Motorsport and the Coronavirus

[Mike_Powell]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

I wasn't originally intending to do Thruxton - its a fair haul, but I was actually been checking out the Andover Premier Inn availability yesterday with a thought to marshalling and racing

We'll make you welcome on the bank, albeit from a socially acceptable distance - which gives me a jolly good reason not to share my winegums !

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by Mike_Powell

We'll make you welcome on the bank, albeit from a socially acceptable distance - which gives me a jolly good reason not to share my winegums !

Very wise.....I'll keep my aniseed balls to myself, too Not done much race marshalling - as the Clerk suggested did a day as one of my signatures many years ago, and my race partner and I did a training day a few years ago and a follow-up day at Oulton. Did many years rally marshalling in the forests and elsewhere, though.....

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by midgetman

If you do stay down Lancs, we could meet up for a socially-distanced pint. I'm only 45 minutes from there.

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Cheers - I'll keep that in mind.....waiting to see (a) if CSCC get to run the event, and (b) if my race partner wants to do it.....he was muttering about not bothering to get his licence for this year, and its his car

[Gerard C]

Good news is that you won't have to bother with the harness…*May be we've better learn more about sim racing.

[midgetman]

Apparently this clause is going to be in the MSUK signing on declaration. I hope you can read it. It in essence says you haven't been in contact with someone suffering from C19, and if you do after signing the declaration you'll withdraw from the race.

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[MGDavid]

whatever - anything to get back on track

[midgetman]

Ofc, it was for info only.

Karting has gone to electronic signing on before attending. This virus appears to have been the catalyst for many changes that people here on Tenths have been calling for.

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[S griffin]

It’s easy to sign up to. Should be no problem. This sort of thing would have come sooner or later anyway.

[Peter Mallett]

Actually signing on is not just about a signature confirming attendance. It's a declaration that the driver has the necessary licence and is able to race safely. Also that the driver is not under the influence of any proscribed drugs etc.

[Derwent]

I do think a lot of folk, drivers, organisers and marshals may see this as a stopping point, at least for this year, if not for ever. Having been involved in motorsport all my life, I've now done three months with no events and just a bit of work editing the club magazine. My racer and touring classics are ready to go but I've been quite happy in the garden and doing all sorts of jobs that needing doing for years. My bank balance has never been so healthy!
In recent years, the amount of time race and rally marshals are asked to be active at an event has grown because organisers need to maximise the amount of time the track is active to pay the bills. Hence fewer but longer races with few if any comfort breaks. In rallies stages are run twice and you have to be there two hours in advance. In a BRC round last year marshals were in a stage for 11 hours for two run with a total of 63 cars. Most won't return. A couple of years ago I was at a Britcar race at Croft over three hours and had nine entries. Again marshals were saying that they wouldn't do that event again.
Many marshals, organisers and competitors are now in or near the "vulnerable" age so will be being cautious. All sport is a social activity so if we are at an event for twelve hours and the only socialising will be from 2 metres it's going to be rather boring.

[S griffin]

I am sure though we will still have enough drivers, personnel and marshals for racing to happen this season. There are those that can't wait to get back. I can understand some feeling content at the moment, but there will always be those who can't do without racing.

Of course it is tough for marshals, they have to do a lot of work for varying hours and of course they give up their own time to do it. It's important the clubs that run circuits continue to make sure they are looked after. To be a marshal you need to be alert, patient and fit enough. I just have nothing but admiration for the guys in orange who do a lot for British motorsport

[Geraint Owen]

As already discussed here, the running of events behind closed doors may encourage a few dedicated spectators to consider doing some marshalling.

[Derwent]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I am sure though we will still have enough drivers, personnel and marshals for racing to happen this season. There are those that can't wait to get back. I can understand some feeling content at the moment, but there will always be those who can't do without racing.

Of course it is tough for marshals, they have to do a lot of work for varying hours and of course they give up their own time to do it. It's important the clubs that run circuits continue to make sure they are looked after. To be a marshal you need to be alert, patient and fit enough. I just have nothing but admiration for the guys in orange who do a lot for British motorsport

I think the issue is that there are very few clubs that actually run circuits (Thruxton?) It's the circuit owners who set the fees and thus force the clubs to pack in as much racing as possible to cover the cost.

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by Derwent

I do think a lot of folk, drivers, organisers and marshals may see this as a stopping point, at least for this year, if not for ever....

Many marshals, organisers and competitors are now in or near the "vulnerable" age so will be being cautious. All sport is a social activity so if we are at an event for twelve hours and the only socialising will be from 2 metres it's going to be rather boring.

I suspect that's the rerasopn behind the 50% reduction in permit issue for July and ongoing

[The Fat Clerk]

In the short term I can't see a problem with the number of Marshals at an event. because the MUK's 'Getting back on track' document says:

POSTS • A maximum 2 marshals per post, 1 in Marshals Box (Post Chief) + 1 marshal – lights or flags if acceptable, outside. • Post allocation to be issued remotely prior to event to avoid unnecessary delays and gatherings

It's when/if we revert to normality whatever that is, when the issues will arise.

[NaBUru38]

The Uruguayan government has allowed auto racing events with no fans, including track days, circuit training and drag racing.


Mind that we have "just" 23 deaths, under 150 active cases and under 15 new cases per day out of 3 million people.

[delta]

Crikkee .Uruguay now that’s a place I have not been to or raced . Tell us more about your cars and classes please .

[NaBUru38]

More information about Uruguayan circuit racing here.


We also have a national championships for rallying, karting and several motorcycling classes.


Autocross (off-road circuit racing) is raced regionally. The historic Cachilas (1930s cars) and Plataformas (VW buggies) are now coupled with 1990s cars.

[The Fat Clerk]

Normality returned to Mallory today, after 75 days of inaction, with a No Limits bike trackday. It took 13 minutes before the first Red Flag so it really was business as usual. It was good to be back that's for sure.

Now looking forward to cars on Wednesday.

[delta]

I have had this recurring dream of turning into Gerrards and hanging on for dear life ,Hope I can put that into reality soon .

[Moneyseeker]

Interesting to see the government is re-iterating the message on not having gatherings of more than 6 people (I know this it to try and reduce the impact on the virus of current public demonstrations).

Have those that are entering some events had any information on limits of people per car/team - I know that AG has put a team limit of 10 people per car (excluding the driver) for the initial BTCC rounds.

For other motoring events, I guess we will wait and see what specifically means 'a gathering'.

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

Interesting to see the government is re-iterating the message on not having gatherings of more than 6 people (I know this it to try and reduce the impact on the virus of current public demonstrations).

Have those that are entering some events had any information on limits of people per car/team - I know that AG has put a team limit of 10 people per car (excluding the driver) for the initial BTCC rounds.

For other motoring events, I guess we will wait and see what specifically means 'a gathering'.

In club racing I think it means driver plus one and no spectators. In events with two drivers per car I think it’s two drivers plus one only.

I know that a few people try to make a weekend of it with the family but that doesn’t seem possible at the moment.

[Derwent]

At any from of motorsport from autotests to rallies, you are at a venue for a whole day but only in action of a number of minutes. The rest of the enjoyment of the event is the "craic" and looking and discussing other cars. That will be lost. Also it would seem that you will have to travel to and from the venue on the same day. Perhaps gardening sounds more interesting?

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Derwent

.......Also it would seem that you will have to travel to and from the venue on the same day. Perhaps gardening sounds more interesting?

MSV have stated that they are assuming that overnight stays/ camping will be allowable from 4 July in accordance with the governments roadmap. Of course that may change if “R” rises above one.

Gardening will never sound more interesting.

[The Fat Clerk]

Originally Posted by delta

I have had this recurring dream of turning into Gerrards and hanging on for dear life ,Hope I can put that into reality soon .

Javelin are back on Wednesday with their usual Tin Tops, good news from them is they've now added another single seater day to their calender on Tuesday August 25th, along with Friday 25th of September which was already there.