Motorsport and the Coronavirus

[midgetman]

We were racing today at the first MSUK kart meeting since lockdown, and the first "national" non-MSUK meeting at another circuit as well.

I was at the MSUK one. Firstly, as I have said before, C19 has forced MSUK to join the 21st century. Self-declaration scrutineering, electronic signing on, online booking and payment, grids and times posted online as opposed to just in the window of race control. The club made use of its FB page to publicise results.

We had to wear masks at all times, there was hand sanitizer at regular points - and in my awning - and awnings had to have sides removed. The karts were gridded up every other space not directly side by side. Biggest difference of all - Cadets and Juniors on Saturday, seniors and gearbox on Sunday so the paddock was only 50% full. Not all clubs are doing that though.

Overall it was brilliant. No hindrance to socialising like people were worried about. In fact apart from the above you'd not know of The Virus Crisis. Brilliant, brilliant day, so good to be back.



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[brands]

Still confused.

First tickets for paying public I can find are:
Thruxton August 22nd
Croft September 5th
Combe September 19th
Sillystone September 12th
Brands/Snett/Cadwell/Donington July 11th

MSV seem to be certain they within the regulations while no one else is.

Combe and Snett ran behind closed doors last weekend, Silverstone (GPrix) Croft and Thruxton have events in July but listed as behind closed doors.

I'm surprised they has been no public statement from Motorsport UK.

[justracing]

No tickets available for Thruxton at the moment, I've tried phoning and their web chat - still pending.

[Mike Crow]

It may have to do with public liability falling on an organiser. MSV are a large limited company, other circuits are run by clubs or small private companies. The Masters Events show as being run under MSVR as the organiser - perhaps for the same reason.

[deley]

Masters aren't a race organising club for the purposes of a Motorsport UK permit, MSVR acts as the organising club.

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[Gerard C]

Next weekend meeting at Albi wont be really behind closed doors, a maximum a 5000 people will be allowed. All the safety and health rules will apply. Slowly but surely everything's improving.

[Speedy norm]

I have bought tickets for Masters at Donington next weekend. Looking forward to it

[dwh43scale]

Snetterton today for GT Cup meeting. All seemed to well organised with day visitors observing social distance, etc. JP dropped in mid morning.

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Next weekend meeting at Albi wont be really behind closed doors, a maximum a 5000 people will be allowed. All the safety and health rules will apply. Slowly but surely everything's improving.

Yes, definitely getting back to normal in every way. We noticed on Arras Market few people wearing the dreaded masks, although many shops still requesting you wear them.

Also spotted six British-registered cars + a couple of 'bikes around and about! Not having really seen any for months, that was a good sign.

[Greem]

Originally Posted by dwh43scale

Snetterton today for GT Cup meeting. All seemed to well organised with day visitors observing social distance, etc. JP dropped in mid morning.

I could swear I saw you at Donington today but couldn't get your attention from inside the debris fence.

At least I hope it was you and not some rando with a camera who happened to be walking past McLean's. No wonder I got ignored

[dwh43scale]

Originally Posted by Greem

I could swear I saw you at Donington today but couldn't get your attention from inside the debris fence.

At least I hope it was you and not some rando with a camera who happened to be walking past McLean's. No wonder I got ignored

Ah, well, I was at Brands today, but planning to do the Masters at Donington next Sunday ... after 750MC at Snetterton on Saturday ...

[coppice]

Croft this weekend yesterday as a designated helper . There's never a big crowd , BTCC apart , but it was still strange to see the banking by Clervaux and Hawthorn deserted . Looked lovely, and great credit to Tracey and her team for finally getting rid of the old litter between catch fencing and armco . But what knuckle dragging idiot left his empty can (probably Monster ,it always is ) on the pristine grass ?



Some excellent racing from the Sevens and Legends , and some very tasty cars in Dunlop Endurance ,which seems to be son of Britcar . But how very odd to have virtually LMP cars lapping only 3 seconds slower than outright lap record in the same race as MX5s etc 25 seconds slower...


Good to be back , and thinking about it , it is the longest break I have had from tarmac motorsport since , God above, 19 bloody 70.

[Anyopenroad]

It is mildly amusing to see MSUK being very active on social media celebrating the return of motorsport and talking about drivers, marshals and volunteers while studiously ignoring the fact that spectators are now attending events.

[Mike Crow]

Originally Posted by Anyopenroad

It is mildly amusing to see MSUK being very active on social media celebrating the return of motorsport and talking about drivers, marshals and volunteers while studiously ignoring the fact that spectators are now attending events.

There we no spectators at Brands but there were lots of Day Visitors to the venue who just may have taken a look at what was going on....

[dwh43scale]

Originally Posted by Mike Crow

There we no spectators at Brands but there were lots of Day Visitors to the venue who just may have taken a look at what was going on....

... while enjoying a pleasant walk in the Kent countryside !

[justracing]

There I was strolling along Saturday morning in the pleasantly warm sunshine enjoying the Kent countryside when some idiot in an orange 8 litre Canam monster shattered the serenity, shaking the ground with its' thunderous roar....!

[flagwaver2]

Originally Posted by Anyopenroad

It is mildly amusing to see MSUK being very active on social media celebrating the return of motorsport and talking about drivers, marshals and volunteers while studiously ignoring the fact that spectators are now attending events.

The problem is not all venues are allowing spectators, so would be misleading for MSUK to say they are welcome back.

[8en]

Originally Posted by justracing

There I was strolling along Saturday morning in the pleasantly warm sunshine enjoying the Kent countryside when some idiot in an orange 8 litre Canam monster shattered the serenity, shaking the ground with its' thunderous roar....!

I thought just the same. The Corvette didn't help much either!

[brands]

Mallory Park open to spectators from 26th July. Advance tickets only.

[Alfaholic]

Originally Posted by justracing

There I was strolling along Saturday morning in the pleasantly warm sunshine enjoying the Kent countryside when some idiot in an orange 8 litre Canam monster shattered the serenity, shaking the ground with its' thunderous roar....!

Originally Posted by 8en

I thought just the same. The Corvette didn't help much either!

Well, my walk in the Kent woodlands was disturbed by a group of three boy racers continually doing circuits of the local estate in some sort of bewinged unsilenced vehicles called a Hesketh 308, Chevron B24 and a March 782. I quite enjoyed their display.

[Willmaz223]

Entry for 750 mc first meeting. Very good grids with reserves in some grids and 25 races which is quite a number.

https://www.750mc.co.uk/ugc-1/1/58/0...terton_200.pdf

[coppice]

Originally Posted by flagwaver2

The problem is not all venues are allowing spectators, so would be misleading for MSUK to say they are welcome back.

I haven't a clue what is going on. I asked Harewood Hill Climb why their August meeting is spectator free and they replied (commendably promptly ) to the effect that MSUK guidelines prohibit spectators .



So are the guidelines optional, I wonder , and what are the consequences for not adhering to them? Presumably not serious enough for MSV to decide not to follow them ?



I have asked MSUK to clarify as this is getting silly - pubs are open ,shops and barbers , most of the country's race circuits too so ...I am confused

[Mike Crow]

Originally Posted by coppice

I haven't a clue what is going on. I asked Harewood Hill Climb why their August meeting is spectator free and they replied (commendably promptly ) to the effect that MSUK guidelines prohibit spectators .



So are the guidelines optional, I wonder , and what are the consequences for not adhering to them? Presumably not serious enough for MSV to decide not to follow them ?



I have asked MSUK to clarify as this is getting silly - pubs are open ,shops and barbers , most of the country's race circuits too so ...I am confused

I think it is more about the venues ability/ willingness/ resources to make their facility Covid Secure. Pretty much anywhere outside can open now if they can limit entry and put in place the required procedures. Easier for MSV than the smaller organisations. They will get there in the end. I can't see Truxton running the Historic weekend unless they expect to allow spectators. I don't think MSUK really have a final say.

[one-two]

MSUK licences competitive events/issues permits subject to conditions

[Anyopenroad]

Originally Posted by one-two

MSUK licences competitive events/issues permits subject to conditions

Do those conditions refer to the circuit, or to the event? A quick look at the ‘supplementary regulations’ on MSUK’s website shows a lot of rules around the conduct of the racing and what happens on/off track, but nothing about spectators or things like catering, access, ticketing etc.

I wonder if MSUK have authority inside the fence, but not outside it. That certainly appears to be MSV’s position.