Racing at Lydden 2009. Will You Go?

[Rod Birley]

Stuart H, you can come and race in our "Cannon's Tin Tops" races if you want the Lydden experience.

[Ian Sowman]

750MC are generally cutting down next year, and it makes sense to 'lose' meetings at the far flung circuits, that generally don't do as well. Lydden and Pembrey are both missing for 2009.

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by jonbryant

Agreed. One of my favourite meetings of the year and not what I wanted to hear going into the winter.

I didn't even get to race at this years meeting due to a bit of snow.

[Rod Birley]

Certainly the economics of running at Lydden are not looking very good. Either way entry fees will go up because of the much increased hire charge.

[westfieldbend]

but who wants to go to lydden when they can do brands hatch or silverstone for less.....

[andypipe]

Originally Posted by Ian Sowman

750MC are generally cutting down next year, and it makes sense to 'lose' meetings at the far flung circuits, that generally don't do as well. Lydden and Pembrey are both missing for 2009.

Not from what i have read with the new VAG Championship

[graeme]

Originally Posted by westfieldbend

but who wants to go to lydden when they can do brands hatch or silverstone for less.....

Is that really true? How much is Lydden track hire (I've heard £17k mentioned for Silverstone National)?

[Rod Birley]

Although the actual charge for Lydden is less, you have to remember the maximum grid size is only 24 (at Silverstone National it is 40). Plus there are strict time constraints on a Sunday (12.30 start).

[graeme]

Though it seems many series never muster more than 24 cars at any circuit

[Robert Morris]

I hope i am correct but the mini7 club is looking at going to the silverstone classic there will be free testing , practice, 3 races all on the gp circuit for less than £650.00

[Rod Birley]

All I can say is that when we take DMN to any other circuit we always fill the grid capacity.

[graeme]

Good on both of you - we can't seem to get on any of the truely premier circuits because our organising club can't make a meeting on them pay. Seems 20-ish is the standard turnout in most series, whereas we can fill the 65-car grid at Spa when we do it ourselves...

[Ian Sowman]

Originally Posted by andypipe

Not from what i have read with the new VAG Championship

Unless the 750MC competition secretary misinformed me or there has been a change since our recent conversation, 750MC will be running less days in 2009 than in 2008 - this has also been reported in the press. What that does mean is that there will be a greater concentration of racing onto those days, which gives better value to the competitor and making the meetings more financially viable.

[Rod Birley]

Ok, but it still means that despite our best efforts at filling grids the cost to competitors is going to go up at Lydden.

[Eddy V]

Originally Posted by falcemob

I didn't even get to race at this years meeting due to a bit of snow.

A bit? A BIT?


But it is a crying shame what is happening. I really love the place as it is a true drivers track, but with all the political changes that are happening I looks I will do a lot less there next year.
No 750, hardly Barc SE. So what's left?
Semsec meetings are okay, but will they suffer as well?

[Eric Falce]

Eddy,we will have to come to Spa,sorry,but thats a fact.

[The SpeCTator]

Clearly the increased track fees have caused both comment and concern, there are those with far more knowledge than I that might comment on the amount of authorised track events at Lydden per year. How many days do Lydded have and how many are being used?
I guess I am thinking if Lydden put up the fees and have less takers, is that sensible? Better to get a hire fee of say 75% of what you would like and get your cash flow under control than go for 100% and get no takers!
From the 750MC to the Government, extraordinary planning is in place to recognise the world is not as it was this time last year. Surely this is something worthy of consideration in the depths of Kent.

[recreate]

lydden have done their sums and have worked out that it is more profitable to do track days than race meets, bottom line they can make more money out of track days than race meets that is why amy is putting up prices

[jerryk]

Originally Posted by falcemob

I didn't even get to race at this years meeting due to a bit of snow.

OH YES YOU DID!

just not on the sunday

[Cujo]

Originally Posted by recreate

lydden have done their sums and have worked out that it is more profitable to do track days than race meets, bottom line they can make more money out of track days than race meets that is why amy is putting up prices

Is this fact, do you speak for Lydden? – or just your opinion

[recreate]

lets just wait and see

i hope not you guys race really well

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by jerryk

OH YES YOU DID!

just not on the sunday

Oh yeah, I remember, it was brilliant sunshine on the Saturday and you still didn't wait for me with the tea and scones.

[Minicross424]

I think we are all going to have to wait and see what happens.
I understand that Lydden is there for the powers who run it to make a profit but i do question if in the current climate, now is the best time to put such a jump in fees up.
Is it not better to raise them 16.5% this year and repeat next year?
My concern is that I do struggle to afford circuit racing as it is. If costs keep on going up by this amount, i will have no choice but to return to Autograss racing.

[Eric Falce]

Good news folks,Gordon has put my pension up so I can now save Lydden and buy that Anglia from the other Gordon,who is,isnt,is retiring.

[Robert Morris]

Lydden is a commercial business, we as a team wont spend any more money to go to lydden next year than we have this it will mean we dont go so oftern. it probly be the track days we stop.