RAF Cottesmore thoughts...

[Andy Banks]

During the morning briefing, Paul asked if we could let the club know how we felt about RAF Cottesmore. I know a number of us went and spoke to him during the day but I thought it might be beneficial to record those views on the forums...

[Andrew]

I've given it a big thumbs up.  

     Initially, and I think I mentioned this to Nick, I wasn't that impressed with the choice of an airfield.. but I was wrong. Some of the sections through the aircraft pans are akin to a proper circuit. Nice flowing bends with grass at the edges. But unlike a proper circuit, if things go wrong, you have to travel a long way before you make conatact with anything solid!  

    The other obvious benefit of the venue, is as we all found out I'm sure, the circuit has plenty of grip should the weather be a little on the damp side! Myself and Pete really enjoyed it, and would definitely do another. (Seriously thinking about getting another one in later this year.)

     

[Cleggy the Spyder Man]

all very good   some better weather and it would have been fantastic  

I am sure there are no doubt slightly more desirable venues out there with access to garages etc, like Bedford for instance - but not at the price we enjoyed and I assume the numbers would need to be higher for those types of venues to make it viable for the club

anyway it is a big thumbs up from me  

I just hope the club/Javelin covered their costs in putting this on for us

[Cleggy the Spyder Man]

I've given it a big thumbs up.  

     Initially, and I think I mentioned this to Nick, I wasn't that impressed with the choice of an airfield.. but I was wrong. Some of the sections through the aircraft pans are akin to a proper circuit. Nice flowing bends with grass at the edges. But unlike a proper circuit, if things go wrong, you have to travel a long way before you make conatact with anything solid!  

    The other obvious benefit of the venue, is as we all found out I'm sure, the circuit has plenty of grip should the weather be a little on the damp side! Myself and Pete really enjoyed it, and would definitely do another. (Seriously thinking about getting another one in later this year.)

     

let me know when you are going I will try to make it  

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

Thanks for putting this up Andy. It is a very important question.

To answer Cleggy's question, unfortunately due to lack of numbers the club will have made a loss from it. However we made a similar loss at Mallory last year.

It really does bring into question "should the club organise a Trackday ?" My personal take would be "Yes" it's a service for the members and great to get similar cars out on the track together without tin-tops etc. BUT we cannot keep on doing them if they don't at least break-even.

If you have strong views please email or PM them to me.

[Andrew]

QUOTE

It really does bring into question "should the club organise a Trackday ?"

I think, considering we're all driving pretty much track focused machines, and most of the talk on the forum is how can I upgrade my car to make it lighter / more powerful / handle better etc etc .... it would be criminal not to have at least one wscc trackday per year.  

[jeff oakley]

For what it is worth, I feel that having midweek trackdays is always going to be a bit of a risk especially these days of austerity. A lot of people do not want to take time off in the week, which becomes two days if travel is involved,if these were on a week end yes the cost is higher but would the turnout be better?

Should the club run them at a loss is a bigger question. Put another way why should those who do not do trackdays subsidize thos who do them?

I still would like the club to run them, just my opinion.

[SteveH]

I think that given how good the feedback has been for such an awful day (weather) we should be able to get plenty enough drivers to Cottesmore to make it worth doing again next year.  

Lets get in in the diary nice and soon, book a weekend date in late spring or early summer before everyone goes on holiday and get a big showing  

On the question of the club subsidising events, no it shouldn't happen but if we want exclusive events where tin-tops can't turn up and where our club members, many of whom are track-novices, are welcome to have a go in a friendly environment then we need to run these days and get enough people turning up to make them pay for themselves.

[housebeautician]

I give it the thumbs up personally.

I also think it would have better attendance when things start to get better as far as the economy is concerned.

I do hope the club continues to organise events like this and that members support the events when at all possible.

[Cleggy the Spyder Man]

some very good points regarding the dates - I am fortunate that I can duck out at work within reason when I need to but many will not have that luxury

the event was also during the school holidays which means people are either on their hols or covering for other people so arranging time off is difficult

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be interesting to here some more peoples opinions on the venue - clearly it is fairly near me so my opinion is slightly swayed - having said that I would have been very happy to have driven and hour or two to get there (maybe not in the rain we experianced though)   especially for a 7 only event

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just out of interest Nick what sort of numbers for break even?

I would commit (OMG famous last words) that I could rustle up 10 or so cars from the local crew if I set my mind to it next year with the things I am planning at the moment

I would also like to think that 80% of people that attended this year would if possible attend next year?

I have a few ideas running through my small brain  

[stephenh]

I've said yes, because I want to see a Club trackday, and I can see the problem of numbers and cost. Of course, I'd love to see a Club trackday at somewhere like Oulton Park or Cadwell Park, but I also know that if we can only muster 30 or 40 drivers then it is "pie in the sky" to think of anything other than a mid-week airfield track. Otherwise the numbers just dont stack up.

Incidentally, to those who wanted a ride in my car, particularly Cleggy, sorry but the conditions were such that I couldn't see where I was going, and really didn't want the responsibility of a passenger. However next year I'm happy to confirm I'll always give any Club member who wishes a ride in the "Beast". The only proviso is that sometimes at these trackdays in the morning I'm testing something on the suspension or the sprint tyres, and then dont want a passenger (even Mrs H.!). But by lunchtime at the latest will change over to the road/trackday tyres, and then really only go out if someone wants a ride. All I'm saying is don't be shy, if you want to see what the car goes like (from the passenger seat  ) just come and say if you see me at a trackday.

[Hammy]

Yes I think track days are a great event . I recall talking to Westfield wondering why they don't organise such events too.

[Boney]

Owdo

thought the tracks was cracking, as said before fast and flowing with loads of run off area.

I would be up for it again

Boney

[Johnson]

Thought it was a great venue,will definitely be going back for more.

Was a three hour drive to get there for me shame it peed down all day.

Major vision problems(because of the rain) and at all being so flat with no reference points as such (cos you couldn't see them    )

My friend who also drove my car wants to go again, it was his first trackday commented on how friendly people were and how well driven all the cars were too.

Be a shame not to do it again with the WSCC definitely need more takers.

[allegory]

I'd like to see the club continue to organise a track day because, as a novice, I thought this was the best way to learn what a westfield can actually do. And by best, I mean it takes away a lot of the questions that a novice may be concerned about - is the track westfield friendly, what will the standard of driving be like, do i really want to be on track with other cars and consequently differing handling characteristics.

However, with a bit more experience now I'd love to see the club be able to hold a day at one of the racing circuits and would echo the question of why westfield themselves are not getting involved in a track day. I've been to both Bruntingthorpe and Mallory where the factory were at least in attendance.

Finally, I wonder to what extent the uncertainty of a club trackday (details were finalised quite late) meant people made other plans - please note i am not implying any criticism here but just wondering if an early fixed date in the calendar means people are more likely to keep it free from hols etc.

Cheers

Alistair