15 August 2010 - Alternative 6 hour? (YES, organised by the 360MRC)

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by MagnetON

We're certainly the best, and the one that most drivers appear to read.

Wouldn't disagree, with this....but I have to admit that despite spending a great deal of time online - I haunt virtually every Alfa forum - and having been involved with motorsport for approaching 40 years, I hadn't actually heard of 10/10ths until CSCC started its forum as an adjunct to this superb site - since when I've found it a must-visit every day.....

But we all have to remember that there are a lot of people out there for whom the internet is not a regular venue....and consider all the alternative methods of broadcasting such events as the 6-hour....

[Peter Mallett]

I'm still puzzled though. The event got a good write up in Autosport, Motorsport News also ran a good piece. Here and on another well known forum the event was discussed. Running full page ads in the specialist press, won't (IMO) be any more effective than the efforts this year.

However what has happened is that some people, who may have been a bit sceptical, have now seen that you can do it with a road car. I think that will have more of an impact than any advertising.

[MagnetON]

I think the scepticism of a lot of people will have been disproved now that the event actually took place, so that will overcome the "yeah, it'll be cancelled on the Friday" notions.

[John Turner]

Just a few post race pics and that I think completes my pictorial review:-

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I'm still puzzled though. The event got a good write up in Autosport, Motorsport News also ran a good piece. Here and on another well known forum the event was discussed. Running full page ads in the specialist press, won't (IMO) be any more effective than the efforts this year.

However what has happened is that some people, who may have been a bit sceptical, have now seen that you can do it with a road car. I think that will have more of an impact than any advertising.

As Peter says, there was actually a fair bit of coverage going right back to Febuary (from memory) & Don't forget "word of mouth" - All the Committee must have spoken or e-mailed a 100 people about the event & yet still the take up was low in the end. However, a few weeks before the event there were 22 or 23 entries but they all started pulling out for various reasons.

Maybe, as Magneton says, they just didn't believe it would happen as 360 wasn't an established club; maybe they did not want to compromise existing plans, maybe the eligibility put a few people off. Whatever.... it did happen & the club are listening about eligibility. Hopefully word of mouth from everyone with something positive to say will help encourage a lot more people out and hopefullt the comfirmed dates & regs which should be out soon will give a head start this year.

[terence]

I have to say that whilst I agree with what Claire has said to a point,we have the best forum on our side,long may it be so. One mistake I think was to put it up on the likes of PH,hardly any racers on there at all,lots of 'interest' and 'cor yeah,I'll do that' but no actual takers.

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by terence bower

I have to say that whilst I agree with what Claire has said to a point,we have the best forum on our side,long may it be so. One mistake I think was to put it up on the likes of PH,hardly any racers on there at all,lots of 'interest' and 'cor yeah,I'll do that' but no actual takers.

Sorry, my earlier post is being taken out of context. I love this site, in fact, I dont belong to any other motorsport site at all, no PH for me or any other for that matter. I am, as I have said both in person to both EP and Mags forever in their debt for the support that they have given us and 360 will always have a great bond with 10/10th purely because without 10ths, this event would never have happened.

What I was saying is exactly what John said, there are people out there who race cars but dont do the internet, its a rather large world out there

To give you the ultimate example of this, take our winner, Ed, he did not hear of our race by 10/10ths, he was not a member (I told him to come join the party!!) I dont think that airing it in PH was a bad thing and certainly wasnt a mistake, it did us no harm at all, no one stayed away because of it did they, I think exposure on any relative site/mag/radio show is a good thing, there can be no harm in it.

I think, with the marvelous support that we have in here, with the fact that we actually done it and the fact that operationally and atmospherically it was a great success, i strongly believe (and certainly hope and cross everything for) that the event next year will be better attended

[SAMD]

It certainly looks as though you are right.

Now away to your bed women and get some sleep.

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by SAMD

It certainly looks as though you are right.

Now away to your bed women and get some sleep.

I wish! I'm at the 24 hour 2CV at snett,.... Taking notes lol

And with my son, its his first race and he loves it

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by terence bower

I have to say that whilst I agree with what Claire has said to a point,we have the best forum on our side,long may it be so. One mistake I think was to put it up on the likes of PH,hardly any racers on there at all,lots of 'interest' and 'cor yeah,I'll do that' but no actual takers.

Originally Posted by ClaireSmith

Sorry, my earlier post is being taken out of context. I love this site, in fact, I dont belong to any other motorsport site at all, no PH for me or any other for that matter. I am, as I have said both in person to both EP and Mags forever in their debt for the support that they have given us and 360 will always have a great bond with 10/10th purely because without 10ths, this event would never have happened.

What I was saying is exactly what John said, there are people out there who race cars but dont do the internet, its a rather large world out there

To give you the ultimate example of this, take our winner, Ed, he did not hear of our race by 10/10ths, he was not a member (I told him to come join the party!!) I dont think that airing it in PH was a bad thing and certainly wasnt a mistake, it did us no harm at all, no one stayed away because of it did they, I think exposure on any relative site/mag/radio show is a good thing, there can be no harm in it.

I think, with the marvelous support that we have in here, with the fact that we actually done it and the fact that operationally and atmospherically it was a great success, i strongly believe (and certainly hope and cross everything for) that the event next year will be better attended

With PH all you seem to get is the knockers and whingers, I actually gave up on there after someone was complaining that his car wasn't eligible but he wouldn't actually come out and say what his car was apart from posting a picture of a Radical lookalikey. He then proceeded to hurl abuse at me because I had the cheek not to have ever heard of his series and that I thought the speed differential could be dangerous compared with the cars in the regs.
Ten Tenths is the best motorsport forum on the net, Motorsports Forums has a very tiny club racing following and apart from them I can't think of anything with any significance.

The problem is that in the grand scheme of things the vast majority of racers don't do internet, if you take the SGRTC series that I look after the forum and website for, there's only about 3 people out of 50 or 60 that are capable of turning a computer on let alone logging on to the forum.
So while Ten Tenths is an excellent place to start, it's pretty limited for the target market you are aiming at.

[MagnetON]

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

The problem is that in the grand scheme of things the vast majority of racers don't do internet, if you take the SGRTC series that I look after the forum and website for, there's only about 3 people out of 50 or 60 that are capable of turning a computer on let alone logging on to the forum.
So while Ten Tenths is an excellent place to start, it's pretty limited for the target market you are aiming at.

Once regulations and dates are in place is it worth looking at the cost of an insert flyer in the MSA magazine that goes around?

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by MagnetON

Once regulations and dates are in place is it worth looking at the cost of an insert flyer in the MSA magazine that goes around?

It just so happens I've already sent a PM to John and Claire to that effect or even trying to get an article published in there. I think that would be one of the best ways to approach the widest audience.

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by MagnetON

Once regulations and dates are in place is it worth looking at the cost of an insert flyer in the MSA magazine that goes around?

Thinking back to Gordon's words at the driver briefing, I would expect the MSA to be very supportive and helpful with that.

(and yes I do know it's not the done thing to admit that one listens to driver's briefings)

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by ClaireSmith

I wish! I'm at the 24 hour 2CV at snett,.... Taking notes lol ......

Claire, I was watching 2CV24 online (well done ChrisY), was interested to see refuelling from jerry cans in the pitlane, driver change happening, somebody working under the bonnet, all at once. Didn't look particularly dangerous either... food for thought...

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

Claire, I was watching 2CV24 online (well done ChrisY), was interested to see refuelling from jerry cans in the pitlane, driver change happening, somebody working under the bonnet, all at once. Didn't look particularly dangerous either... food for thought...

David, sorry and I do not mean this to sound brash but no , its not food for thought. ...Jerry cans are a no no, I walked down the back of the pit lane last night and saw lite ciggies and petrol all in the same garage at the same time ....its all great until it GOES WRONG...then...someone gets hurt or dies...Im not a H and S fanatic, common sense prevails...or should...and if im honest, although some may run to that (and I am not knocking them) personally I'd sooner we do it as safely as possible....because, I dont want an A33 notice appearing in Motorsport Now against me or any member of the 360 Clerking Team

[terence]

I kept a close eye on how the fueling situation was being handled,saw nothing that would warrant any complaints,very impressed.

[terence]

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

With PH all you seem to get is the knockers and whingers, I actually gave up on there after someone was complaining that his car wasn't eligible but he wouldn't actually come out and say what his car was apart from posting a picture of a Radical lookalikey. He then proceeded to hurl abuse at me because I had the cheek not to have ever heard of his series and that I thought the speed differential could be dangerous compared with the cars in the regs.
Ten Tenths is the best motorsport forum on the net, Motorsports Forums has a very tiny club racing following and apart from them I can't think of anything with any significance.

The problem is that in the grand scheme of things the vast majority of racers don't do internet, if you take the SGRTC series that I look after the forum and website for, there's only about 3 people out of 50 or 60 that are capable of turning a computer on let alone logging on to the forum.
So while Ten Tenths is an excellent place to start, it's pretty limited for the target market you are aiming at.

!0ths was the perfect launch pad for us,couldnt have been better,plus we had the Autosport connection to back that up,now we really need to find that little bit extra publicity.I think we'll find that in Febuary.
Tim,in your summing up of PH,you forgot to mention how many dreamers there are over there,one reason why I gave up looking on it!!
[The above doesn't include our good friend Albert of course!]

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

Claire, I was watching 2CV24 online (well done ChrisY), was interested to see refuelling from jerry cans in the pitlane, driver change happening, somebody working under the bonnet, all at once. Didn't look particularly dangerous either... food for thought...

I am surprised at that. The 6hr used same format for refuelling as Autosport 3hr, except I think for addition of goggles / visors being reqd. After last year's 3hr I went on record as saying that we would have spilt less fuel using jerry can than did with churn, so would have been safer. BUT, if a jerry can is dropped or knocked over there is no valve to stop fuel leakage, so I understand the reason for not wanting them. I think anyone considering entering an endurance event needs to accept that for everyone's safety rules have to be in place and adapt their car's fuel filler system if necessary to work with churns. It may also be worth looking at the minimum time for such stops- 3hr was 3 minutes as opposed to 2 min for 'our' race.

[midgetman]

What didn't impress me at our race was the marshal yelling at everyone not in fireproofs to keep out of the way, then the scrutineer in his polyester jacket peering into the boot of the Escort while it was filled! Or do they have fireproof scrutineers in Norfolk?

At Club 100 and Pro Kart racing, fuel is kept in 100 gal (?) drums and pumped out via a hand crank and a plastic pipe into the tank. Admittedly it's only a few litres! But fuelling is all done in one place with an experienced crew. Maybe if we added £10 to everyone's entry fee it would pay for two pro fire marshals, and all fuelling done in one controlled area?

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by midgetman

then the scrutineer in his polyester jacket peering into the boot while it was filled! Or do they have fireproof scrutineers in Norfolk?

fuelling is all done in one place with an experienced crew. Maybe if we added £10 to everyone's entry fee it would pay for two pro fire marshals, and all fuelling done in one controlled area?

Funny you should mention the first point but that happened more than once- guess officials are not subject to the same rules and regs!

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Funny you should mention the first point but that happened more than once- guess officials are not subject to the same rules and regs!

Or perhaps the marshal in question has seen it all go wrong before.

C'mon guys, don't give marshals a hard time without them you would be revving your engine in your driveway or barn thinking "I wish I could race"

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by ClaireSmith

C'mon guys, don't give marshals a hard time

Not intended Claire! I think Max's observation was that while Marshals in pit lane have suits on, the Scrutineers don't.

[midgetman]

Yes it wasn't the marshals I was having a pop at but the scrutineers. Marshals did a great job and were really friendly, full marks.

[mark garritt]

Originally Posted by ClaireSmith

Or perhaps the marshal in question has seen it all go wrong before.

C'mon guys, don't give marshals a hard time without them you would be revving your engine in your driveway or barn thinking "I wish I could race"

Speaking personally, there was a genuine error on our part, and we needed to be taken to task, that said, the guy who was yelling at us was quite simply very rude and offensive. For me, if he can't behave in a consultative and professional manor, he simply should not be there, volunteer or not.

I’ve been told off a few times over the years, always with good grace and always well deserved and left thinking, ‘I need to do better’. Not quite what I was thinking with this particular guy.

Thankfully he’s the exception to the rule, hopefully someone will take note and offer to ‘re-train’ him!

[phoenix]

I have read some debate about the entry fee level for the 6 hour race. I thought it might help comparisons to report some entry fees for endurance races at Snetterton.

These are from the meeting held on 13th/14th May 2006.

3 x 30 mins Super V8 races £800
180 min Britcar £925
180 min Production S1 £925
2 x 60 mins Britsports £795

Silverstone 24 hour Britcar 7th-10th September (the same year) £3000 - but with 6 supporting races, including 2 x 45 mins Britsports for £795 and 2 x 45 mins Dutch Supercar Challenge for £795.

I think by any measure, 360MC definitely offers value for money for 6 hours of racing......