Sean Bicknell

Before I start I want this to be a constructive post, not a slagging one. Maybe a few ideas on here can make next years event better. I understand the vast amount of work that goes into these shows and I have a huge amount of respect for all involved

However....

I arrived at around 7:45am, unloaded my car and queued up for the noise test. Unfortunatly I failed but was told afterwards by others that even if it would have past that I wouldn't have got my sticker as I hadn't signed on. This wasn't in the documentation anywhere that things needed to be done in a specific order.

So I then went to sign on. I stood in the queue for an hour and a half!!!! It was so frustrating standing in the bloody queue while others were out on track.

Got signed on, only to not be allowed in the drivers briefing because it was full, so I had to come back half an hour later.

Spent that half hour getting one of those silencer things to quieten my car down a bit.

I reckon the noise equipment was out of wack, mine was 103 at first and it has been tested at 98 before. 5db is a huge difference. Plus a stage 3 saph with a mongoose on it was tested at 108 I can't believe it could have been that loud. Both mine and Martins Escorts with over 500bhp on mongooses were never over 100db

The queues for track were unreal. If the club new only 12 cars were going to be allowed on track at a time and they signed on 100 cars, I personally think that is daylight robbery. The track was open for about 6 hours once you have taken out lunch and the bloody parade lap. And with 15 minutes sessions that turned out to be about 20 by the time they got everyone off and the next session on that made for a total of 18 sessions throughout the day. so 100 cars into 18 sessions at 12 cars at a time works out to 2.16 sessions per car

The thing is I don't see why it has to be like this. Croft last week was Awesome. Signing on was a 2 second affair and there was never a queue and they got everyone in for the one drivers briefing that we all new the time of so no one had an excuse to miss it and bobs your uncle. The first group were queued up in the pit lane before the 9 oclock start.

Ways to improve (in my opinion)

1. Send out all of the indemnity forms in the post so that people can get them filled out before they arrive at the track. Also why not send out the printed ticket for each driver with the lanyard. Less to do on the day and less to go wrong etc.

2. Get all the drivers in one briefing at a pre determined time

3. Allow more cars on track at once!!!! And if not then sign on less cars.

4. Post out a timetable of the day and include what order things should be done in (i.e. sign on before noise test)

Anyone got any more thoughts??? As I said I don't want this to be a slaggung post. The only reason I have posted this is because I love the day so much. Castle Combe as always been one of my favourite days and long may it continue

Sean..

CozzyBrom

from what you told me pet
they was just out to make money on the 100 entrents not thinking oh we carnt get that many on track
and as for the stupid parade laps that took up all of your payed for track time is unfair
i think refunds should be given

Sean Bicknell

Well if they new that only 12 cars would be on track at a time and they did the maths with 100 people signed on, then surely giving each car 2 ish sessions on track can't be on!!

CraigN

at the start fo the day (pre 8am)

they could only print the labels from one pc due to me being late once i set the other up they were using 2 pc's

the main reason for doing it this way is the massive number of ppl who change there details after filling out the original form ie car there taking on track etc.

I was well pissed off about 12 cars on track so i asked one of the organisers and i was told it was due to insurance. Dunno how true that is, im sure before ive been there with 20-24 cars on track at one time. I dont know if the organisers new the number of cars allowed on track when it was arranged.

i only had 3 sessions and this was my first track day ive done that has not been open pit lane.

I much prefer open pit lane.

but all in all i think this is the best all round show of the year

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

I had very similar issues last year Sean, this year I voted with my feet and stayed well away. It was very poor last year - and from what I have read poor this year too.

Not talking about the show or organisation of such before some of the club get the huff but the track and admin side of it can all be done sooooo much better with a little thought and understanding. Others manage to do it like you have said, so it isnt an impossible task.

Think I'll stay away next year too

CraigN

I think the show has got really big and the only bad side to it was the track.

Keep comments coming folks and i will pass them on

i hate the ques

my car was fine on track it was queing were my fans failed to cut in it got a bit hot and my headgasket spat a dummy

also daves accident took some time to clear out, then after that was done was the parade lap etc.

so seemed like an age before we got going again

Anonymous

In fairness the amount of time wasted with people braking down and crashing was probably a lot more than the organisers expected, i cant remember seeing the track under a yellow flag or stopped so many times in one day before and coombe has been my local track for the last decade so i go quite reguarly.

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

Craig - if amendments to forms are your problem then you have a seperate table set up for that so as not to hold up those that are just signing on, collecting their bands and are then immediatly ready for track.

Those that have amendments or changes or lost forms etc can delay each other all they like - it will teach them to get it right next year.

Instruct beforehand that there is a drivers ONLY briefing at a specific time and location - and get this clearly signposted , the number of passengers you get attending will astound you.... this free's up the room to get everyone in in 1 session so no locked doors and come back later etc.

All labels should be pre-printed too so you can have a lie in

Sean Bicknell

Yeah I agree, it is without doubt one of the best shows of the year. That can be seen by the number of people that attend. As you say Craig, it was just the track side of things that lets it down.

I understand that a lot of that is to do with the Castle Combe peeps aswell. I aint having a go at the RS folks. Would just like to help make next years show better!!!!

You mention about people changing details like the car they had etc. Is this important?? I mean who cares what car you have on track.

Also driving licenses, do you really need to see it, or is a signed declaration that includes the driving license number not sufficient and this could all be done if the declaration forms were sent out prior to the event and filled in before you get there. I know this was the case at Croft and I can't remember the last time I had to get my license out at Donnington.

I'm just thinking the less that has to be done on the day the better. Just imagine if the printers or the PC had gone tits up on the day.

Plus the passanger declarations. Couldn't people request those before the day for a cheaper rate or something and then on the day they would just need to exchange there signed declaration for a wrist band.

Sean..

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

It is very important that vehicle and driver details are correct on the day Sean. These have to be kept for so long after the event too

Licences should be checked - or available for checking for all events like this. Can't fault them for that if they have done it, as that is correct procedure.

But as you say nothing is to take away all the unpaid hard work that goes in.... just hope they can take criticism to make their event even stronger than it already is without it being seen as derogatory or unhelpful in any way

Martin-Hadland

iTrader: (2)

i heard that the insurance was a higher price for more than 12 cars, does anyone know if there is any truth in that?

i have to say i agree with all sean has said

Anonymous

The track side of things looked a bit messy to be fair.

Sean i thought your license was checked at croft ? But your right - i have not shown my license at Dono for ages - the number on the form is what they need. Saem reason you have to have your car in working order - there is an element of trust involved. Good show though

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

New one on me, and weve been hiring registered tracks for both club motorsport and testing purposes for about 8 years now.

Anonymous

Tony - how do they know its your license ?

You sign the form and writing your life away

slowpoke

never been to this show but can comment on croft, second time for me this year and still the best show by far

excellently organised and good numbers on the track

excellent effort by the derby and durham boys and girls

not for me to say but maybe the coombe organisers should visit croft next year ??

matt

Rob Wiles

TOTALLY agree Sean been going to coombe for years and its got worse and worse every year, its a shame cos i love the curcuit and the other down side was you couldnt get out on track with the cars you would like to be up against, it was a case of getting back round to region the queue as best you could imo cheers Rob

Sketch

I totally agree with everything Sean says too - mainly because i spent that hour and a half in the queue next to him, then had to wait for the next driver briefing (of which we couldnt hear all that much at the back anyway )

As per other people, there needed to be far more room for the track cars and thier support vehicles. I arrived at 8:15am and there was no where in the designated area to park either my track car and my support car, so had to park on someones stand (as directed by a marshall) only then to be told an hour later to move it (where too? )

Track queues were just stupid really - at the various "Action Days" they run at Combe which I go to every year, there are far more than 12 cars on track at once im sure! I could be wrong, but i'd say double that number on track at once.

Like most others i love this particular day, but the organisation HAS to be looked at for next year to make it run smoothly

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

Dingy the name on the application form is usually checked against the name on the licence, then cross referenced with the name on the indemnity form

santas little helper

Combe has always been a nightmare, there has always been too many cars signed up for it.

It's simple, there should be no more than a maximum of 40 cars signed up for the day and they should pay twice as much as normal.

Too many cars IMO on the circuit as one time is also not a good thing at combe as it's a very damanding circuit IMO. So 12 cars is prefect but I could see no problem with 20 being allowed out at a time as long as they are not all released in one go!

RichardPON

This was my first track day at Combe, an in fact, the first time I'd ever been there.

I'm going to have to agree with everything Sean has mentioned.

Both myself and Paul Eggleton managed to get signing on and the noise check etc in the right order, but this was more by luck than judgement.

Even though we were early, we still had at least a half hour queue to get signed on, and we did eventually make it out on to the second session.

I actually managed to get five sessions out in the day, but only two sessions before 2 p.m. is ridiculous. At any other track day, I'd have done at least four by that time.

As for the number of cars on track, I just cannot see why it's an issue re: noise. I took Mike R out for a passenger ride, and he'll tell you that for at least six or seven laps, we didn't see a single car on the circuit. Now I don't mind that when I'm on track, as I can spin quite safely but just knowing that there was at least another 90 minutes before I'd be back on again, I'd have exchanged that amount of space on track for a bit more frequency in the number of sessions.

For a lot of people in performance cars, track days are an expensive hobby, so you do want the best value for money. Myself excluded, the cost for a lot of people in reference to the number of laps they actually got made the day decidedly expensive!

The only reason I got to 5 sessions, which seemed a lot compared to some people, was that I religiously didn't leave the car for more than 5 minutes at a time......... which also meant I didn't actually see any of the show.

Also, if more cars would have been out on track at one time, the "pit lane" would have been a lot less busy. If I was a trader having the front of my stand obscured by track cars queueing up for track all day, I'd have been really unhappy.

As a footnote, I love the circuit, and it's awesome for spectating. I do want to return next year, but I just hope some of these issues can be resolved, as I can only do a set number of track days per year due to a limited budget, and I do have to pick and choose. Let's hope some of these issues can be resolved, and let's hope maybe the organsing comittee can shed a little light on the number of cars/insurance issue.

rswoza

firstly ive never done a track day befor and realy enjoyed the day, but the cues to sign in were very long and waiting 1:30 hours was a bit excessive.

i just think another few laptops and printers would have sped things up.

i got 5 sessions as well, but like u i never left the car, after the second session i had a problem with the car during lunch but i never missed anything due to the cues to get out on track.

but a long que wont put me off as i will do next year and just get up earlier in the morning

RS DJ

Your money making comments are way out of order which I find very offensive we haven't changed anything from previous years 100 entrants, 12 cars a session which has never been a problem before, this year we had a major accident which wiped out the track entrance gate (only the 2nd time it's been hit in 30 years) which then had to be protected in case it happened again this lost an hour of track time + we had more break downs this year than weve ever had which is all out of our control.

Signing on breifings have all ways been a problem I was assured it wouldn't be this year clearly it was and your comments have been duly noted and will be addressed the person in charge try's his best but is not up to the job (my personal view).

As for track session time I heard rumblings on the day that it was a problem but spoke to one of our members Bob Tilling in the blue/white motorsport Escort Cosworth and at 3.30pm he had done 6 sessions and was just about to go out again and could have got 1 more in after that which would be 8.

As for the stupid parade lap well it's not stupid to the people who take part and it also raises approx Ł1000 towards our nominated charity, so not so stupid is it!

Coming back to your just out to make money comment we the organisers are all volunteers and spend hours and hours of our time over many months and going to meetings at our own expense because of the following points:-

1,We are all petrol heads who love the show for the shows sake, I always loved the show even before I became involved and now I don't get to see any of it.

2,I do it because I get real kick out of reading threads and hearing people saying how much they enjoyed the show I think I can speak for the rest of the committee when I say this makes it all worth while.

Our show is not all about the track although it's a big part of it but the track don't come cheap, simulators don't come cheap and this year Tiff Needell doesn't work for peanut's yes we do make some money and this goes towards running our respective clubs and why not we work hard for it, now you may not have wanted any other attractions there but alot of other people do we had a fantastic response to Tiff who did a top job, after comments like yours it has made me consider my involvement next year I don't need the grief.

Dave Joyce
Swindon/Bristol Show Committee.

RichardPON

Dave,

No-ones knocking the effort you guys put in.

Everyone always comes back from Combe raving about how good it is, and that's why I felt I had to go this year. It was a cracking day once again!

We're all just concerned about the number of cars on track. You say you've done 12 per session before, but everyone else is saying it's far more than that and always has been.

Regardless of that fact, can we just have a straight answer as to why you did 12 cars per session with 100 cars booked on. Simple mathmatics would show that equates to approx 1 session every two hours per car! (and that's before the show started, so discounts accidents and break downs)

santas little helper

I disagree, this has always been a problem. I think the reason people are starting to notice it now is because they have experience other track days. 100 entrants is just too many cars, needs to be a least half that. I reckon people would then think the extra price they paid is more than worth it for the time on track they have instead of at the moment feeling short changed....

RS DJ

Combe on their action days have 20+ cars on circuit at a time so I don't know why we have only 12 but we have only ever had 12 at a time as far as I can remember, It was mentioned to me that Combe set the numbers on track but I don't know if thats fact our hear say I'll try and find out.

Dave
Swindon/Bristol show committee.

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

12 cars on and 100 cars... It was never going to work. I can't believe this is how its normally done. Its my fourth year at the show and RsCombe has always been my fav show of the entire year, its always a lovely day with a really chilled out atmosphere and I normally love the track action. I still had a good day so thanks to all involved for their hard work.

BUT... and its a HUGE but!

Signing on was a complete Farce. Took me 1.5 hours.....

There were just two many cars. I only managed 2 full sessions all day. What a complete Joke.

As Mr Santos L. helper said just charge more money and have less cars or have it in Sessions or something.. ANYTHING would have been better than saturday.

RS DJ

I got to say this is the first time of heard of problems of getting enough track time signing on and briefings yes but as I said I'm not involved in the track side of things but I have my concerns about the person in charge but its not fair to put say anything on here that will be aired at a private meeting.

Cheers Dave.

RS DJ

Sean opening post was very good and I didn't take offense if somethings not working then constructive comments are taken on board if it's working better somewhere else you people are the people to know I'am always willing to learn I may get you all to e-mail me so I have the armour to tackle the people in charge of the track to sort it before next year.

I personally do not want to be associated with something that is perseved as disorganised

Cheers Dave
Swindon/Bristol show Committee

badger5

I would like to add to this.. .constructively hopefully.

I have done this RS event the last 6 years, (in my ibiza/jetta) but this year was the worst organisationally, for many the reasons already said.

Signing on delays, confusion on sound tests (the sequence to and fro did'nt help smooth the day or time). It has always been slow, but the numbers seemed to make this slower this year.

Parking for track users NOT on a club stand was seriously undersized. You cant ask track participants to parj in the main grass outside carpark, with no security of wheels/tools etc.. This has to be within the main paddock, which this year was 100% filled with club stands (quite a few who were absent judging by their spaces.)
Please dont forget a lot of track users bring their support vehicles too. We need space.

Personally, managed to get on track for 1st session at 10.20am approx after getting everything signed, checked etc... Joined queue again at 11.20am and then got on track again at just after 2pm.. which was too long.

Lots of stoppages as said... not much you can do about that I guess. show boating, power sliding round corners is'nt track use, and when it goes wrong.. Closure of track resulted. Sorry for Escort owner, as thats one serious bent motor Not the place for trying drifting tho is it. C-combe should tell people this during briefings. (other tracks employ 3 spins and your out..)
12 cars on track was less than previous years where I remember 2 rows going at once. It flowed so much better then.

Other track days which work well use a coloured session ticket (wrist band) type thing so you know which part of the hour you are running in. You can plan for this and actually get to see some other show stuff, and not queuing all day as was saturdays theme. Got 3 sessions in the pm only by continually re-queueing and running back and forth to the support car for things to refill, check etc between sessions.

Why was the format of entry changed this year? Rear entrance to paddock is not competitors normal entrance. (aided the confusion)

RS day has always been a highlight for me and exemplorary "club run event", but unfortunately Saturdaywas the worst I have ever seen.

All fixable of course.. and a lot of the suggestions from folk on here might assist in that for next year, as its truely a good event. Keep it up, but please improve the weaknesses too.

FasterFords

I've been on track a few times at Combe and its always been terrible, thats the reason I've havn't been the last few years.

Just cause its being run the way its always been run, doesn't make it right, or mean that it can't be improved.

Take the comments as constructive comments and put a plan in place for next year.

No other trackday I've been to has been a problem, maybe except for Silverstone being very fusy.

CraigN

Dave, il mention some of these things to Ian.

i completely agree with Lee

charge more and have less cars

i paid Ł140 to do redline track day and the bedford group trackday with an open pitlane was awesome for less than Ł100.

wildheart

iTrader: (4)

Agree with sean and pon.

I spoke to a couple of combe officials/workers and they were even moaning at only 12 cars and said this was down to the bristol/swindon groups not wanting to pay extra insurance etc for 20 cars and they said its a shame for people paying all that money for a track day where you cant even get on track.

If the officials/workers are saying that then doesnt it tell you something

plynchy

Agree with Sean's comments. Have done this show for the last 6 years and tracked on 4 of those,and Saturday was the worst organised i've ever seen. I was lucky enough to get signed on before 8am as i camped (and the bloody Essex lot woke us up WELL early). Got 3 sessions in,on the 4th(11am ish) Dave wrecked his car on lap 3,and that was us to the back of the Q and didn't get back on till 3pm ish.
FAR to many cars booked in for 12 car sessions,there has definitely more than 12 in the past,it's a 2 mile circuit,no reason why there can't be 20-25. The queing situation was ridiculous,cars backed up all over the show area,never known it be this bad before.
I'm not slating the organisers here at all,as i think they do a superb job on the whole for very little thanks,but obviously something needs to change for next year or i don't think it'll be much of a success. Just my 2p.
Nice to meet you again Dave,cheers for sorting my last minute camping isssues

775 mile round trip,and she never missed a beat.

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

So has it all been constructive or all taken as criticism so far ?

SteveB

iTrader: (3)

This year was my 1st ever CC event and I was luckily enough to be giving passenger rides to paying people and the money was going to charity..... this ment that I and the other charity ride givers didn't have to Q we just went out when we wanted, I think I got about 12 sessions in but I was there at 7am and signed in and ready to go for 9am when the track opened...


On the subject of the amount of cars..... Bedford's GT circuit is exactly twice the length and they allow 50 cars on track at any one point... imo 20 cars at any 1 time would have caused no problems at all.


Steve

900ss

Gutted I couldn't go, but after reading these replies I'm glad I went to mothers instead

Should have had it @ Bedford again

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

Steve - were you insured ?

I have turned down similar requests to do this (not from Combe) because the club did not have enough insurance and public liability cover for my liking.

SteveB

iTrader: (3)

TBH I haven't a clue and didn't even think about that part of it

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

Carrying paying public in a vehicle on track is a VERY VERY risky thing to do.

Would be worth enquiring if you get asked to do it again

richm

I've been doing this day for a few years now, it's one of my favourite shows of the calendar, National day included!
As long as I can remember it's ALWAYS been 100 cars 12 at a time. I've always aimed to get 5-6 sessions and indeed managed 5 this year without sweating too much, and with a couple of stops to check brakes etc.. I can only assume the stoppage time is what made the difference this year?? The parade lap is irrelevant really, as there has always been a 1hour break.
I personally can't see a few more cars at a time being an issue, 15-18 say, but if the entry fee is doubled there is NO WAY I for one would bother. I got 5 runs without trying too hard, and I was happy with that, I (and the car) wouldn't have wanted too much more.
Within the same format on this event in previous years I know people have done 10 sessions..
I'm not suggesting things can't be improved, I'm sure there are ways they could.

**BUT** the issue of signing-on and noise test etc really do need to be sorted out IMO, this is the biggest problem which then knocks on to reduced tracktime - part of the reason i got 5 was that i was sorted ready for the second session, so got a couple in fairly early while loads of people were still signing on.