Does Donington have leccy hook-up?

[Matt Gusher]

Almost ready to set of on my maiden caravan weekend but the van I've borrowed only seems to power the sockets when hooked to the mains.

The battery is in good shape and it has an inverter but the second it is disconnected the sockets lose power though the ceiling lights still work.

Any expert caravanners point me to a magic switch to fix this would be appreciated!

[MagnetON]

Donington doesn't have electrical hookup for marshals. Well it didn't when we wanted to camp over for the 360MRC meeting in August.

Are your sure the batter has an inverter and not just a charger?

[Joyce George]

Have you checked the 12v fuses? Especially the battery charger fuse.

[Matt Gusher]

Thanks for the replys. It appears it doesn't have an inverter.

It is a charger.

Trial an error this caravan lark!

[Richard Duvall]

I think all circuits should provide electrics hook-ups for marshals caravans. I don't know of any that do. It wouldn't take too much to extend the cabling as most circuits provide electric hook-ups in the paddock.

[Croft Marshal]

Originally Posted by Richard Duvall

I think all circuits should provide electrics hook-ups for marshals caravans. I don't know of any that do. It wouldn't take too much to extend the cabling as most circuits provide electric hook-ups in the paddock.

we have limited number of hook ups at Croft (got to get there early), but there is a small charge for the use of, which is still cheaper than running a genny for the weekend

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by Richard Duvall

I don't know of any that do.

Silverstone usually has a modest number of sockets, which splitters turn into a large number of sockets, so it's unusual not to be able to get power. Much appreciated it is to.

Just don't plug into the generator that works the floodlights, because they turn it off when the sun comes up.

[Stephen Green]

Originally Posted by Richard Duvall

I think all circuits should provide electrics hook-ups for marshals caravans. I don't know of any that do. It wouldn't take too much to extend the cabling as most circuits provide electric hook-ups in the paddock.

Actually 'most' circuits don't have electric hook ups in their paddocks. For example there are no hook ups at Donington, Snetterton, Oulton Park and Cadwell Park.

If electricity is not offered to competitors, who pay large amounts to race, why should it be offered to marshals? I would have thought a small generator would suffice?

[morwenna]

I would prefer to have decent toilets and showers nearby - I don't need any electricity when I'm camping!
(generic point, not aimed at any circuit)

[MagnetON]

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

If electricity is not offered to competitors, who pay large amounts to race, why should it be offered to marshals?

As a goodwill gesture to encourage marshals. It's actually been the case that I reconsidered even applying for the BGP when I heard there was no power hookup.

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

I would have thought a small generator would suffice?

Decent quiet ones are in the £500+ range and even "quiet" ones you'd be thinking about how feasible it is to run overnight with any noise. Oh, and they are apparently notorious for getting nicked!

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by MagnetON

As a goodwill gesture to encourage marshals. It's actually been the case that I reconsidered even applying for the BGP when I heard there was no power hookup.

One of the reasons I do more meetings at Silverstone, especially multi-day meetings is exactly this. My wife then can spend the day in the caravan with power for the radio, hair dryers, kettle or whatever else she might want to pass the time, which means she's happier to come with me and I'm happier to marshal for the longer week-ends.

Originally Posted by MagnetON

Decent quiet ones are in the £500+ range and even "quiet" ones you'd be thinking about how feasible it is to run overnight with any noise. Oh, and they are apparently notorious for getting nicked!

And they use that expensive petrol stuff.

[MagnetON]

Originally Posted by Woolley

And they use that expensive petrol stuff.

For us the cost of petrol for a genny would be incidental Ferry costs and petrol for the Audi would dwarf the cost of a few gallons for electricity

[Shelagh]

When Croft re-opened we turned up for the first public meeting. We were escorted through the paddock, across the track and shown to a "field". Comment was that this was set-aside specially mown for the marshals. When I enquired about facilities (ie toilet), the response was "well there's a tree there". Hmm.

We let the guy go away before taking the camper van back to the paddock to park up near the loos etc.

Why are marshals often considered less than human, as in not requiring the basics?

[Joyce George]

Originally Posted by Shelagh

When Croft re-opened we turned up for the first public meeting. We were escorted through the paddock, across the track and shown to a "field". Comment was that this was set-aside specially mown for the marshals. When I enquired about facilities (ie toilet), the response was "well there's a tree there". Hmm.

We let the guy go away before taking the camper van back to the paddock to park up near the loos etc.

Why are marshals often considered less than human, as in not requiring the basics?

I still have the photos from that meeting in your old camper van - facilities were somewhat basic!! That was the first time we met you

[Shelagh]

Good grief - was it really?

God bless Chris and so happy you've found Joy(ce) again. I'm still in progress of finding Shelagh.

[Joyce George]

You have never lost Shelagh! You will always be you.

[Shelagh]

Well come along to Donington 19/20 October and we can prove it.

But we won't be camping!

And how did I end up with "Pit Lane Hooter" under my name on the side bit?

[Joyce George]

Sorry, can't make Donington, already committed to Safety Car for CSCC at Snetterton! Will have to wait til next year, unless you are at the Birkett.

[Shelagh]

Joyce, PM sent.

[F1Stuie]

I've just done the weekend at Donington but I stayed on the Donington Park Farm Hotel campsite for the exact reason of having electricity. The Mrs wouldn't come if we didn't have it as she doesn't like bringing the kids as they get really cold at night so a heater is needed as we have a trailer tent, the only draw back is that at £20 a night, it's not exactly the cheapest place to be especially when you've got to pay £1 for 5 mins of shower time......but that's a whole different thread. Lol.

[Richard Duvall]

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

If electricity is not offered to competitors, who pay large amounts to race, why should it be offered to marshals? I would have thought a small generator would suffice?

Without marshals giving their time free, nobody would be racing. I think we have a right to be looked after!

[deley]

Originally Posted by Richard Duvall

Without marshals giving their time free, nobody would be racing. ....

Not that old chestnut again

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

Actually 'most' circuits don't have electric hook ups in their paddocks. For example there are no hook ups at Donington, Snetterton, Oulton Park and Cadwell Park.

If electricity is not offered to competitors, who pay large amounts to race, why should it be offered to marshals? I would have thought a small generator would suffice?

If the competitors and the marshals got together and *both* decided not to go to circuits that didn't have hook-up and decent showers and toilets etc, maybe the message would have a better chance of being heard.

[Shelagh]

Have you ever done Le Mans?

Last time we did, a caravan was organised for us. Waiting at the Golf Club car park, I said to Bill - "this will decide what sort of week is ahead".

Well, it was an extremely wet week, but the "shed on wheels" at least kept us off the ground. We bought a barbecue and charcoal but had to rely on others to keep us fed as we couldn't get the thing going. The charcoal was used up and the barbecue went to Scotland. (We didn't want it anyway and it would have taken up important wine space in the car boot.)

But we still had a great time! So who needs electricity?

But don't get me started on the toilet facilities at Le Mans - otherwise this post will be a few pages long. But I have any number of tips for making it bearable if anyone wants to know. Just ask.

[sss]

Originally Posted by Richard Duvall

Without marshals giving their time free, nobody would be racing. I think we have a right to be looked after!

I certainly think it is not unreasonable for circuits to start looking at better camping facilities. It would certainly help as an incentive to get more marshals. Especially to help costs for those of us that stay at the circuits.

We are lucky in that with a solar panel and big battery bank, hook up is not essential to us.

However hook up would also prevent people like the two numb nuts either side of us at Brands. Most unpleasant being kept awake late at night by generators. Had I not been in my jimjams and cold n wet outside they would have had Mr angry paying a visit. Mind you it was on a par with the motorhome who parked up in front of the only tap making access harder for everyone else. Hope to see them again at the trucks.