Racing at Lydden 2009. Will You Go?

[Copperbottom]

Pass! But DMN entries were £150 for 2008 so IF 25% is added they will be £187.50 for 2009

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by westfieldbend

whats the lydden track hire fee at the moment?

You'll never find that out, true track hire fees are more of a secret than what goes on at a Freemasons lodge meeting.

[Rod Birley]

The exact entry fees for 2009 have not yet been set, but Lydden entry fees WILL be going up. So it might be an idea to run a poll to see who wants to go there next year.

[205dave]

Originally Posted by Rod Birley

The exact entry fees for 2009 have not yet been set, but Lydden entry fees WILL be going up. So it might be an idea to run a poll to see who wants to go there next year.

One vote here for lydden, but maybe not quite as many visits

[Tim Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by Copperbottom

Pass! But DMN entries were £150 for 2008 so IF 25% is added they will be £187.50 for 2009

And £135 the year before, IIRC, so not a small increase then, either (I presume that's at least partly from circuit hire increases).

Much like Alan, I liked Lydden as it offered low(er) cost racing. I was happy to forego the niceties in return for a lower entry fee at a half-decent circuit (and a chance to visit Gail's ). It's not so much further on from Brands that the £50 or so saving is eaten up entirely in travel costs.

The trackday I did there was also very enjoyable - much more laid back than at other venues. At approx £120 a car there were about 40 cars there, across 3 sessions; most were from an Imp club on a day out, and not trackday regulars; there were only a handful of racers, from memory (although this was mid-summer, so numbers could have been affected by that).

I feel it's a shame that Lydden's hire has risen to the point so as to make it seemingly unviable for clubs to visit, as it takes away a decent little track and a cheap(er) race day from some. However it won't affect me - as a result of a dealing with Amy a few years ago I made the decision not to visit there any more once she was associated with the track. A shame, as I'd like to have done a couple of Tin-tops rounds this year.

[265jaguar37]

hi guys , i've only raced at lydden twice but enjoyed it both times , it was cheap both times which is what makes it attractive but if the price rises too much ( ie. in near brands money ) then we just as well go and race there in my opinion, although i will miss its little characteristics, ( its small so reminds me of ovals/coupled with rolling starts)i'm so looking forward to next season , suppose i better think about building the new car before long, (the wife is using it for work)regards ken angell (the jag)

[westfieldbend]

Originally Posted by Tim Wilkinson

However it won't affect me - as a result of a dealing with Amy a few years ago I made the decision not to visit there any more once she was associated with the track. A shame, as I'd like to have done a couple of Tin-tops rounds this year.

We met her on the gate this year and she seemed adament that children over 12 are adults as she changed it at the start of the year despite standing next to a sign saying 'under 15 admited free', which has now been duck taped over, how professional...

[Tim Falce]

Poll Added.

[Al Weyman]

Racing on BARC championships they always charge the same for Lydden anyhow so can't see it will make much difference, I never go anyhow as I hate the track.

[Tim Falce]

I voted no but it's academic as my series' aren't going there in 2009.

[Minicross424]

I think, there should be more choice on the poll.
I put yes because I will proberly go more than once next year.
However if there had been an option of not as often i would of ticked that.

[kjw]

I enjoy racing a Lydden, the only downside is the tyre wear that has already been discussed and the limited facilities.
If a championship calender include Lydden people will still race there even if the prices do go up £20.00 or £30.00 pounds. After all Lydden is not that bad.

[peter thurston]

Not that Ive done much racing the last few years but I have been there for quite a few trackdays and I will gladly pay more as I no longer shot blast the underside of my car or pick up punctures driving through the paddock.Pat will never get back the money he must be sinking into the place so why are we all still moaning.After all whenever petrol or road tax(tow cars)goes up there is never a thread about that on here and that must also be a consideration in your race budget!Regards Pete

[Rod Birley]

Fair comment Pete. the only good bit of news is that fuel has come down a bit lately. I think there was a thread talking about the economic downturn elsewhere.
Had to chuckle that the report in MN stated Lydden is now an FIA circuit. Correction it is a FIA rallycross track (assuming all the required work is completed). Nevertheless World Touring Cars at Lydden.....hmmmm.

[Tim Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by peter thurston

After all whenever petrol or road tax(tow cars)goes up there is never a thread about that on here and that must also be a consideration in your race budget!Regards Pete

Because most of us use the tow-cars for everyday use (or at least for something other than just towing) so we'd have to pay that anyway? So it affects us in the same way that a rise in the price of anything else would.

And if you look around there's *****ing and moaning about the price of pretty much everything on here some place or another!

I'm sure everyone is glad the facilities are better, but in turn that has taken away a more budget option from people prepared to put up with the poorer standard, which I think is a shame.

[westfieldbend]

Originally Posted by Rod Birley

Correction it is a FIA rallycross track (assuming all the required work is completed). Nevertheless World Touring Cars at Lydden.....hmmmm.

Cant wait...
Lets go for F1 next, we'll only need erm.. a pit lane maybe, and a bit more track

[snowen250]

Lydden has been (since moving to Kent in 94) always been my most local track. Always enjoyed it as a spectator and think the improvements they have made are good, and i immensely enjoyed the track day i did there. Wether my mini enjoyed it (RIP) is another matter..........
I think by the look of it the Dorans really want it to be a world class Rallycross venue, and a major track day spot. The rallycross bit is understandable with the Dorans history, but it would be a shame if circuit racing is to fade away due to cost.
My earliest racing memory is watching a load of MG Montegos piling into each other at paddock bend, since then i've been hooked and i hope to get my ARDS done for my 21st next year and then hopefully beg/steal/borrow (HIRE) a seat in a race car
I know the cost has gone up, but please people think of us poor sods on the banks or in the (!) grandstands on a windy (its always bl**dy windy) day at Lydden, more full grids please? The DMN meet this year in i think June was excellent. I think we will see the cost of all circuits rise in the coming months and years, Lydden has just been the first to do it.
Just my two cents.
Simon

[Robert Morris]

Lydden is a very popular track in the south east, and i still want to race there but it needs to be cheaper than brands. For several of the following reasons. No restaurant, showers WC very poor, No pit lane. pit wall for time signals very poor. abrasive circuit. its shorter ,more time restrictions. Lets hope the directors read this and consider some of our views.

[Big Dave]

[quote=Robert Morris] no pit wall for time signals quote]

there is actually Rob just a very long walk for pit crew (its the gravel area by start Finnish next to tower)

[Copperbottom]

Originally Posted by Robert Morris

Lydden is a very popular track in the south east, and i still want to race there but it needs to be cheaper than brands. For several of the following reasons. No restaurant, showers WC very poor, No pit lane. pit wall for time signals very poor. abrasive circuit. its shorter ,more time restrictions. Lets hope the directors read this and consider some of our views.

I'm actually inclined to agree but I thenk you missed out the word MUCH between "be" and "cheaper". With the current financial climate people are probably going to race fewer times so if there was a meeting at Lydden for £20 less than at Brands they'd choose brands,I just hope MSV don't increase prices too much . I haven't voted yet as there's not an option for would you race at Lydden if the price stays low(ish) compared to other circuits

[westfieldbend]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

there is actually Rob just a very long walk for pit crew (its the gravel area by start Finnish next to tower)

That was demolished this year... So you just have the spectator area.

[Big Dave]

Really Oh that is P"ss poor then!

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by peter thurston

Pat will never get back the money he must be sinking into the place so why are we all still moaning.After all whenever petrol or road tax(tow cars)goes up there is never a thread about that on here and that must also be a consideration in your race budget!Regards Pete

There are plenty of threads moaning about petrol and tax but they normally go in Parc Ferme or the Road car forum.

[Robert Morris]

I belive the promotors will have great difficulty in promoting lydden in 2010. For sure these large increased costs will reduce the numbers of enteries taken in 2009 ,this in turn will mean loseing money on lydden events.
So the promotors will look else where.
Hope not but the begging of the slippery slope.

[Big Dave]

well I'm scraping the barrel real hard so I will be racing where ever its cheapest and if that means short track no showers etc thats where you will still find me (I hope)