Tents

[CUPRASCOTT]

Can someone explain to me the point of bringing these stupid 6 foot tall tents and pitching them right on the front of the fencing.

In my opinion it's just blatantly rude. Not only does it take up space right at the front that could have been better shared it hampers everybody else's view of the track.

I've seen this both at croft and knockhill this season and worryingly they seem to be getting more popular.

[Erik]

They are definitely getting more popular and bigger in size too it seems. It almost seems like a territorial thing.

Like you say, in certain cases it's both rude and selfish.

I noticed a few incidents yesterday which i thought were at best inconsiderate and at worst downright selfish.

A couple of folk whom wanted to keep their spaces at butchers, but also wanted to go explore the paddock. What did they do? Padlocked their fold away seats to the fence, ******ed off for an hour and then came back to their space.

Then from the top of the chicane when the rain started later in the day, a guy right at the fence erects the biggest golf umbrella known to man and completely blocks the view for the two dozen folk directly behind him.

[daveylad1978]

This is always a can of worms. You complain about it and get told "well you should've been there at 7am waiting on the gates to be opened!".

Personally I think it's ignorant. Had an argument about this on a forum years ago and somebody tried to say they needed the tent there to protect themselves from the heat because they had asthma.

And don't get me started on the chairs. Not only do they get in and park their chairs and ****** off, they then stand up when the cars come out, meaning you can't see over them! Thruxton and Croft are really bad for that with the bankings.

[theblossom]

A compromise could be that anybody who leaves their chair/tent/picnic whatever and b@£gers of to watch somewhere else will return to find that it's not there anymore coz we've moved it! There is NO place at all for tents and furniture at a race meeting, it's rude and selfish and unnecessary.

[mattlovestbs]

I think all circuits should have an area where you can take tents etc... but then it will offer a compromised view of proceedings

[easthillcomputers]

I get to the circuit shortly after the gates open and do errect my chair in the best space I can find - this could be on the fence. I will then probably go for a walk around and visit the paddock and various stands etc. I never see the need to stand when the racing commences though. Personally I do not see why my seating practice could be seen as a problem. If I have got there early enough why should this not be 'allowed'? I don't see why I have to be tied into my seat at times when there is no racing on track. I do also errect a small tent but always well away from the fences as a mark of respect for those around me who do want to see the racing. I only do this though if the weather is inclement so that I have shelter from the rain - which there has been plenty of this year!! Needless to say though, I will not be putting my chairs up at either Rockingham or Silverstone

There are sadly some people who have no respect for others and do errect large obstacles near the front of a fence which can obstruct others viewing. This is well out of order and is seen all too often.

[Ogami]

As Daveylad says, it is ignorant, and I will add selfish to it as well. With the chairs I don't have an issue as long as the people stay seated throughout the race. I have also mentioned umbrellas before and these are really irritating, especially when people take them to, say, Paddock grandstand at Brands. Why? It's a simple rule to apply: "I'm going to an outdoor event in the UK. It will probably rain so I will wear suitable clothing in case it rains". I mean, rain-wear is so lightweight these days it's no hardship to carry, is it?

As to tents ...... I'll concede that the small wind-breaker ones can be useful at places like Thruxton but there's no need for anything higher than 3 feet and they should not be pitched at the fence ......

P

[jp-no1]

tents are for campsites

circuits are for racers and race fans!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Les]

I get to the circuit early, find my spot, park my chairs and I expect to find them there when I get back. I get there early especially to do that.
I do not bring a tent and I think people who put tents up against the fence - especially at Croft need shooting.

[CUPRASCOTT]

I had my camping chair with me at the weekend. Where I went It went!

When I sat on it next to the fence (once) I remained seated.

[cookingfat]

Tents are race meetings should be burnt down!

Just not needed! If you need to sit down, use a chair. If it rains put up a brolly!

Ironically, people have the same problem at Airshows!!!

[racingfanatic96]

If we aren't allowed to stand up I guess we should ban photography too

Better still, why don't we just ban everyone with a chair? Then the people who turn up a few hours late can get what they want without having to fight for a space.

[theblossom]

There appears to be an admission on here, more than once, that chairs are being used to 'reserve' a space. I should be able to turn up when I like and, as I am paying the same as everybody else, be able to stand where I like. Each of the circuits BTCC visits has excellent accessibility facilitates for those that need it so there is just NO excuse. Don't turn up studidly early and clutter the whole place with tents and furniture. It's a nonsense.

[racingfanatic96]

There appears to be an admission on here, more than once, that chairs are being used to 'reserve' a space. I should be able to turn up when I like and, as I am paying the same as everybody else, be able to stand where I like. Each of the circuits BTCC visits has excellent accessibility facilitates for those that need it so there is just NO excuse. Don't turn up studidly early and clutter the whole place with tents and furniture. It's a nonsense.

We are all paying the same price for a ticket, we can turn up whenever we like and take a space wherever we like. Ever heard the saying 'first come, first serve'? I agree to an extent about tents but certainly not chairs. It should be up to you to arrive early and get a place- not blame others who get there first!

You certainly can stand wherever you like, just don't expect to get a good spot if you arrive late!

[NoahsGirl]

There was 3 of us at Knockhill nice and early as we always do and one of the three of us always stay with the picnic stuff/chairs/cameras if two of us want to have a wander or need to use the facilities. I must be one of the 'annoying' people mentioned who stands during the race, as I get a better photo and view. Sorry if that's selfish, but if you weren't in the circuit early enough and just expect me to remain seated so you can get a view - sorry, not happening. It's a practice that I will continue to do, however, will always make room for a small person so they can see the race. Even if the one beside me yesterday needed a good skelping by his mother.

As for these tents/windbreakers - clearly they are not used to being at Knockhill throughout the season. I always have a bag that contains clothes and items for "4 seasons in one day" and are complete wimps.