Silverstone HSCC and BRSCC

[PabloTeK]

I enjoyed my day on Stowe in, even got the mandatory Caterham mudguard! Something was a little different about the atmosphere today, not better or worse, just different to your average meeting...

Also, can anyone spell 5 wide approaching Stowe?!

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by PabloTeK

Also, can anyone spell 5 wide approaching Stowe?!

Easy. It's spelt 'D-U-C-K'!

Seems odd - two meetings on the same circuit on the same day, one pays an extra fiver, in inverse proportion to the apparent profile of the clubs. It's not the fiver that matters, of course, it's the thought that goes behind it and it seems that thought is rewarded with the higher number of marshals. Look and learn, organisers, couldn't be plainer.

[Chigley]

It wasn't the fiver or the thought behind it, as welcome as both were. It was the calibre and diversity of the cars racing. Classic historic masterpieces versus Caterhams and Jedi's, it was a no-brainer for the masses of black and orange on the north side.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by HairyDJ

So, what's the verdict?

It seemed rather imbalanced to me - a lot more folk opted for HSCC, was it the extra fiver at sign-on that made the difference?

I got a bit of both as I assisted on the taster day AM which was based on the National (HSCC) and then went out to play on the Abbey pit straight for BRSCC in the afternoon. Pretty full grids in both locations, and similar race durations, so was it simply down to the choice of cars to play with?

So did that mean you got an extra 2.50 rather than 5?

I could see this getting interesting. 2 (or more?) events at the same place at the same time. Hordes of people turn up to marshal and some sort of 'Auction' takes place based on which organiser is offering the best terms ...

Might be worth paying money to watch that ...! ')

[roys1]

I would like to know where the facts about the extra fiver came from... As BRSCC had breakfast vouchers worth £5 to be spent in the diner... Surely £5 is £5 however it is given....?
I would also like to thank all the marshals from both sides of the camp that made the day a success there were incidents all over that were dealt with brilliantly as always and did not on any occasion stretch the resources ...

Roy S

[Stack]

My own personal choice would be a fiver in the hand Roy as I only eat breakfast because of the voucher. A fiver towards the ever spiralling cost of fuel would be better.

I don't know if the layout of the International circuit produced the close racing or just because they were Caterham's but it produced a cracking days entertainment. As the day progressed the circuit limits seemed to get respected.
Best radio com of the day.. "post 4, car 44 all 4 off!"

Finally, thanks to the BRSCC for a great years racing.

[chezza]

I have to say I'm in agreement with Stack on this one. A fiver in the hand to choose what you want to do with it is better than a breakfast voucher.

Whilst I wouldn't scoff at either and both are a great gesture, I'd had breakfast before getting the the circuit yesterday so a breakfast voucher would have been no use to me, also not all people want to have a breakfast.

I was on the National Circuit and had a great day, thanks to all at Becketts and the HSCC for a good days racing, which finished just about on time following the delays for oil dressing etc.

[brighty211080]

Originally Posted by PabloTeK

I enjoyed my day on Stowe in, even got the mandatory Caterham mudguard! Something was a little different about the atmosphere today, not better or worse, just different to your average meeting...

Also, can anyone spell 5 wide approaching Stowe?!

i was flagging at stowe out and evertime those caterhams came past i had no idea where to look.

but was definatley the closest racing ive seen in my 1st year marshalling

[HairyDJ]

Originally Posted by roys1

I would like to know where the facts about the extra fiver came from... As BRSCC had breakfast vouchers worth £5 to be spent in the diner... Surely £5 is £5 however it is given....?
Roy S

As I recall, BRSCC breakfast voucher plus drinks voucher : HSCC breakfast voucher plus fiver?

I doubt the difference would have swayed folk as much as the content of the day. I did BRSCC because that was where the big shortage was. I just have that uncomfortable feeling that if the same clash / choice came up next year, that the imbalance would be worse? Next year I'd probably take my turn at the HSCC event, but doubt too many of this weekend's HSCC folk would switch to BRSCC .....

It was an interesting experiment, but I'm not convinced that I'd be too keen to see it happen too often (with any combination of cars / clubs). Except maybe BTCC on the national whilst proper racing took place on the International?

[kipper]

I can't say that the breakfast voucher/fiver comparison had any bearing on the meeting I chose. I went for the BRSCC event, which provided some good races on what was effectively a new circuit resulting in an entertaining and interesting day (that said the breakfast voucher was much appreciated); whilst I had no doubts that the HSCC would have also provided a good meeting, I was keen to try something a little different.

In terms of running two meetings on the same day; my main concern is that there may not always be enough marshals to do so. This could be exacerbated in instances where one meeting is of a signficantly higher quality than the other.

[FRENCHIE44T]

Originally Posted by HairyDJ

As I recall, BRSCC breakfast voucher plus drinks voucher : HSCC breakfast voucher plus fiver?

I doubt the difference would have swayed folk as much as the content of the day. I did BRSCC because that was where the big shortage was. I just have that uncomfortable feeling that if the same clash / choice came up next year, that the imbalance would be worse? Next year I'd probably take my turn at the HSCC event, but doubt too many of this weekend's HSCC folk would switch to BRSCC .....

It was an interesting experiment, but I'm not convinced that I'd be too keen to see it happen too often (with any combination of cars / clubs). Except maybe BTCC on the national whilst proper racing took place on the International?

It does not matter what carrot the organisers use to attract marshals, we are all there to do the same thing, the pastime that we like to do week after week.
I was on the BRSCC sheet on Saturday, had a great day, with great racing, with a few times I was needed to go out, and a snatch that I had to hook up on the JCB eventually and went home happy. And I helped made history at Silverstone on the 1st meeting on the new "International Circuit"

Enough said.

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by HairyDJ

Except maybe BTCC on the national whilst proper racing took place on the International?

What a brilliant idea, some of the spectators may wander down and see how it should really be done. Also solves the over-manning problem as the extras can be sent down South!

[sharpygreen]

superb day spent at becketts,could of done without the oil slick circuit wide just before lunch 3 buckets of powder used at becketts lol .

the £5.00 for brekkie was a welcome treat but never swayed me what side to go, historics for me will always win hands down.

[juliet]

Had an amazing weekend on BRSCC, those caterhams provided the best racing i have seen for years. where else do you get 6 cars swapping the lead multiple times around the lap and going into corners 4 abreast? I did feel sorry for the commentator though.
His best line: "I would love to tell you who is in the lead but frankly I havnt a clue!"

I am not fussed about the £5 debate, yeah it is nice when we get a few quid in our pockets but I marshal because I love the racing and I would have taken those caterhams over a £5 every day of the week.

Had a great time on Hangar 2, much amusement all round, my belly was sore because I had laughed so much! Even if I do have 2 bruised knees and a bruised hip now. Fairly sure one of the rescue crews got a giggle while driving past the post too.

The best days marshalling I have done in a while, def doing these guys again next year.

[Stack]

Originally Posted by HairyDJ

Except maybe BTCC on the national whilst proper racing took place on the International?

I'm all for that idea as well. 750MC on the international would surfice!

I can just picture the BTCC fans wondering why there is sooooo much more (clean!!!) racing at the other end of the circuit!!!!

[AndyT]

Originally Posted by HairyDJ

Except maybe BTCC on the national whilst proper racing took place on the International?

Great idea, can't see it happening as there people with a vested interest in the BTCC to allow it to happen.

[Fay]

I would just like to thank all the marshals for Saturday, whether you were on the South/International circuit or the National circuit.

It was good that everyone met up at sign-on and then again in the evening to use the drinks vouchers that Silverstone had provided for both meetings.

The South/International circuit is good, having driven round it and sorted out the Tour Britannia Event (sorry, in practice this was the first meeting on the South circuit, albeit one race).

The communications on both circuits worked well and each race control had their own cameras, although if you got bored you could just sneak a look at what was happening on the other circuit.

I think we had enough marshals for both as there was nothing on at Mallory, Rockingham and Donington. If there was something on at any of these then I think it would have been a struggle.

I would just like to say a big thank you to Sid for putting up with me in the fire car in the afternoon. One minute I was doing my lap chart and the next minute on came my crash helmet and I was going down the pit lane.

Once again a big thank you to all of you and I look forward to meeting a lot of you at the Walter Hayes.

Fay Crook
Chief Marshal - HSCC

[DavidBritainUK]

Fay, as you passed us in the Pit Lane, you seemed to be enjoying the drive!