pitlane walkabout

[Les]

Now I don't do the scrum every meeting but this time I wanted to. Luckily I had a pass so I was already across the track as the hoards were let in so in theory I had a head start yet I still couldn't get to the end before being chucked out. I took 6 photos, lent out a pen, grabbed one bag and said hi to about 8 drivers.
What is the point of such a short time?
At the one circuit where all the drivers are pretty much unaccessible due to the closed paddock do they have such a short time allocated to it? There must have been 100s of fans who were left disappointed.
In my opinion get rid of the historic touring cars and spread the day out a bit and give us a decent amount of time to see the people we want. This would also give more time for the clios, Frenaults etc to be repaired between races and give the marshals a decent break.

[sonofzelda]

I agree. Brands Hatch seem to be very anal about this and should make it a more relaxed affair. Although, to their credit, they have stopped charging for it.

[Pedalpusher]

I was going to do the pit walkabout at Brands, but changed my mind when I saw it was only half an hour. :(

Think I'll try and do the Silverstone instead.

[knight Ladie]

i normally wait till the after the races to go autograph hunting and catch the drivers around the paddock. i dont even atempt the pit walk about.

[CharlieJ]

Saturday afternoon is the best time to be around the paddock for seeing the drivers. Of course at Brands the touring car paddock isn't open so that's out of the question.

[sonofzelda]

Night Ladle - You don't exactly have to "hunt" autographs from BTCC drivers do you?

[knight Ladie]

No its just a saying

[sonofzelda]

Not necessarily - I've been cautioned three times for stalking Jayson Plaito.

[knight Ladie]

Not necessarily - I've been cautioned three times for stalking Jayson Plaito.

Really? goodness! no ive never done anything like that. ive had photos and that done but i only go to Croft once a year so dont see them that often.

[mondeoman]

I agree. Brands Hatch seem to be very anal about this and should make it a more relaxed affair. Although, to their credit, they have stopped charging for it.
Having been going to Brands since 94 for BTCC they have never charged for the pitlane walk about. It's always been free.

[sonofzelda]

Well I've been going to Brands Hatch since....2006 actually. I've got it confused with the WTCC. Sorry.

[mondeoman]

Well I've been going to Brands Hatch since....2006 actually. I've got it confused with the WTCC. Sorry.
No need for the apology I suspected that was the case they charged for the DTM walkabout too.
During a couple of years in the 90's, at one point the only people who got to go on the Silverstone BTCC walkabouts, were the early people who had prebooked their tickets. As nice as it is to catch a possible glimpse of some of the cars close up, perhaps it would be better for the Brands Hatch Autograph session to be organised else where. The on track placement of drivers we had during the 95 wasn't too bad but survival of the fittest for anyone trying to sprint down Paddock Hill and then back uphill to Druids. (I did this with my then 4 year old son sitting on my shoulders):eek:
As there are three races perhaps the tickets could have a time printed on them and have three seperate sessions in a marquee outside the track. Works Drivers usually have autograph sessions on their sponsors/manufacturers trade stands anyway so it won't take up much more of their time. Obviously you'd have to miss some of the support races, but from what I've read some people don't like some of the support races anyway. Just an idea.:D

[MartinB]

Now I don't do the scrum every meeting but this time I wanted to. Luckily I had a pass so I was already across the track as the hoards were let in so in theory I had a head start yet I still couldn't get to the end before being chucked out. I took 6 photos, lent out a pen, grabbed one bag and said hi to about 8 drivers.
What is the point of such a short time?
At the one circuit where all the drivers are pretty much unaccessible due to the closed paddock do they have such a short time allocated to it? There must have been 100s of fans who were left disappointed.
In my opinion get rid of the historic touring cars and spread the day out a bit and give us a decent amount of time to see the people we want. This would also give more time for the clios, Frenaults etc to be repaired between races and give the marshals a decent break.
Agree with your thoughts about the walkabout. Wasn't helped by the fact it was late starting and that there was a so-called queueing arrangement (to get across the track) that any sane person could see was never going to work in a million years.

Don't agree with your comment about ditching the historic cars though - that was probably the most enjoayble race of the day.

There was one circuit earlier in the season when the pit walkabout was first thing in the morning before any races - either Thruxton or the first Brands meet, can't remember which. Given this weekends racing didn't start until 10am, pit walkabout from, say 9:15 to 9:45am would have been much better than lunchtime. I prefer getting to the tarck early to get a good spot, so that works well for me.

[Brooklands78]

Agree with your thoughts about the walkabout. Wasn't helped by the fact it was late starting and that there was a so-called queueing arrangement (to get across the track) that any sane person could see was never going to work in a million years.

There was one circuit earlier in the season when the pit walkabout was first thing in the morning before any races - either Thruxton or the first Brands meet, can't remember which. Given this weekends racing didn't start until 10am, pit walkabout from, say 9:15 to 9:45am would have been much better than lunchtime. I prefer getting to the tarck early to get a good spot, so that works well for me.

Yes, the queue as madness! The early walkabouts were done at Oulton Park and possibly Thruxton (who charged extra, so I didn't bother!) but I think that they start racing later (12 o'clock) due to noise restrictions. Would be interesting to give it a try at Brands - or even do another "walkabout" on the Saturday.

[Le Mans]

.....Don't agree with your comment about ditching the historic cars though - that was probably the most enjoayble race of the day......




My thoughts exactly.

[MartinB]

Yes, the queue as madness! The early walkabouts were done at Oulton Park and possibly Thruxton (who charged extra, so I didn't bother!) but I think that they start racing later (12 o'clock) due to noise restrictions. Would be interesting to give it a try at Brands - or even do another "walkabout" on the Saturday.

I' like you, thought that Thruxton charged extra. However, it was confirmed last week (see this thread http://www.btcc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3629) that the pits walkabout is free at Thruxton, although having attended the Thruxton event for the last 4 years I always got the impression from their website that it was not free. I wonder how much money Thruxton have made out of this "confusion"?

[andy mash]

At Thruxton you still need to pay the paddock transfer.

[FlashGordon]

At Thruxton you still need to pay the paddock transfer.
Thats why Oulton is so good. Only have to pay admission to the track. Pit lane walkies is free. All depends on the Management of the track. They decide if you pay or not.

[Cleland Fan]

As there are three races perhaps the tickets could have a time printed on them and have three seperate sessions in a marquee outside the track. Works Drivers usually have autograph sessions on their sponsors/manufacturers trade stands anyway so it won't take up much more of their time. Obviously you'd have to miss some of the support races, but from what I've read some people don't like some of the support races anyway. Just an idea.:D

The drivers have precious little time on raceday as it is, with the tight race format due to the TV requirements. They also have prebriefs, debriefs and sponsor engagements to attend, as well as having a bite to eat and a rest.

[MartinB]

At Thruxton you still need to pay the paddock transfer.
You're right, you DO need to pay for the paddock transfer at Thruxton. However, the powers that be at Thruxton have confirmed that the Pits Walkabout is FREE - you do NOT need a paddock transfer to access the pit walkabout.

[Les]

Thruxton is the same as Brands and (I think) Mondello - you can cross the track for the pitlane walkabout but then get booted out afterwards.

I just feel that at the one meeting where 99% of the people cannot get to see the drivers except for the pitlane walkabout then provision should be made for a decent amount of time. Now at most of the other meeting the clios have a race Saturday but this time they didn't - maybe they could have moved or the autograph session could have been in the support paddock?

[mondeoman]

The drivers have precious little time on raceday as it is, with the tight race format due to the TV requirements. They also have prebriefs, debriefs and sponsor engagements to attend, as well as having a bite to eat and a rest.
Ive seen sponsors stands with autograph session notices for at least two sessions on top of the Pit lane session, so they must have some time.

[Cleland Fan]

That's what I class as a 'sponsor engagement'.

[ianc]

I've never done the pitwalk, as a spectator I've always "set up camp" and stayed out on the circuit someplace with food \ chairs \ fishermans shelter etc.

These days when I meet the drivers they are not really in the mood for autograph requests, "so you've just binned it \ been belted off track and it's another race with no points, would you sign this?" :D

I did bump into Plato at oulton late in the day, had a quick word and got the ticket stub signed for a Seat owning mate. I'm not really one to idolise drivers, I respect them, envy them even, but they are not "stars".

[richw]

I think the walkabout works well when there are local restrictions on racing engines. e.g. at Oulton and Croft, you have all morning to run the walkabout!

This time out at Brands was indeed poor. Half an hour isn't really enough time. Would it not be possible to stage the show somewhere other than the pitlane? I had not even got down to the 'poor end' before the trucks started to back us up - and I wasn't queuing (just taking pics).

As for scrapping the Historic race: no way! It was one of the best races of the day. If something has to give, it should be the Forumla Renaults, which have never ever provided a spectacle worth watching. Another target would be the Porsches, which I've only once found entertaining. I really don't know why those series exist!

[cookingfat]

Would it not be possible to stage the show somewhere other than the pitlane?

They don't have to do it in the pitlane.

At Snetterton the drivers were behind the Pits at the front end of their transporters! That,I thought, worked well.

Also they don't have a pitlane walk at Knockhill. They do something simular to what they did at Snetterton.

[Laurence]

I put my dissapointment about the last Brands Hatch Pitlane walkabout at the previous BH meeting to Alan gow on the forum in the ask Alan section. I was not exactly overwhelmed by his response. You may be able to find it if there is a search option.
The walkabout is frankly a Joke. Fortunately the other paddocks are well stocked with cars and friendly people who are happy to talk. Is BTTC going the head in the clouds way of F1. Part of the enjoyment especially for the kids i would guess, is being able to get close to the cars and drivers. No chance of that at Brands.

[JT-GS-CT]

Ok so the pitlane walkabout at Brands wasn't as effective as others, but this is just a result of the characteristics of the track, and BTCC have to try and make the best of it. We are lucky that at all other tracks the paddock access is there, so have to make the most of that...I appreciate some people can only get to Brands, but the track itself provides such great viewing, I always thought it was a fair comprimise at least in part?

[Clio Man]

Ok so the pitlane walkabout at Brands wasn't as effective as others, but this is just a result of the characteristics of the track, and BTCC have to try and make the best of it. We are lucky that at all other tracks the paddock access is there, so have to make the most of that...I appreciate some people can only get to Brands, but the track itself provides such great viewing, I always thought it was a fair comprimise at least in part?


JT-GS -CT I have to agree with your comments fully on this, lets not remember the paddock remains a working area and its fact that at Brands space is very limited, I do however agree that more time would give people chance to enjoy the pit lane walkabout experience more fully.

Time is always going to be the issue with a packed timetable such as the BTCC has, but to be honest I have to say Id rather use that time to watch the racing!!

At Brands I always find the support paddock to be a much more interesting area, many more cars and more people with time to stop and chat, but mayeb thats just me..?

[Laurence]

Yes time and space is limited. But at least they could organise a pit lane walkabout on the Saturday so that both days could be used. Those doing the walkabout on the sat would then not be hogging it on the Sun. Sat seems to be underutilised.

[Pedalpusher]

I'm sure the pit walkabout used to be 50mins - 1hr. :confused:
I guess it's just time constraints that mean they're now shorter.

I've also just noticed, on a provisional timetable for Silverstone, that the pit walkabout will also be 30mins.

[Les]

Silverstone has it in the paddock and not the pitlane (as there is racing going on)

13.00 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship 22
13.35 - 14.05 Lunch Break
14.10 - 14.40 Paddock Autograph Session
14.05 Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin 22
14.45 Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain 28
15.25 Formula BMW UK Championship 22
16.15 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship 22

so why only 30 mins? I know at Silverstone there isn't a problem with access so much but if you are trying to get VX & Seat & maybe TD autographs then you might as well give up now.
or if you are like me and have friends racing in the Porsches then no chance.

[V8 Star Racer]

Les, you can't say get rid of historics to make more time for the pitlane walk about as I might be doing that next year!! And you'll be there I hope!!

[Brooklands78]

so why only 30 mins? I know at Silverstone there isn't a problem with access so much but if you are trying to get VX & Seat & maybe TD autographs then you might as well give up now.
or if you are like me and have friends racing in the Porsches then no chance.
Look at it from a driver's point of view - 30 mins is probably as much time as they'd like to spend signing yellow baseball caps when they've got to prepare for another race! 30 mins is usually acdequate - it's just that, at Brands, it became 20 mins - and it took about 5 mins of that just to get to the pitlane!

[Vaughan]

Silverstone has it in the paddock and not the pitlane (as there is racing going on)

13.00 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship 22
13.35 - 14.05 Lunch Break
14.10 - 14.40 Paddock Autograph Session
14.05 Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin 22



They held the pitlane walkabout in the Paddock at Snetterton earlier on in the year, and i thought it worked very well. There were not so many people as in the normal pitlane, and getting TD, and Seat autographs was not a problem. Keeps the numbers down wanting autographs as some people elect to watch the racing instead of attending the walkabout when it clashes with the race.

[Les]

Les, you can't say get rid of historics to make more time for the pitlane walk about as I might be doing that next year!! And you'll be there I hope!!


oh nooooooooo. Don't tell me one more series I have to watch :rolleyes: . You know I'll always watch you race if at all possible :D

[mondeoman]

Look at it from a driver's point of view - 30 mins is probably as much time as they'd like to spend signing yellow baseball caps when they've got to prepare for another race! 30 mins is usually acdequate - it's just that, at Brands, it became 20 mins - and it took about 5 mins of that just to get to the pitlane!
It always used to be 3/4hr to 1 hr for the pitlane walkabout in the 90's and that was when there were 20+ drivers with quite a few manufacturer teams. Dare I say it the crowds may have been bigger too. I used to go to Brands on a Friday for the testing, take loads of photos then get them developed on the way home and have them autographed on race day during the walkabout.