Motorsport and the Coronavirus - Page 73

Gerard C · 19 Feb 2021, 14:47 (Ref:4035882)

With Le Castellet by PA having lead in the wing, may be Tour Auto welcoming a large majority of French or Continental teams will be held on date. I wonder about what is called GP de France, now… No Brits, no nothing or barely. Cant imagine such an event with only twenty HFF, fifteen F3/FR Turbo, two dogs, one hence and three cats…
Moralité? Messieurs les Anglais restez chez vous en sécurité, vous avez absolument tout: la culture, l'expérience, les voitures, les pièces, les préparateurs, les propriétaires, les pilotes, les pistes et… l'argent! And the fighting spirit.

morninggents · 23 Feb 2021, 09:47 (Ref:4036387)

From listening to Boris yesterday, if I have read it right, it seems that race meetings with no spectators and limited support could take place from 29th March and spectators in limited numbers allowed from 17th May. Full lifting of restrictions from 21st June.

**Peter Mallett** · 23 Feb 2021, 09:51 (Ref:4036388)

Quote:

Originally Posted by morninggents

From listening to Boris yesterday, if I have read it right, it seems that race meetings with no spectators and limited support could take place from 29th March and spectators in limited numbers allowed from 17th May. Full lifting of restrictions from 21st June.

That was my take on it too. So whither Goodwood MM and before that Donington Historic?

Mike Crow · 23 Feb 2021, 10:18 (Ref:4036389)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

That was my take on it too. So whither Goodwood MM and before that Donington Historic?

Theme parks, which were the way limited spectators were admitted to circuits last year, are opening on 12 Apr. I think MSV and smaller circuits may start opening then on similar rules to last year. Not Goodwood or Silverstone though

andy97 · 23 Feb 2021, 10:21 (Ref:4036391)

On the one hand, outdoor sports facilities can reopen from 29 March but advice is still to “stay local”, and staying overnight somewhere does not seem to be possible until 12 April.
Still slightly contradictory from our sports point of view. I guess MSUK will tell us as soon as they can.

ascarracinguk · 23 Feb 2021, 10:23 (Ref:4036392)

"Step 2, no earlier than 12 April:

Non-essential retail, personal care premises, such as hairdressers and nail salons, and public buildings, such as libraries and community centres, will reopen.
Most outdoor attractions and settings, including zoos, and theme parks, will also reopen although wider social contact rules will apply in these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households. Drive-in cinemas and drive-in performances will also be permitted."

So to me if Zoos and theme parks can open, why not outdoor motorsport venues?

**Peter Mallett** · 23 Feb 2021, 10:35 (Ref:4036396)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ascarracinguk

So to me if Zoos and theme parks can open, why not outdoor motorsport venues?

I'd hazard a guess to say the theme parks and zoos don't have large crowds, rather they have a steady stream of patrons.

I suppose the feeling is that sport venues will have seating (thinking Football, Rugby, Cricket, etc.) whereby you can limit entries and have social distancing. That of course is not a good model for events such as Goodwood, or indeed Donington Festival, where the main point is to mingle with like minded enthusiasts.

andy97 · 23 Feb 2021, 10:35 (Ref:4036397)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ascarracinguk

"Step 2, no earlier than 12 April:

Non-essential retail, personal care premises, such as hairdressers and nail salons, and public buildings, such as libraries and community centres, will reopen.
Most outdoor attractions and settings, including zoos, and theme parks, will also reopen although wider social contact rules will apply in these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households. Drive-in cinemas and drive-in performances will also be permitted."

So to me if Zoos and theme parks can open, why not outdoor motorsport venues?

Don’t think anyone is suggesting that motorsport venues will not be able to reopen, it is just that the date of that reopening for events is not yet clear. Some think it will be from 29 March others .from 12 April.
MSUK will tell us when they will start issuing permits shortly.

ascarracinguk · 23 Feb 2021, 10:38 (Ref:4036398)

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy97

Don’t think anyone is suggesting that motorsport venues will not be able to reopen, it is just that the date of that reopening for events is not yet clear. Some think it will be from 29 March others .from 12 April.
MSUK will tell us when they will start issuing permits shortly.

Yes sorry i should have phrased my comment better....i doubt it will be 29 March, i hope for 12 April, but some are suggesting it could be 17th May with other sports venues which seems strange to me.

I can understand restricting crowds at big events but whats the difference to 1000 people wandering around a club meeting compared to a few thousand at a theme park where contact with equipment is higher and social distancing is less.

As you say, im sure MSUK are busy trying to clarify things.

**bella** · 23 Feb 2021, 10:39 (Ref:4036399)

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy97

On the one hand, outdoor sports facilities can reopen from 29 March but advice is still to “stay local”, and staying overnight somewhere does not seem to be possible until 12 April.
Still slightly contradictory from our sports point of view. I guess MSUK will tell us as soon as they can.

worth remembering that the motorsport industry hasn't really been referred to as sport by government restrictions unless it's been the elite events. so it's even more up in the air than that!

andy97 · 23 Feb 2021, 10:52 (Ref:4036401)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bella

worth remembering that the motorsport industry hasn't really been referred to as sport by government restrictions unless it's been the elite events. so it's even more up in the air than that!

Sure, and as I type this I can hear testing going on at Donington for “professional teams” and the Dukeries rally took place at Donington in Dec despite being in Tier 3 so clearly allowed but some very blurred lines.

andy97 · 23 Feb 2021, 12:22 (Ref:4036420)

https://www.motorsportuk.org/motorsp...from-29-march/

ascarracinguk · 23 Feb 2021, 12:29 (Ref:4036422)

FANTASTIC NEWS!!!

Lancsbreaker · 23 Feb 2021, 12:56 (Ref:4036427)

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy97

https://www.motorsportuk.org/motorsp...from-29-march/

Just posted that statement in the "dates" thread....as said above, it still feels contradictory to the "stay local" injunction. Still, entry in for Oulton on April 10. Awaiting wee Nippy's comments today about Scotland's path - expected to mirror England but slower. I need hotels to be open in Scotland by April 30 to allow us to go the Knockhill on May 1/2.......

**bella** · 23 Feb 2021, 13:07 (Ref:4036429)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

Just posted that statement in the "dates" thread....as said above, it still feels contradictory to the "stay local" injunction. Still, entry in for Oulton on April 10. Awaiting wee Nippy's comments today about Scotland's path - expected to mirror England but slower. I need hotels to be open in Scotland by April 30 to allow us to go the Knockhill on May 1/2.......

she seems to take boris' measures and adapt them to public opinion, so i reckon she'll go quicker in the longer term but maybe a bit longer on the short term to keep people happy that she's still being cautious...

remember motorsport is classed as work you can't do from home. don't know anyone that's had any issues getting rooms in hotels that are open