Are you still booking track days?
Discussion
I'm very surprised if they'll continue in the near future. There are numerous reasons why and we shouldn't be interested in our own health - it's the health of others. There's a chance you're carrying but completely unaware, you now risk infecting sign on staff, other participants, rescue staff, fuel station operators etc..
It's fairly easy to work out the NHS is not feeling comfortable about the times ahead and they need as much assistance as possible whether that be through not putting people into risky situations which if they go wrong will put more of a strain on their service or by having as many medical professionals as possible in primary and secondary care. Yes, event medical cover are private but they could be working for a better cause than leisure/pleasure services.
I've seen some conversations online asking why TDOs are still running days and I imagine that until UK Gov suspend these operations they will continue and the whole industry (circuit operators, TDOs, circuit staff etc) is forced to carry on. Why are they being forced to carry on? If TDs are anything like race meetings (which I'm sure they are), if the customer (TDO) in this case pulls out from a contract and the provider (circuit operators) can deliver they're still more than likely financially viable - which would be a huge loss to that TDO as events should be refunded to the participants.
I imagine the trackdays running at the moment are quite undersubscribed, which if that's the case it'll be financial damage limitation for the TDOs - I don't for the life of me think that TDOs are comfortable running their events at the moment but it's unlikely they have much choice. I think there needs to be some common ground found between the circuit operators and the TDOs to best protect the nation and stop people undertaking unnecessary travel and risk.
It's fairly easy to work out the NHS is not feeling comfortable about the times ahead and they need as much assistance as possible whether that be through not putting people into risky situations which if they go wrong will put more of a strain on their service or by having as many medical professionals as possible in primary and secondary care. Yes, event medical cover are private but they could be working for a better cause than leisure/pleasure services.
I've seen some conversations online asking why TDOs are still running days and I imagine that until UK Gov suspend these operations they will continue and the whole industry (circuit operators, TDOs, circuit staff etc) is forced to carry on. Why are they being forced to carry on? If TDs are anything like race meetings (which I'm sure they are), if the customer (TDO) in this case pulls out from a contract and the provider (circuit operators) can deliver they're still more than likely financially viable - which would be a huge loss to that TDO as events should be refunded to the participants.
I imagine the trackdays running at the moment are quite undersubscribed, which if that's the case it'll be financial damage limitation for the TDOs - I don't for the life of me think that TDOs are comfortable running their events at the moment but it's unlikely they have much choice. I think there needs to be some common ground found between the circuit operators and the TDOs to best protect the nation and stop people undertaking unnecessary travel and risk.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said:
Now, more than any time in our recent history, we will be judged by our capacity for compassion.
Our ability to come through this,won’t just be down to what government or business can do, but by the individual acts of kindness we show one another.
The small business who does everything they can not to lay off their staff.
The student who does a shop for their elderly neighbour.
The retired nurse who volunteers to cover some shifts in their local hospital.
When this is over, and it will be over, we want to look back at this moment and remember the many small acts of kindness done by us and to us.
We want to look back this time and remember how we thought first of others and acted with decency.
We want to look back on this time and remember how, in the face of a generation-defining moment, we undertook a collective national effort - and we stood together.
It’s on all of us.
Our ability to come through this,won’t just be down to what government or business can do, but by the individual acts of kindness we show one another.
The small business who does everything they can not to lay off their staff.
The student who does a shop for their elderly neighbour.
The retired nurse who volunteers to cover some shifts in their local hospital.
When this is over, and it will be over, we want to look back at this moment and remember the many small acts of kindness done by us and to us.
We want to look back this time and remember how we thought first of others and acted with decency.
We want to look back on this time and remember how, in the face of a generation-defining moment, we undertook a collective national effort - and we stood together.
It’s on all of us.
I’ve been this week with MSV and most of the measures they’ve put in place seem to be aimed at protecting staff. That’s understandable of course but if you’re concerned about the likelihood of contracting/spreading the virus there wasn’t a lot happening to prevent large groups of people congregating at any time besides making the cafe takeaway only. The responsibility to avoid mass gatherings was solely on the participants and not enforced at any point.
All that said, I’d say go for it while you can. There’s a lot you can do at a track day to keep yourself to yourself if that’s what you want. Aside from signing on you don’t need to speak to anyone and it’s nice to have a bit of an escape from the doom and gloom. It’s not like you’re all packed into a tiny space together.
Go and have some fun while you can!!
All that said, I’d say go for it while you can. There’s a lot you can do at a track day to keep yourself to yourself if that’s what you want. Aside from signing on you don’t need to speak to anyone and it’s nice to have a bit of an escape from the doom and gloom. It’s not like you’re all packed into a tiny space together.
Go and have some fun while you can!!
I guess it should be possible to make it contact less if I print my disclaimer and put it in a plastic folder that I handle with fresh gloves. No need to actually hand my licence either as they just want to see it, not touch it.
Attendance at the briefing not compulsory and keeping away from anyone should be OK if they let me handle the refuelling.
Only concern is injury putting unnecessary strain on the NHS.
Attendance at the briefing not compulsory and keeping away from anyone should be OK if they let me handle the refuelling.
Only concern is injury putting unnecessary strain on the NHS.
nickfrog said:
I guess it should be possible to make it contact less if I print my disclaimer and put it in a plastic folder that I handle with fresh gloves. No need to actually hand my licence either as they just want to see it, not touch it.
Attendance at the briefing not compulsory and keeping away from anyone should be OK if they let me handle the refuelling.
Only concern is injury putting unnecessary strain on the NHS.
I can only speak from my own experience here, but we were asked to fill in the disclaimer before arrival, hold it up for presentation and plop it in a tray. Licence was the the same. Hand sanitizer was provided and it was compulsory to use it before signing on. Fuel should be ok at Donington,it’s self service as I remember.Attendance at the briefing not compulsory and keeping away from anyone should be OK if they let me handle the refuelling.
Only concern is injury putting unnecessary strain on the NHS.
As far as the NHS goes you’re probably no more likely to have an accident there than on the road so I’d say morally you’re OK. The fact you’re even thinking about that aspect means you’re probably more concerned than most.
Don’t worry and have a good day.
nickfrog said:
Really tempted to book Donnington for next Wednesday as I still have quite a lot of credit with Javelin.
I think they don't impose the briefing if you've been before... Seems safe from an health POV, even if I don't crash.
Don't put Donnington in your satnav, there is no circuit there.I think they don't impose the briefing if you've been before... Seems safe from an health POV, even if I don't crash.
Our TD at Blyton next weekend has just been cancelled.
I don’t think it’s responsible or sensible to be congregating so no, I won’t be booking anything.
I’m glad that racing has been cancelled for now (and hope the period is extended) and I think it’s wrong for organisers to be taking bookings for more. I’m as disappointed as anyone else but I think it’s more important to do everything we can to help with the virus. That has to be the priority
I’m glad that racing has been cancelled for now (and hope the period is extended) and I think it’s wrong for organisers to be taking bookings for more. I’m as disappointed as anyone else but I think it’s more important to do everything we can to help with the virus. That has to be the priority
Was at Cadwell with MSV yesterday. No briefing if you’d been with 18 months, hand sanitiser provided, staff behind screens, you put your own wristband and stickers on and the cafe was take out only. Obviously no helmet hire or tuition. We got an email a few days before asking that only participants and essential helpers attend. So far so good.
BUT.....
I’ve never seen so many people at a TD before. Not cars and drivers but people just hanging round, riding bikes about and so many young kids. Now granted I normally avoid weekends but is this what Saturdays are always like? I saw one guy have to be asked multiple times to sanitise his hands and he didn’t seem to understand the reason why.
I won’t be booking anymore until the situation has changed. Me and my immediate family are young and in good health so concern with my own well-being is mild but I don’t want to contribute to the spread. Which is a shame as it was a great day after the multiple early red flags were out of the way and could be pretty low risk if people could understand and follow the guidelines.
BUT.....
I’ve never seen so many people at a TD before. Not cars and drivers but people just hanging round, riding bikes about and so many young kids. Now granted I normally avoid weekends but is this what Saturdays are always like? I saw one guy have to be asked multiple times to sanitise his hands and he didn’t seem to understand the reason why.
I won’t be booking anymore until the situation has changed. Me and my immediate family are young and in good health so concern with my own well-being is mild but I don’t want to contribute to the spread. Which is a shame as it was a great day after the multiple early red flags were out of the way and could be pretty low risk if people could understand and follow the guidelines.
Another_James said:
You must be able to understand why exposure at the supermarket out of necessity to feed your family is very different to exposure at a 100% unnecessary leisure event?
So rather than order food you'd rather stand in a queue and class that as a lower risk than sitting on your own in your own car?Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff