north west regional barrow in furness

[jampat2004]

thanks to the furness car club for trying there very best to run the first north west regional, but as usual the unpredictable british weather ruined what should have been a great meeting.
shame after the majority vote we could nt carry on for maybe another round or gone straight into the finals, but cant argue with stewards decisions at the end of the day if they feel health and safety issues come into play.
thanks guys roll on to the next one, lets hope its a dry one.

[losichris]

Thought it was a little too early to call it off. We knew the conditions were going to be tricky with marshalling, so maybe a brief to add more in each heat may have worked, and warning drivers that if you crash dont expect a rapid turnover.
People who did run already got stuff mucky and were prepared to slog it out.
This means if you didnt get a good run in the 2 rounds then the whole day/journey was a waste of time and effort.
But thanks to the Barrow lads for trying, real shame rain stopped play.

[tinnylad]

The weather turned really nice after we packed up! Shame really. Hope everyone enjoyed the racing they did manage to get in :thumbsup:

[Swell]

but cant argue with stewards decisions at the end of the day if they feel health and safety issues come into play.

Makes me laugh tyres for all conditions, but poorly equiped (shod) adluts and predicted weather ruin the day........

Health and safety normaly has a protcol regarding the enviornment and the task in hand risks are assessed and provisions made.......

Had a good do cheers to everyone for putting it on i do appriceate your efforts :D

[NeilRalph77]

Yeh good effort Barrow! better weather next time! shame some people going after round one upset the marshalling in round two, but that's not a reflection on the club, still a very good attempt in less than ideal conditions:thumbsup:,

[danDanEFC]

Great track guys.

I was rubbish all day but still had a good time.

Roll on the next round with me starting at the back

[andy110m]

I agree, I think it was called off too early. A briefing to say be careful would have been better and I can't help feel it was a done deal to fininsh even before we had the drivers vote. Why ask the drivers when it has to go to a BRCA vote anyway?

As has been said, people turn up with wearing trainers with no provision for wet weather footwear, but I bet they all had some wet tyres in the box.

All of this is no reflection on the good job the club did, in what were difficult conditions but as we'd all settled in to the conditions it would've been good to finish the meeting.

[Spencer Mulcahy]

Thanks barrow club for the meeting but the weather won again. I will not risk myself (marshalling) and my very expensive equipment (racing) so it was a good decision to abandon. I will be last in the meeting due to not running my second round and having a mare in the first, out of the five rounds how many will count for your F grade?

[Swell]

Removed

[Spencer Mulcahy]

Thanks barrow club for the meeting but the weather won again. I will not risk myself (marshalling) and my very expensive equipment (racing) so it was a good decision to abandon. I will be last in the meeting due to not running my second round and having a mare in the first, out of the five rounds how many will count for your F grade?

Found it its three but I can only do three rounds this years and one was today oh well.

[Pitman Ed]

As usual, a full range of views. So no matter what the committee decided, some people would have moaned. Having a general vote to understand the preference of the majority is a good thing - but if it is still felt unsafe to continue, that's a responsible decision we have to accept.

Regarding racing in those conditions on a grass track and a few people complaining- it's the same for everyone - it's outdoor off road in England - we have to race the conditions!

Thanks to all who assisted in making the day possible - there's no racing without organisers and workers.

The question how many events count toward your F grade, from memory it should be half plus ons, rounded down, meaning 3.5 rounded down to 3 (from the 5 events). So those who cried of because of weather can drop Barrow and another, and still have 3 to count.

Thanks again to the Barrow club.

[jameswilkinson7]

Really sorry I had to miss this one, what with the dates clashing with the very popular oOple series... I've got a lovely tan from 2 days racing in the hot sun down at Stotfold. :p:lol:

[Jamie B4]

Haven't we already lost LDA plus a rained off barrow so does that mean we only have 3 rounds left to count - southport, bury and stoke would it not be better to try an fit in an additional round somewhere or adjust for 2 to count

[Spencer Mulcahy]

Don't think that would happen but it would help me no end.

[Pitman Ed]

It is not a "rained off Barrow!" It is a BRCA sanctioned event and as 2 rounds were completed, the result stands. You can drop Barrow and one more and still get your F grade.

[johnnygibbon]

I thought the barrow lads were great guys and really welcoming and layed out a nice big flowing track, I hope to return in nicer weather sometime
Shame we couldn't continue racing but we are racing the north west regionals !
So remember blue tac lazy goo wd 40 wellies raincoats tranny muffs and a sealed shell for the rest of em
If we all come equipped there's less chance of getting cancelled I suppose
But racing electric cars in the rain is never gonna be that popular
Thanks to all who ran it and helped
And at least we got a score - not a wasted day if your chasing an f grade

[TonyM]

Haven't we already lost LDA plus a rained off barrow so does that mean we only have 3 rounds left to count - southport, bury and stoke would it not be better to try an fit in an additional round somewhere or adjust for 2 to count
4 left with South Lakes.

[MatJohnson]

Haven't we already lost LDA plus a rained off barrow so does that mean we only have 3 rounds left to count - southport, bury and stoke would it not be better to try an fit in an additional round somewhere or adjust for 2 to count

Your missing south lakes in that list.

When LDA was in, it was 4 from 6, then they stopped so it went to 3 from 5

[adprim]

so when will we know the results????

[tony12795]

Well done Barrow I feel you did the best job possible with the weather as it was. Things maybe to think about for next year, Ink for the printer, grass events should be run in the middle of summer (to give us the best weather advantage) and the top car park should be closed when we were racing. Running the track the opposite way round for 2wd and 4wd was a good idea and tracks this can be done at should follow suit.

What happened to my missed laps - I am sure I got a 14 lapper!!!

On a series not if you were missed the odd lap this can be worked out but if you were missed lots of laps I don’t see how you can just add these in. Also did these cars start counting on their first lap? The results should show what laps were added as on the day there was no paper work.

IMO We should have controlled tyres like all the large events and to save costs

Tony

[Gavin Collingwood]

I agree totally on tyres, the few people who had full spikes had a HUGE advantage. The nationals have a controlled selection of tyres, so should regionals

[croller]

Have to say it was a shame about the weather although living in Bury we are used to it down here, on the subject of controlled tyres don't think anybody gained an advantage did they?!?!? Everybody should have a trusty set of 10 year old full spikes just in case!

[Chris Elworthy]

Many thanks to the organisers at Barrow for the meeting, a real shame it had to be cut short.
I also found the public vote a waste of time as the decision can only be made by the official BRCA regional committee so in some ways it made it more frustrating for the masses who wanted to continue.
I do feel that results based on two rounds if qualifying does not really give a true reflection of the day but having checked the BRCA regional rules it is in fact the correct procedure so we cannot really complain too much.

Heats for round 2 are generally based on round 1 results but due to the indifferent weather this may not be the best way to structure them in my opinion. Personally it makes no difference, i had a very poor two rounds but as I've recently returned I am an F5 so will be in the lower heats regardless but it could cause heats to be massively varied in ability for others if heats are based on two rounds of qualifying from round 1.

Just a thought....

Chris

[Chris Elworthy]

Definitely agree on adopting control tyres for next season, even for the remainder of this season if possible

We don't want racing regionals becoming a tyre war and getting towards the cost of running nationals.


Chris

[funkygrump81]

Control tyres at regionals jus sounds silly ,ive jus had a look and you can get schumacher full spikes off jemodels which is wat alot of people ended up running , im sure theres a rule about tyres as long as they are comercially available too all they are allowed ? Woody will know more about this . Tyre choice is part of racing in my eyes but thats just my opinion

[MatJohnson]

Its not about making sure the tyre is available, its to try and limit the amount of tyres people have to buy/carry around. If you limit the spike and brand then it means you don't have to have a box full of different types of tyres. You just need the different compounds in mini spike form.

[tony12795]

Most regonals run control tyres.

This was just a suggestion.

[Chris Elworthy]

It's not about adopting a sole control tyre it's just a limit for financial reasons. For example at the nationals you are allowed to use any Compound on Schumacher or Ballistic Buggy minispikes on the rear axle of your car. These are the most commonly used off road tyres in the UK so almost everybody running the regionals will have some of these in their pit box.

I'm all for a bit of home advantage but if there is such a clear advantage with another tyre, as there was with full spikes yesterday many will simply not be able to compete without them too shelling out £20 quid or so for new tyres that will probably be useless anywhere else.


Chris

[Chris Elworthy]

It's not about adopting a sole control tyre it's just a limit for financial reasons. For example at the nationals you are allowed to use any Compound of Schumacher or Ballistic Buggy minispikes on the rear axle of your car. These are the most commonly used off road tyres in the UK so almost everybody running the regionals will have some of these in their pit box.

I'm all for a bit of home advantage but if there is such a clear advantage with another tyre, as there was with full spikes yesterday many will simply not be able to compete without them too shelling out £20 quid or so for new tyres that will probably be useless anywhere else.

Don't get me wrong I'm not bitter towards anybody using them yesterday, I admire your foresight it's just an idea to make an expensive day for many due to the distance of travel a little bit more inviting and guaranteeing closer racing.


Chris

[TonyM]

With 40% of our regional tracks being on grass it's just common sense for any driver to have a set of full spikes. Why degrade racing enjoyment for the sake of a few quid, or those who don’t wish to plan for the obvious. Let’s face it, most none locals would spend more than that on petrol just getting to the track.

Also, they don’t wear anything like mini-spikes. I've had mine for three years and the spikes are still very good.

[Spencer Mulcahy]

My personal opinion (and this is MY OPINION) I don't think there is a place for grass tracks in this day and age with the state of the British weather. When I started racing (thirty years ago now) there was only grass tracks but the weather was or seemed a lot better (we actually had a summer). Now with the invention of AstroTurf and the technology within which enables very hard wearing AstroTurf has made us have truly all weather racing, just two sets of tyres needed for wet or dry. Not many cancelled meetings due to rain safer for marshals. Maybe grass for club meetings but regionals and nationals where people travel a distance astro only. As I say this is my opinion only and not a slur to the fantastic organisation of the barrow club but the weather won again.

[bigred5765]

the other side of that coin is we don't use them at nationals,so wont base a setup for them ether and as most tracks are astro now why would we need to.tire rule gets my vote run and base it on a tire we all have all use keep it simple,
PS the really fast people had tr32's on and they are not only not made any more but haven't been for a long long while
and spencers post is better than mine well said spencer MULcahey :)

[johnnygibbon]

In regards to tyres i think it's awful to have a controll tyre
If the Brca let ya run em then So should the event
And also grass track racing is great fun for a lot of people and suits some people's syle of driving better
Off road racing is good because of the variety of surfaces to race on keep grass tracks in and spikey tyres to

[RickRick]

I thought tr32's were not allowed, which is why mine stayed in the box. The other option open to everyone is come to a club meeting or two on grass to figure out a basic setup and tire choice, and wear some decent shoes rather than flat trainers!

[Si Coe]

The thing about a control tyre is that in cases where a full spike would suit best if restricted to minispikes that basically means a brand new fresh set, or rather several sets over the course of the day.
Which is hardly cheaper than having a set of full spikes in your pit box.

[tony12795]

This not not true buddy....

Only one set needed because its wet they don't ware, as would have been the case yesterday and was at kiddy also.

The thing about a control tyre is that in cases where a full spike would suit best if restricted to minispikes that basically means a brand new fresh set, or rather several sets over the course of the day.
Which is hardly cheaper than having a set of full spikes in your pit box.

[tony12795]

Strangely Carl :) I agree with this completely...

the other side of that coin is we don't use them at nationals,so wont base a setup for them ether and as most tracks are astro now why would we need to.tire rule gets my vote run and base it on a tire we all have all use keep it simple,
PS the really fast people had tr32's on and they are not only not made any more but haven't been for a long long while
and spencers post is better than mine well said spencer MULcahey :)

[tony12795]

Maybe we should vote or discuss at the end of the year with the Wood master

[stuart slmcc]

Grass tracks sort the men from the boys . I would bet most people have stuff in there pit bags that cost more than a set of full spikes that doesnt see the light of day from one meeting to the next .

[woOdy]

Maybe if people would of decided to come to the meeting and not suggested just the clubs come to the meeting then things might of been different.

All these things can be talked about if and when people come to a meeting.

Anyway, I thought it was a good venue and everybody would of loved it if it was dry!

I have to think about the safety of all drivers and marshals and there was alot of people slipping and if a car hit them in the head while on the floor, then what would you all say?

Sorry safety first.
I know we all should ware the correct shoes but we all dont have walking boots.

[Gavin Collingwood]

I know people are saying we can easily buy full spikes but why should we have to buy the tyre for one meeting a year...(as i, like other will not be attending Kendal) as I wouldn't use these at any other track as 90% of all tracks in the UK are either full astro or multi surface with astro. I agree with woody if it was dry there wouldn't have been a problem as the full spike probably wouldn't have been an advantage but as soon as it turned into a bog they we considerably faster. Otherwise it was a shame as i thought the layout was very good

[TonyM]

Maybe we should vote or discuss at the end of the year with the Wood master
On behalf of requests from my fellow members at Southport, I tabled the motion to introduce control tyres at the last Regional meeting (even though I don't agree with it myself - there's democracy).

The motion was discussed and voted against, by the majority of club representatives. I would suggest if people feel strongly about it they raise it through their club rep again next year.

[Pitman Ed]

If we want to stop arguments about tyres, go to control tyres next year. My personal view is the opposite. Yes Nationals are tightly controlled formal affairswith strict tyre rules, but they are meant to find the Country's best driver; some of the top guys would have the capability to gain an advantage big time otherwise! In the regions let's have a bit more fun and be more flexible and creative. I would however say that any tyre used should be commercially available in the UK at the time of the event. Then it is fair for everyone. But I'm happy whatever the outcome - the lads just love to race.

And, while we are having friendly banter, Luke and Josh loved getting full of mud and even went marshalling those who wanted to Bash round the track whilst we were all packing up! They were looking forward to racing on more grass tracks - especially when it' raining. They have now changed there mind because I've told them to clean their cars. Luke's in the "it's not fair" mode because he has two cars to clean. Little Josh (8 y o) missunderstood the word "clean" and interpreted it as "full and very complete dismantle!" At 8 he can totally strip down a car but not rebuild it. Luke refuses to do it, so it's another couple of night's work for me.

[Gavin Collingwood]

If we want to stop arguments about tyres, go to control tyres next year. My personal view is the opposite. Yes Nationals are tightly controlled formal affairswith strict tyre rules, but they are meant to find the Country's best driver; some of the top guys would have the capability to gain an advantage big time otherwise! In the regions let's have a bit more fun and be more flexible and creative. I would however say that any tyre used should be commercially available in the UK at the time of the event. Then it is fair for everyone. But I'm happy whatever the outcome - the lads just love to race.

And, while we are having friendly banter, Luke and Josh loved getting full of mud and even went marshalling those who wanted to Bash round the track whilst we were all packing up! They were looking forward to racing on more grass tracks - especially when it' raining. They have now changed there mind because I've told them to clean their cars. Luke's in the "it's not fair" mode because he has two cars to clean. Little Josh (8 y o) missunderstood the word "clean" and interpreted it as "full and very complete dismantle!" At 8 he can totally strip down a car but not rebuild it. Luke refuses to do it, so it's another couple of night's work for me.
That's where you're going wrong..... Tell him no clean car.... No race. He'll soon have it clean then.

[woOdy]

I really don't understand? Both tq cars had ballistic buggy tyres on not full spikes.

[cherryc]

i thought it was off road racing!!!

[tinnylad]

Interestingly enough, both my brothers and I are all of a very similar ability and two of us used full spikes, but the one that didn't got the fastest time :woot:

[scotty_big_flip]

Dont take all the fun out of regionals by adding control tire rules. 16.98 for a set of tyres that have lasted me over 3 years ! damm good value !

[bigred5765]

Maybe if people would of decided to come to the meeting and not suggested just the clubs come to the meeting then things might of been different.

All these things can be talked about if and when people come to a meeting.

Anyway, I thought it was a good venue and everybody would of loved it if it was dry!

I have to think about the safety of all drivers and marshals and there was alot of people slipping and if a car hit them in the head while on the floor, then what would you all say?

Sorry safety first.
I know we all should ware the correct shoes but we all don't have walking boots.

after watching that poor marshal in heat six fall on his ass 3-4 times and then watched everyone laugh and clap at him I think the right decision was made, and it looked like he was wearing boots

[jameswilkinson7]

I really don't understand? Both tq cars had ballistic buggy tyres on not full spikes.


Spot on Woody....
I wasn't there, but I've raced in my fair share of mud :woot: Ballistics have always been my choice. Yellow fullspikes are good on very slippy shiny floors.
I love racing on the grass tracks, I like the way they change round to round.... Proper off road, not artificial! LOL However I do agree that they are not always practical with our weather.

[Jamie B4]

Found it interested reading all the reviews on this subject. Think a couple of things of interest:

a) Believe that it was mentioned that there was no controlled tires simply so the bog standard racer would be able to race with a RTR car without additional cost, however this also allows the experienced racer to use tires through their experience so they can use that advantage.

b) Under no illusion that I had a crap day but that was my fault and lack of preparation so if dry would probably been higher but them are the breaks - same at kiddy

c) Think woody mentioned that we have a lack of tracks so think its mad to stop grass tracks as if we have 6 rounds between 2 of 3 venues then the quick lads will have an advantage

Again guys think we all just had a bad day so we need to take it on the chins and learn from this however was speaking to a friend at nationals who mentioned that all thir regionals are in June, July and August so think we need to consider the track and time so that we can have the best chance of a reasonably dry day or just a shower. Think if it was the saturday then people would be commenting of different issues ie how good the day was

Them the breaks

[Gavin Collingwood]

I really don't understand? Both tq cars had ballistic buggy tyres on not full spikes.

To be fair woody.. Wasn't that you? Being F1 and A finalist at a national that's a given

[tony12795]

And all the extra laps Woody was given :-)


To be fair woody.. Wasn't that you? Being F1 and A finalist at a national that's a given

[MikePimlott]

My personal opinion (and this is MY OPINION) I don't think there is a place for grass tracks in this day and age with the state of the British weather. When I started racing (thirty years ago now) there was only grass tracks but the weather was or seemed a lot better (we actually had a summer). Now with the invention of AstroTurf and the technology within which enables very hard wearing AstroTurf has made us have truly all weather racing, just two sets of tyres needed for wet or dry. Not many cancelled meetings due to rain safer for marshals. Maybe grass for club meetings but regionals and nationals where people travel a distance astro only. As I say this is my opinion only and not a slur to the fantastic organisation of the barrow club but the weather won again.


My opinion is that:

Grass Tracks are good though :thumbsup:

HOWEVER grass tracks with flat pipes and shit track markings is no good

Nor is a track without a proper rostrum.

Venues without these key features shouldn't be allowed to host a BRCA sanctioned event.

[scotty_big_flip]

My opinion is that:

Grass Tracks are good though :thumbsup:

HOWEVER grass tracks with flat pipes and shit track markings is no good

Nor is a track without a proper rostrum.

Venues without these key features shouldn't be allowed to host a BRCA sanctioned event.

... so ur down to Bury Stoke and southport for next years regional then. and did all of these clubs pop up instantly with rostrums on perminant venues? or did thay all mayb start small and work there way up ?

[Gavin Collingwood]

My opinion is that:

Grass Tracks are good though :thumbsup:

HOWEVER grass tracks with flat pipes and shit track markings is no good

Nor is a track without a proper rostrum.

Venues without these key features shouldn't be allowed to host a BRCA sanctioned event.

Ever so slightly harsh I think.......
The event was fine it was just the weather that did us all over.

[MikePimlott]

... so ur down to Bury Stoke and southport for next years regional then. and did all of these clubs pop up instantly with rostrums on perminant venues? or did thay all mayb start small and work there way up ?

Start small and then work you're way up to a being a decent venue.

THEN get considered for a regional, where you have to pay £10 per class to race.

[steve-thebabystore]

Didn't attend due to work, weather aside what were the results?

[gazhillAE]

Ever so slightly harsh I think.......
The event was fine it was just the weather that did us all over.

Agreed!
No need for the harsh points they did a good job to be fair.
Even enjoyed the rostrum!!
And the track didnt get too rutted either
Good job even though I ended up on my arse a few times!

[MikePimlott]

Agreed!
No need for the harsh points they did a good job to be fair.
Even enjoyed the rostrum!!
And the track didnt get too rutted either
Good job even though I ended up on my arse a few times!

My points was not directed at barrow! I did not even attend.

It was my opinion.

[stuart slmcc]

You didnt even turn up and still slateing the venue!. I bust my balls as did other members putting this event on do you realy think we all wouldnt want a permenant track where we just turn up and race ???

Please dont use offensive language. Youths use this forum also!

[MikePimlott]

Deleted quote.

I did not slate the venue if you can read my posts. It was my opinion towards grass tracks, in reply to Spencers post.

[Spencer Mulcahy]

I am in agreement with Mike regarding the rostrum thing being covered, everybody is aloud there own opinion. People parking cars behind you when you are trying to race was a bit off putting. We are not slating the people who ran the Barrow meeting one bit they tried there best but the venue was not up to regional level in MY OPINION.


Oh and I hate grass tracks :woot::D

[Pitman Ed]

Ok let's put a lid on this now. You all know Luke and Josh- if a12 and 8 yo can cope with the conditions and enjoy the day so can you!"
Come on guys, we need more clubs to host meetings. Cut the negatives - offer encouragement. Please continue Barrow.

[Dean Washington]

Ok let's put a lid on this now. You all know Luke and Josh- if a12 and 8 yo can cope with the conditions and enjoy the day so can you!"
Come on guys, we need more clubs to host meetings. Cut the negatives - offer encouragement. Please continue Barrow.


:thumbsup: if it wasn't for barrow and south lakes it would of only been southport and bury last year.

[Si Coe]

I quite agree.

I'm not really looking forwards to running our regional round myself.

The way drivers in this region have reacted to the clubs - first the fuss with LDA when they had a round and now this, plus I've heard moans about Stoke being a nitro track etc is frankly ridiculous.

Its a wonder anyone is willing to put on a round at all.

[DanW]

You didnt even turn up and still slateing the venue!. I bust my balls as did other members putting this event on do you realy think we all wouldnt want a permenant track where we just turn up and race ???


I think your efforts really showed and payed off Stuart.

Heat list in advance, drivers correctly ordered according to F-grade - booking in and practice was a breeze as a result. :thumbsup:

I think its also very worthy to mention that the Barrow guys volunteer marshalled the duration of the practice session... which is a nice touch and was very much appreciated. :thumbsup:

Another real positive... Burger van and ladies/gents toilets onsite. :thumbsup:

PA system was loud and clear. :thumbsup:

With regards rostrum.... it was solid and sturdy and the fence made a good guard rail.... I'd much prefer to stand on something like that than a bit of wobbly old scaffold.

I think its also worth noting that Barrow and South Lakes guys account for a decent portion of NW BRCA members and contestants of the regional series. The regional series is run for BRCA members by local BRCA affiliated clubs. Talk of running only permanent tracks and/or only astro sounds nice but it just wouldn't be representative of our region and its racers.

Was there room for improvement... of course. However if the weather had been more favourable then I think there would of been much better feedback.

What would I be critical of... cars starting pretty much on top of the loop becuase of no clearly defined start line, however plenty of well experienced drivers in attendance who should of known how to line up thier cars properly :p.

[stuart slmcc]

Thanks dan w and the rest that enjoyed there day . :thumbsup: We gave it our best and will do the same anytime we hold a meeting .Plans are in place for next year already to make it better but as for the weather i cant do much about that . The offers there from me if anyone doing race control needs a hand just let me no only happy to help as ive been there as well .

[jampat2004]

Ok let's put a lid on this now. You all know Luke and Josh- if a12 and 8 yo can cope with the conditions and enjoy the day so can you!"
Come on guys, we need more clubs to host meetings. Cut the negatives - offer encouragement. Please continue Barrow.
Well said pitman ed.