Motorsport is waking up ...

[rob.kellock]

ORIGINAL: ChrisW

I think it's very easy to think that one would like to get involved in PCGB politics. Not.

I kicked this off because I have always found large numbers of people who really enjoy being taken reasonably swiftly around a decent circuit (I am yet to be fast --- and maybe only in my dreams).

But the first step is enthusiasm and Motorsport (in my view) have been notably lacking in sharing this !!

We need the widest possible funnel to build the numbers of people who are willing to participate at any level.

For example, I would love to justify more norther PCGB track days.

Croft and Oulton are the only two this year and they both need to be a rip roaring success --- so who is bulling them ?

We could put together at least half a dozen really interesting cars, driven by people who are very happy to share the experience and show newcomers how to pick up and go their own way.

Who will share in this ?

Brendan Daly has already started to address this. As a result of enquiries from R18, there will be an Anglesey track day on 27th April. It has been announced on the forum, details in Porsche Post next edition I believe. As soon as booking details are announced I will be shouting from the rooftops to promote it!

 

[vitesse]

Rob,
Judging from current reactions,nobody likes the boat rocking & I'll promise to stay out of the sea.

Perhaps we should support Croft too.

Problem with Des's idea ably supported by Rich is wherever it's held,there is a long drive out -I for two would enjoy it.

 

[Melv]

ORIGINAL: rob.kellock

Brendan Daly has already started to address this. As a result of enquiries from R18, there will be an Anglesey track day on 27th April. It has been announced on the forum, details in Porsche Post next edition I believe. As soon as booking details are announced I will be shouting from the rooftops to promote it!

Need at least forty people to make this happen...so who is in??

 

[rob.kellock]

Brendan has already announced it on the forum?

Nick Hine expressed an interest to me on the phone the other day.

From R18 there's me, Zeb, Vitesse, Jamie Wilson, Hassan, Brian Bingham, Sound System Simon and hopefully a few others, flat6 has been charged with getting R5's interest going and Brendan Daly has an enthusiastic North Wales region to round up. There is interest from a couple of the Spyderboys on Pistonheads too.

There are at least 6 PCGB region with members within a 2 hour drive of the circuit. If each can find 6 participants, job's a good 'un.

It's hard to promote until you can book it.

 

[Melv]

So that's seven who have 'expressed an interest'.......

 

[rob.kellock]

FFS!!

It's a bit hard to do any more until it is announced formally and is bookable?

 

[Melv]

ORIGINAL: rob.kellock

FFS!!

It's a bit hard to do any more until it is announced formally and is bookable?

Is it? [&:]

 

[carreraboy]

ORIGINAL: RSGulp

I like Des's seminar idea. If there was a 'PCGB Introduction to Competing' I would definitely attend.

I'd think it could be a combination of sitting in a room with a coffee whilst someone 'presents' the necessary background/regulations/licence/paperwork bit - then what would be of real benefit would be a detailed 'walk round show and tell' with a current race car or two - while someone shows what needs to be done to a standard car to bring it up to Speed Championship or other competition regs.
- Showing/discussing modifications needed or otherwise - belts/cage/seats/fuel or electrical cut-offs/etc.
- Tyres/noise regs.
- Clothing/equipment - helmet/race overalls/etc.
- Brakes/suspension/etc.

Would be interesting to see what needs to be done with a race car vs similar road car.

I know everything can be researched and read in the relevant regulations and handbooks, but nothing beats actually seeing it and being talked through it in the right environment and being able to discuss it and ask questions.

How simple this could be ... could attract more members and bump up the numbers in Motorsport Competition, cost to the club for the day at Cornbury would be minimal, we have salaried Motorsport employees and no doubt we would have countless volunteers ... We are a race pedigree brand aimed at the Amateur, let's do it.

This would be perfect introduction for those afraid to ask ... Paul H could do the follow up at a Circuit, showing us all how it's done, do think the classroom first then venture out. We are a Club with a wealth of information, experience and talent, let's share it.

 

[spyderman]

TBH I don't think those "too afraid to ask" will ever go racing. If you want to go racing, you'll go racing regardless - even if 'er indoors decides otherwise. You'll attend races, mooch around the (thankfully open) paddock, talk to teams, talk to drivers, ask questions, all the time working out if this is the series for you. That's what I did.

Having said that, I have absolutely nothing against motorsport-themed talks by the club - in fact a recent one from Carrera Cup GB driver Tania Mann hosted by R21 was extremely well attended. I just don't think such events are likely to recruit new drivers - its only the roar of engines and the smell of tyres and hot brakes that can get into a potential driver's blood and trip the switch.

Chris #88

 

[carreraboy]

I think it would .... what is the downside there is none ... worth at least a try, let's NOT be negative, anyway sure this will all fall on deaf ears[&o]

 

[spyderman]

ORIGINAL: carreraboy
I think it would .... what is the downside there is none ... worth at least a try, let's NOT be negative, anyway sure this will all fall on deaf ears[&o]

Quite true - zero downside. How about instead trying it at the Regional level? Or combine it with a PCGB race meeting? Oulton has a massive restaurant and some TDOs use the far end of it for briefings.

Chris #88.

 

[rob.kellock]

ORIGINAL: Melv


Is it? [&:]

Apologies and I appreciate this is O/T but I don't understand the negativity/ sarcasm?

My starting point was that a couple of pals fancy trying another circuit prior to the October PCGB Oulton day. Prior to the publishing of the PCGB calendar I sent an email to Steve Kevlin to enquire if the club was intending to host a track day there and if so when.

Instead of saying no, Steve was good enough to make some enquiries and asked me to try and assist gauge numbers. I therefore liaised with my RO who let me say a few words at our club meeting and the response was very positive. I also rang Brendan Daly as RO for the North Wales region to see if he thought his members would be interested. His response was astonishingly upbeat and positive, he felt several of his members would support the idea and also that it would be good to try and go for the same weekend as his region's flagship event, Porsche on the Prom at Llandudno. A weekend with something for everyone, polishers, drivers and track dayers.

I said to Brendan that if the idea came off I'd be happy to support it. If I recall correctly, there was some talk of Porsche on Track running the day rather than PCGB.

My perspective on this comes as an enthusiastic lay member. I am not an RO, not a director and know nothing about Porsche Motorsport or the politics that are clearly going on behind the scenes here. You clearly know something I don't. I can assure you I have no agenda.

I posted on this thread because somebody made an observation about PCGB track days in the North and I relayed information from a post on a different thread to say that, as I understood it, there was going to be one. I have no involvement in the organisation of the day, nor any mandate to have any involvement.

If the Anglesey day is on, I'll sign up for it. If it's not my pals and I will do something else. If you want to continue to insult me then please continue but I am genuinely bemused as to why?

 

[ChrisW]

I would Rob.

To be fair to Melv, he is the "so what" on your shoulder.

Everybody gets excited and then one by one, gets busy doing other stuff.

Steve Brooks as had good success -- he brings thekettle and biscuits, organises a garage where everybody can dump their stuff (if they don't have their own garage) --- is a mine of useful information about drivers / tuition / the mods required to a standard car --- and is a really good person to boot !!

I am also inclined to Spider man's view as well that people who want race just can't stop themselves ?

Learning curve ? Racecraft is essential even if you are fast --- and a car that can be dinged if it must be, an advantage.

But as a straight answer, this is the weekend before the Brands Hatch PCChampionship race, and I would

No driving god, but I'll give it a go. 'Never been to Anglesey !! Yet.

As an aside, with all the marshalling, you need to know what your break even number is. And it must be organised by somebody who is recognised and will leave everybodies' insurance in place.

So how many will also do Croft ? My home circuit, much faster than you think, --- especially since i need practice

 

[ChrisW]

P.S. To be fair to Motorsport I don't have any idea what the politics are, and have no interest in finding out.

We are a club. It should be fun.

We each of us do what we can ... and now it's Top Gear []

 

[rob.kellock]

Absolutely. Many thanks.

 

[Melv]

Just playing devils advocate Rob, no slight intended. Trouble is, I've seen it all before and so has Steve K -numbers of people say they will support a track day and when push comes to shove it's pulled because not enough sign up -just don't get Steve K started on the subject.....

If it really is going to go ahead, initial interest from more than five punters is required.....

 

[rob.kellock]

Understood.

On the face of it, the day is of some interest before it has been formalised and bookable. In a club with 15000 members you'd hope finding 40 attenders would be feasible. I am all too aware of the discrepancy between those "expressing an interest" and those putting their hand in their pockets.

Fundementally I think we sing from the same hymn sheet.

 

[paul kelley]

Hi All

I have been watching this post for some time and I have to say that Steve Kevlin tries to get a broard coverage over the country, but, he can only respond to the support and number of Members who book. I ,when I was Chairman, wrote on a regular basis promoting both track days and the various race meetings as did other Chairmen in their regular monthly reports. Unfortunately I do not think any of us managed to create a much greater following despite our efforts.
As has been mentioned by others, if you want to do, you will do and make every effort to make it happen.

Horse to water!!!comes to mind.

Under the new arrangement of the Motorsport Board I would hope they all get as much support as possible and Motorsport will prosper.

Have fun

Paul Kelley

 

[carreraboy]

We are all on the same hymn sheet .... My suggestion of a "Welcome to Motorsport" Day might not be for everyone but given the number of Track Day drivers who may want to progress and the newbies would be a great fast track way to learn form the vast experience we have in the Club, without having to hang around pit lanes .... I would think 40 bums on seats is very achievable, maybe charge a concessionary £25 for Lunch and coffee. No Politics, No Agenda, No Criticism, just a suggestion from the ranks.

 

[carreraboy]

Not a direct comparison, but a motorsport seminar aimed more at business this could be for newcomers, cost looks reasobale

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