Too many events and series in 2011

[Derwent Motorsp]

With more events, both in the UK and in Europe, plus several new series, are there enough cars and drivers to fill the grids? It looks as though times will be harder for all of us and fuel seems to be steadily rising in price etc. Many folk are thinking of doing fewer events and a few are stopping.
As in 2010 there were some thin grids are we spreading competitors too thinly and will all the series and new meetings survive given they are chasing the same competitors?

[zefarelly]

2010's not finished yet, Al will pass the violin over tomorrow

[Al Weyman]

You are probably right but the MSA will do sod all about it because I hear of monopoly laws, what a joke.

[Al Weyman]

I think many of us will have to be more selective now.

[delta]

Good thread Derwent.This was mostly discussed yesterday at the Ace.Of coarse you are correct but i don't know the answer.For sure some clubs will loose out

[simon drabble]

Going forward it is actually good news as choice stops any series resting on their laurels....

Supply/Demand at its most pure. I would be nervous if I was putting money into a new series that is effectively covered elsewhere.

If the economic conditions harden, as I believe they will, then trips to Europe could be a luxery of the few in which case events like Snetterton 360 could benefit

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by simon drabble

Going forward it is actually good news as choice stops any series resting on their laurels....

Supply/Demand at its most pure. I would be nervous if I was putting money into a new series that is effectively covered elsewhere.

If the economic conditions harden, as I believe they will, then trips to Europe could be a luxery of the few in which case events like Snetterton 360 could benefit

I think you are right Simon. Was discussing the other night that if couldn't afford the time and / or money to travel all over could still have a good season racing at Snetterton with different organisers and clubs. The same should apply to some other circuits as well. With a few exceptions at the prestige events there should be grid space......

Only problem is Membership fees, but most clubs / organisers that charge them at least have 'day membership'.

[john ruston]

Have you been drinking whilst shooting those pheasants?

[zefarelly]

Originally Posted by john ruston

Have you been drinking whilst shooting those pheasants?

THere has been too much choice for a long time, which is good.

The quality and value haven't necessarily been that varied however.

HSCC has done superbly this season, which confirms the exchange rate for those of us who get paid in Olde English buttons.

[simon drabble]

Broadly speaking I agree that HSCC have done a good job - Snet 3 Hour is a good example but they need to listen to their members - giving a visiting series like GTSCC 60 minutes and then offer Guards 40 minutes is not the choice of most members...

JR I am a born optimist but I see storm clouds on the fiscal horizon - 2011 is going to be a tough year and I think this will be the season that competitors select series they really want to race in......

[zefarelly]

Its going to be a tough year for 3 or 4 on the trot now

If you haven't got used to it yet its probably because you don't need to

[p261brm]

Agree, far too many series as far as sports racer's are concerned introducing far too many so called 'in period' regulations that never existed in period anyway. Goose and golden eggs spring to mind, which is exactly what happened to sports racer's 'in period' and time of finacial difficulty

[simon drabble]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

Its going to be a tough year for 3 or 4 on the trot now

If you haven't got used to it yet its probably because you don't need to

its been a perfect storm to date but if BoE put rates up then UK recovery will stop in its tracks and if Ireland or Greece reschedule their soveriegn debt Europe will melt... IMHO

[Al Weyman]

Just a thought, I notice all these series come and go in popularity. Up till now everyone seems to favour the longer races for some unknown reason even with a pit stop that can spoil the race but on the news this morning they are predicting £1.50 a litre by years end so will this mean the shorter sprint race comes back into fashion as a forty minute race and qually at £1.50 a litre will cost me around a hundred quid in petrol alone to do so I won't be doing any!!!!

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by simon drabble

.... if Ireland or Greece reschedule their soveriegn debt Europe will melt... IMHO

And sadly whilst I'd cheer its demise in its current form, that will be disastrous for most of us.

I take your point Al but frankly if you can't afford it don't do it. Nobody is going to fund your fuel costs so stop whinging about it. Also 40mins races are generally two driver so you could split the cost if you wish.

[zefarelly]

There must be more than a few who look at all the options and say bugger it and go for a ride on their motorbike instead.

[delta]

I dont want to start a new thread ATM but looking on your calender Peter"which is excelent" and all the race series we are involved in ,then the Stoke Row Festival of Speed date is looking to be the weekend 9th/10th July.I shall wait in earnist for all your reply's that say otherwise.Might be an Escort theme this year as I probaly will have got fed up with E Type anniversary by then.
Only joking and probaly jealous as we dont have one to run in our camp.

[zefarelly]

I've made a call, popular or otherwise . . . an early 60's homologated small capacity GT is highly versatile . . . then pick and choose.

[delta]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

I've made a call, popular or otherwise . . . an early 60's homologated small capacity GT is highly versatile . . . then pick and choose.

Hang on Joe thats called an Elite

[Al Weyman]

I am not whinging about it at all Peter I am merely pointing out that the 40 minute format may not prove to be so popular anymore. I also think the problem with sharing is the implications if you stack up your mates car, I am afraid with the value of these old cars its putting me off sharing big time as i cannot justify paying out a fortune for an uninsured ride in a car worth maybe 30 or 40k. I will just try to carry on for a bit and have almost finished my 2nd car but will have to cut down and be selective now. I may have to miss the Pembreys and Oultons in light of this and i wont be alone by any means so the bottom line is why do we need all these extra series?

[p261brm]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

And sadly whilst I'd cheer its demise in its current form,

I'll drink to that, and the sooner the whole corrupt shooting match goes in the bin the better. Sorry OT,,,,

[chunder]

Typically abrupt responses!

I am with you Al, something will have to be done soon to prevent motorsport of any kind becoming any more elitist than it already is!

This is a huge problem facing any motorsport, the cost of fuel, it will soon be the biggest costs to competitors. And who in all hohnesty is willing to be happy paying out thousands on fuel when the car doesnt necessarily cost that much!

[Peter Mallett]

The cost of fuel has absolutely nothing to do with the number of series/championships which is the question posed in this thread. It may or may not have a bearing on entries but that's a different matter.

So, what is your solution to the number of series/championships? What do you think should be done to reduce them, if indeed thare are too many?

[midgetman]

Al, I think what your saying isn't just to do with rising prices but a function of getting older. As I've got busier with work and family life, it is exactly the 40 minute formats that have attracted me. Fewer race meetings, more track time..

I think it will be the clubs with multi venues and lots of weekends that will suffer, and the compact commercial series built around specific interests that could thrive as long as the organiser has done their research into the possible Market.

Certainly for me, the days of 13 race meetings a year are long gone. Alex is wanting to follow a club karting championship, and I'm finding it difficult to choose one that fits in with Racewear Roadshow events, kart and skid car instruction etc. Beats me how these pushy parents find the time and energy to get their offspring to Super One, let alone the money.

Yes the fuel to race is a lot, but the difference between 20 mins and 40 mins isn't as much as the fuel to go to two race tracks for the same race time. Same with the extra entry fees. No brainer for me really.

BTW we were discussing how much fuel it would cost you to do the 360, Al, just hours before your post popped up!

[midgetman]

Meant to add...

The Market will soon decide which series will thrive. A commercial organisation with an eye to profit will kill of a loss making series quicker than a club that is dedicated to serving its hard core membership. There's going to be a very confusing couple of years but i reckon in five years time historic racing will have settled down into a predictable pattern.