That is such a shame for the club.
I had intended to do this event when it was first announced, but fate intervened in the meantime, as the car I intended using got somewhat rearranged at Donington late last year and still isn't back in one piece.
Also, logistically it was potentially going to be a bit tricky being able to carry enough stuff, fuel, etc for 4 x 40 minute races, plus qualy/practice sessions. Yes, I know we can buy fuel at the circuit, but when you're on a budget, you really don't want to be paying circuit prices for fuel! And with Anglesey being in the middle of nowhere, I think the nearest place to buy fuel outside the venue is miles away. Of course, it being in the middle of nowhere is probably why it's one of the few circuits that can run this type of event, so it's a double-edged sword isn't it?
Then, of course, if doing the event single-handed, you have to consider that, as well as getting very little sleep between your four heats, you're probably going to have to work on the car: my car probably wouldn't do the whole event without needing attention to brakes, maybe tyres, and that's before you consider the possibility of unforeseen problems.
As a result of the above, I even considered sharing it with someone else in another car to make a two-car team (as a few have done, judging by the entry list), which would have lightened the load from a logistical viewpoint, as well as from a driving one, but I couldn't find anyone who I felt compatible with who wanted to share it, so that ruled out that one too!
Which pretty much left me out of options so, reluctantly, I admitted defeat and decided to give it a miss. Knowing what we know now about the numbers, I'm thinking that maybe I made the right decision. Although my series isn't one of those with desperately low entries, it still hasn't crept far into double figures and, with only a little over a week to go, I don't anticipate there being many late entries.
So, as I said at the beginning - what a shame. The club have, I'm sure, put a lot of effort into organising this, so it's a bit of a slap in the face for them that so many have chosen not to support it. Yes, yes, I know - I'm one of them! But if my car was ready, I think I probably still would have entered despite the aforementioned logistical issues. And before any of those on here who know me say 'Ahh, but you've got another car that works...' - yes, I have, but that car runs in a series that isn't taking part in the Anglesey event, and, in any case, it isn't suitable for doing four 40 minute races in one hit anyway!
The club have managed to attract reasonable numbers to Anglesey in the past, by offering good value double-headers, running both circuit layouts over one meeting, things like that. So I wonder why this hasn't captured people's imagination? Yes it's a lot of money - but at the same time, it's actually very good value on a £ per minute of tracktime basis, so I really thought more people would have jumped at the opportunity.
Could it be some of the points I've already mentioned that have put people off? Or are there other factors at play here? The date puts it before the school holidays start, so I can't think it's people being away on holiday that has affected numbers significantly. But clearly there's something going on here that has prevented many from entering - and it can't just be the far-flung location...