The SEAT Village..

[nitromaster]

You can't miss it - you'll find it in the paddock area at Oulton Park. The 'technical area' is open at allotted times throughout Sunday.

When it's open, come in, there's usually at least some of the drivers hanging around - when they are not racing - happy to talk to you.

Have a look at a Leon Cupra R race car close up and grab some of the freebies that are usually available.

You might even make an appearance in Racing Rivals on TV..

Sorry, I don't have opening times here, but they are shown at the entrance

[Claire]

Hope they are a bit more friendly this weekend. I went in there 3 times to look for certain drivers to sign my DVD and even at the advertised autograph session they weren't to be seen, even the drivers that were about weren't doing much (with the exception of Melanie) It doesn't seem to have the same buzz as last season. I will give it another go this weekend but if the same thing occurs I will give the village a miss after that.

[Les]

glad it wasn't only me who felt it was a little disorganised this year. When there are open times you do sort of expect 'someone' to be there - that's the whole point isn't it?
Luckily we got invited in when it was officially closed prior to a qualifying session and everyone was there so caught up with old mates then.
It didn't help that drivers driefing was held right in the middle of one of the open sessions so they all scarpered.

[Alsicole]

A friend and I wandered in just after the BTCC signing and most of the drivers were there. Spoke to James Pickford and Gordon Shedden and both signed our programs. James, particuarly, was really chatty and friendly, asking where we'd travelled from etc.

It was excellent and he's definitely my chosen driver for this year. To top it all, he then went out and won the race, which was brilliant.

[Les]

It is very impressive but some of it was unused what with no Spencer or Jon Lanceley. Doesn't look very good to see cars wrapped up in their covers.
Going to miss them for the next month or so (until Croft) but I know some of the drivers are going to Mondello

[nitromaster]

Nothing from the SEAT Cupra Championship now until two months times.

Spencer and Jon were to be running new liveries but were unable to make the necessary payment in time and couldn't run. I don't know what will be happening with them now.

The drivers were available on Sunday up until the first BTCC race. It would be unfair to expect them to be present by their car all day when not racing, but even so, they tend to be in and around throughout the day...

There will always be one autograph session during the day where they should all be present, after that it's down to them..

The technical area is open as long as possible but must be closed when the cars are being moved around etc..

[Claire]

I did go to the village during the autograph session and it was much better orgainsed than Silverstone. I did have to get one drivers grid girl to get his attention as he was too busy talking and messing about with his girlfriend to notice me waiting for his autograph but he came over once he was asked. The other driver had disappeared so we stood chatting to his grid girl until he returned where he did apologise for not being around so all in all much improved.

[motormouth]

You've got to remember that drivers are there to do a job: set up and drive a car.

Fans and the media are important but you have to respect that the racing comes first for these guys (and gals, sorry Mel ;) )

[bramble]

Originally posted by motormouth
You've got to remember that drivers are there to do a job: set up and drive a car.

Fans and the media are important but you have to respect that the racing comes first for these guys (and gals, sorry Mel ;) )

You have to remember though that the drivers in this series PAY to race in it (about £70k), which means unless they won the lottery they all have some kind of sponsership. The series is also subsidised by SEAT to an extent, so they have obligations beyond the drving seat.

[Les]

if a driver starts out with that attitude of all things racing first and fans not at all won't get anywhere. He'll suddenly find out that fans and sponsors are one of the same and he has lost out. (unless of course he has tons of cash and doesn't need anybody)