Paddock parking

[cannardd]

The main problem at Donnington is that the parking outside of the paddock is also outside of the gate and therefore a long walk from carpark to paddock.
This is not a problem at any of the other circuits because the distances from parking to paddock are much shorter.

But the issue of someone coming along and parking in your working space while you are at scrutinising/qualifying/race is a pain in the ar5e...

[greenamex2]

Originally Posted by cannardd

The main problem at Donnington is that the parking outside of the paddock is also outside of the gate and therefore a long walk from carpark to paddock.
This is not a problem at any of the other circuits because the distances from parking to paddock are much shorter.

But the issue of someone coming along and parking in your working space while you are at scrutinising/qualifying/race is a pain in the ar5e...

Rockingham's external paddock is pretty bad. Especially with a push chair.

[cannardd]

I'd forgotten about Rockingham.
Strange place, designed purely for a race series that will never return...
The internal paddock & scruitineering area is a complete joke, far too small. Far too much space wasted with too many infield twisty track options.

[Al Weyman]

When I went there earlier this year I got a garage for some unknown reason, it was brilliant.

[greenamex2]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

When I went there earlier this year I got a garage for some unknown reason, it was brilliant.

First year we got a garage, it was really good. We even had the scrutineers come to us!!!

The last time we were stuck out in the outer paddock and it was a joke. Trying to walk over a mile with an X week old baby and a C-Sectioned wife to sign on, get times etc, and then have to overfill the car with petrol to all for the long drive to scrutineering, practice and the race was ridiculous.

[Speedy5]

When we enter a race, we ususally get 2 paddock tickets for 2 different vehicles right? And the organisers tell us where we are supposed to park in the paddock. How about calling these different areas by a letter (A, B etc.), and then when a competitor sends his entry off for a race, he must include the registration numbers of the 2 vehicles he is going to park in the paddock, and the 2 paddock tickets come back with the Registration numbers on, and the paddock area letter (maybe coloured for each area). Then the gate can enforce the registration bit quite easily, and can later identify in the paddock who is parked in the wrong place.

[Al Weyman]

Sounds a reasonable idea unless you dont know the registration number of the vehicle you will be using (eg hire van) in advance. Maybe easier would be a provision on the pass for the gate man to write the number down as the vehicle enters and also a mark to denote its a tow/support vehicle or otherwise.

[Eddy V]

This is the way it is done for most events in Germany:

some people, working for a championship or track, put their free time into making a paddock plan where all teams are pre-allocated (within a foot or so). As a team, at the start of the season, you have to let them know how big your truck(s) and awnings(s) are (most of the Germans use semis and awnings). If you bring more on raceday, that is bad luck for you. The other teams always keep their spot.

Private cars (drivers, sponsors) are not allowed into the paddock, they get a spot near the paddock, usually in easy walking distance. If they need to bring something big or heavy in, they pay £75 and get that money returned when driving out again. You'd be amazed how quick those people are out again.

Still there are the odd problems, but it is not a bad idea in general. Hardly any crowding or placing cars in front of other awnings.
But you need somebody to do all the work in advance and show the teams their place on raceday.

[DriversKnow]

Some good suggestions on here, and apologise if there were problems at Donington.

The nature of Dunlop Great and British Events, lots of sprint races, full grids and trackday activity on the Friday, do stretch the paddock to the maximum.

We will be working with BARC and the circuit owners next year to enforce parking controls more rigidly. My bugbears are:

Working vehicles only (eg: Vans or cars with towbars should be the definition)

Passes should be stuck to windows or handed in when you leave (as they do at Combe)

No paddock quads or scooters, unless they are towing equipment around

Clear parking area for non-support/tow vehicles

We will work on it!

Thanks for supporting the Dunlop events, we are trying to do things a bit differently but learning all the time!

[Steve Wilkinson]

Most events I have competed at this year have had poorly organised paddocks. The ones that bother to do anything in advance usually mark off areas for classes. However there are notable exceptions:

Longton & District Motor Club at Three Sisters include a Paddock Plan with a numbered paddock slot which has been allocated to you. This you must use!

BARC (Yorkshire) at Harewood Hillclimb - again you are allocated a numbered slot in the paddock. You are allowed either a support vehicle or a trailer as well as your competition car in the space provided.

I must admit the free-for-all attitude has landed me in some interesting paddock slots the best being Pembrey where I had 'pole position' in the paddock as I was one of the first to arrive!

I do favour the organised approach although some clubs couldn't organise a P155 UP at a Brewery! In one instance there were cars leaving their paddock slots as the previous 'batch' were returning, how there wasn't a shunt I do not know!

As for spectator's taking up Paddock space - chance would be a fine thing!

[Al Weyman]

What happened to my last post, was it pulled, I was being nice :-). Anyhow I will say again, good ideas there Eddy and thanks for responding DriversKnow nice bit of feedback and the real point of this great forum, thank you.

[Eddy V]

I think there wasn't another post from you Al, maybe you didn't submit properly, has happened to me.

And they weren't my ideas, zey are vrom ze germans.

[DAVID PATERSON]

We sometimes have similar problems in Australia. One promoting club has a free for all policy and any kind of vehicle can park in the paddock and it's always very full and hard to find a place to set-up/work from.

Other clubs issue a pass to each competitor and without that pass, you can't get in. To stop people using passes for multiple vehciles, you have to write the rego number on the pass or stick it to the windscreen. Seems to work OK, unless you use two vehicles to carry all your stuff. Then you need a transit pass which gets you in for 15 minutes or so.

[R59]

I like those ideas Eddy. £75 to access the paddock to dump tools/spares etc.. then get it back on your way out. What if that "way out" is at or near the end of the meeting???? I assume that they don't get it. Do they have a finite amount of time.

I had one annoying situation this year when I pulled up in the paddock quite late, so just left the car on the trailer, and set the motorhome up for the family (get the kids to bed, have some dinner/supper, and then bed ourselves), only to wake up and find vehicles on both sides of us, leaving nowhere to put the race car and or work on it.

Thankfully, those people were understanding, and moved along - there was bags of paddock space, in fact I'd say that it was probably 30% empty.
It reminded me of that stupid Nissan Micra advert where the silly bint parks between two cars (just enough space) on a wide open country/moorland lane.
Like if you go to a supermarket car park, and go to a section that has no cars in it, some dipstick will park right next to you, so you can hardly open the door.

I've learned from my mistakes now, and always unload, let out the awning on the motorhome, and park the race car in such a position that I can get out in the morning for scrutineering, and then use various bit's and pieces to signify that the space is in use. Go forth and park in JP's spot (it's the grass area with a big H painted on it).

Rob.

[Eddy V]

The access time is one hour, they give you a small piece of paper where they put the time on. If you are out too late (not by 5' or so): money gone.
And they keep doing it even untill the very last minute of the event. Tuff bunch they are those Germans.
But it works. Needless to say you have to find people at the gate willing to do all that work.

[JohnD]

Ed,
Is the 'platform ticket' cash or cheque?
If there were many transients in the paddock at one time, I'd feel vulnerable. A dozen and the gate keeper will have nearly a grand in their pocket!

John

[Eddy V]

Cash. But there are not that many using that option. And the money is handed back as soon as you take the car back out, usually already after 15 to 20 minutes.
You'd be amazed how that little bit amount of money keeps cars out.

Only the ones who really have to be inside to unload something go for that option. The rest stays out and carry everything in, or (as a team you are allowed 1 car in over the weekend with a special pass) they use the special pass car as a mule.

[zefarelly]

If motor homes the size of the Isle of Wight where banished from Paddocks there might be enough room for race cars and tool boxes.

the trouble is, where do you draw the line, we have a large transit which doubles as a camper and a support vehicle . . .

[Notso Swift]

Same problem here. motor homes are basically non-existent, but the number of "club” racers with dedicated trucks and even Pan-Tech is getting out of hand. These 45’ behemoths (plus the prime mover) are then generally fitted with a 45’ x 20’ awning. All for one ****** who thinks that his car is so important that he can take up the same amount of room that 4 normal people fit in to.
Some of these guys also hire a garage!
Naturally the trucks don’t get asked for a pass, so you have their road cars in as well, and these are not tender vehicles, how much can you fit in your average 911?

I have resisted posting on this because it gets me too emotional, but I am bored and I wanted to unload!

[Al Weyman]

This is turning out to be a good thread even if I say so myself .

This is obviously an international problem as well as a local one and we have already had a view and promise to look into this by Dunlops rep, lets hope that more people that matter can have a read and maybe take notice and prehaps even some action also some good solutions have been offered.

This is a good example of a site like this working to further the sport and the lot of those that participate.

[StephenRae]

I'll bet that the majority of the private cars clogging up the paddock at Oulton belong to those who run the meetings and should know better

[Metroman]

Having been involved in most branches of motorsport as either a competitor or organiser, I can fully understand the comments. Interestingly, at major rallycross events, the entry form includes a paddock parking request with a place for the dimensions of transporter and awning and a maximum size allowance! God help anyone turning up with something bigger 'cos they are the ones parking outside the paddock. Many race clubs issue a paddock plan then don't have anyone enforcing it. Add that to the guys testing the day before a race meeting and mayhem ensues. At least at Croft, the circuit allocates specific areas for each category racing.

[Gerry Taylor]

So.....in conclusion. "Nothing has altered while I've been away from Racing (31 years ago) Still Paddock Chaos, and SOME Nasty Staff". Hey, makes you glad you got up on a Sunday morning and drove hundreds of miles don't it!
(In jest of course....Gate Security, where would we be without em?)

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

If motor homes the size of the Isle of Wight where banished from Paddocks there might be enough room for race cars and tool boxes.

the trouble is, where do you draw the line, we have a large transit which doubles as a camper and a support vehicle . . .

Charge them a pound per sq foot of paddock space used as a event rental fee.

[greenamex2]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

Charge them a pound per sq foot of paddock space used as a event rental fee.

Unfortunately the main offenders won't be put off by even a fairly significant charge, they'll spend more on cucumber sandwiches!

It might help a bit though and the money could be put to good use.