Blyton Feedback Thread - Serious side

[John Williams (Panda) - Joint Manchester AO]

Guys,

 

now I've had a sleep, im back on deck... I would welcome constructive feedback about things that went well and things we could do better, as we have booked for next year.

[John Williams (Panda) - Joint Manchester AO]

From my side I could have done with a few more paddock marshalls/ start line people to give the volenteers a break.

[John Williams (Panda) - Joint Manchester AO]

Richard (the site owner) offered the go karting track for the kids to do thing like RC car racing.... to help keep them entertained - I liked this (not sure on timings)

[Terry Everall]

The gravel areas of the paddock are a bit frustrating for everyone but it was a shame that all the Westfield guys were not all together and we seemed to have 3 separate areas /groups so it was hard to socialise or support others

[Andy Banks]

My thoughts:

• Sprint school great idea, maybe two groups to get the numbers up and manageable
• I'm afraid I missed the school so not sure of the full format but whilst Sprint school is happening, perhaps there is something we can do for the novice track-dayers too, kind of a pre Sprint school thing with a slow drive en masse round the circuit stopping at the important bits as mentioned in the drivers briefing
• Loved the idea of the BBQ, perhaps it could be bigged up a little bit and held outside Churchill. I recall in years past we even had a lorry/pub
• Certainly two shifts for the start line/paddock would ease the burden
• RC car racing great idea, needs to overseen by volunteers
• 20mins intro to marshalling/volunteering/supporting the weekend on the ground
• I appreciate it's billed as close up motor sports and many people do wander round the paddock however we did notice a few near misses and a couple really daft things wrt people to crossing the start line and up and down the spectator banking. It was only sharp eyed drivers and volunteers that averted potential problems. Some form of cars and drivers only beyond this point sign...
• Some of the tannoy units did not work
• A couple of complaints about dogs in the paddock and up at the start line. Assumed that is a no-no as has been written. However, spectators don't get to see/read the track day or regs documentation

That's all I can think off for now and they are minor points and random thoughts which shows that overall it was a well run day with respectful and attentive competitors.

[Onliest Smeg David]

Novice only track time great, and that is what encouraged Wendz to have a go. And having spoken to a few virgin track day spectators will help bring more to the track day next year.

Hats off to the organisers for keeping it Novice only when there were low numbers.

I was happy to forfeit some track time myself to see the Novices gain in confidence and speed.

Agree that although very clear in mornings briefing, when in the paddock it was not so clear as to when the session ended. e.g. Wendz was unsure towards end of am and pm Novice sessions whether to go out again as she didn't want to be out in the 'rush of experts'

So perhaps some paddock signage would aid this.

[John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison]

1. The new timing people seemed a success - everyone was comparing figures through the day and creating conversation as a result
2. The paddock marshalls did a great job and kept queues to a minimum for the start
3. The paddock layout had a slight gliche in that returning cars had to try and pass through the queue for the start
4. The gravel was an annoyance but maybe if the paddock was laid out so that tow cars / trailers were facing the field towards the track in an angled arrangement then the paddock behind the trailers would be tarmac / concrete and also the returning cars would just have to turn right to their slot and not have to cross the start queue.
5. Investigate maybe using the barn as a paddock for some cars eg - ones on slicks
6. If people attending the track day are also sprinting the next day, ensure they park in their correct area before the track day as sprinters arriving on Firday pm couldnt get to their correct space and it seemed 'possession is 9/10's of the law' from then on causing slight chaos

Otherwise - fantastic job

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Interesting comments on gravel. It was noted on the start line that the new queue arrangements/paddock movements were bringing significantly less gravel onto the start line than in previous years. The feed of cars was also better from out point of view.

 

The timing gear set up on the start line was much better/easier to work with, with the new guys. They were also very quick and efficient at resetting when the finish line gear got wiped out a couple of times on the Saturday.

 

Early doors on the Saturday, the timing people did seem to have a few issues with how long to wait before releasing cars when we had a fast group following a slower group. This hit a few of the single seaters  in particular, which we had to hold on the line for longer than ideal. This settled a bit during the day though, not sure how it was on the Sunday?

[elise_emma]

I thought the sprint school and novice only times were a great idea, but do agree with the communication, in some cases the pa system announcements could have done with an instant repeat, as you caught some words but not others.

However i wouldn't change anything too much as it was a really enjoyable day and a good balance already. Plus really friendly for a non-member and well behaved on track as someone who doesn't really like doing track days with others cars / organisers due to the lack of respect for rules you often see elsewhere, some of which i think was due to Richard and the briefing of where a straight was.

One of the comments I heard a couple of times too is how quickly the queue did move so from outside perspective you only need to tweak stuff. Hope that helps.

[Shaggydoo]

The gravel areas of the paddock are a bit frustrating for everyone but it was a shame that all the Westfield guys were not all together and we seemed to have 3 separate areas /groups so it was hard to socialise or support others

Yeah i have to agree with this Terry, i hardly saw anything of you :-( Also the bbq on Friday would have been better attended if it was on the Saturday evening, my tummy is still groaning from all those extra scooby snacks!

Great weekend tho.

[Shaggydoo]

Novice only track time great, and that is what encouraged Wendz to have a go. And having spoken to a few virgin track day spectators will help bring more to the track day next year.

Hats off to the organisers for keeping it Novice only when there were low numbers.

I was happy to forfeit some track time myself to see the Novices gain in confidence and speed.

Agree that although very clear in mornings briefing, when in the paddock it was not so clear as to when the session ended. e.g. Wendz was unsure towards end of am and pm Novice sessions whether to go out again as she didn't want to be out in the 'rush of experts'

So perhaps some paddock signage would aid this.

I made the mistake of thinking it was open pitlane sessions when i saw Pete G car go out then got black flagged and felt pretty silly.

[Terryathome]

Friday track day, a lot more yellow and red flags than on other occasions?

 

John/helpers, well done totally enjoyed it. 

 

Terry

[SootySport]

I apologise for not turning up for Duty on Sat am,   Was feeling the effects of Sunstroke so had a lay in in the shade and went home early than planned.

[John Williams (Panda) - Joint Manchester AO]

Yeah i have to agree with this Terry, i hardly saw anything of you :-( Also the bbq on Friday would have been better attended if it was on the Saturday evening, my tummy is still groaning from all those extra scooby snacks!

Great weekend tho.

 

this is now the plan and the GF meal on the friday

[John Williams (Panda) - Joint Manchester AO]

I made the mistake of thinking it was open pitlane sessions when i saw Pete G car go out then got black flagged and felt pretty silly.

 

Yeap, we spoke/sorted... so over and done with in my book!