Sidecar Festival Who's going

[Eddy Wright]

Just wondered with the high entry fees who might be going. Can we fill a grid ?

[Simon Smith]

Hi Ed,
Dave and I intend to go. I know Pirate and Buddha are going and I think Dave LePavoux and Adam are too.
Mike and Karl are hoping Karl's arm will be better soon so they may be up for it.
It is a lot more than we normally pay with the CRMC but how does the cost compare with other clubs?
Simon

[Eddy Wright]

The barry Sheene classic at Olivers mount was £160. with heats and finals, or two straight races depending on entries. £240 seems a bit rich to me when the insurance is only £30 each.

[NickR]

We're going.

[Eddy Wright]

So its an Imp grid then ?

[lang]

I am told it is likely to be two six lap races per class , if that is the case it works out at £20 per racing lap. NO THANK YOU !

[Simon Smith]

I guess it's the cost of a sidecar only meeting.

[mum e]

Its not just insurance your getting for your money, l know that even if the insurance cost is more its worth every penny, it's not until you have to use it you appreciate it, l know from having been helped by it. your also . getting to race and isn't it nice to know that your covered from every aspect, and you also get tickets not just for you but others as well, and if you take off how many tickets then the entry isn't so bad,. A bsb weekend would be a lot dearer as you have to have controlled tyres and fuel, not your own choice.

[G JONES]

I guess for a lot of competitors - they really don't care where the money goes - it is purely a case of what is affordable - to some folks £240 may not seem like a lot - to some others - it's a lot of hard earned money - especially with things as they are at the moment.
When you add on the cost of getting to the meeting, fuel for the outfit, and all the other running costs - it soon becomes a very expensive outing.
I don't doubt that many other events are more expensive - but it doesn't make them any more affordable - but I can choose to not go.

[steve-e]

"I am told it's 2 six lap races"
Careful who you listen to.

According to this there are 2 races per class per day
http://www.steveenglish.com/index.php?o ... b-meetings

If it costs more than your usual entry fees you can be sure the money is not going to waste or being pocketed. It will most likely be paying for more doctors more ambulances etc, see Dave Stewarts previous post about entry fees and insurance etc.

[steve-e]

Or of course your entry fees are being subsidised by title sponsors. The CRMC do a very good job of attracting series sponsors IIRC. I say that having just seen the Eastern Airways inflatable archway on the inside of paddock bend here at Brands.

[johnc]

I understand they`re offering an award for best combined result for a classic and modern - presumably to tempt the people who have both...they`ld need some tempting, an extra class is the best part of another £100 !! I remember the Burn Up at Lydden used to be the same fee for however many classes you entered. Even when they did introduce an extra fee it was very little. Times change, I suppose. The Steve Norbury trophy race at Silverstone is £250 for 2 races and one day!

[David Stewart]

Strange that no one has asked me what £240 (which is a cheaper 2 day entry fee than BMCRC, NG, Derby Phoenix, New Era or any other modern bike race club on an MCRCB authorised circuit btw) actually pays for.

I know you Classic/Vintage teams are used to getting 10 minutes practice and a couple of 6 lap races for your normal entry fee of £156 - £275 (price information taken from CRMC Supplementary Regs), but I don't think that is racing. If you get a bad start, you either have to completely disengage your brain or be content with a poor finish. I don't organise meetings that way, not saying that others shouldn't, just that I don't think a 6 minute 12 second dash as you had earlier this year, constitutes a race.

My outline timetable for your races includes;-
15 minutes timed qualifying on Saturday
a 10 Lap Race on Saturday Morning
a 10 Lap Race on Saturday Afternoon
a 10 minute Warm up on Sunday
a 10 Lap Race on Sunday Morning
a 10 Lap Race on Sunday Afternoon

So, when I compare that to what you usually get, I'd question the mathmatical logic that makes you think it's expensive?

24 racing laps for £160 = £6.67 per lap (with no timed qualifying or Sunday Warm Up)

40 racing laps for £240 = £6.00 per lap (including tq & warm up)

Come on Eddy/Gareth help me out here, what exactly am I missing??????? I know it's a long time since we all left school, but I'm sure my calculator isn't lying to me (I've cross checked it using an Abacus too, just in case Bob chokes at the thought of using modern technology).

Your travel costs are a fixed overhead, so surely you'd like more racing miles when you arrive at the circuit.

If I've got it all wrong, just drop me a line and I'll ask Mallory Park to reimburse me with the £25,000 for two days circuit hire and you guys can run it "in house" if you're willing to make that kind of outlay up front. Remember, it was you that wanted the Sidecar Festival brought back and it was you who wanted it to be 2 days. I've just guaranteed the funds to the circuit because I wanted to help, most people I've spoken to are quite happy with that situation. Obviously you aren't and the way I see it, we'll have to be content with looking at things from different viewpoints.

[Bob B]

Thanks Dave for explaining things, should settle the question now

It goes to show chaps that you should not listen to rumours/paddock tittle tattle but ask the folk who know about these things, truth will always out

Abacus Dave? Me? Nah, still use my digital calculator, made in England in 1944 - born there same time too

[petercaughlin]

40 laps and a couple of warm ups,seems quite reasonable, I cant believe I`m saying that as I`m the first to bitch and moan about costs,but compared to the 5 lap sprints at other classic/vintage venues, Yep well worth it, wish i had some thing to ride at the minute..