Formula E, London, real news

[The Wench]

I live about 5.5 miles from battersea park , anyone that wants to crash out at mine is welcome, there is free parking in my road all weekend...It would mean bringing a sleeping bag , blow up bed ect and sleeping on the floor, but its an offer if anyone is stuck

[Chigley]

Originally Posted by The Wench

I live about 5.5 miles from battersea park , anyone that wants to crash out at mine is welcome, there is free parking in my road all weekend...It would mean bringing a sleeping bag , blow up bed ect and sleeping on the floor, but its an offer if anyone is stuck

Does that include breakfast in bed for guests and bed time stories?

[The Wench]

Originally Posted by Chigley

Does that include breakfast in bed for guests and bed time stories?

Ha Ha......

Nope

[paddock.one]

I'm in too (paddock, strangely).

Does anyone understand how the public ticketing works, ie for our friends or our marshal guests' friends?

Think general admission gets them a walkabout for infield and some outside areas, the 30 quid gives access to better viewing via raised standing platforms, unreserved so presumably they can wander between different areas.

Anyone got a better handle on this??

[Guinness2702]

http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/...d=ukregpresale

[Rob29]

Originally Posted by Guinness2702

http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/...d=ukregpresale

can anyone understand this site? from my first atempt it seems you need separate tickets for each day,up to £200 for standing platform + lunch & soft drinksI had hoped to go but think I will stick to TV.For 2 45mins races cost outragous? And none of my favourite (female) drivers now seem to be taking part?

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by Rob29

can anyone understand this site?

Nope, can't work out what you're supposed to pay for where.

Is that it, then? Just the two races (plus practice and quali, presumably)? No supports?

[Greem]

Emails are out regarding camping, sign-on etc.

Principal observations: Tents only - no caravans, no motorhomes. No parking on site of any sort. One guest ticket each. Event sign-on from 0800 Friday.

Getting closer!

[Greem]

Originally Posted by Woolley

Is that it, then? Just the two races (plus practice and quali, presumably)? No supports?

http://www.fiaformulae.com/media/708...metable-v1.pdf

There's one support race per day - the FE School Series. It's a bit different to a day stuffed full of Porsches

[Steven Humphrey]

Not too pleased about no parking facilities. That mmeans lugging all my kit on the train, plus an expensive ticket.

[numbersix]

No caravans, no motorhomes, and no car parking of any kind. No thanks...

[Guinness2702]

Originally Posted by Woolley

Is that it, then? Just the two races (plus practice and quali, presumably)? No supports?

Instructions have been emailed .... there'll also be shake-down time on track, on Friday. I'm not sure that FE has supports.

[Guinness2702]

Originally Posted by Steven Humphrey

Not too pleased about no parking facilities. That mmeans lugging all my kit on the train, plus an expensive ticket.

There's no way I can lug all my gear on a train. I've emailled back explaining the predicament that this puts me in (i.e. that I'm not going to be able to do the event, as things stand). I hope something can be sorted out, because I've been looking forwards to doing this one since the series was first announced! I worry, though, that the arrangements have already been set in stone, and I won't be able to go

[Steven Humphrey]

I think I may have to do the same. Tent, sleeping bag, airbed, pump, stove, gas, kettle, cutlery etc plus marshalling gear and chair is just too much. I've looked at a budget hotel & you're talking £300. I'm gutted as I can no longer do the F1, due to lack of meetings because of work, so this would be my substitute.

[Chris Hobson]

Reading this thread, I understand a number of volunteers are unhappy with the camping & parking arrangements made for marshals. I have spoken to Dave Scott at MSVR and can now understand his predicament.

Battersea Park has extremely restricted vehicle parking. By the time the track is set out, plus pits, paddock, emergency vehicles etc. there is literally no room for any other cars. MSVR have managed to create dedicated camping inside the venue for marshals with 24 hour security, with access to necessary facilities, but there is absolutely no room for motorhomes, cars or vans as well.

In order to go some way towards compensating for marshals having to park and ride, or use public transport for the whole journey MSVR are giving £40.00 towards our expenses, plus a guest pass (and there might be one or two goodies as well!).

This is a genuine one off event and I honestly believe we have to be as flexible as possible in helping the organisers ensure it is a success, so please bear with Dave and the MSVR team – we are all on the same side!
Have a great weekend – I hope to be able to be there as well.

[numbersix]

I'm sorry. This is nothing to do with flexibility and I appreciate MSVR's hands are tied.

This is London wanting to get the prestige of hosting an International event but who haven't had the gumption to organise proper facilities for all the volunteers who will make the event possible.

I saw this coming when I read the planning permissions.

Was it beyond them to arrange facilities further afield and bus the marshals in!?

No, we have quite literally been abandoned. "Thanks for volunteering, guys, now make your way in with 30,000 other people whilst carrying more kit than the SAS."

I am not able, due to back problems, to lift much kit. I'm hugely disappointed.

I'm certain that MSVR, who know these things, have been bashing their heads against a wall of stupid, unthinking bureaucracy.

[Guinness2702]

Originally Posted by Chris Hobson

In order to go some way towards compensating for marshals having to park and ride, or use public transport for the whole journey

That's all well and good, Chris, and I didn't come here to be a naysayer, but it's simply impractical for me to transport all my marshalling & camping gear, from Cambridge on public transport, and hotel prices are well north of £200.

At the moment, commuting, each day might be an option, but with train fares and taxi costs, I think I'm looking at something like £120 for the weekend, with something like 3 hours travelling time, each way, each day, which is more of a concern than the price.

As I said, I don't want to be a naysayer, and I've been looking forwards to doing this meeting since the series was first announced. I appreciate that certain people have had little control over the arrangements, but the simple facts are, I'm staring at not being reasonably able to go to this event

[Richard Duvall]

Originally Posted by Chris Hobson

This is a genuine one off event and I honestly believe we have to be as flexible as possible in helping the organisers ensure it is a success.

Whilst the 2015/16 calendar has not been published, I would have thought they would be aiming to come back to London next year!

[Wet marshal]

We need to have an area where we can drop off tents, pitch them and dump all the gear, then park our vehicles elsewhere or the event will be Short of experienced Marshals.

I don't know if my 6 berth airbeam tent, would fit on the number 19!

I have emailed David Scott...but wait his reply.

[anna_blakemore]

Originally Posted by Chris Hobson

This is a genuine one off event and I honestly believe we have to be as flexible as possible in helping the organisers ensure it is a success, so please bear with Dave and the MSVR team – we are all on the same side!
Have a great weekend – I hope to be able to be there as well.

That's interesting, I have read on Facebook other officials talking about what they have been offered. It seems race control staff, timekeepers, scrutineers etc have been given hotel rooms and oyster cards. But as you say lets be flexible we are all on the same side......

[Guinness2702]

Originally Posted by Wet marshal

We need to have an area where we can drop off tents, pitch them and dump all the gear, then park our vehicles elsewhere or the event will be Short of experienced Marshals.

He said to me that we'd be able to drop off / pick up tents, but cars can't stay. He did not mention anything about where cars are supposed to go, so I expect that nothing has been arranged on that score.

[AMR]

Don't usually post on here but someone told me to look this listing up. I have posted this on facebook and will send to MSVR so it is not a moan behind their backs. I just feel sad as was looking forward to going.

I think the sad thing about all of this is that we all knew it was London and what it would cost if we had to park or stay in hotels .I have asked and asked for information regarding camping from the start. We therefore sadly assumed that we would be able to camp and park as normal in the park or at another location and possibly be bussed in without having to touch London’s costs/ public transport/tolls/parking/hotels etc.. My days of back packing and carrying camping kit and marshals kit I am afraid are over . I am not a whimp and have camped all over Europe in good and dreadful conditions and still hike in Austria every year in the mountains. I wrongly just expected to be able to come here and do the marshalling and go back to the campsite with what little luxury I cared to bring. I have spoken To MSVR by email and tel. and they seem unconcerned .
I actually cannot see a solution. I am sure as this post is proving there are enough marshals prepared to rough it and pay out the London expenses. I feel let down by the organisers that they have taken us for granted and expect us to either live rough or pay the price of staying in London accommodations and endure the parking fiasco in London. I have worked many years at exhibitions & show in London even at Battersea before and most organisations send lists of (in this case) recommendations of hotels to stay in with usual discounts for exhibitors negotiated for us. Plus lists of parking availability. Both covering the high and low costs for any ones choice. This would all have being appreciated. I have not said no yet but I see no way of doing it..

[deley]

Originally Posted by Richard Duvall

Whilst the 2015/16 calendar has not been published, I would have thought they would be aiming to come back to London next year!

I imagine there's a long list of willing candidate cities.......

[2JamesR2]

Best idea I have for people wanting to camp but not lug things on public transport is to travel with somebody or arrange to have someone at the campsite help you, dump everything at the entrance for somebody to take in and set up, whilst you drive the car towards Brixton area (just a suggestion, don't bite my arm off!) and there is sometimes street parking around for free -although very advisable to do your research first.

If you can find the far back streets (I'm speaking from experience of living in Camberwell, just a bit further east) then you can find a space at the right time of day, and leave the car for as long as you want. That said, can't guarantee you'll find one conveniently near a bus stop or train station, and if you're unlucky you could be looking for hours.

It's one of those events that's hopefully worth doing the hard work for. I'm deciding whether to commute, camp or ask a friend for a sofa, not sure what I'd prefer...

[Wet marshal]

I had an e mail back from David SCOTT M.S.V.R. & he confirms that Marshals can drop of tents/gear etc......but then we have got to find some where to park for free!.....my choice is somewhere near Bromley...near a relations house.