Marshals Camping

[MichaelG]

Hi guys,

After attending training on Saturday at Donington I'm really looking forward to my first year of marshalling.

I'm looking at doing a few Saturday and Sunday meetings and was just wondering. If I apply to marshal these do you get sent camping passes for the weekend or is it just the fact that you'll have tickets for both days enough to get you into the camping area?
Also, when is camping access usually open from?
I'm primarily looking at Donington but any info on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[bostic]

I often camp at Donington, have so far never recieved a camping pass as I always volunteer through the organising club but have never had any bother getting onto campsite (I believe if you volunteer through circuit you do get a camping pass!). The vehicle pass that you will be sent also gets you access to campsite. For a normal sat/sun meeting I always go on the friday before and have turned up at lunch time and has never been a problem.

[Steven Humphrey]

I can't speak for Donington but most circuits have a dedicated marshal's campsite where you just find a space & pitch your tent/park your caravan, no passes are issued. Silverstone & Snetterton (where I do most of my marshalling) usually allow you to arrive the afternoon before a meeting starts, as long as you have marshal's passes/tickets. The sites are inside the circuit grounds so are fairly secure, though don't tempt fate by leaving valuables in your tent. There's usually water points on the site but electric hook ups only at the bigger meetings (not an issue if you camp).

[MichaelG]

Ok great, thanks for the replies. Looks like I'll go tent shopping now.


Ta,

[Maranello Man]

Hi Michael G,
Camping passes are available normallly through Di Hardy who runs the ES Team at Donington. The campsite is ideally placed just through the paddock gates on the left with it's own toilets for both men and ladies. Shower blocks are in the paddock which are also within easy walking distance. Two day meets at Donington are excellent and this year is no exception with some superb events.

Look forwarding to seeing you this season.

Kind Regards
Simon

[Wet marshal]

Originally Posted by MichaelG

Looks like I'll go tent shopping now.

Its a pity your not near some of the Protest sites ie;St Pauls,London & Bristol.......................theres loads of tents,being dumped!!

[MichaelG]

[QUOTE=Wet marshal;3019540]

Originally Posted by MichaelG

Looks like I'll go tent shopping now.

Its a pity your not near some of the Protest sites ie;St Pauls,London & Bristol.......................theres loads of tents,being dumped!!

And most have never even been used!

[Steve Milward]

Take some very hard tent pegs, the ground is rubble with a covering of grass

[m1fcf]

I have replaced all my pegs with these, and they seem to stand up pretty well, even on the "soft" surfaces at Brands.

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-...g-pegs-p143621

[deadsquirrel]

I replaced all my old tent pegs with a campervan - I now have no problems on hard campsites :-)

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by deadsquirrel

I replaced all my old tent pegs with a campervan - I now have no problems on hard campsites :-)

With a trashcan for empty beer cans on top - how convenient!

[theracegypsy]

Originally Posted by deadsquirrel

I replaced all my old tent pegs with a campervan - I now have no problems on hard campsites :-)

...but have problems with electric hook-up at some circuits

[vintage]

Having camped at Beddgelert where the ground is hard slate rubble, I was given this tip. Take a long big screwdriver and mallet and make the holes with them, then put your pegs in easy peasy and no broken pegs.

[Mike Kelly 1]

Originally Posted by vintage

Having camped at Beddgelert where the ground is hard slate rubble, I was given this tip. Take a long big screwdriver and mallet and make the holes with them, then put your pegs in easy peasy and no broken pegs.

I bought the longest nails I could find in Homebase. They make ideal tent pegs, as proved over the last 7 years camping at the Nurburgring!

"Other DIY stores are also available!"

[Lrawlings]

Just replace a newish 5 man tent, with a caravan. Old caravan but still got leisure batt, an gas heating. Mmmmm warmth!

[Justin Moran]

I saved all the money I used to waste on tents and extra pegs and used it to book my odd trip away in a travelodge. Comfy, warm and dry!

[The_Viper]

I used to camp, but now I have a caravan - makes drying out easier!! I've marshalled at all the circuits around the UK except Lydden and all except one will let you on site on the Friday.
Oulton Park is the only one where they wouldn't let me on site until after midday on the Friday and, I'm not sure if it's standard practice, everyone had to be off site by 8pm on the Sunday evening. I had intended staying until Monday morning as it's a long haul, but got thrown off - not impressed!!!

[Guinness2702]

Originally Posted by The_Viper

I used to camp, but now I have a caravan - makes drying out easier!! I've marshalled at all the circuits around the UK except Lydden and all except one will let you on site on the Friday.
Oulton Park is the only one where they wouldn't let me on site until after midday on the Friday and, I'm not sure if it's standard practice, everyone had to be off site by 8pm on the Sunday evening. I had intended staying until Monday morning as it's a long haul, but got thrown off - not impressed!!!

I had a caravan for a year, but went back to the tent for last season. Partly due to the caravan being very second hand, but the cost of towing it and running it was really the clincher.

Only been to Oulton for bumper cars a couplathree times, but the instructions have always given you advance warning, when I've been anyway, that you have to be off the campsite on Sunday night.

[Mike Kelly 1]

Originally Posted by The_Viper

Oulton Park is the only one where they wouldn't let me on site until after midday on the Friday and, I'm not sure if it's standard practice, everyone had to be off site by 8pm on the Sunday evening. I had intended staying until Monday morning as it's a long haul, but got thrown off - not impressed!!!

That is standard practice at Oulton Park, has been for as long as I can remember.

[Stack]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly 1

That is standard practice at Oulton Park, has been for as long as I can remember.

Also - bar the BTCC - you get put in with the general (and noisy) public. I did not marshal the Monday of the Gold Cup. After being kept awake half the night by revellers I packed up and went home. I shall never return until there are proper camping facilities for marshals.

I love the Gold Cup and the only plus side to my refusal is that this year it clashes with the WSCC at Silverstone so I wouldn't have been going anyway.

[Justin Moran]

Originally Posted by Stack

Also - bar the BTCC - you get put in with the general (and noisy) public. I did not marshal the Monday of the Gold Cup. After being kept awake half the night by revellers I packed up and went home. I shall never return until there are proper camping facilities for marshals.

I love the Gold Cup and the only plus side to my refusal is that this year it clashes with the WSCC at Silverstone so I wouldn't have been going anyway.

Stack, for the bigger events, like BTCC and Im sure the Gold Cup too, we, at Oulton, are put in the top of the 40 acre field away from the main population but shared with Family camping. Seems to suit most.

[Stack]

Originally Posted by Justin Moran

Stack, for the bigger events, like BTCC and Im sure the Gold Cup too, we, at Oulton, are put in the top of the 40 acre field away from the main population but shared with Family camping. Seems to suit most.

The 40 acre field (sounds like Winnie the pooh!!) is NOT used for the Gold Cup, trust me!

[Tris1976]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly 1

That is standard practice at Oulton Park, has been for as long as I can remember.

One to strike off the list of potential places to add to my marshalling calander this year then. Glad that I read this before applying for any of the events held there, with a minimum of 4 and half hours (and that is with no traffic) home I'd like to have the option to stay uintil Monday.

[Mike Kelly 1]

Originally Posted by Tris1976

One to strike off the list of potential places to add to my marshalling calander this year then. Glad that I read this before applying for any of the events held there, with a minimum of 4 and half hours (and that is with no traffic) home I'd like to have the option to stay uintil Monday.

When i travel down to Pembrey i head straight home on the Sunday night. Normally do Pembrey to Preston in just over 4 hours. Funnily enough, when i camp at Pembrey its in with competitors etc. No "marshals camp site" at Pembrey either.

[Tris1976]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly 1

When i travel down to Pembrey i head straight home on the Sunday night. Normally do Pembrey to Preston in just over 4 hours. Funnily enough, when i camp at Pembrey its in with competitors etc. No "marshals camp site" at Pembrey either.

Mike,

If I didn't live within 25 miniutes of Pembrey and I was in line for camping there, then it too would be another one that probably wouldn't make my travelling list.

Fair play to you that you are OK with a long drive home on a Sunday, but as with everyone else these days I am having to being more choosey about where I go to due to the fuel costs, so the Sunday stay over night has now become a factor for every other circuit that I could travel to.