Calander!

[andrewcliffe]

Certainly Cadwell needs a bit of redevelopment, especially if its a quagmire like it was this year. The bike teams tend to bring their own rigs with floors so its less of a problem for them, and its not big enough for many major series to go. As with everything money talks.

My favourite circuits from 2008 have been Cadwell, Oulton and surprisingly Rockingham - having a media vest gets you places the public can't and Rockinghell suddenly becomes quite a nice circuit for photography. Anglesey has a lovely seascape but I think the track itself is a bit barren and could do with some 'features'

I've never been to Croft, so I'm looking forward to that, and I've not been to Donington with a camera. Was hoping for Brands Hatch to make an appearance.

[RedRedWine]

Andrew - re Anglesey

Please can you explain barren? Do you mean background on the infield? For us civvies watching the 2 litre race it's great as you can see almost the whole circuit from one point. When driving, the changes in contour and the contrast in style of corner, including the interesting corkscrew, make it IMHO the finest club circuit in the UK. It's also reasonably priced.

[AndyY]

Andrew - re Anglesey

Please can you explain barren? Do you mean background on the infield? For us civvies watching the 2 litre race it's great as you can see almost the whole circuit from one point. When driving, the changes in contour and the contrast in style of corner, including the interesting corkscrew, make it IMHO the finest club circuit in the UK. It's also reasonably priced.

Agreed and its accessible from the Midlands!!! Probably no further than Snetterton and less far than Brands for me.

[andrewcliffe]

My comment is not because of the layout of Anglesey circuit, merely a comment that there isn't much in the way of natural vegetation - no trees, shrubs or bushes to make it more interesting. Therefore the use of the word barren.

The seascape (if not obscured with sea fog) is lovely as is the Snowdonia National park in the background, but there isn't much else much apart from track and grass. Maybe its because much of Anglesey is like this as its exposed to the full force of the Irish Sea and the winds that batter the coastal regions.

Cadwell, Oulton Park and the Brands Hatch full GP circuit also have a lot of established natural features as well as the gradients, crests and sweeps that make them the challenge they are. These however were often built around these natural features rather than the other way round.

Maybe Anglesey needs a bit more development - its got the slight feel of 'its not finished yet' - this is my personal opinion only.

However, Anglesey is the only circuit I know of with a church next door that is cut off from high tide and is accessible by a small causeway. Check out Google Earth if you haven't seen it for yourself.

I'm certainly not 'dissing' [1] Anglesey from a racers viewpoint, as I've not driven it myself.

[1] See. I'm down with the kids, groovy & trendy. Fab. Innit.

[phuston]

'No Brands, No Cadwell'

I am not party to the decision making progress re: Calendar, so these opinions are in no way official.

MSVR believes that the 1.2 miles of its Indy circuit represents an exceptionally valuable bit of tarmac, they may be correct but their prices for Brands would take the entry fee out of line with our other entry fees. (The name Indy was publicity spin, why don't we just call it: Brands Short Circuit or Brands Club Circuit)

I share your disappointment with regard to Cadwell, especially as it is 45minutes from my house. However, we have had had dismal luck with the weather at Cadwell in recent years and several competitors are reluctant to return to this venue after experiencing the quagmire that was 2008.

Fingers crossed that we retain the Donington Park date for 2009.

In the present financial situation, the important point is that we anticipate providing excellent value entry fees in 2009.

[RedRedWine]

Fair comment re trees, bushes etc, it's not exactly Prescott hillclimb on the coastal bit. I guess vegetation will come with time.

[andrewcliffe]

Semsec only have one event scheduled at Brands so far, the rest of their season is being held at Lydden unless they can piggy back invitationals onto other events at Brands

Shame MSV value it so highly. Maybe if they have trouble filling grids it will come down for 2010?

[samier]

Why not have a couple of rounds at Silverstone? Why is Mallory still on the calander? the facilities there are the worst I have seen, the paddock represents the crators on the moon!!

What about Thruxton? or Castle Combe? or even Pembry

[andrewcliffe]

If we picked up an extra race, would it be a championship round or not? Would the championship still be 10/1x races?

[andrewcliffe]

If we picked up an extra race, would it be a championship round or not? Would the championship still be 10/1x races?

[Hasbeen]

100 plus competitors? 100 plus ideal calendars and three members of the Board!

These three people try to second guess the best compromise that will encourage as many competitors as possible to race with us. Which circuits? Which dates? How much will entrants pay per round? How many rounds will they do?
As racers we want the best circuits, with the best facilities and organisers who will treat us a bit special. Bring on Silverstone GP, Brands GP, Donington, Thruxton, Oulton!
As Directors we have to exercise a fiduciary duty to ensure that the club can survive and also that we remain solvent throughout. Will we have 40 + entries at each round? Is it price sensitive? £150 a round? £200 per round?

These three poor souls then have to start with what is available. You can then forget any GP circuit - non available. Forget Thruxton - not a chance! Oulton and Donington - yes! but they clash - which one? Did Oulton last year - grab Donington.
What are we left with? Snetterton (OK) Angelsey (OK) Mallory (Ugh! It fits in well and is always a good entry) Croft (Great) Silverstone (not GP but always a good draw). Anything else? Well we did have a Rockingham but its been pulled by CSCC. Cadwell but its already full!
Brands Indy but we will have to pay at least £400 each even with CSCC! OK, compromise, compromise! Work out the costs, this route or that route? What about the gap in the Summer? There are no dates available since we lost the Rockingham! Ok this is it then. It will provide good racing. We can do it at a sensible price and really represents the best option for our members. What about this Pembrey we have just been offered by BARC? Well £340 is a lot for a DH at Pembrey and it clashes with Donington. No contest! Let's keep our fingers crossed for Donington (we lost it three times last year!).

OK we can get it out to the members now!
(Just a little insight into the weird world of calendar juggling)

Merry Christmas Holiday
David

[Pigpen]

Yeah!!! what he said!! er.....what's feduciary mean?

I am just grateful that we don't do lydden anymore.

and Cadwell is a lovely place to drive round but I won't be racing there again as I have an allergy to crashes.

As for Anglesey, I heard a rumour that they are installing a herd of wilderbeasts to roam majestically across the plain and some sort of hanging gardens......etc...etc

Roll on de-odourant.

[tristancliffe]

Let Tristan lend you the car for it !!!

Don't give him ideas. I'll keep my fingers crossed he forgets to renew his race licence!

[andrewcliffe]

lol

I'm safer behind the lens. I'm content at being slightly better at Druids Hairpin at Brands than Tristan was when we did a sprint there...

[schomosport]

Very fine answer David and thank you to all for your efforts.