught advertising an event held there would be prosecuted (for what I don't know). Needless to say, having claimed sole rights to advertise the meeting I was going to... they chose not to. Surprise, surprise, there were virtually no spectators.

midgetman · 20 Oct 2006, 19:18 (Ref:1743462)

That's an interesting one DT38. You can't be prosecuted besause that's for breaking statute law (you know, stuff laid down by Parliament that the police look after). But you could sued in the civil courts. Would have been fun, when the brief for Octagon stood up in front of the beak and said:

"My Lord, Octagon allege that by using their name the defendant helped them to make lots of money." May not have got too much in the way of damages :-)

midgetman · 20 Oct 2006, 19:18 (Ref:1743461)

Ruddy double post again, sorry

**dtype38** · 20 Oct 2006, 19:53 (Ref:1743511)

Dunno, maybe it was something to do with branding or copyright and the use of the name of the track. It seemed to come under the same catagory them being really sensitive about people using on-board cameras and the possibility of showing the results in public.

Anyway, someone once told me that they didn't advertise clubbie meetings because that meant employing enough staff to cover the crowd, and that cost more than the take. If that's true, then I guess they wouldn't want anyone else advertising and surprising them with a big turnout....!

cannardd · 21 Oct 2006, 14:49 (Ref:1744147)

Even on a poorly attended clubbie meeting they still need to man the gate (gates for Brands), grandstands still need stewards, there is still the litter teams clearing up.
I can't see them being swamped by the event being advertised, although it would increase income from the gate & food vendors.

It seams crazy that the organising club can't even promote their own event!

terence · 21 Oct 2006, 16:18 (Ref:1744189)

I just got back from HSCC at silverstone, the gate money certainly would not meet the security staffs wages for the day. Yes I know ,I should have gone to Donnington as originally planned-but.

Al Weyman · 22 Oct 2006, 19:11 (Ref:1745281)

You should have Terence, even if i say so meself we were hot today:-)

R59 · 25 Oct 2006, 05:55 (Ref:1748442)

Pile it high and sell it cheap! That's what I say.
Take a leaf out of Castle Combe's book, they reap the benefits of well supported championships offering entertaining racing, bringing them lots of spectators making use of their facilities and buying merchandise etc....

I'd be interested to see their annual results - I bet they're making good profit.

(pressing the play button of an old well worn recording....)
It's time for the circuits to organise and run the meetings, that way they reap the benefits like Combe because it's in their interests to put on entertaining meetings, and we should remember that this is not just a sport, it is an entertainment.

There will be casualties - those championships that the circuits don't want -perhaps they can carry on in the old way of hiring the circuit to put on a meeting.

With the circuits then having a vested interest in the success of the meeting, then they should market it properly, obtaining sponsorship for the meeting overall, each individual race, and more "circuit branding".

It's the only real way forwards.

Or we could just carry on as we are and stagnate/go backwards.

I have to agree with Al, the problems all started when Nicola Foulston floated BHL and went profit mad, and took the business down many wrong roads.
Thankfully we have Dr Palmer at the helm giving it some well needed medicine, it just needs the right therapy to finish the job.

Rob.

Bob Pearson · 25 Oct 2006, 07:38 (Ref:1748512)

I don't think I dreamt it, but did I not see a piece in last weeks Autosport about Castle Combe paying back some money to this year's competitors, presumably where grids had exceeded their expectation? If that is correct, why are we not all queing to run with castle Combe?

Chris Y · 25 Oct 2006, 07:57 (Ref:1748530)

Because it's miles away?

midgetman · 25 Oct 2006, 08:19 (Ref:1748556)

Because they don't run races for our cars?

But it's a great initiative.

Strange though that Palmer is thought of as different to Foulston. Both are in the business of making as much money for themselves as posible, it's just that they have different ways of going about it. It's no criticism because I think he's been good for the sport, but the good Dr P is no philanthropist.

Like the Strawfords at Combe though he seems to understand that there is a breaking point for the average Joe, be they spectator or competitor. Ever-higher prices can only be justified by improving the value.

Difficult balance though. Spectators want lots of short, sharp races. Competitors want the maximum seat time for their money. Different value perceptions.

greenamex2 · 25 Oct 2006, 09:39 (Ref:1748679)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Pearson

I don't think I dreamt it, but did I not see a piece in last weeks Autosport about Castle Combe paying back some money to this year's competitors, presumably where grids had exceeded their expectation? If that is correct, why are we not all queing to run with castle Combe?

Because it's miles away.

Because they don't have a category for my car.

Because racing at the same circuit all the time is boring (to me anyway).

johnw · 25 Oct 2006, 10:09 (Ref:1748722)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Pearson

I don't think I dreamt it, but did I not see a piece in last weeks Autosport about Castle Combe paying back some money to this year's competitors, presumably where grids had exceeded their expectation?

The production Beemers had a race at Combe in March Bob. Paid £190 for an entry and had £30 back for feilding a full grid. Excellent!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Pearson

If that is correct, why are we not all queing to run with castle Combe?

We did and are in for a meeting

johnw · 25 Oct 2006, 10:12 (Ref:1748727)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Y

Because it's miles away?

Closer than Pembrey, but where isn't?

Bob Pearson · 25 Oct 2006, 10:16 (Ref:1748732)

I must admit, we haven't been ourseves, we did intend doing an open single seater race there earlier this year, but we came back from the previous Renault round short of several gearbox teeth and so gave it a miss. Pity really, unlike some of you guys, it's our closest circuit. We also couldn't raise interest in racing at only one circuit all year, but the occasional visit for an open single seater race when it is only 45mins down the road and its supporting what looks like a good initiative does seem attractive.

Al Weyman · 25 Oct 2006, 10:18 (Ref:1748733)

Thats great news John! Its a slap from London sure but not a bad slap and very easy to get to.

greenamex2 · 25 Oct 2006, 11:16 (Ref:1748810)

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnw

Closer than Pembrey, but where isn't?

Anglesey!

cannardd · 25 Oct 2006, 11:26 (Ref:1748827)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denis Bassom

Anglesey!

Knockhill...

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