Rockingham

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willdew

Original Poster:

2,138 posts

270 months

Thursday 22nd August 2002
quotequote all
I think I'm off to Rockingham on the 14th Sept to watch the CART racing. My mate has got us free tickets from one of he teams, but my query is how can hey justify such high prices for the tickets when on general sale??

They seem to range from £40 to £150, which might not be bad compared to F1, but when you compare it to Le Mans where you can go for the whole week for E50 (about £32) and then camp for the week for E16 (about £10) it seems rather pricey. Why can't we hold world class motor racing events that the whole family can attend without it costing a coupe of hundred quid?

A facility like Rockingham should be able to cover costs without resorting to such excessive prices.

Anyhow, that's my rant over. Is anyone else attending and did anyone go last year? Is it any good? As I'm sure is the same with most of you - CART isn't that familiar to me. It seems like bigger F1 cars without as much of he technology.

scruff400

3,757 posts

267 months

Thursday 22nd August 2002
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quote:
As I'm sure is the same with most of you - CART isn't that familiar to me. It seems like bigger F1 cars without as much of he technology.



Yup that's pretty much it - like a TVR without the GRP

Don

28,377 posts

290 months

Thursday 22nd August 2002
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quote:
A facility like Rockingham should be able to cover costs without resorting to such excessive prices.


Actually - this is their big event of the year isn't it? They probably have to make a killing on this one as the rest of the year their HUGE grandstands are practically empty...or were when I was there last.

I've always though Oval racing dull in comparison to circuit racing but the CART thing would be such an experience - I'm quite envious. Perhaps next year...

This year it clashes with the GTs and Tuscans at Thruxton - and since that's my "home" circuit I'll be at that for my day's entertainment. And paying a lot less to boot...

willdew

Original Poster:

2,138 posts

270 months

Thursday 22nd August 2002
quotequote all
I know nothing about CART whatsoever, but if someone’s got free tickets I'm not about to say no. I'm really a GT fan, but am hoping this should be a real spectacle.

pbrettle

3,280 posts

289 months

Thursday 22nd August 2002
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I think that the prices are actually in line with what you might expect. For example you can get into a major circuit to see some club racing for around £10 - £15 per person. Which isnt too bad. But then again the toilets are likely to be at the other end of the circuit, there will be a dodgy burger bar and some strange bloke selling coffee.... Parking will be crap and you will probably have to wait to get in and out...

Rockingham is much simpler, nicer with much better facilities. You do pay for these. Then again compare it to a major sporting venue and the costs are comparible. Even footie matches can be more expensive....

Ok, in comparison with some it might seem expensive, but the facilities far outweigh the costs...

Cheers,

Paul

ardvaark

37 posts

278 months

Thursday 22nd August 2002
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I went to the Champ car race last year with a 3 day ticket and a seat in the Rockingham building. There was no action at all for the first 2 days due to the track bleeding moisture, despite the fact that it was dry and sunny. Eventually, on the Saturday, they ran a shortened "500". The race itself was excellent (albeit not the planned distance) but the waiting around on the previous 2 days would put me off buying an advance ticket again. I would recommend to go and buy a ticket on race day if it's dry and the track has been fixed, but don't expect much in the way of support races, and forget it completely if it's raining.
Sorry to be negative, but I don't think it was good value for money last year.

Oh, and the Park and Ride was a shambles too!

cotty

40,146 posts

290 months

Thursday 22nd August 2002
quotequote all
quote:
I think I'm off to Rockingham on the 14th Sept to watch the CART racing. My mate has got us free tickets from one of he teams, but my query is how can hey justify such high prices for the tickets when on general sale??

They seem to range from £40 to £150,



That does seem a little steep, when you consider that for £145 you can take a single seater round Rockinghams Banked circuit. (The Jonnie Herbert Experiance)

willdew

Original Poster:

2,138 posts

270 months

Thursday 22nd August 2002
quotequote all
quote:

quote:
I think I'm off to Rockingham on the 14th Sept to watch the CART racing. My mate has got us free tickets from one of he teams, but my query is how can hey justify such high prices for the tickets when on general sale??

They seem to range from £40 to £150,



That does seem a little steep, when you consider that for £145 you can take a single seater round Rockinghams Banked circuit. (The Jonnie Herbert Experiance)





Exactly. The only major race I go to is Le Mans. It's terrific. 4 people in a car, 1/4 of the price of the ferry, 1 tank of petrol each, £32 for the race ticket, £10 PER CAR for as long as you stay to camp (with as many temts as you can get in the boot) and shop in the supermarket in Arnarge for food and little french lagers. I recon you can have a long weekend at Le Mans for less that the entry ticket to the British Grand Prix.

Or, you can hire a caterham for 2 days mid week for £145!

Eather way, I'm glad my ticket's free.