Donington Park
Discussion
Motorsport Vision, MSV, have taken a 21 year lease on Donington Park, from the Wheatcroft Estate.
Joins Snetterton, Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park, Oulton Park, Bedford Autodrome and the French place.
I wonder what this means for their Silverstone bid?
I think most people would agree that facilities and presentation at all of their other circuits have improved considerably since MSV have taken control.
Joins Snetterton, Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park, Oulton Park, Bedford Autodrome and the French place.
I wonder what this means for their Silverstone bid?
I think most people would agree that facilities and presentation at all of their other circuits have improved considerably since MSV have taken control.
Interesting to hear of other peoples perceptions.
I was thinking/hoping that Donington would change from their current open pit lane system for testing to the more normal session based system as it allows a lot more people to test. Unless you're very quick, Donington test days get booked up early, and thats due to the nature of their testing policy.
I was thinking/hoping that Donington would change from their current open pit lane system for testing to the more normal session based system as it allows a lot more people to test. Unless you're very quick, Donington test days get booked up early, and thats due to the nature of their testing policy.
andrewcliffe said:
Interesting to hear of other peoples perceptions.
I was thinking/hoping that Donington would change from their current open pit lane system for testing to the more normal session based system as it allows a lot more people to test. Unless you're very quick, Donington test days get booked up early, and thats due to the nature of their testing policy.
Yes, that is a downside, as is mixing slicks and wings with saloons, which is inevitable with open pit. The trouble I find with the usual 4 x ~30 mins format at most circuits is that it's unsuitable for making any changes to a car in a scientific manner, because 30 minutes isn't long enough to do some laps and then alter anything on the car, so you're limited to an initial run in session 1 to get up to speed and then two or three individual changes for the whole day and that's it. I guess it depends what you're doing - I normally just get a setup and stick to it, so test days for me are about practising and getting faster, but if you're forced into making setup changes by regulations, as I am in my latest foray back into motorsport, I like to do it properly and find 4x30 very restrictive.I was thinking/hoping that Donington would change from their current open pit lane system for testing to the more normal session based system as it allows a lot more people to test. Unless you're very quick, Donington test days get booked up early, and thats due to the nature of their testing policy.
I agree with Rob and find 4x30 mins a bit irksome. For setup, 30 mins is just not good it's really hard to make a change before the session, go out to assess the results and make another change in the session. Maybe 20 mins is a better session time.
But on the whole, I think the change to MSV will be good. Just make sure to keep off the grass!
Bert
But on the whole, I think the change to MSV will be good. Just make sure to keep off the grass!
Bert
MSVR have done a fantastic job of improving the facilities at their circuits and I have no doubt that they will improve Donington, but I do have concerns over their near monopoly of the "major" circuits in the UK.
I assume this means that their bid to run Silverstone is now dead?
ISTR that when they tried to get the lease to run Donington previously they said they would sell Cadwell - I wonder if that is part of their plans this time, and who would buy it????
I assume this means that their bid to run Silverstone is now dead?
ISTR that when they tried to get the lease to run Donington previously they said they would sell Cadwell - I wonder if that is part of their plans this time, and who would buy it????
Am not sure who would buy Cadwell Park - its more suited to bikes than cars really.
There was talk a couple of years ago about developing Cadwell into a circuit that could attract a professional car series, but my view, which hasn't changed is that would be to spoil Cadwell, unless the historic section from the mountain through to barn was kept as is, as a separate historic / club loop, with new bits at the other end of the circuit. I've not heard any more plans on that idea recently.
There was talk a couple of years ago about developing Cadwell into a circuit that could attract a professional car series, but my view, which hasn't changed is that would be to spoil Cadwell, unless the historic section from the mountain through to barn was kept as is, as a separate historic / club loop, with new bits at the other end of the circuit. I've not heard any more plans on that idea recently.
Did a meeting last season at cadwell,suprised at the number of spectators,i think its a better view than Snetterton,drivers I talk to have mixed views of snett. We are racing on the 200 circuit this year,i am sure that cadwell is viable,lots of track days,its only the location that's a bit of a pain,the rests ok.
andy97 said:
MSVR have done a fantastic job of improving the facilities at their circuits and I have no doubt that they will improve Donington, but I do have concerns over their near monopoly of the "major" circuits in the UK.
Its concerning that they control nearly all the UK circuits. It can only mean higher circuit hire fee's and therefore higher entry fee's. I know clubs have to negotiate with MVS currently and part of getting a really good weekend on brands GP for example, they'll have to take in return a poorer weekend at Snett or Oulton. This only makes their position stronger, and I hope this doesn't have an impact on club racing dates and costs. I can't argue with the fact that the MSV owned circuits have been turned around completely in their time, and always look great.
Cadwell was transformed by MSV , having become very shabby before the takeover. It looks glorious now and for me is comfortably the best circuit in the UK. Yes . parts are tight , but that didn't stop it holding F3 meetings until '82 , when Senna crashed hugely . Nowhere better to watch HSCC FF1600 and much else besides .
wildman0609 said:
Its concerning that they control nearly all the UK circuits. It can only mean higher circuit hire fee's and therefore higher entry fee's. I know clubs have to negotiate with MVS currently and part of getting a really good weekend on brands GP for example, they'll have to take in return a poorer weekend at Snett or Oulton. This only makes their position stronger, and I hope this doesn't have an impact on club racing dates and costs.
I can't argue with the fact that the MSV owned circuits have been turned around completely in their time, and always look great.
That's pretty much my thinking. I can't argue with the fact that the MSV owned circuits have been turned around completely in their time, and always look great.
MSV seam to have done a fantastic jobs of improving the circuits they run (although I have very little knowledge of the pre MSV)
But part of me thinks as a competitor with a limited budget that one company owning to many of the UK's circuit could result in higher entry fees, really hope this doesn't happen as i already spend more than I should.
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