Mallory Park 25.5.08

[paddy]

Just a couple of thoughts about yesterday at Mallory. Firstly the motocross track is an eyesore. I understand the need to make money, but the circuit must be careful not to cheese off their loyal customers. In my case 34 years. The vehicle access to get round Gerards to the far side of the circuit is totally unacceptable and due to the heavy rain became a quagmire.
My other complaint has been simmering for some time and that is the appalling quality of the commentary. I'm afraid that I have now resorted to trying to find areas where there is no PA. It was a mixture of inaccurate information, exaggeration, hyperbole and most important of all a distinct inability to follow the race in progress. The constant repeats of a set of cliches does not make for informative commentary. Mallory is nearly unique in that much of the circuit is visible to all, but that seems to bypass the commentary position. Lead changes took laps to be recognised, retirements and incidents went unnoticed and pit stops were either not mentioned or their impact misunderstood. All in all awful. I do attend other circuits and the commentary has never been this bad. I also must say that at meetings where Marcus Pye or Ian Sowman are in the seat their performance is excellent.
Those moans apart a fantastic meeting. Great entertainment in the dreadful conditions and a special word for all the marshalls who had to endure heavy rain, high winds and freezing temperatures. Well done.

[thebullet]

I didn't go this weekend, but i fully agree about the motorcross track and the state of gerards it really does need sorting out. So many pot holes means a slow drive to get round to the other side of the circuit. Im in away dissapointed that i missed the meeting, but in another way glad so i didn't have to stand those horrible conditions.

Thanks

[rdjones]

I was also at Mallory yesterday as someone I work with was out in the Nippon Challenge and I have agree with Paddy comments about the commentary it was awful. I have only been to Mallory a couple of times before, but the Motorcross track does seem to take up an awful lot off room.

[thebullet]

Originally Posted by rdjones

I was also at Mallory yesterday as someone I work with was out in the Nippon Challenge and I have agree with Paddy comments about the commentary it was awful. I have only been to Mallory a couple of times before, but the Motorcross track does seem to take up an awful lot off room.

Its has really taken over, and each year when looking at the calender there gets fewer and fewer car meetings, i know they say mallory is better for bike racing but it's taking over and that shouldn't happen.

[ChrisA]

As a marshal of many years, and having been to Mallory too many times to remember, I must agree with the motocross comment and to a certain degree with the commentary. But as for the access road behind Gerrards, its been that way for a long time. The potholes etc are caused by vehicles using that track. BARC, the new circuit managers, have long term plans for Mallory, including a Rallycross circuit and better public viewing areas. The PA system will probably be replaced in time. My only concern is that is does not loose it's motto '' The Friendly Circuit ''. Here's to many more years of good,close racing at Mallory.

[Chris Y]

Originally Posted by paddy

My other complaint has been simmering for some time and that is the appalling quality of the commentary. I'm afraid that I have now resorted to trying to find areas where there is no PA. It was a mixture of inaccurate information, exaggeration, hyperbole and most important of all a distinct inability to follow the race in progress. The constant repeats of a set of cliches does not make for informative commentary. Mallory is nearly unique in that much of the circuit is visible to all, but that seems to bypass the commentary position. Lead changes took laps to be recognised, retirements and incidents went unnoticed and pit stops were either not mentioned or their impact misunderstood. All in all awful.

I've got to say that I've been getting the same impression of the commentary at Oulton Park. A lot of commentators 'pad out' the bits in between racing with notes about drivers' backgrounds, talk about the series/championship coming on next, etc. However, the Oulton Park commentators seem to be doing this all the time, even when there's a race on.

While they talk about the ice cream van, or what so-and-so other commentator has been doing recently, the leader's gone off or there's been several changes of position and a ding-dong battle - which the poor spectators are completely unaware of.

And if it's not that, they're wondering who's in what car, and how to pronouce their name, and sometimes they don't seem to know what's actually racing. All of which is written down in the programme for the meeting..

And before anyone responds with the usual "If you think you could do better..." line - all I'm asking for is a description of what's happening on the track, who's making the pass, who looks like they're charging through the field, etc. I don't want to hear about what you had for dinner last night!

[paddy]

I'm not referring to the access actually behind Gerards, but the road leading to it which has been re-routed because of the motocross track. On the way in it was grass on the way out thick mud. I drive a small campervan to race meetings and it was a struggle to keep control on the way out. I'm not against change and I understand that the circuit needs to make money, my complaint is that loyal customers seem to be forgotten in the drive to attract new ones. There is now very little parking and viewing space on the run in to Gerards and what there was eventually turned to swamp. I managed to take some photos despite the weather and I'll get some on here when I have time.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Chris Y

all I'm asking for is a description of what's happening on the track, who's making the pass, who looks like they're charging through the field, etc. I don't want to hear about what you had for dinner last night!

Deed pole is the answer, change your name to Chris Cottage-Pie.

[andy97]

Whilst watching Motors TV last night I saw an advert for the coverage of some big European Motor X championship on Motors TV next weekend (I think). Maybe Mallory is to become more of a bike/ motor cross circuit than cars? After all the bike crowds for average meetings do tend to be bigger than for the average car meeting. It also worth noting that a couple of club meetings (AMOC & CSCC got bounced from Donington schedule in Sept/ Oct because Red Bull came along with their dosh to fund a Motor X meeting.

Money talks & maybe motor x generates more £ that us 4 wheel lot.

[paddy]

You could be right andy97. I have to admit that I felt that the changes made for the motox seem to have taken over in many ways. I wonder though how often it will be used during the season. In the past, with the old motox track, I felt that it should not have been used when race meetings were on, but if this new one is used it will take over.
I have really enjoyed recent visits to Cadwell so if I'm not happy i'll switch allegiance. It's a bit further to travel, but great fun at weekend meetings.

[paddy]

I've posted a few photos in art and photography of this meeting.