Paddock access at CART

[Claire]

I have just been looking at the website for the CART/BTCC weekend and I noticed that there is a charge to get into the support paddock, for all 3 days it is £25. I rung to see if this was correct and it is, in order to get in to the BTCC and support paddock you have to have a ticket which has been bought in advance. Seems to be a lot of money for the privilege compared to Thruxton and Mondello but I guess they have to make up for the fact that they have sold a heap of season passes and won't make any profit on them. I'm not all that happy what do you all think? :mad:

[Kelvin]

Whats the advance ticket price Claire?

[Claire]

£25, no cheaper to get in advance but they lead me to believe that you wouldn't be able to pay on the day, but knowing Octagon that will change. :rolleyes:

[Mark Hewitt]

I find it quite extrodinary that they would charge as much as £25 to get access to the BTCC and Clio paddock! This will contain the same cars / drivers etc as any other BTCC meeting (minus the Formula Renault) and yet they are charging more than the usual cost of a full weekend pass at most of the race meetings!

I've no problem with the admission prices in general, as CART is a world class series, and well worth the money. But the paddock access is TocaTour only no ChampCars at all, so must stand comparison with other TocaTour events.

I guess they expected people would buy the paddock transfer tickets expecting to see champcars. I expect a few complaints after race day. :rolleyes:

[ace]

Maybe they dont want to many people in there !

[Kelvin]

Maybe RW would like to explain?

As people are scared to spend money right now, this is not the time to be hiking prices, it will backfire and people (me for one) will stay at home!!


Kelvin

[lauz]

i think it's shocking. it is £25 for all 3 days and £15 if you just go on the monday! and that only gets you into the toca section of the paddock. if you were getting to the cart bit it would't be so bad but you don't.

[Les]

that's ludicrous - how dare they just wallop £25 on the cost of an already expensive weekend. For the two of us that's £50 - we don't have bottomless pits of money.

I am seriously thinking of not going to Brands - I could always go and watch mates in the EERC instead.

[Stuart]

Wasn't the big thing about Champ Cars at Rockingham the fact that it was all so accessable? This is an absolute disgrace. I don't have children, but to put on a brilliant Double Bill and then make it impossible for your average family to go and enjoy the full experience is ludicrous! Much as I'd love to see the Champ cars, I think I'll save my money and go to see the Tourers at Thruxton at the end of the month for a far more reasonable cost AND go to the ASCAR race at The Rock a week after Brands' where I'll be able to wander through the Paddock for free!

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

The charge may be there because Octagon is going belly up, so if its going to do some good and try and save british motorsport then it has to be done. Unfortunatly if things stay the way they are then the prices are going to go up anyway for any potential buyer of the circuits to re-coop losses. (Interpublic are selling up Octagon and they are selling circuits apparently.)

If its just a price hike then its just ridiculous. I think is something we might have to get used to but its going to discorage more people than it does good things for Octagon and the teams.

Its a rip off for what already is a flipping expensive day!:eek:

[Reynard]

I don't know...

I was at the Rockingham 500 last year, and access to the outer paddock (where the ASCARs were) was free on both days of the meeting.

However, access to the CART paddock (by the garages) was free on the Friday but cost £30 on raceday.

[themoonmonkey]

Is anyone 100% certain that the paddock pass will NOT include access to the Champ Cars???

[touring fan]

Isn't access to the touring car paddock free for BTCC meetings (during the time you can get in there anyway).To charge £25 is discraceful. If it was for access to the iner paddock all the time I could understand it but to charge to get in the outer paddock is stupid . What's next, a car parking fee? A charge to stand in the mud? A fee to leave the circuit at the end of the meeting? I won't pay it and if I didn't have a season ticket I wouldn't bother going.

[John]

Know nothing about this topic so forgive me if I ramble on about something totally off the point.

I assume there is a good reason for this decision. Dont know who's decision it was but they must have predicted it wouldnt be very popular, which maes me think there has to be a reason (other than making money!)

Having thought about it the only thing I've come up with is that presumably there will be more spectators at the meeting compared to a standard BTCC meeting (don't know by how many) but this might mean the paddock facilities cannot cope with all those people visiting them. Therefore applying an entry fee will mean that a lot of people will not bother, thus reducing the impact of the spectators. The most obvious example is somewhere like Westminster Abbey who introduced an entry fee in an attempt to reduce visitor numbers as there was an unsustainable level and they were causing damage because of the sheer numbers. This practice was the basis of my undergraduate dissertation and the general consensus was that a fee would be effective in reducing numbers to a more sustainable level at other tourist attractions such as Hadrians Wall or Durham cathedral, so maybe its as simple as that with Brands. Obviously if the track entry was free there would be a hell of a lot more visitors than if there was the standard event entry fee, so taking this a step further charging entry for different bits of the track is a way of controlling the numbers of people in those areas.

I dont agree with the principle in the Brands case because you have already paid to get into the circuit so paying again once youre there seems a bit much, but as I say I expect there is a reason behind it - it would be nice if someone would provide that reason though!

[Moderator 3]

Originally posted by themoonmonkey
Is anyone 100% certain that the paddock pass will NOT include access to the Champ Cars???

Yes.

[themoonmonkey]

Originally posted by Moderator 3
Yes.

cheers dude...

Pretty poor...

[Les]

John,

I can quite believe that is the reason which I can totally agree with. Having 20,000 people trying to get into the paddock would be highly dangerous what with cars trying to get to the track and quad bikes everywhere.

By all means limit the access by having a number of paddock access tickets which are issued FREE on a first come, first served basis. We have had it before - Silverstone pit lane walkabouts for one.


To wallop on yet another charge is just plain crazy...


Next we will hear is that is a tenner for a program or maybe a fiver an autograph

No wonder crowds are going down


What Octagon and other circuit bosses should realise that now the BTCC is live on box you have to encourage people to turn up not effectively say we don't want you here.

[John]

True Les, a first come first served basis would be much better as those who cannot afford to pay extra will not be disadvantaged, and Q-ing up will mean that the real fans and supporters will be present instead of rich casual fans who dont really know what they are seeing or dont appreciate it (ie those people would not be prepared to get there early and wait in line for a pass, but may well be prepared to shell out an extra £25 for the privalage!)

[tvgod]

Originally posted by touring fan
Isn't access to the touring car paddock free for BTCC meetings (during the time you can get in there anyway).

No, most circuits charge. It is only the ones like Croft and Snetterton, which can't easily restrict access to the paddock that don't charge.

[John]

Originally posted by tvgod
No, most circuits charge. It is only the ones like Croft and Snetterton, which can't easily restrict access to the paddock that don't charge.

Wasnt aware of that as usually go to Croft or Knockhill - to use one of my common phrases - thats shocking!!! :mad:

Whats the charge? and what do you get for that money? :confused:

[tvgod]

Originally posted by John
Wasnt aware of that as usually go to Croft or Knockhill - to use one of my common phrases - thats shocking!!! :mad:

Whats the charge? and what do you get for that money? :confused:

Well let's take my local circuit, Thruxton, as an example.
I think the paddock transfer ticket costs GBP8 on race day. For that you get the right to walk through the tunnel from the outside of the circuit to the paddock in the centre, at certain times. They won't let you use the tunnel while a race is in progress for safety reasons.
If there is a scheduled pit lane walkabout you can also get into that.

[Claire]

Thruxton and Mondello are the only tracks that the BTCC visit that charge to go into the paddock and the charge is nominal about £3 for Mondello and around £5 for Thruxton. I don't mind paying that but to be charged £25 for a weekend is a bit much. I appreciate that there will be more people at the event but as John and Les have said I'm sure they could have worked out a fairer system.

[touring fan]

Originally posted by tvgod
No, most circuits charge. It is only the ones like Croft and Snetterton, which can't easily restrict access to the paddock that don't charge. I meant at brands hatch, isn't entry to the paddock for the autograph session free for the BTCC meeting?

I'd be interested to hear what toca think about it, after all, they're normally so keen to promote the (normally very good) access you can get to the drivers and cars etc.

[Les]

Valid point there.

It is one of the selling points of touring cars is it's lack of barriers between fans, cars and drivers.
We have always compaigned about the lack of access at Brands to the centre paddock and been told that due to safety reasons it was a no go area.

And how do they get away with changing the rules - we have already ordered our seats and tickets - now we have to order again - 2 lots of admin charges and P&P no doubt.

Every which way I look at it I come up with Octogon is making a fast buck out of us and I don't like being used.

[ceejay]

Agree that the probable reason is restriction and overcrowding issues, but I don't see why access can't be allowed for season ticket holders. There can't be that many of those to cause overcrowding, and would be the more experienced and diehard motorsport supporters who know how to conduct themselves in a busy paddock area.

This must be taken up with TOCA as soon a possible.

[Mark Hewitt]

Originally posted by touring fan
I meant at brands hatch, isn't entry to the paddock for the autograph session free for the BTCC meeting?


You are mixing up the paddock and the pit lane walkabout :). At normal Brands Hatch meetings the access to the central paddock is permit holders only i.e. team personell, media etc. Thruxton and Mondello have a charge for paddock access, the rest do not charge

[Kelvin]

Crowd control, for saftey reasons, should not be done in this way!
(if thats the reason?)

By reducing areas where spectators can freely visit, and if the crowds are big, then this will put pressure on other areas!
This cannot be safe!!

Surely its safer to open up as much space as possible?


Kelvin

[Mark Hewitt]

Just looked at the paddock pricing for the Long Beach Grand Prix, and they are charging $20 for a single days access to the paddock this works out to about £14, which is about the same as Brands Hatch is charging for paddock access.

The difference being of course that at Long Beach you get access to the ChampCar paddock, and not just BTCC!

[Frank Rizzo]

Originally posted by Kelvin
Crowd control, for saftey reasons, should not be done in this way!
(if thats the reason?)

By reducing areas where spectators can freely visit, and if the crowds are big, then this will put pressure on other areas!
This cannot be safe!!

Surely its safer to open up as much space as possible?


Kelvin

Kelvin, I know you know better than that.

Unrestricted crowds in the paddock would be disastrous at Brands. The route that the TC's will have to take to the track is going to be crowded enough as it is. Pile in a load of spectators (a proportion of which, and I include myself here, will have consumed alcohol) trying to get a look in the window, and there would be both major delays to the racing and safety problems that would probably lead to insurance issues. In fact, I would imagine that the insurers may even have something to do with this.

If it's a choice of keeping spectators in safe areas in greater numbers, or in areas where cars are being worked on with heavy equipment, and where cars are driven to the tunnel and then into the central holding area, there really isn't a choice.

By the way, I'm a fan, but I'd sooner cough up than queue for a ticket - does that make me not a fan, John? Just don't like queueing... I completely see your point however, and think it should be a combination of both. First come with a smaller amount of money, first served (but over the phone or internet, not standing outside a tent freezing me town halls off at five in the morning)

[John]

Originally posted by Frank Rizzo
By the way, I'm a fan, but I'd sooner cough up than queue for a ticket - does that make me not a fan, John?

No depending on the charge I'd rather pay than Q as I hate Q-ing aswell! ;)

What I was meaning is that people who queue are more likely to be fans than not. Dunno how to explain what I mean as I'm tired today and am not doing a very good job, but take Rugby as an example - I will watch it and have been to matches but dont claim to be a big fan, much prefer Motorsport and Football. Now if there was a chance of going to a match and it was £25 a ticket I'd pay it, but if it was a free ticket and a two hour queue I probably wouldn't bother waiting, whereas some of my mates would because they are much bigger rugby fans.

What I'm saying is if the choice is queue or miss out then the casual fans will be more prepared to miss out than the die hard fans. Doubt any of that made sense so appologies now, and I'll get myself an early night! ;) :)

[Frank Rizzo]

Not at all - an excellent analogy.

I did understand anyway - was just being a bit pedantic.

If I had the chance of doing something slightly more exciting than visit the paddock, say, for arguments' sake, spend an hour with a top line touring class team at a meeting, I'd be prepared to queue and pay for that. Frankly, I've been around enough paddocks to not be that bothered either way.

I can certainly see how the die hard fans that you write of would be prepared to make personal sacrifices to get a piece of that, however, and agree that parting with cash would probably not get the loyal supporters through the door.

Don't know about anyone else, but I'm gonna be happy as a pig in shite between sitting high on Paddock Hill grandstand and consuming beer :p Oh happy day!

[touring fan]

Well no grandstand ticket for me so no doubt I'll have a view from the far side of the car-park (I wouldn't be suprised given the way things are going at the moment) and I'll end up looking like a pig in...............

[Les]

so how long until they start centre paddock (Cart) tickets at £30+ a throw... come on Octagon you know you want to....

[Alan]

If you were a bit cynical you might think Octagon were doing this to raise a bit of much needed cash - but I do think John is right and it is primarily a safety issue. The paddock will be very busy on race day, so they will have to restrict numbers. Perhaps insurance issues have an influence on this decision too.

I do think they should allow access to season ticket holders, maybe for a nominal £5. We should be more aware than most as to the possible dangers in the paddock.

However, perhaps they are just trying to price themselves out of the market so to speak, and just keep everyone out.

[John]

Seems fair enough to me to allow all season ticket holders access then if there are any places left to offer them to non-seasonticket holders on either a first come first served, or a charging system. Not a ticket holder myself as live nowhere near any Octagon circuits so dont know what the deal is, but seems reasonable to me to offer some added value to the season tickets - some sort of extra incentive to make people buy them.

[Les]

it might be busy on race day but £15??? I wonder how many of us die hard fans are coughing up for it - 100, 200 - heh that's only £3000. For a lot of people this is the first meeting of the year, maybe their only meeting and it just doesn't seem fair.

or charging on the other two days when there won't be so many there or families take young kids who just may become the racers of tomorrow.

or maybe it will be like the grandstands on qualifying day. Pay two people to stand at the entrance and collect payments from 5 people who sit in the stands.

They are after making a fast buck - no cynical about it.


very disillusioned........

[Alan]

Dear very disillusioned of Suffolk!

Les - what will the teams think if they don't see our happy smiling faces descending on them?

[Les]

well I have already told my lot and they are disgusted!

Most of them really enjoy the fans and signing autographs and meeting kids so hopefully they will foresake the paddock and come and see us!

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

Originally posted by Alan
Dear very disillusioned of Suffolk!


hmmm... well we all know bout you Aylesbury folk ;)

[Mark Hewitt]

Following confirmation from Brands Hatch. It seems that the £25 charge includes access to the outer paddock and the inner paddock which hosts the champcars :)

In which case I for one would be happy to pay it.

[The Stig]

What will it cost my son and I for the Brands Champ Car meeting ?
Junior is 12 and wouldn't speak to me for a number of weeks if we didn't go. Will the ticket price include the customary Pit Lane Walkabout ? Heard a figure of pds 40.00 per adult - children free in a recent Autosport. Not fussed what it costs, it's just I'll have to invest a similar amount in an equestrian pastime for his little sis
Can anyone clarify for me.

[Les]

from the timetable there is no pit lane walkabout as yet but as the timetable is now with Cart to confirm you never know what will happen.