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28 Aug 2011, 21:55 (Ref:2947357) | #1 | ||
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Yet more fencing at Brands Hatch
I haven't seen this mentioned on here, but spectators and amateur snappers may like to know that there is new chain link fencing all the way on the inside of the circuit on the run up to Druids (see below)
IMG_0021.jpg Druids itself and the run down to Graham Hill bend are (currently) still clear... |
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29 Aug 2011, 06:45 (Ref:2947470) | #2 | |||
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Do it in the streets! |
31 Aug 2011, 17:51 (Ref:2948962) | #3 | |
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It's usually a fairly busy spot at major meetings.. it's quite a popular area for photographers, partly because, as several people have said, it's been one of the few places you can shoot uninterrupted by the chain-link stuff
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30 Aug 2011, 20:17 (Ref:2948552) | #4 | |
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Pity, I was there in May for the Masters meeting and got some great photos from more or less exactly where that new fence now is. It was a three or four strand waist-high wire fence then.
See the rest here. I'm glad out the back of the GP loop has no fences, I got one nice one there! |
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30 Aug 2011, 20:37 (Ref:2948567) | #5 | ||
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DTM have been pushing for that change for at least 3 years.
Previously when the DTM were in town the Druids inside enclosure was closed, apart from last year when I believe the circuit successfully argued that as things stood the circuit was FIA grade 2 licenced and the DTMs were an FIA grade 2 series. Maybe this was the price to keep the DTM happy for a few more years, sorry Snet. Some hammer chewer togs will not be happy. |
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Alasdair |
30 Aug 2011, 21:04 (Ref:2948580) | #6 | ||
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and deservedly so, the run up to Druids was a great place to get photos. Whilst I and others with a media pass will be able to get in front, the amateur has had one of the best angles disappear.
Shame. |
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Andrew Cliffe - Norwich Photo & Racing Exposure |
30 Aug 2011, 22:57 (Ref:2948635) | #7 | |
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I had an interesting conversation with someone on Monday where it was pointed out that those few race series that are fully promoted to the massed population - say BTCC for an example of a publically promoted genre - now regularly use crashes in their promotional material. Of course they tend to have plenty of visual material to use. Therefore it is safe to presume that the large crowds only turn up in the hope of a crashfest. Maybe there was a real social purpose to the fully fenced Stock Car Stadiums when they existed widely around the country. (Could Brands Hatch develop a figure of 8 track on the Indy circuit I wonder? Could be a great crowd puller ... Silverstone could do it easily.)
Once they have paid the public need to be protected of course and permanent caging seems an obvious way of keeping the car's bits away from them and them off the track. The other meetings during a year where spectators are thin on the ground (and seemingly getting thinner as the years go by - I wonder why?) are not a mojor influence in financial terms. Such meetings are, for the most part, run by clubs for the benefit of their membership - the people paying the club membership and race entry fees. Which is not unreasonable but it leaves regular spectators with little or no influence, other than voting with their feet of course, but who would notice? However even when in possession of a media pass one is not immune from the effect of fences. They don't suddenly become invisible to the cameras. They do become a ubiquitous part of the backdrop almost everywhere. Silverstone is a great example. You can try to find alternative angles to give some relief. Getting above the the fences by going into the grandstands (assuming they are open) is one option - providing you only want to take 'shots taken from above in the stands' type shots. You may need to battle a paying customer for their seat position to make this work at some of the more popular meetings. Alternatively there are a few circuits not so far infested with fences everywhere or, at least for now, there is rallying and perhaps a few other motorsport variants that could be of interest. Or maybe there are other things to point a camera at ... |
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31 Aug 2011, 10:09 (Ref:2948761) | #8 | ||
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Bloody hell. There goes another one of the good spots for taking pictures then. They seem to be intent on ruining Brands with fencing.
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31 Aug 2011, 11:44 (Ref:2948797) | #9 | |
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Yep dreadful, much better that circuits don't bother spending money on fencing and put spectators at risk instead. After all when do cars ever go over barriers...
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31 Aug 2011, 13:57 (Ref:2948869) | #10 | ||
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On the other hand that incident earlier in the year in the MR2 race does provide an indication of the level of disintrest amongst the population at large given that the spectator accessible area involved was not full of spectators. I see from a video in another post that the Mallory tyre wall boundary at Gerards is finally being moved back some way. Presumably it only stops where it does so that planning consent is limited to an application in Leicestershire alone. Perhaps there is more money to be made converting the sport to something that looks similar to oval racing complete with demolition derbys. Or the NASCAR model. As a matter of interest how many times have cars or bikes (or bits of them) ended up in that section of Druids over the years? Until this year I had not been to Brands since 1974 so I'm a bit out of touch with events. |
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31 Aug 2011, 17:48 (Ref:2948960) | #11 | |
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I've been going to Brands for over 20 years, though admittedly only a couple of times a year in the last few years, and I don't think I ever remember anything ending up on that piece of infield inside Druids after going over the fence (at least not at a meeting I've been at)- it's certainly not somewhere I've ever felt particularly vulnerable....
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31 Aug 2011, 13:19 (Ref:2948858) | #12 | ||
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You accept a level of risk by going to the meeting in the first place - the only way to make it safe is to ban spectators altogether. If there are areas with high fencing and areas without then you can choose what level of risk you think is acceptable. I haven't bothered going to Silverstone for years now because the fencing and large distance from the track make it a totally soulless place - you're so disconnected from the action that you may as well watch it on the tv. It'd be a shame if Brands went the same way.
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1 Sep 2011, 08:04 (Ref:2949247) | #13 | ||
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The FIA have commissioned a report into safety at tracks after the events at Le Mans and Nurburgring. It will not just be spectators that will find their access restricted but also trackside media too. Expect more fences and red zones, with marshals and other workers being given greater protection too. I agree about Silverstone and the situation is much worse since the major races are being shifted down to the wretched new pits. Still I am going to qualify for a bus pass soon. |
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1 Sep 2011, 16:27 (Ref:2949490) | #14 | |||
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BTW: I have already qualified for my bus pass,but can't think of a circuit I can now reach by bus |
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Do it in the streets! |
1 Sep 2011, 16:48 (Ref:2949497) | #15 | ||
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Circuits could help by putting photo holes in the fences to help the paying public follow their hobby. Spa has a few at the last chicane before the pits and very popular they are too. Going to the races live is an experience in itself, sometimes preferable to watching on the box, sometimes not. The bus reference is a comment on Silverstone, where I am told we will park our cars at the old pits and be ferried to the new Wunder Wing by a few asthmatic double deckers. Just adding hassle and inconvenience to the joy of being at the place. And as a young man, sometime in the last century, I would travel to Brands Hatch by trains and bus. |
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1 Sep 2011, 16:53 (Ref:2949498) | #16 | ||
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Still, I don't suppose the circuit owners and operators are too worried about that since the possible loss of a few tens of ticket sales is hardly likely to force a change of business model. It is, however, rather ironic that they have to spend so much money to protect people who are conspicuous by their absence on most 'usage' days just so a few yahoo stock car drivers and associated TV money can be accomodated. The TV money of course wants to see crashes. They attract a wider audience. |
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1 Sep 2011, 22:06 (Ref:2949648) | #17 | ||
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1 Sep 2011, 16:41 (Ref:2949494) | #18 | ||
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I think the FIA should be put in charge of Skiing and all cycling activities, especially mountain biking, with a brief to give 'advice' for climbers as well. (Admittedly, with the possible exception of skiing, participants will only usually kiil and injure themselves undertaking these activities. But what if they should become popular spectator sports? ) Then perhaps the military ...? I had thought of posting some photos from Brands and Silverstone back in the 60s but thought better of it in case I was accused of causing mental harm to anyone who saw them. |
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5 Sep 2011, 19:18 (Ref:2951331) | #19 | |||
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Last edited by Paddockman; 5 Sep 2011 at 19:27. |
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6 Sep 2011, 13:32 (Ref:2951672) | #20 | ||
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I think what would be great is gaps in the fence (like those for tv cameras) close to the track, but small enough so a wheel couldnt go through it but a chance to give an uniterupted shot for the amateur photographers. When i went to spa in 2007, the green fencing down to the bus stop chicaine had such gaps and is a great compromise.
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6 Sep 2011, 14:43 (Ref:2951701) | #21 | ||
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However the chances of that are small and probably represent a lower risk than, say, riding a bicycle along a cycle lane. Something that is unlikely to be restricted in the near future as far as we can foretell. The only problem with the slots is that even on averagely busy days they can be fully occupied and one family with several kids and no camera easily fills the slot - especially along that section above the esses whch is popular being close to most of the amenities. From my point of view I welcome the forethought but found they were mostly about 6 inches too low for anyone of my (average) height. Not something my ageing back would welcome for an extended day. So a good idea but may benefit from further adaptation. However the only place I have yet found an official slot for photographers (or more likely in this case videographers) in this country is at Silverstone in th area of the new complex that, at least in theory, is usually considered a 'no spectator' zone. It seems to exist for the use of official media people but the snap opinions of those around it seemed to be that it was not an ideal position despite the stepped rostrum provided. In terms of risk at that point - maybe some if they were using the southern circuit (or whatever it is called) but for most events on the full circuit I can't see anything making it that far even if they were travelling in the right direction. Of course not having anything in the way of the lens is only part of the concern for a decent snap. Having a half decent background behind the subject is also a consideration. At lesst most of the fence at Spa attempt to blend in somewhat with the surroundings. I'm not sure how easily that could be achieved at most UK tracks. |
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31 Aug 2011, 13:56 (Ref:2948866) | #22 | ||
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But then Brands has had two big incidents of cars ending up where spectators usually are over the past two years. They've been incredibly lucky not to have anybody injured.
I'd agree that there's a balance to be struck - and I'd certainly disagree that Silverstone is soulless! |
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31 Aug 2011, 14:34 (Ref:2948884) | #23 | ||
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oww, thats a shame i was their earlier this year and it was great for photos. If I can't get any decent photos at a circuit without a media pass, i wont bother going.
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1 Sep 2011, 14:30 (Ref:2949449) | #24 | ||
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Not quite sure I can believe I'm reading a thread about moaning at the improved spectator safety at a track!
And yes, cars can get airborn at that point, without the help from anything else. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuy7IZ74Qn8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHowcgn9eDI |
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1 Sep 2011, 20:47 (Ref:2949610) | #25 | |
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On another forum a user wrote to Msv and the good news no more fencing is planned for druids at them moment and they maybe putting in photography holes like clearways. You can always come down to Lydden Hill no high fencing to get in your way and you can see the whole track where ever you stand
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