Changes at Brands - DTM to blame?

[KennyG]

For all the happy snappers that like to hang out at Druids it looks as though you will either have to be 8ft tall or have a cherry picker to get a decent view. New debris fencing, car parking for emergency vehicles, taller Armco, fencing attached to the Armco, all designed to keep cars away from joe public and improve marshal safety.

Anyone that goes this weekend, how about posting a few shots of the changes.

[peacock]

I was following the thread about it on 10/tenths and made a brief mention of it in general chat here, guess the motorsort guys dont get in there much I'm planning on going for tomorrows practice ,so hopefully I will post pics of the changes .

[Cadwell]

No, Jonathon Palmer is to blame. When it comes right down to it, it's his circuit and he carries the can.

I know you like the man, Ken, and think that he's done some good things but from my perspective as a paying spectator it has been mostly negative.

[KennyG]

JP is actually quite a nice guy when you chat to him off line, and he has turned around four race circuits that could have ended up as industrial parks or housing developments. That aside I don't agree with everything that MSV has done, even from my side of the fences.

They are under pressure from certain race series and the FIA to make the changes or they simply won't be able to host the events. Cadwell isn't immune either, as they have put up a catch fence on the outside of the hairpin for the safety of bike riders. I am not sure which is better if you get thrown off your bike, slamming into a very sturdy catch fence or landing in a corn field. It has ruined one of the classic Cadwell shots. Goodness knows what will happen to Snetterton over the winter when they start the re-work to make it FIA category 2 standard (same as Brands). I can see catch fences appearing everywhere. Even Oulton had to install pit lane safety fencing to meet regulations, and after the death of the marshal at Lodge I can forsee changes in that area of the track as well.

Unfortunately if any circuit wants to hold high profile events they are governed by two things - the FIA and the TV companies and you have to bow to their demands if you want to host them. The problem comes when these extra "safety" features get in the way of club or national events where they are not a requirement.

The only alternative is not to hold these events and simply run club and national meetings, putting everything else onto Silvertsone and Donington. I don't suppose that would go down well either. MSV and JP are in a no-win situation.

[PeteDyer]

But on the other side its thanks to JP we get the chance to see higher quality motorsport such as DTM and the A1 GP.

[Dave_G]

Originally Posted by PeteDyer

But on the other side its thanks to JP we get the chance to see higher quality motorsport such as DTM and the A1 GP.

All of once a year.

[FlashZebra]

Originally Posted by KennyG

For all the happy snappers that like to hang out at Druids it looks as though you will either have to be 8ft tall or have a cherry picker to get a decent view. New debris fencing, car parking for emergency vehicles, taller Armco, fencing attached to the Armco, all designed to keep cars away from joe public and improve marshal safety.

Anyone that goes this weekend, how about posting a few shots of the changes.

What might an "Armco" be?

I grew up in a town with an "Armco" steel mill (American Rolling Mill Corp.), possible it might be related, but most likely not.

Dictionary.com was stumped also.

In any case, I need a bit of help to understand this post.

Enjoy! Lon

[ron chappel]

Originally Posted by KennyG

....They are under pressure from certain race series and the FIA to make the changes or they simply won't be able to host the events.

That's it.


Of course one could carry the argument further and say that the FIA is arbitrarilly deciding what protection we need based on fear of lawsuits or an argument could be made that judges shouldn't be allowed to give massive payouts that lead to the whole problem....

[PeteDyer]

Originally Posted by Dave_G

All of once a year.

Alot better than having to stomp round europe to see the best motorsport can offer (bar F1)

[Woolburr]

Originally Posted by londuck

What might an "Armco" be?

I grew up in a town with an "Armco" steel mill (American Rolling Mill Corp.), possible it might be related, but most likely not.

Dictionary.com was stumped also.

In any case, I need a bit of help to understand this post.

Enjoy! Lon

ARMCO Steel made the most popular form of American guard rail for a number of years. That same system is in place at many race circuits around the world. An example can be seen here....ARMCO Barrier Photo

[chris clements]

Originally Posted by londuck

What might an "Armco" be?

The crash barriers on most UK motorways and circuits.

Interesting that the manufacturer's name hasn't stuck in his own country.
Perhaps we'll learn next that in the US all vacuum cleaners aren't generically called "Hoovers" !!

[Cadwell]

Before we paint JP as the saviour of British motorsport let’s get a few facts straight.

Brands Hatch was never in danger of being turned into housing or an industrial estate. Planning and environmental regulations meant that was out of the question as the Fouldsons found out when they tried to upgrade the circuit to host the British GP, not to mention the fuss the local residents put up about the thought of more housing. That rumour only started when Octagon/Interpublic had “talks” with a tame industrial developer in order to try and push the price up during the sale of the circuits. Everyone knew it was a sham.

The Indy circuit at Brands Hatch did not need to be modified to meet FIA Grade 2. The whole circuit at Brands including the GP loop already was. It had to be for A1 GP and it had to be for the London Champ Car Trophy several years before. The GP loop did need minor upgrading to cope with A1 GP.

Nice Dr. Palmer is the man who has decided to charge over 12s full adult admission to the circuits (as opposed to over 16s previously and everywhere else). He is the man who has abolished cheap concession access for the disabled and pensioners. He is the man who has increased the price of season tickets by over 100% in two years. He is the man who now charges me extra to park where I have been parking free for years.

A1 GP and DTM would still run in the UK if Brands remained unmodified. They might insist on running at Donington or Silverstone but so be it.

Drivers, spectators, marshals and photographers all dislike Silverstone and Donington. They have no atmosphere, you’re remote from the track and they’re unpleasant. JP seems determined to turn Brands and his other circuits into carbon copies of them in pursuit of improving his own bank balance. Now, I don’t blame him for that… he’s a businessman but please, please don’t tell me he’s doing it for the love of British motorsport.

[Swaffs]

I was there at the weekend (inside the fence fortunately), but having spoken to people on Sat evening, the changes at druids were to have a space available so they could crane cars out of the gravel and into a safe area, and keep the racing going. They had to put the new fence around the re-landscaped area. which has extended the area at the entrance to the corner. It wasn't done to annoy the public, or restrict viewing. Unfortunately I don't have any pics of the area to hand.

It also means there is a proper gate now at the marshals post to get to the outside of druids!

Rich Swaffs

[PeteDyer]

What about JP bring Snetterton up to FIA Grade 2?

[FlashZebra]

Originally Posted by Woolburr

ARMCO Steel made the most popular form of American guard rail for a number of years. That same system is in place at many race circuits around the world. An example can be seen here....ARMCO Barrier Photo

Thank you.

Enjoy! Lon