Snetterton - News Update

[Dick Roberts (Web admin)]

Posted by Martin H on June 07, 2003 at 23:28:15:

Dear all,

You should by now have received your final instructions from the very hard working Peter Edwards at BARC-SE. He and his team have done a tremendous job sorting out a mountain of small and large tasks relating to the running of the 'Auto Trader 24 Hour 2CV Race'. Organising this event from scratch - the first 24 Hour race to be held in UK for around 10 years, has been challenging for all concerned. Peter and the team at BARC-SE team do it largely unpaid, because they love motor sport. So, when you do get to Snet, please take time to thank any of those people you come across - and if something is not happening quite the way you wish it should, please be patient.

Some points:

1) Pit Garages - the allocations shown may well have changed by the time you get to Snet. If you are booking a garage for testing during Friday, then you should find that you are placed in the one which is allocated to you to occupy free from 5pm. Various people have asked to be near to various other people, to optimise the technical people resources. The spirit of sportsmanship is strong in the club, so if you need some help, please don't hesitate to ask the others in your garage or in the ones next door.

2) Testing and Garages during Friday - testing for 2CV's is £200 for all day on Friday, 9 - 5, alternating with Caterhams. No extra charge for extra drivers. Garages are £55 extra per 'half' garage. Call the circuit to book.

3) Fire Training - There will be three sessions by Medifire Ltd, on Friday, 4, 6 and 8. Subject to demand, there will be further sessions on Saturday morning at 10 and 11. Each team will have to show that at least 1 and preferably 2 people have attended the fire training.

4) Stickers - all the normal Club sponsors stickers will be available at the circuit as well as the Auto Trader stickers specific to the event. Under the deal with Auto Trader, each car should carry large stickers above the front and rear windows and small stickers under each headlamp. They are very nice people at Auto Trader and they do recognise that some cars may already have stickers in those places. So, we want to get as many stickers in the correct place as possible, and we will talk with those car owners who cannot put them in those places and sort out mutually acceptable alternatives.

5) Advance weekend passes - you can still order 10 tickets for £50 by contacting Snetterton.

6) Event T-Shirts - we have prepared a smart blue T-shirt with the Auto Trader event logo printed in white on the front. They are very high quality cotton. Price will be £5 each, which is only just above cost, and they will be available from the 'Information' desk in the media centre. A range of 2CV club merchandise should also be avaialble.

7) The Stig - will be on site - obviously ! Some people working with the Top Gear car will know who he is. We are very pleased that the BBC TV Top Gear programme have elected to run a car in the race and film it - it will give the Auto Trader 24 Hour massive publicity. As a courtesy to our friends at Top Gear, please don't ask anyone who he is and please don't speculate.

7) Video of the event - a video company has provisionally asked to make a video of the event. The final edited version will be available for sale to competitors. Details and order forms should be available from the 'Information' desk.

8) Journalists - there will be quite a lot of those around, from national, regional and local press and media and from motoring magazines.. If they visit your garage make them welcome and give them any news about your team.

9) Photographs - a professional photographer has been commissioned by Auto Trader to cover the event. He will be all tooled up with the latest electronic kit. All his photos will be copyright-free and we hope to make a good selection available to you in some way after the event. Not yet quite sure how.

10) Pit Lane line-up - this is scheduled for 3, but could be a little earlier. We want all 2CV's out of their garages and on the start line straight. They will be parked in ecehelon, backed up to the pit wall, spaced well apart. We would like to have all drivers in their overalls and this is a good time to take promotional pics. You can put promotional banners and placards around your car.

Various sponsors and other interesting vehicles will also be parked on the track and we hope that the weather will be kind, allowing us to put on a bit of a show. The public will be free to wander around. The commentators will be wandering around doing live interviews.

Note of caution - during this line-up, we suggest you leave at least one team member in your garage to maintain security.

11) Motor homes - the area immediately behind each garage, from the fire lane to the marked road, can be used to park motor homes, caravans, trucks etc. The fire lane must be kept clear at all times - no tail lifts, etc. At two points there will be marked lanes through the motorhomes for people with fuel cans on trollies (don't forget to bring a trolley - the use of one is mandatory). These must also be kept clear at all times. All trailers, after unloading, should be taken and parked in the large area at the bottom of the paddock. Everything must be cleared from this area after the race, but those staying Sunday night can set up on the grass at the back of the paddock.

Rubbish - use the bins provided. Waste oil - use the tanks provided.

12) Electricity - there is a good supply to the circuit, but a whole bunch of kettles being used could stretch it causing possible failure of the timing system. So, please do all cooking and water heating with gas or your own electricity supply. You can connect your motor home to the plug in the garage, but please use it only for lighting.

13) Timing feed to screens - so far as we are aware, the connection in the garage is for a normal co-ax (aerial) lead. So, don't forget a TV, a power lead and an aerial lead.

14) Race Poster - this will be printed out to A3 size on demand at the 'Information' desk. Cost is £3 each.

15) 'Auto Trader' Information Desk - will be in the media centre, which is at the top end of the pit garages. Please go there first for general and non-racing queries.

16) Auto Trader Trophies - will be presented down to the sixth place team. The first three teams home will also get a 17pt box of 'Buffy's' beer.

17) Tyrrells restaurant - will stay open to midnight on Saturday and re-open for breakfast.

End