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Lotus Festival Snetterton 13th and 14th June


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#1 carrotcruncher

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Posted 15 June 2009 - 16:03

Was I the only spectator to leave this meeting feeling distinctly "underwhelmed" with the poor organisation?To arrange a parade of (alledgedly)1000 Lotus cars driving Snetterton at a speed of 5mph,which took an hour ,then to announce a lunch break ,that should have been an hour extended to 1 hour and a half was extremely boring and warranted some explanation from MSVR.
To try to be positive,seeing a Lotus 79 was brilliant and the support races were excellent.My other moan was with the snetterton organisation, who have still been unable to complete the banking around the Bombhole and Coram,preventing access around the outside of the circuit to spectator vehicles.
My e-mail to MotorsportVision asking about this met with a "political" response ,telling me that a spectator stand would be made available for the BSB round,and all major events afterwards.A typical non answer to a direct question.
Is it me?
Regards
carrotcruncher.

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#2 RTH

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Posted 15 June 2009 - 16:08

I was going south on the M11 to the Bromley show at about 8.00am yesterday and swarms of Elises were going the other way to Snetterton.

#3 hipperson

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Posted 16 June 2009 - 08:29

Yes ! Mr Carrotcruncher you were the only spectator underwhelmed by the day.

As a member of the Lotus owning community and a participant in the Lotus parade your comments were a kick in the guts for those who were involved in the organising a fabulous weekend.

The parade was a successful attempt to gain an entry in the Guiness Book of Records for the largest number of Lotus on the move.
The Brands Hatch record from 2007 stood at 313 .
Each car had to be registered before the event, every driver and passenger had to sign up and receive a wristband. As a generous concession from the insurance company children could be signed in under the age of 18 with a parents signature.
Speed was limited to 10mph with specific gaps between each car and 3 laps had to be completed.
These are parameters set by Guiness.
I had four kids with me all under 11 and they just had the best time in my friend cars.
The record now stands at 436 vehicles and what a fantastic sight they made !

Your remarks about the organisers are similarly unfounded....MSV are unbelievably efficient and are great supporters of Lotus and The Elise Trophy Series. They are transforming Snetterton into a Norfolk venue of which you should be proud.
I raced there from 1967-73 I remember it as it was.
Earthworks are ongoing to provide future enjoyment..Rome wasn't built in a day.

As you obviously felt that you did not get value for your £12 entry ( £1 of this went to a local children's hospice ) if you would care to email me ..michaelhipperson@hotmail.com..I will personally reimburse you for the inconvenience that we, as a Lotus group, obviously caused to spoil your day.

#4 Andrew Kitson

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Posted 16 June 2009 - 08:42

Well said Michael, it was a fantastic weekend.
Unfortunately in this NIMBY world, Snetterton have to build these soundproofing earth bunds. The one along the back straight has been finished for a while, they had the luxury of the nearby Attleborough A11 by-pass to help with that, many lorry loads of soil.

With little building work going on anywhere, they simply cannot find the soil locally to finish the banks around the bombhole/coram area. Of course it does not make financial sense to find it from afar and transport it across the country. With this building work still 'in progress', the circuits insurers won't let the public through that area. But with the MSA requesting more and more run off, that area is so far away from the action now, the best views are in the sections that were open at the weekend.

There were a few problems over the weekend, too few catering outlets and no ice cream van in sweltering conditions are some of the gripes, but overall it was brilliant! 436 Loti parading at the same time was fantastic!
I put some photos in this thread yesterday:
http://forums.autosp...howtopic=110773


#5 stephen green

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Posted 16 June 2009 - 09:24

As one of those assisting with the organisation may I point out that there were many of us from the Elise Trophy at the circuit from 06.30 in order to get the signing on done as quickly and efficiently as possible. We were also signing people on until 7pm on the Saturday night in order to ease the queues Saturday.

In my spare time I am also a marshal, in fact I am the National Public Relations Officer for the British Motorsport Marshals Club, and I didn't hear a single complaint from my fellow marshals regarding the World Record parade of Lotus cars, in fact they gave their time freely and with much enthusiasm in order to make the record attempt run smoothly and above all safely. The world record attempt had been well advertised in advance and so it should not have come as a surprise to spectators.

Having helped with the safe running of the record attempt, would you seriously deny the marshals a break for lunch? They are usually amongst the first to arrive at any race meeting and are often the last to leave, all of this they do for no reward, purely for their love of motorsport.

Mr Carrotcruncher, I invite you to spend a day marshalling with me to see for yourself the work we do. It will be made a fun day and one I hope you will enjoy. It may even tempt you to don a pair of orange overalls in years to come.

I would also like to extend my thanks to ALL the MSV Snetterton staff who went out of their way to help with organisation of the event. Jonathan Palmer can be proud of the staff he employs for they do an exceptional job, often in difficult circumstances.

Yours,

Stephen Green

#6 waspy

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Posted 16 June 2009 - 12:25

I have toi agree with Stephen et al

This was a fantastic weekend.
The amount of Loti present was an inspiration, they had come from all over the country many camping with their families.

I found the organisation by MSVR excellent, even down to the young people picking up the rubbish & keeping things tidy. The only gripe I had was the lack of food outlets, although the Restaurant coped very well despite the heat & obvious stress that the staff must have been under they remained calm & freindly, TBH I was impressed with the improvements at Snetterton & would like to thank all the staff for their good humour & efficiency.

The racing was well attended with Large grids & professional behaviour, it was exciting & interesting to watch & well organised despite the extreme conditions.

As Stephen mentioned all the 'staff' dealing with the Guinness record attempt had volunteered their services (including myself) & despite standing in the sun for nearly 2 hours I & my Colleagues enjoyed the experience, seeing all that enthusiasm & smiling & happy faces made my day. The slow parade of the cars was neccesary for safety & in order to qualify for the record and I for one thought it looked terrific.

This weekend like most 'club/enthusiasts' events is what you make it, and I can confidently say that speaking for myself & my freinds we had a wonderful time. :D

Once again my thanks to all the Organisors, Staff, Volunteers & last but not least, the Participants/Supporters. :clap:

Gill





#7 carrotcruncher

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Posted 16 June 2009 - 13:34

Wow guys, I knew how controversial my comments were lilely to be and I am now in no uncertainty about how you all feel.
Iapologise unreservedly.For Stephens benefit,I am a season pass holder at snetterton,so a refund will not be called for. Iwould also mention that in my dim and distant past I have served as a marshall albeit only for four years,with the 750 Motor club, till the politics and cliques got too much to bear.Iam sure things are much better now.
Ifeel very passionately about snetterton,and should have put my brain in gear(what is left of it ),before offering my opinions.
Regrettably, my disability limits my involvement further and when I next visit I shall be sure to wear my flak jacket!
Sorry,guys, I'll keep my opinions to myself in future.
Regards,
carrotcruncher.

#8 hipperson

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Posted 16 June 2009 - 14:40

Thanks for this 'carrotcruncher' :clap: ..............many a lesser man would have hidden from the collective Lotus outburst !

I think we all feel better now and can go back to work.....phew :lol:

Edited by hipperson, 16 June 2009 - 14:41.


#9 D-Type

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Posted 16 June 2009 - 15:05

I wasn't there so i can't comment on this particular event. I do hope that all those involved with the organisation have taken on board carrotcruncher's basic point that things can look different from the viewpoint of the "ordinary joe" spectator from that of a participant.



#10 stephen green

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Posted 16 June 2009 - 15:47

Carrotcruncher, thank you for your apology and I promise no flack jacket is required :wave:

#11 rumani

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Posted 03 September 2009 - 02:35

you will take the botcard in two minutes in your email box.
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#12 rumani

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Posted 03 September 2009 - 02:36

you will take the botcard in two minutes in your email box.
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