Silverstone Festival 09 (reopened) + Its Organisers

[john ruston]

Thats the downside of having commercial race organisers running races for Motion Works who in turn work for BRDC.There are lots of margins to be covered and lots of baggage in that set up.
Goodwood does not have or need the same set up running all the races themselves.Downside to that is lots of power vis with the blokes who pick the entries.

[fasted]

A"Split" grid Guards Trophy round, similar to that at this years Gold Cup meeting would be appropriate.

[john ruston]

There is a reason why they are called 'MASTERS'!

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by simon drabble

From what I understand of the programme it seems that there will be little reason for going both days - if you think about either Goodwood (or indeed the old Silverstone Historic) there is a great breadth of racing over the two days so people will want to come for two days to watch. If Sunday is pretty much a rehash of Saturday but with less cars due to attrition then it makes Sunday a bit lack lustre... I will go if I have a race for the Merlyn (at the moment it seems unlikely) otherwise unless I get a decent lunch invite its one I will probably miss....

I agree to an extent. Personally I like weekend events and if I've only got one race then it gives me time to spectate, bull**** with the rest of you and generally enjoy the event for what it is. If I have to race on both days then there's little chance to relax and be a racing enthusiast. So personally I'd be happy to keep the car there all weekend because that's what the event is about for both drivers and spectators.

[simon drabble]

If Silverstone wish to generate spectating interest then they need to have a 2 day programme which is varied.
Sorry Terry I know you have to fly the Audi flag but if I want to watch 90's touring cars I will go and watch a round of Britcar.
All pretty irrelevant what I think as its unlikely that I will be there!

[terence]

Points taken Simon but I think the thinking behind the Tourers is that they were from a period when they were far superior to the rubbish they are now,much more popular to the punters,therefore they should put more bums on seats.I totally agree that they have no place at any Historic event but the powers that be obviously think its the way to go.

[simon drabble]

I would have thought the answer is to delve back in time to the Coys Festivals and try and replicate them - they worked...
However they also lost money....

[terence]

They were the best years indeed,but as you say,they lost money.
It would not be so bad if there were some age structuring for the cars,starting with the earlyist cars on Saturday and ending with the Tourers last thing Sunday,at least that would possibly help keep the punters there till the end.

[simon drabble]

I think if they worked through it by era there would be a mass exodus around 11.00 am Sunday!

[morninggents]

Time will tell if it's going to be a success or not - personally 90s Touring Cars and Porkers don't do it for me.
If it is not a success perhaps the festival may revert to being a HSCC run event direct for BRDC - no bad thing in my opinion.

[john ruston]

Did Coys lose money?Remember Alec told me it was there second biggest income when Fitz ran the show
The idea is to keep the Paddocks full of interesting cars ,seems like good idea to me.
As for this BSCC thing,they are dreaming if they think thats going to get people through the gate.Build on what they started this year except that Porsche thing.Its not bums on seats,its people be interested and walking about and spending money.The 90's race should be on the undercard of a BSCC round to see if it works.They will need all the help they can get when they lose manufacurer backing.Will Ford leave WRC,that could be the start.

[john ruston]

The answer to Post 33.We would be gone and packed by 10 am Saturday.Perhaps thats the idea.

[simon drabble]

I was once told by an employee of Terry's club that Coys never made a profit...

[john ruston]

Worth checking to see which story is correct.

[compte deGraves]

Now please don't get upset BUT why is it that the English always think that they know the answer and that the rest of us Europeans haven't got a clue?

The Oldtimers at Nurburgring gets an enormous crowd. The hoteliers tell me that they make more money than at any other event except the Grand Prix. The Jim Clarke Revival at Hockenheim similarly pulls in the crowds as does Le Circuit des Remparts at Angouleme in France. Goodwood clearly has the formula right but can that be said of any other historic race meeting in the U.K?

Look over the other side of La Manche and you might learn something!

[simon drabble]

out of interest do either of these events run races for 90's saloons? It is a fair point you make.
Why Coys lost money I dont nkow - certainly the last one (in fact Nescafe rather than Coys!) gave Goodwood level of driver comfort with our own free restaurant - those where the days!!

[compte deGraves]

Originally Posted by simon drabble

out of interest do either of these events run races for 90's saloons? It is a fair point you make.
Why Coys lost money I dont nkow - certainly the last one (in fact Nescafe rather than Coys!) gave Goodwood level of driver comfort with our own free restaurant - those where the days!!

I have not seen any '90s saloons at any of these events.

[terence]

Originally Posted by compte deGraves

Now please don't get upset BUT why is it that the English always think that they know the answer and that the rest of us Europeans haven't got a clue?

The Oldtimers at Nurburgring gets an enormous crowd. The hoteliers tell me that they make more money than at any other event except the Grand Prix. The Jim Clarke Revival at Hockenheim similarly pulls in the crowds as does Le Circuit des Remparts at Angouleme in France. Goodwood clearly has the formula right but can that be said of any other historic race meeting in the U.K?

Look over the other side of La Manche and you might learn something!

That has been the case for many years! Bums on seats,People walking around spending money,is there a difference to actually getting people through the gate?

[john ruston]

With todays currency we can afford to look not go.

The Oldtimers has lost spectators .Probably our fault as we have been going since 98.

The British do have some ideas as they are the majority of entrants for most major race meetings.Angouleme being the exception but that is really the French answer to VSCC.Spa no spectators but an English Club race.

Refuse to answer the first line as the answer to Roast Beef question would be along the lines that we obviously know best.

[john ruston]

Terrance,yes there is,You get them through the gate and then get them to spend not sit in Grandstands.John Webb said his ideal day,on his way to demolishing British club racing,would be sun in the morning to bring them in and then rain to get them to buy grandstand seats which he would sell at stupid rates.They can't do that these days as the Grandstands are free so there has to be another way.If they don't spend the stall holders cannot pay the rent etc,etc and so the whole thing collapses.Its called running a business.
I cant get my head round the three margins bit in today's financial situation or the need for BRDC to sub contract a job they could get a management team to do.Thats what happens at Goodwood.What a team Peter,Fen Tiger,Zef as Chairman and Al to support the Saga brigade.I have just woken up!

[simon drabble]

it would be a BL/Ford Fest....

[terence]

Originally Posted by simon drabble

it would be a BL/Ford Fest....

You forgot Chevrolet.






Chips anyone?

[delta]

Originally Posted by john ruston

Terrance,yes there is,You get them through the gate and then get them to spend not sit in Grandstands.John Webb said his ideal day,on his way to demolishing British club racing,would be sun in the morning to bring them in and then rain to get them to buy grandstand seats which he would sell at stupid rates.They can't do that these days as the Grandstands are free so there has to be another way.If they don't spend the stall holders cannot pay the rent etc,etc and so the whole thing collapses.Its called running a business.
I cant get my head round the three margins bit in today's financial situation or the need for BRDC to sub contract a job they could get a management team to do.Thats what happens at Goodwood.What a team Peter,Fen Tiger,Zef as Chairman and Al to support the Saga brigade.I have just woken up!

Yeah and im in charge of scooters.

[delta]

Agree with JR and Compte.Someone needs to have a look at the Oldtimers. The past couple of years the new Mini's have been running "who cares". The place is allways swarming with spectators the outside fields are filled with motor clubs i think its one of the best meetings of the year and Silverstone Classic could be just as good if not better.Lets face it most of the teams and cars that go to Nurburgring are from the UK.
If Zefs going to be the chairman we could have a monster Scallextric track as well.

[KA]

Originally Posted by terence bower

Points taken Simon but I think the thinking behind the Tourers is that they were from a period when they were far superior to the rubbish they are now,much more popular to the punters,therefore they should put more bums on seats.I totally agree that they have no place at any Historic event but the powers that be obviously think its the way to go.

I reckon the crucial word missing from that is 'YET'- The 90's tourers still seem to attract a lot of interest from fans of the current touring car scene (I suspect, as you say, because for anyone who started watching them in the 90's they probably are better than what's being served up now...), and I reckon they could well be a significant historic category in the future- but at the moment, it's a curious addition to the programme. To me it's just probably about 5-10 years too early for this one right now...