Need advice regarding race weekend overnight arrangement
Discussion
I'm planning to compete in a low cost track series - probably 750MC Hot Hatch. I'm working out a budget and I could do with some advice regarding the practicalities of a race weekend.
Most of the events are double headers (Sat and Sun) and I'd like to travel on Friday. As someone else has pointed out in another thread, Motorhome hire is expensive and few have tow bars. So I'm thinking of going with a trailer and then staying in a cheap hotel nearby on Friday and Saturday night.
Is this a bad idea? Does it create any problems?
Most of the events are double headers (Sat and Sun) and I'd like to travel on Friday. As someone else has pointed out in another thread, Motorhome hire is expensive and few have tow bars. So I'm thinking of going with a trailer and then staying in a cheap hotel nearby on Friday and Saturday night.
Is this a bad idea? Does it create any problems?
Even using 'cheap' hotels the costs will still mount up and that's assuming they have the space to park your tow car and trailer. Another concern is safety. Will you sleep ok if you have to park it up somewhere less than ideal?
Your best option is to stay with the car and trailer at the venue. You can often (but not always) pitch a tent. or alternatively get an enclosed trailer with suficient space to sleep on an air bed or similar.
Your best option is to stay with the car and trailer at the venue. You can often (but not always) pitch a tent. or alternatively get an enclosed trailer with suficient space to sleep on an air bed or similar.
As a counterpoint to that above, there’s a lot to be said for getting a good night’s sleep before a race meeting. Something which I personally would struggle with in a tent.
Leave the car and trailer at the circuit on Friday night, your fellow competitors will look after it. The 750MC paddock is one of the friendliest and most helpful I have experienced. You can enjoy the social side on the Saturday evening and still head back to a hotel to sleep.
Should be able to get two nights stay somewhere for £70-80 which in the grand scheme of things is not huge. Just book well in advance.
This will be much more enjoyable than tossing and turning in a freezing cold tent all night then trying to race successfully when you’re sleep deprived.
/2p
Leave the car and trailer at the circuit on Friday night, your fellow competitors will look after it. The 750MC paddock is one of the friendliest and most helpful I have experienced. You can enjoy the social side on the Saturday evening and still head back to a hotel to sleep.
Should be able to get two nights stay somewhere for £70-80 which in the grand scheme of things is not huge. Just book well in advance.
This will be much more enjoyable than tossing and turning in a freezing cold tent all night then trying to race successfully when you’re sleep deprived.
/2p
Edited by Dan BSCS on Thursday 31st December 17:59
I always leave my car and trailer at the circuit, but keep my tools in my car where ever I’m staying (covered over obviously). I usually stay in an Air bnb as it’s often cheaper than a hotel. I’ve sometimes camped, but it’s nice to have a shower at the end of the day, which you can’t guarantee at many circuits.
I usually stay at a local B&B, usually something like a farm which has diversified into accommodation. They are perfect for taking the car and trailer for space, are secure and out of sight and you usually get a banging breakfast. They are usually extremely low cost too. There are loads of these near most UK circuits.
Thanks All,
I hadn’t considered the option of leaving the car and trailer at the circuit overnight - that’s a really good idea.
I must admit, I would like to participate in the social side too. I have to budget for a tow vehicle so if I choose something that can double as a mobile bed that might work. Mrs O wants to come with me and she isn’t keen on camping (too much time in tents as a girl guide).
What sort of camping facilities are there at circuits?
Thanks and regards...Paul
I hadn’t considered the option of leaving the car and trailer at the circuit overnight - that’s a really good idea.
I must admit, I would like to participate in the social side too. I have to budget for a tow vehicle so if I choose something that can double as a mobile bed that might work. Mrs O wants to come with me and she isn’t keen on camping (too much time in tents as a girl guide).
What sort of camping facilities are there at circuits?
Thanks and regards...Paul
Dan BSCS said:
As a counterpoint to that above, there’s a lot to be said for getting a good night’s sleep before a race meeting. Something which I personally would struggle with in a tent.
Leave the car and trailer at the circuit on Friday night, your fellow competitors will look after it. The 750MC paddock is one of the friendliest and most helpful I have experienced. You can enjoy the social side on the Saturday evening and still head back to a hotel to sleep.
Should be able to get two nights stay somewhere for £70-80 which in the grand scheme of things is not huge. Just book well in advance.
This will be much more enjoyable than tossing and turning in a freezing cold tent all night then trying to race successfully when you’re sleep deprived.
/2p
Second this, we have camped in a tent a few times (some places are pretty accommodating, some much less so..Silverstone International especially) but for us it wasn’t much fun unless the weather was ok, we have also slept on an air bed in the back of the van and would say it’s about as pleasant (un) as sleeping in a tent. We now normally book a Premier Inn, we get a nice meal and a decent nights kip and arrive at the circuit ready for a days racing.Leave the car and trailer at the circuit on Friday night, your fellow competitors will look after it. The 750MC paddock is one of the friendliest and most helpful I have experienced. You can enjoy the social side on the Saturday evening and still head back to a hotel to sleep.
Should be able to get two nights stay somewhere for £70-80 which in the grand scheme of things is not huge. Just book well in advance.
This will be much more enjoyable than tossing and turning in a freezing cold tent all night then trying to race successfully when you’re sleep deprived.
/2p
Edited by Dan BSCS on Thursday 31st December 17:59
Hi Credible58,
I also race with 750 in the Hot Hatch series. There are normally a ‘hard core group’ of us who all park up together in the paddock and often keep a watchful eye over cars left overnight while people stay in local hotels etc.
Any questions give me a message, we are a friendly bunch most of the time !!
Cheers
I also race with 750 in the Hot Hatch series. There are normally a ‘hard core group’ of us who all park up together in the paddock and often keep a watchful eye over cars left overnight while people stay in local hotels etc.
Any questions give me a message, we are a friendly bunch most of the time !!
Cheers
I too race in the Hot hatch championship, where possible I try not to camp over, unless you have a camper van/motor home pitching up a tent is not fun, especially at the beginning and end of seasons where it gets bloody cold at night. I've previously done Snetterton in March in a tent which was not pleasant.
Looking at the calendar this year, there are 3 events that are over two days, Donington, Brands and Snetterton.
All of these are a bit inconvenient for me, as are multi day race meetings - I have spoken to the team at 750 about this but they reckon most people want to make a weekend of it. In my case, as a family man, I can't really justify spending the whole weekend away, it takes up too much time, and money.
However I think COVID will still be very much prevalent this year, so I suspect most events will be held over one day, i.e. both races on a Saturday, but we will see. Brands and Snetterton are triple headers so that will be interesting.
Anyway to answer your question, where do you live? If you live within 2 hours of a circuit I'd suggest getting up early and driving there on the morning of the event. As we won't be having sign on or scrutineering in some cases you won't be out on track and therefore will not need to get to the circuit until 9.30, 10 am maybe. Sleeping in your own bed and driving 2 hours IMHO is about as relaxing as pitching up in a camper van the night before in terms of sleep deprivation. Normally I try to get 15 mins shut eye during the day, it's only if things go tits up that I don't manage it!
Otherwise you'd need to do as others have suggested, drive to the circuit, unhook the trailer and mark your space then get to your hotel - which you'll need to book early for. You do miss out on the BBQ's etc, but I'm a miserable sod so it doesn't bother me
Most experienced racers tend to minimise costs by travelling on the day, at places like Brands you run the risk of finding it difficult to park but I suspect this year we will still be limited on numbers.
But this is the voice of someone who's been racing 25 years so I have it all under control! if you are new it's going to be a bit stressful at first. But in summary, depends where you live in relation to the circuits. 2 hours travelling is the key number in my opinion.
Hope you have fun, racing is ace.
Looking at the calendar this year, there are 3 events that are over two days, Donington, Brands and Snetterton.
All of these are a bit inconvenient for me, as are multi day race meetings - I have spoken to the team at 750 about this but they reckon most people want to make a weekend of it. In my case, as a family man, I can't really justify spending the whole weekend away, it takes up too much time, and money.
However I think COVID will still be very much prevalent this year, so I suspect most events will be held over one day, i.e. both races on a Saturday, but we will see. Brands and Snetterton are triple headers so that will be interesting.
Anyway to answer your question, where do you live? If you live within 2 hours of a circuit I'd suggest getting up early and driving there on the morning of the event. As we won't be having sign on or scrutineering in some cases you won't be out on track and therefore will not need to get to the circuit until 9.30, 10 am maybe. Sleeping in your own bed and driving 2 hours IMHO is about as relaxing as pitching up in a camper van the night before in terms of sleep deprivation. Normally I try to get 15 mins shut eye during the day, it's only if things go tits up that I don't manage it!
Otherwise you'd need to do as others have suggested, drive to the circuit, unhook the trailer and mark your space then get to your hotel - which you'll need to book early for. You do miss out on the BBQ's etc, but I'm a miserable sod so it doesn't bother me
Most experienced racers tend to minimise costs by travelling on the day, at places like Brands you run the risk of finding it difficult to park but I suspect this year we will still be limited on numbers.
But this is the voice of someone who's been racing 25 years so I have it all under control! if you are new it's going to be a bit stressful at first. But in summary, depends where you live in relation to the circuits. 2 hours travelling is the key number in my opinion.
Hope you have fun, racing is ace.
Robmainstgarage said:
Decent size tow vehicle, transit, Vivaro, vito air bed in the back and cheap night heaters can be got off eBay for less than £100. I've camp in tents which is crap, travel lodge etc is ok but can soon mount up,
I can only make three meetings this year but have just booked the hotels - less than £100 for three stays in a Premier Inn/Travelodge if you book early enough.Trev450 said:
Even using 'cheap' hotels the costs will still mount up and that's assuming they have the space to park your tow car and trailer. Another concern is safety. Will you sleep ok if you have to park it up somewhere less than ideal?
Your best option is to stay with the car and trailer at the venue. You can often (but not always) pitch a tent. or alternatively get an enclosed trailer with suficient space to sleep on an air bed or similar.
Let's face it, is any hotel safe ? or anywhere for that matterYour best option is to stay with the car and trailer at the venue. You can often (but not always) pitch a tent. or alternatively get an enclosed trailer with suficient space to sleep on an air bed or similar.
A friend got his van broken into on a single night stay in the Milton Keynes area and a few grands worth of tools stolen. "Luckily" van damage was minimal, and the tow car/trailer were undamaged.
Problem is, thieves are out scoping places, hotels etc every single night.
stevieturbo said:
Trev450 said:
Even using 'cheap' hotels the costs will still mount up and that's assuming they have the space to park your tow car and trailer. Another concern is safety. Will you sleep ok if you have to park it up somewhere less than ideal?
Your best option is to stay with the car and trailer at the venue. You can often (but not always) pitch a tent. or alternatively get an enclosed trailer with suficient space to sleep on an air bed or similar.
Let's face it, is any hotel safe ? or anywhere for that matterYour best option is to stay with the car and trailer at the venue. You can often (but not always) pitch a tent. or alternatively get an enclosed trailer with suficient space to sleep on an air bed or similar.
A friend got his van broken into on a single night stay in the Milton Keynes area and a few grands worth of tools stolen. "Luckily" van damage was minimal, and the tow car/trailer were undamaged.
Problem is, thieves are out scoping places, hotels etc every single night.
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