new multi track venue at silverstone circuit

[c0sie]

Wow.

So many negative opinions on a venture that (to my knowledge) hardly any of us know that much about? or, for that matter, have actually visited?

Am I missing something here or is there a lot of hate for something that a lot of guys on alot of furums over alot of scales have been asking Santa for for many years; a dedicated mutli track indoor venue.....

As for the BRCA i can say that 100% they are not involved in any way (apart from maybe a little information) with Moto Arena, again for legal reasons they cant be, the BRCA is a non profit making organisation owned by its members (just the same as a club) it cannot endorse any product or facility, nor can Moto Arena be a member of the BRCA, this is only open to individuals and associated clubs who have to abide by certain rules, yes clubs have the BRCA logo this is to show they are BRCA affiliated.

Is that an official statement Bob?

[rich_cree]

I wanna go now, but I need a car to use!

Anyone want to lend me a TC?????

[Dave Treacy]

All,

After a productive discussion with Grant Collins at Motor Arena I can confirm that from the middle of August we MKRCTC will be holding their regular Sunday meetings at Moto Arena, located just inside the perimeter of Silverstone Race Track.

Additionally we will be holding race nights on Wednesday's as well, so you can race twice a week at what will soon be the UK's Premier Racetrack.

The track is indoor tarmac and 50m by 20m
Pitting bench for each driver with 220v power in each pit space - leave your tables, chairs and 12v batteries at home!
A rostrum big enough for 15 drivers
On site shop for snacks and refreshements
On site shop for spares
RC racing is about to go to a new level...

More details to follow over the next couple of days.

[stoff]

I am very jealous.

Oulton park owners take note!

[JCJC]

Thats wonderful news from Dave Treacy, hope we you can sneak a few buggys in there somewhere, couple of wooden jumps etc............

[SlowOne]

Oh dear! This thread seems to have in it every reason why RC remains a minority hobby pursued by people who, when they express a view, tend to the impression that there are two ways to make RC a success - their way and the wrong way!!

As has been pointed out, this venture is being run as a business, not as an amateur club getting like-minded people together for the enjoyment of a common hobby. As of this year, there are more people in the population who are over 50 than under 50. The bike fraternity has driven its sales by people over 40 for the last ten years, not people under 20. Look in any golf course, tennis court, cricket field, footie pitch and you will find that the majority of people who spend their time and money on these hobbies are over 35. Why is it assumed that the target market is kids? Why is it assumed that the newbies are under 20? It seems to me that this new venture recognises that those with the money are not under 20, they are over 40, with 20 good years of potential spend on a hobby left in them! Why don't we recognise that and do something to attract them?

Bob's point is interesting, but look at it another way. MKRCTC is currently a club, run by and for its members. It now proposes to move its venue to the new Moto Arena (and Sundays with a GT10 are looking very attractive to me Dave!). Clubs move venues - always have, always will. If Moto Arena fails, it doesn't take the Club with it, because the Club is its members, not its venue. Dave and crew can always find another venue, but Moto Arena can't find another business. Seems to me that these venues are absolutely tailor made for Clubs, since they will exist long after the business itself has gone away. If there were enough people in the area who wanted to race Off-Road, I'd be down there forming a Club ASAP, because using the Moto Arena facilities would allow me to create a club that could move elsewhere, and outlast the facility itself should it fail. We need more of these, not less IMHO.

As someone said on the previous page, reactions on this thread are likely to be the wrong ones. Ardent is doing very well. Moto Arena is likely to do likewise. Instead of having views on what they will or don't do to our little patch, can we find ways of making them get more members for the BRCA? As an Affiliated Club, MKRCTC will require that new drivers become BRCA members. If an Off-Road Club started up, they too would bring in new members. Isn't getting more members what we are here to do?

I'm looking forward to more details from Dave on MKRCTC's programme for 2010/11, because methinks that a visit or several is in order!! And, while we're on the subject of what we can do to get new drivers into RC (of whatever age!) I for one will be volunteering to help Moto Arena get their new drivers up to speed and enjoying their RC. Any support we can give a new driver makes it more likely they will come to see, and stay. To paraphrase John F Kennedy "ask not what Moto Arena can do for you, ask what you can do for Moto Arena." That way lies the likelihood that we will get more RC drivers. I think that is also what Dave sees in taking MKRCTC there.

Good luck Moto Arena, hope it all works out - for both of us.

[telboy]

Its going to be interesting sorting all the frequencies out for all those different classes/events/testing sessions etc.



It looks ok I suppose, and to be honest who cares who doesn't like it if the people that create it make it a success?...and it helps bring new blood into the hobby.

The TC track looks a bit 'point and squirt' though and looks all about power and speed. I'd have made it a bit twistier.

[mark christopher]

what worries me is parking at the venue esecially when there is a big event on at the main circuit.
its outside the security gates so getting to it is not a problem.

[Dave Treacy]

I'll try and answer as best I can

Firstly thanks for the support. There is always risk involved in a new venture but the potiential for RC is staggering, and we are looking to support and develop this where we can. As pointed out, the club will exist no matter what as the club is the members, not the location.

As for parking, I believe there are 250 allocated spaces for Moto Arena...fill that and we'll worry about getting more parking!

The track design was changed today...Nick Daman made some suggestions which have been incorporated which should add another 3 seconds to the lap. Bear in mind that this layout is transitional, once everything is bedded in then the pipes will be replaced with "racetrack" corners which will allow for different layouts.

Exciting times...

[Jon R]

Hi Dave, just wanted to say congrats on the announcement that MKRCTC will be racing at the moto arena. I have been down to race on Sunday with you a few times and have always enjoyed it! I think I will definitely be over to race at your new Silverstone location when you get up and running. I think having a rc car facility like this, based at the home of F1 and MotoGP, with a friendly club running regular meetings can only be a massive positive for our hobby.

[mattybucks]

Its going to be interesting sorting all the frequencies out for all those different classes/events/testing sessions etc.



Unless your running 2.4 ghz

[antnee]

Slowone - I think people assume that the hobby needs young people (like me) because racing is about hand eye co-ordination, which tends to deteriorate as people age. But I do agree, with your point about over 35s having more free cash to spend on hobbies.


My view is that is great for the hobby, maybe their initial approach is a little harsh on the local clubs (mainly Silverstone), they should of contacted them and incorporated them instead of fighting against them.

The idea is great, I bet the majority of RC racers are petrol heads, same as people going to the main Silvertone, even if spectators see the place, then go home and do some research and go to their local club, thats good right? Corporate days is also a good idea in my opinion, as its likely to get people who might have never really known about RC racing on a track, which they may enjoy and carry on going to.



Now lets see the plans for the indoor offroad track!

[JCJC]

Originally Posted by antnee

My view is that is great for the hobby, maybe their initial approach is a little harsh on the local clubs (mainly Silverstone), they should of contacted them and incorporated them instead of fighting against them.

I think the 2 can exist side by side, the off road outside astro track will offer something different to the Arena and we shall see that over the weekend meeting & the F345's in September.

Just a thought, the big weekend at Silverstone (28th/29th August) will see buggy racers down in the village and MKRCTC racers up at the Arena, a little crossover may be nice, bet a few will visit each venue.

[Bob Burr]

Hi Cosie what i said about the BRCA is not an official statment but fact, all non profit making clubs and associations are governed by very strict laws (not the clubs rules) this is how they are tax exempt, as i said they are not allowed to make any profit of any sort, the money clubs and associations like the BRCA make (that should realy be TAKE) is not classed as profit.
Its all very complicated but basically you are not allowed to endorse any goods or business, this would put you in a very grey area where it could be taken that you are making a profit, which is also why a business can not join the BRCA (a club yes as they are non profit making).

I do realy wish Moto Arena all the best but yes i do have my reservations of where this fits into what is after all an amature sport.

Oh and great news that M/K will be using the facility, all the best Dave hopefully some of the Bedworth guys can come down and race you when we get the chance.

[SlowOne]

Originally Posted by antnee

Slowone - I think people assume that the hobby needs young people (like me) because racing is about hand eye co-ordination, which tends to deteriorate as people age. But I do agree, with your point about over 35s having more free cash to spend on hobbies.

Good point, and another one that we have to get over! The vast majority of RC drivers don't race competitively, just as the vast majority of participants in every other sport and hobby don't either. The money that supports these hobbies and sports - that allows them to exist and keep going - comes from people who don't compete, they just take part.

Moto Arena is aiming itself at all the people who have money to spend, and want to take part in an interesting and exciting hobby. Look at its website - "leisure attraction", "corporate groups", "families", "slot cars", "wargaming", etc. - and only one mention of "professional RC racers" (of which we have about three in the UK, but you get their drift!).

Next issue to tackle - you want to run a National at Moto Arena, and all you have to offer is a staggered start, and cars droning round against an invisible clock until the last hour of the day when a few races actually look like people are racing and having fun. Someone proposes that their round of the National be run to Reedy format. You could get hundreds of people watching if you did. What do you do?

[spenner]

As one of the members of silverstone rcmcc I have had the question , are you bit gutted about the new moto arena ?? Answer no. Think it is what this country needs and I can only see it as a good thing for our hobby, I am disappointed they haven't contacted us as a local Club but I am sure they have been busy. I for one will make a visit and I thank the people who are involved and wish them luck. As long as they promote our club too, after all we offer something different.

[dale]

Originally Posted by Dave Treacy

All,

After a productive discussion with Grant Collins at Motor Arena I can confirm that from the middle of August we MKRCTC will be holding their regular Sunday meetings at Moto Arena, located just inside the perimeter of Silverstone Race Track.

Good news as far as I'm concerned; that's my mid-week racing sorted for the winter .

I'm sure most people on here must have heard of Yatabe Arena in Japan. It's the only venue in the world (that I'm aware of) that is similar to what Moto Arena are trying to achieve. Wouldn't it be great if in a few years time people worldwide knew about our great UK venue and the world/euro championships we'd held there? Wouldn't it be great if you could go to somewhere like Yatabe without a long flight and learning Japanese?

Instead people are worrying about "little jonny" and other minor details... I'm sure the details will sort themselves out; the venue has the potential to be superb (with help from us the racers)

[mattybucks]

Originally Posted by spenner

I for one will make a visit and I thank the people who are involved and wish them luck. As long as they promote our club too, after all we offer something different.

Why would they do that, you may be in direct competition with each other, they have 2 acres of land for an out door track.

What happens if they run 1/10 off road can you compete with them for facilities? Are there enough people to support 2 off road tracks within a mile of each other?

[RudeTony]

I have been associated with RC for over 20 years and in that time the tracks are more or less the same. The organisations more or less the same. The BRCA more or less the same. Obviously some improvements like rostrums are better, all astro-turf tracks, 1/8th has bigger tracks and so on BUT more or less the same.
In over 20 years more or less the same!!!
I ask why?
What happened to the best British Car and the best British Ship and best Plane and best Cruise Liner and best Fighter Jet and so on etc etc etc
There is a bad habbit of knocking good things in the UK and taking any chance seem to be just taking for ever.
I think this is brilliant at Silverstone and good luck to them.
If it makes the sport better and we do have the best RC Venue then simply fantastic ........

ps - Our current Silverstone Club is run by a good bunch of people and us racers will always support them so I do not see an issue yet.
If there is an issue then us hard core racers will decide the right things for sure

[Neil Skull]

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