Paddock area viewing

[platomad]

Would people like to see the back of the BTCC team pit garages opened up - removing all those big boards that block a good view of the cars .
I like to walk around the paddock (especially on the Saturday) - but the view of the cars we all go to see is hampered by these boards - including the smaller teams
A walk around the Seat Cupra and Clio padock is great - allowing plenty of photo opportunities
I wrote a thread a few weeks ago to Alan Gow - but havent heard or seen anything since?
I feel at present that only the VIP few are allowed a good view - rather than the paying BTCC fanatic!

[kezbabybabe]

I'm sure Alan Gow did respond to that question, as it sounds so familiar.

I don't think I'd want the boards removed as I wouldn't see any racing action, as I be staring in there all day watch JP mooching around (When he was there of course ;))

I believe that the teams still need their privacy and I am very happy with the open paddock as it stands.

[bigred]

those boards let teams "hide" what they are doing from other teams who may want to "copy" it also give drivers and technicians an escape from all us onlookers. btcc fans have unrivaled acess to their hero's and based on another thread some may need that hideaway more than other (just kidding mrs turkington wannabe) they also are static adverts that provide back drops to all the pics that are taken on walk abouts etc

[becc@]

I see where your comin from with the photo side of it, but i've gotta agree with Kerry, the teams do need their privacy.It's not nice having a load of fans standing out the back of the garage peering in and geting in the way.
It's a tough one that!

becca x

[Les]

the thing is - if they were always open then people would just get used to it - like at Knockhill. There no one hides and you get to see everything.

I was even annoyed with my own team this weekend as they put their backboards across the whole garage but what they did say was you could ask to see the car and if it was ok then you could.... but who would ask?

Why should they have privacy? What are they trying to hide? All sounds very cloak and dagger.

Some of the best bits I can remember over the years is seeing a badly damaged car come in and then pop back every half an hour and see the transformation back to a race going car. Made me appreciate just how much hard work goes into it.

I also made some mates of mechanics from seeing them working in the garages and it's been great seeing them progress up the ranks.

So go for a compromise - maybe not the whole back open but a good third?

[becc@]

the thing is - if they were always open then people would just get used to it - like at Knockhill. There no one hides and you get to see everything.

I was even annoyed with my own team this weekend as they put their backboards across the whole garage but what they did say was you could ask to see the car and if it was ok then you could.... but who would ask?

Why should they have privacy? What are they trying to hide? All sounds very cloak and dagger.

Some of the best bits I can remember over the years is seeing a badly damaged car come in and then pop back every half an hour and see the transformation back to a race going car. Made me appreciate just how much hard work goes into it.

I also made some mates of mechanics from seeing them working in the garages and it's been great seeing them progress up the ranks.

So go for a compromise - maybe not the whole back open but a good third?

sounds fair enough! :)

[redshoes]

I wrote a thread a few weeks ago to Alan Gow - but havent heard or seen anything since?
You mean this one - http://www.btcc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6750

[cookingfat]

Let the back boards stay I say!

There is suppose to be a clear lane at the back of the pit garages in case of a fire!

So if you had loads of people looking into the back of the garages with no back boards, also preventing mechanics going about their job, it would be a fire hazard!

And Les, if you have been in a pit garage with no back boards you will know how it acts as a 'wind-tunnel'! Not a nice enviroment to work in..

Mind you the back boards still don't prevent unwanted people walking into the garage!

[simon1220]

Its nice at Thruxton as a one off to see them doing there work, but at most tracks they should have them as they need there privacy as if they keep getting pestered by fans for photos with the cars and questions etc they woul never manage to get any work done

[BTCCROCKS]

The teams need their privacy. No question about it. I was lucky to be able to be invited by Harry Vaulkhard, into the back of the garage at Donny. With a little help by Mattlovestbs ;) . Wasn't long, cus they were about to start the qualifying. Just to have a quick peep to see what was going on, that's all. You can see what goes on in the garage, when it's the pit lane walk about any way. But the Support Race paddock is all ways open for everyone to see what goes on before and after races

[btccbryn]

the thing is - if they were always open then people would just get used to it - like at Knockhill. There no one hides and you get to see everything.

I was even annoyed with my own team this weekend as they put their backboards across the whole garage but what they did say was you could ask to see the car and if it was ok then you could.... but who would ask?

Why should they have privacy? What are they trying to hide? All sounds very cloak and dagger.

Some of the best bits I can remember over the years is seeing a badly damaged car come in and then pop back every half an hour and see the transformation back to a race going car. Made me appreciate just how much hard work goes into it.

I also made some mates of mechanics from seeing them working in the garages and it's been great seeing them progress up the ranks.

So go for a compromise - maybe not the whole back open but a good third?


well said les i can recall myself few years back it wasnt so cloak and dagger and it is now no matter what you say at the end of the day ok they need there privacy but theres no way some of the teams have to have the doors shut all day we have paid are money not just to watch them on the track but if your a petrol head then you want to see the mechanics working away like les said fixing you keep going back to see were there upto.

my pet hate most is seeing the people going in to the garages with there passes and paying more attention to the food they have on what are they doing there ask some questions wish the drivers good luck for the next race its not hard.

[mattlovestbs]

The teams need their privacy. No question about it. I was lucky to be able to be invited by Harry Vaulkhard, into the back of the garage at Donny. With a little help by Mattlovestbs ;) . Wasn't long, cus they were about to start the qualifying. Just to have a quick peep to see what was going on, that's all. You can see what goes on in the garage, when it's the pit lane walk about any way. But the Support Race paddock is all ways open for everyone to see what goes on before and after races

correction Dave - i asked Matt Allison where Hazza was and Matt said we could go on in.

On that same point, Harry actually invited Myself & Dad in at the end of the day to have a closer look at the car etc, Mat J did the same for Dad & I at the finale last year.

If you find the right driver and team, they'll happily show you around.. for all they know, you could be a potential new sponsor for them ;)

[simon1220]

The teams need their privacy. No question about it. I was lucky to be able to be invited by Harry Vaulkhard, into the back of the garage at Donny. With a little help by Mattlovestbs ;) . Wasn't long, cus they were about to start the qualifying. Just to have a quick peep to see what was going on, that's all. You can see what goes on in the garage, when it's the pit lane walk about any way. But the Support Race paddock is all ways open for everyone to see what goes on before and after races

Yeah i had a similar thing at rockingham last year, a friend of the family works as an engineer and invited us to look around the car and garage, but they wouldnt let us stay for more than 5 minutes as they were prearping the car for qualifying. The looks some of the engineers gave us, almost like we were trespassing in 'their garage' :)

[Stimlo]

if you ask nicely some of the teams will let you in.
I went into the kartworld garage at silverstone between race 2 and 3, and all the mechanics and jason were more than happy for us to be there.
Jason spoke to us for ages as well!

Ross

[mikeymike]

TBH you all keep saying the teams need there privacy but without the fans interest there would be no series, so maybe having something along the lines of what nascar have (a viewing window in every pit) would let them have the "sponsor/photo board" and also let the fans see some of the backstage action. Although they have the board they also have the roped off area away from that so the boards are not to stop fans from getting in the way or from entering the teams area they are simply to stop people seeing things.

As for trying to hide something from other teams i cant see how that works as it easy for a team to just walk down pitlane and look into other garages and i have also known for photographers to be paid to take pics of the changes a team makes to a car, but as the rules are i cant see how much a team can change things that needs such secrecy.

[Jonsey Fan]

Les said is all a bit Cloak and Dagger ...... well that is exactly wat it is in all forms of motorsport, Teams need to keep set ups etc from the other competitors, its what helps keep it interesting on the track .
Plus the boards are about advertising , thats where the teams finances come from so long may the boards stay in place .

[The Zed]

if you ask nicely some of the teams will let you in.
I went into the kartworld garage at silverstone between race 2 and 3, and all the mechanics and Jason were more than happy for us to be there.
Jason spoke to us for ages as well!

Ross

I spent a large chunk of Saturday with Team KWR asking questions, etc but trying not to get in their way. I was lucky to be in their garage during qualifying as well which was brilliant! Thanks very much for that Jason, Ako, Steve, etc...you are a great bunch.

On Sunday I was in their garage too so you may have seen me Simlo - wearing a dark blue waterproof over my Team RAC shirt - either side of all three races (well, I joined the queue to get out after Race 3 rather than go to the paddock).

My advice to anyone who would like to se what goes on is to ask if you could have a nosey and take piccies. They have two options - they say 'no' but at least you tried or they say 'yes' and you get the opportunity to see what goes on.

[BTCCROCKS]

correction Dave - i asked Matt Allison where Hazza was and Matt said we could go on in.

On that same point, Harry actually invited Myself & Dad in at the end of the day to have a closer look at the car etc, Mat J did the same for Dad & I at the finale last year.

If you find the right driver and team, they'll happily show you around.. for all they know, you could be a potential new sponsor for them ;)
That is true. Just like to thank Matt Allison for letting me and you go in. Thank you also for asking Matt, where Harry was ;)

[Editor1]

Guys: for your information, we've had one team request we point out the following to you.

The pit garages are working areas first and foremost. Therefore please do not attempt to 'wander in' as this can, potentially, have all sorts of implications with health and safety and etc. Teams already strive to keep the rear of the pit garages as relaxed as possible for the fans...

Pit garages are for team personnel, officials and invited guests only.

Thanks

Editor1

[kezbabybabe]

Yeah, otherwise they'll stop paddock access and then it'll be like F1...

[mikeymike]

Guys: for your information, we've had one team request we point out the following to you.

The pit garages are working areas first and foremost. Therefore please do not attempt to 'wander in' as this can, potentially, have all sorts of implications with health and safety and etc. Teams already strive to keep the rear of the pit garages as relaxed as possible for the fans...

Pit garages are for team personnel, officials and invited guests only.

Thanks

Editor1


but like i have already said the boards they have up dont stop people entering the area they only stop people looking into the area so that nothing to do with the original post. I also said most (if not all) had an additional area roped off behind the boarded area (were they was keeping tyres) so people that enter the pit area are not only passing the boards but also the roped off area.

As for the cloak and dagger thing, like i also said there is nothing to stop someone from a team walking down the front of the pit boxes to see what they want to see and also i know a few photographers that are paid to take close-up pics of cars from other teams as they are allowed access to team garages.

[NoahsGirl]

Maybe it's because I am spoilt by only going to the Knockhill round, but I enjoy the fact that because of capacity the public can get to see everything in the paddock. The only privacy afforded were boards over the cars engines.

When I am watching the mechanics at work, I am mindful that the mechanics are there to do a job and I watch them in silence and do not ask any questions (not that I would understand the answers because I am a techno-fobe).

I totally understand the team's liking privacy, I would hate it if someone from a rival team came to have a nose and check out what we were doing for set up etc.

[MGMattL]

Guys: for your information, we've had one team request we point out the following to you.

The pit garages are working areas first and foremost. Therefore please do not attempt to 'wander in' as this can, potentially, have all sorts of implications with health and safety and etc. Teams already strive to keep the rear of the pit garages as relaxed as possible for the fans...

Pit garages are for team personnel, officials and invited guests only.

Thanks

Editor1

I totally see where they are coming from! Honest situation, but slightly hypothetical - a car is damaged in race, for the sake of arguement, 1. They get the car back to the garage and whilst half the team are busy straightening the car, the other half of the team are keeping the public out of the way of the guys trying to do their job! Damaged cars attract motorsport fans like moths to a candle, and if the teams can't have the space to fix the car for race 2, there is no race 2!
Most teams go out of their way for their fans and the public who want to get close to the cars - just ask them but at the same time, we need to respect their space to get their job done - after all, they are there so we can watch them race first and foremost.

And Breathe.

[MGMattL]

Sorry, me again! Had the followng thoughts on my way to work this morning.
You buy tickets to a gig, £30 each. You turn up, watch the bands perform, go home happy. You buy tickets to the theatre, £20 each. You turn up, watch the play, go home happy. You buy tickets to the BTCC, turn up and expect access to every area you can! You know full well at a gig you need a backstage pass, or at the theatre you wouldn't expect to be able to walk straight backstage and into the dressing rooms, so why is BTCC so different? Access to the garages is for cast, crew and backstage pass holders only, if you're nice to the door, you might get a peek inside the stage door, but it isn't your right, its a privelige.

<second breath>

[CroftPilgrim]

To add my twopenneth....

If you feel agrieved that as a paying fan that you dont get full access, remember that the invited guests are often sponsors who have paid out even more....