Motorsport and the Coronavirus

[S griffin]

Which is why it’s important that running races behind closed doors doesn’t impact too deeply on the circuits. It’s needs spectators back in good time

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Which is why it’s important that running races behind closed doors doesn’t impact too deeply on the circuits. It’s needs spectators back in good time

It won't make any appreciable difference to them for club meetings as the number of actual paying spectators is so low - even if you got 250 paying at £15 a ticket for a clubbie that is less than £4k compared to say £30k circuit hire plus £5k for medical cover - paid for by the organising club.

For a clubbie you need minimal staffing, no promotion costs aside from listing it on the circuit website and calendar, so they are actually a good, no-risk revenue generator. Track days even more so.

For the promoted events the picture is different, but I am sure this has been factored in by TOCA, etc in the hosting fee.

[andy97]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Which is why it’s important that running races behind closed doors doesn’t impact too deeply on the circuits. It’s needs spectators back in good time

The circuits are not in the slightest bit bothered by the income from spectators at normal club Level meetings. It makes little difference to their bottom line and their business model sees the income derived from the circuit hire.

[Mike Crow]

Originally Posted by andy97

The circuits are not in the slightest bit bothered by the income from spectators at normal club Level meetings. It makes little difference to their bottom line and their business model sees the income derived from the circuit hire.

Thank you for the responses. It is as I assumed. No real financial urge to get spectator restrictions lifted. Though MSV still push the events pretty hard on their website

[midgetman]

Castle Combe bucks the trend here with big numbers even on wet clubbie days. At least they certainly used to, I haven't been for ages. But if things are still the same they will be hard hit by running behind closed doors. That will have to translate into higher entry fees if it continues.

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[justracing]

Originally Posted by Mike Crow

Thank you for the responses. It is as I assumed. No real financial urge to get spectator restrictions lifted. Though MSV still push the events pretty hard on their website

Jonathan Palmer is a good businessman but first and foremost he's a racer and with his medicinal background there's probably nobody better to oversee the return of paying spectators at the MSV venues. I have personally witnessed certainly in the early days when he took over Brands Hatch, his attention to tidiness and cleanliness in and around the circuit, if anyone can safely reintroduce spectator admissions I'm sure he's well equipped to do so with his team. He still pays a lot of attention to detail, only last year I saw him talking at length to members of the catering staff over breakfast in the Kentagon and I've even seen him inspecting waste disposal bins.

[Mike Crow]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Castle Combe bucks the trend here with big numbers even on wet clubbie days. At least they certainly used to, I haven't been for ages. But if things are still the same they will be hard hit by running behind closed doors. That will have to translate into higher entry fees if it continues.

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Still do! Combe is a real taste of what club racing should be like - even the modern classes

[Mike Crow]

Originally Posted by justracing

Jonathan Palmer is a good businessman but first and foremost he's a racer and with his medicinal background there's probably nobody better to oversee the return of paying spectators at the MSV venues. I have personally witnessed certainly in the early days when he took over Brands Hatch, his attention to tidiness and cleanliness in and around the circuit, if anyone can safely reintroduce spectator admissions I'm sure he's well equipped to do so with his team. He still pays a lot of attention to detail, only last year I saw him talking at length to members of the catering staff over breakfast in the Kentagon and I've even seen him inspecting waste disposal bins.

All true. MSV are a class act. I am optimistic of a swift change to the rules early in July

[justracing]

Originally Posted by Mike Crow

All true. MSV are a class act. I am optimistic of a swift change to the rules early in July

They are still advertising spectator tickets for the HSCC in July with a provisor that full refunds will be given in the event of non attendance, the government guidelines may well be amended over the next few weeks, fingers crossed.
Castle Combe as MM says is always popular with locals who still pack the hot spots at quarry, tower and camp corners, I've been going to club meetings there for years and last year at least it was as popular as ever.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Mike Crow

A question please. Who gets the gate money from spectators? The club or the circuit?

Only one exception in France, on usual gate money goes to the club/ organiser.

[fergus_r]

Just to be clear to those who don't know this, ALL events taking place in July are behind closed doors as per MSUK guidelines- that won't change.

[midgetman]

This screenshot is karting specific but does give a feel for what's going on.

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[justracing]

Originally Posted by fergus_r

Just to be clear to those who don't know this, ALL events taking place in July are behind closed doors as per MSUK guidelines- that won't change.

You seem very sure, is there no chance of further easing before July?

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by justracing

They are still advertising spectator tickets for the HSCC in July with a provisor that full refunds will be given in the event of non attendance, the government guidelines may well be amended over the next few weeks, fingers crossed.
Castle Combe as MM says is always popular with locals who still pack the hot spots at quarry, tower and camp corners, I've been going to club meetings there for years and last year at least it was as popular as ever.

I don't know why they the HSCC are doing that, MSUK made it clear that permits would only be granted for behind closed doors events in July.

There will be a number of caveats of granting event permits, including that event organisers commit that their events will be held behind closed doors, appropriate PPE requirements are met, and that each organiser must appoint a COVID-19 officer to ensure compliance with any relevant guidelines.

Furthermore, there will be a limit on the number of permits issued for July to 50% of those in the corresponding month of 2019, in order that there are sufficient volunteer Official and Marshal resources available to support the restart in a safe and responsible manner. No national or British championship events will take place in July to reduce potential national and international travel (excludes FIA championships).



Personally, I think there is no possibility of the government granting large public gatherings at all this year, the scientists are quite reticent on further easing of the lockdown.

[Rudernst]

I toyed very briefly with the idea of entering both Formula Junior races, Front and Rear, at the rescheduled Donington Festival.

The newly imposed quarantine for travellers from Europe effectively killed that idea instantly.

Looking at the numbers, it actually might a good idea anyway to stay away from the UK.
I am far more likely to get infected in the UK compared to where I live.

RuE

[S griffin]

Sorry you missed out on Donington. Maybe next year. It is a pain this quarantine. Hope we can sort out our problems soon, so the UK can get back to normal.

[fergus_r]

Originally Posted by justracing

You seem very sure, is there no chance of further easing before July?

Moneyseeker's post is spot-on and contains the direct quote from MSUK.

Even if MSUK hadn't taken that stance, they'd still be relying on significant changes from the government to run even limited crowds. Again, as Moneyseeker points out, that is not going to happen any time soon.

I also think, government restrictions aside, opening up events to the public is the definition of a zero sum game at the moment. It takes only a brief look at MSUK's very lengthy return to racing document to understand the complexity and challenges of even getting the events off the ground. Adding the general public into the mix, even in limited numbers, makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

[S griffin]

Exactly, no use trying to run before you can walk. Step 1 is getting circuits open for testing, step 2 is getting racing on again and step 3 will be getting spectators back

[Mike Crow]

Originally Posted by fergus_r

Moneyseeker's post is spot-on and contains the direct quote from MSUK.

Even if MSUK hadn't taken that stance, they'd still be relying on significant changes from the government to run even limited crowds. Again, as Moneyseeker points out, that is not going to happen any time soon.

I also think, government restrictions aside, opening up events to the public is the definition of a zero sum game at the moment. It takes only a brief look at MSUK's very lengthy return to racing document to understand the complexity and challenges of even getting the events off the ground.

Adding the general public into the mix, even in limited numbers, makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

The latest MSV Coronavirus update dated 4 June says" we fully anticipate that racing will resume from 4 July and are hopeful that the increasing relaxation of restrictions will soon permit spectators to attend" I would think responsibility for spectator safety will lie with the venue, not the club, and Mr P must have an ear to the ground.

Brands will be a lot less crowded than any beach for certain

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by Mike Crow

Brands will be a lot less crowded than any beach for certain

Not sure about that - for a club meet, sure, but even at a CSCC meet I've been in shoulder-to-shoulder crowds along the fencing. There are also the issues of opening up the catering and toilet facilities.....


I'm sure there is a substantial cost to bringing in staff to process ticket applications (which may subsequently have to be refunded at extra cost) which will also militate against any plans for spectator attendance before clear indication from Government that attendance should be opened up. Football with all-seater stadia may be able to introduce socially distanced attendance, but motorsport in UK is a long way from that situation.



Racing of course is what we have been focussing on, but rallying for example is an activity for cars with two people (seldom from the same household) in close proximity for prolonged periods of time, so I'd expect that to be off the board for quite a while.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

Racing of course is what we have been focussing on, but rallying for example is an activity for cars with two people (seldom from the same household) in close proximity for prolonged periods of time, so I'd expect that to be off the board for quite a while.

Richard Millener talked about rallying a bit on a recent btcc podcast.
He said he thinks rallying will be later than circuit racing for a return, because organisers have no way of ensuring spectators stay away.

[justracing]

Originally Posted by fergus_r

Just to be clear to those who don't know this, ALL events taking place in July are behind closed doors as per MSUK guidelines- that won't change.

Unfortunately I pretty much acknowledge this to be the case, it's just me being over optimistic. All these alternative home activities and watching reruns of various meetings along with consuming several motor sport related books over the past few weeks is no substitute for the real thing

[S griffin]

I know the feeling, there’s only so much sim racing you can watch, before you wish it was the real thing. At least light is starting to appear at the end of the tunnel. Let’s hope it’s not a train

[justracing]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I know the feeling, there’s only so much sim racing you can watch,

I'm afraid I'm a complete luddite when it comes to 'sims', 'E racing' or electric motors, simply doesn't do it for me

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by justracing

I'm afraid I'm a complete luddite when it comes to 'sims', 'E racing' or electric motors, simply doesn't do it for me

And I thought it was only me! Not so much as opened up a single one of the many press releases from various 'races'.