Taking the Mickey - 10-Tenths Motorsport Forum

Shelagh · 23 Sep 2006, 16:25

OK - not my first choice of title.

Bill has just phoned from Donington (around 17:00) to let me know that they were just about to start a 2 hour race - EXCUSE ME? - so he would hopefully be home at around 8:30pm.

I didn't go today for a few reasons (and one of those reasons has to be the blatant disregard of marshals' needs) but, I also confess, I wasn't on the list.

Well, after this, I don't think I'll bother tomorrow. I have better things to do (unfortunately involving an iron and a hoover). I might be persuaded otherwise, in which case I'll see you in the morning.

Yet another meeting that should be so much fun which is possibly turning us marshals off............Hmmmmmmmm?????

Can I just say that I am getting so fed up with various clubs and their stupid timetables (plus pathetic grids) and my sore feet, that I am seriously thinking about giving this whole thing up. Which is really sad, because I love it (despite the feet).

Mark Mitchell · 23 Sep 2006, 17:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shelagh

EXCUSE ME

Had I been made fully aware of the timetable, and it showed a two hour race starting at 5pm, then I probably wouldn't do the meeting.

If I had gone to the meeting and a two-hour race started at 5pm due to the late running of events, then I would have (And I've Done It Before) informed Race Control that come 6:30 (Or whatever) I would be going home.

I've never had any arguments about it, or any comeback from the Organisers.

Because of the "Curfew" at Donington, Organisers will contine to "Take The Mick" in order to complete their programme!

PS Ms Scott - Dunna give up!

Shelagh · 23 Sep 2006, 18:16

Must 'fess up that I don't always look at the timetable beforehand - usually willing to put up with it because they are cars I am interested in. So normally only have myself to blame if a meeting runs late.

Wasn't too fussed about this weekend's meeting so quite pleased that I wasn't on the list (despite volunteering - it happens) because it gave me a get-out clause.

Probably going a bit OTT about giving it up altogether. Knees haven't been up to much for years and now the feet are going as well - 2 days is becoming something of a problem (unless I get a sit down job in race control for at least one of them). Definitely can't do a 3-dayer any more. Reckon I'm ready for that humane put down! (this meant as a feed line for all comics out there...)

Ah, 19:15 and Bill just phoned to say he's getting in the car to come home (approx 1hr journey). And here's something - we're having fried egg, chips & peas for tea........hope you are drooling!

Mark Mitchell · 23 Sep 2006, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shelagh

And here's something - we're having fried egg, chips & peas for tea........hope you are drooling!

Betcha I can get to Gnosall from Stoke quicker than Mr T can get there from Donny!

Shelagh · 23 Sep 2006, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Mitchell

Betcha I can get to Gnosall from Stoke quicker than Mr T can get there from Donny!

I've got 6 eggs & an almost full bag of crinkly chips. Current ETT (estimated time to tea) is 8:45. Bottle of red wine too. Are you on?

Shelagh · 23 Sep 2006, 19:14

1) Assume fried egg ain't that much of a pull !!

2) Probably will be at Donington tomorrow despite all said. Sucker or what?

Shelagh · 23 Sep 2006, 19:34

Mark

Bill here - home by 8.20 - quicker than you could do it if you choose to use the car park formerly known as the M6!!!!!

Hepatic · 23 Sep 2006, 19:38

funny that, we were discussing donington's "curfew" just today at Oulton, where we had a nightmare day timetable wise, but a cracking meeting racing wise. So many tirewall rebuilds and incidents to clear up, but thanks to the 6.30 curfew you know it'll always finish on time

Mike Kelly 1 · 23 Sep 2006, 20:48

Thanks to 2 red flags in the XR race (and an inverted car behind the tyre wall at Fosters) we actually called it a day at 18.25! See, at Oulton we try and finish before the curfew

Been home 2 hours, still havent cooked any thing for tea (dinner to you southerners!) but the EEC beer stockpile in my fridge is rapidly diminishing!!!!!!

The Fat Clerk · 24 Sep 2006, 09:40

Then clubs wonder why they dont get marshals! It may be 30 minutes away but I go to Donnington as infrequently as I can.
Yesterday Elaine & I left home @ 05-30, drove 130 miles down to Surrey, had a brilliant day as a Trainee MSA Steward @ Blackbushe Kart Track (many thanks to John Smith), had a nice meal & drove home - all in all a 'bloody good day',
Donnington - No Thanks

Mark Mitchell · 24 Sep 2006, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shelagh

1) Assume fried egg ain't that much of a pull !!

We had a date but I omitted to tell you that I am on nights!!

Have to be another time!

Shelagh · 24 Sep 2006, 16:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Mitchell

We had a date but I omitted to tell you that I am on nights!!

Have to be another time!

Well, even though I say it myself, the eggs were wonderful (just the right amount of "runniness"). At least the food was one thing I didn't miss out on........

Didn't go today and its a boring Chinese takeaway so won't be making any offers tonight !!!

Stack · 25 Sep 2006, 21:17

I was at Donington for the whole weekend and yes the 2 hr race was a good cure for insomniacs but my main gripe was that there was no marshal only camping. I arrived on Friday about 6 ish to find the paddock 3 camping area nearly full with caravans and motorhomes all on the good upper part leaving us with tents trying to get our pegs in more than an inch on the grassed over hardcore lower area.

This I could live with but the late night noise of a mindless few who may have had a lay-in until dinner time was too much. Resulting in me giving a couple of young woman a few very choice words when they arrived back at their tent whooping and laughing at 3 in the morning! (my appologies to anyone who heard my outburst but you have to admit, is was warranted)

The above aside, it was a good weekend with a bonus of being taken back around the track to the pits on the lunch break in some wonderful old cars.

icklimp · 25 Sep 2006, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shelagh

OK - not my first choice of title.

Bill has just phoned from Donington (around 17:00) to let me know that they were just about to start a 2 hour race - EXCUSE ME? - so he would hopefully be home at around 8:30pm.

I didn't go today for a few reasons (and one of those reasons has to be the blatant disregard of marshals' needs) but, I also confess, I wasn't on the list.

Well, after this, I don't think I'll bother tomorrow. I have better things to do (unfortunately involving an iron and a hoover). I might be persuaded otherwise, in which case I'll see you in the morning.

Yet another meeting that should be so much fun which is possibly turning us marshals off............Hmmmmmmmm?????

Can I just say that I am getting so fed up with various clubs and their stupid timetables (plus pathetic grids) and my sore feet, that I am seriously thinking about giving this whole thing up. Which is really sad, because I love it (despite the feet).

Can't remember now if it was on the marshals instructions, but certainly VSCC marshals were aware of it before hand - and it was due to start at 4.50 so was only running 10 mins late.

I can only apologise if the information didn't get through the Donington regulars because certainly the VSCC regulars were aware of it.

In defence of the club, they do usually have sensible timetables, and are one of the few clubs I work for that have a decent lunch break built in.

But either way if people weren't aware of it, then the comments will be passed onto the commitee. And as ever the club will try and do better next year.

And to give you some advance warning, in 2007 the VSCC will have a 2 hour relay race at Donington on the saturday

Shelagh · 26 Sep 2006, 18:38

Now I am feeling guilty because I was only having a rant!

This was not a criticism of the VSCC (can't remember when I last did a VSCC meeting to be honest - for various reasons) just a general moan about organising clubs in general not considering the marshals.

Bill (my other half) went for both days and was so full of it that I do now feel that I missed out.

But I still don't understand why some clubs manage to run more or less to time while others seem to fall behind from the off (wherever the circuit). Again, a general point and not aimed at VSCC as I wasn't there this weekend.

Welcoming AmericanLeMansFans refugees.