How much racing actually happens at Croft?

chris321

chris321

I like the ginger one
Messages
3,574
Name
Chris
Edit My Images
Yes
Not sure if this is really in the right place or not, but here goes anyway (it is sort of photography related)....

I've always wanted to have a bash at shooting motorsport, and when I'm at uni my nearest circuit is Croft. However, according to their website, they have a grand total of 2 fixtures this year!

http://www.croftcircuit.co.uk/forthcoming.php More events have now been added, there were only 2 when I created this thread, honest :D)

I'm assuming the 'club events' should have some stuff there? I'd love to have a go at it, but how do I know when there are events on? Any croft veterans on here that can advise? I saw quite a few people went to a couple of events over the Christmas period, is there just a lack of events now then?
 
Unfortunately, the ex-girlfriend/wife (can't remember which) of the track's owner lives within earshot of the track, holds grudges well, and has complained about the noise, so as of last year trackdays are few and far between, thanks to her complaints to the noise authorities.

Can't comment on the racing, but I know a bloke on another forum I frequent has a stripped out Clio racer that he's competing with later in the year.

It's only a few miles away from me, and I sometimes go with a friend (also a new TP member) to get some photos. If ever you're going, give me a shout. Would be nice to meet the former owner of my lens, bought almost exclusively for photographing trackdays. :D
 
There are a few days worth doing there.

Unfortunately with motorsports often more time is spent driving to the event/camping over than actually shooting the races. My prime example being Kent to Oulton Park and back again in one day.

But its great fun to shoot.
 
GrittyShaker said:
Unfortunately, the ex-girlfriend/wife (can't remember which) of the track's owner lives within earshot of the track, holds grudges well, and has complained about the noise, so as of last year trackdays are few and far between, thanks to her complaints to the noise authorities.

Can't comment on the racing, but I know a bloke on another forum I frequent has a stripped out Clio racer that he's competing with later in the year.

It's only a few miles away from me, and I sometimes go with a friend (also a new TP member) to get some photos. If ever you're going, give me a shout. Would be nice to meet the former owner of my lens, bought almost exclusively for photographing trackdays. :D
Click to expand...

Don't you just love these people that movce near a RACE TRACK where let us see car/bikes RACE and then complain that the cars/bikes are makin too much ****in noise, makes my blood boil.

from what i can see thereare about 4-6 bike track days there this year plus a few club races.
My coment above is possibly the reason there are so few

Spike
 
From what I've heard from a racer friend, they have decided to do a few monster truck shows a year instead (maximum noise, but without the authoritarian noise restriction risk), just to annoy the ex. :D

She moved there knowing full well she was in earshot of the track, and it wasn't a problem. It's only since they've split up that she's decided to try and sabotage things.

The track is a very small one, and I don't think camping and such needs to be a concern. I live just up the road. If anyone needs a spare bed, then I only charge £20 a night. ;)
 
dunganick said:
There are a few days worth doing there.

Unfortunately with motorsports often more time is spent driving to the event/camping over than actually shooting the races. My prime example being Kent to Oulton Park and back again in one day.

But its great fun to shoot.
Click to expand...

For the BTCC at OP last year - I left home at 4.30am, got back at 11pm and paid £95 in entrance, programme, refreshments and fuel.

And I ballsed-up going to Knickerbrook for race 1, got my sun angles all wrong and ended up with 95% of shots with those bright reflections off the windscreens :bang:

Think I'll give OP a miss this time round. Might do Croft instead :D
 
Croft is restricted to (I think) 18 days racing per year. Although BARC run croft, other clubs do use the circuit. Most dates are at the moment provisional (if you go on MSV site they currently only have their larger meetings listed.)

There are other places nearby where motor sport take place. Teeside autodrome is used for Karting and the occasional rally. Tockwith nr York is hoping to run Rally cross. There is grass track racing Nr York. Rallying in the Yorkshire forests.
 
SuperAP said:
For the BTCC at OP last year - I left home at 4.30am, got back at 11pm and paid £95 in entrance, programme, refreshments and fuel.

And I ballsed-up going to Knickerbrook for race 1, got my sun angles all wrong and ended up with 95% of shots with those bright reflections off the windscreens :bang:

Think I'll give OP a miss this time round. Might do Croft instead :D
Click to expand...

Thats a shame, its an amazing circuit.

My trip was an extra nightmare as i was on time untill the police forced me to go in a different entrance. Despite explaining i needed media parking, i managed to finally find an OP member of staff who had to organise to stop all the traffic coming in this entrance to send me back around to the main entrance. Even then the police wouldnt let me in, i ended up bragging my way in. Didnt fancy carrying all my kit across OP. I never appreciated how massive it was from the TV. It looks compact but i found it a real pain to get around as i didnt have a clue where i was going! Think i will organise myself a tour ala mr Sayle this year.
 
dunganick said:
Thats a shame, its an amazing circuit.

My trip was an extra nightmare as i was on time untill the police forced me to go in a different entrance. Despite explaining i needed media parking, i managed to finally find an OP member of staff who had to organise to stop all the traffic coming in this entrance to send me back around to the main entrance. Even then the police wouldnt let me in, i ended up bragging my way in. Didnt fancy carrying all my kit across OP. I never appreciated how massive it was from the TV. It looks compact but i found it a real pain to get around as i didnt have a clue where i was going! Think i will organise myself a tour ala mr Sayle this year.
Click to expand...

get there earlier, i was camping at oulton for the btcc last year and left the cicuit at around 9.30 on raceday and arrived back at around 10.30 and there was no traffic or police anywhere near the circuit.
 
mikeward said:
get there earlier, i was camping at oulton for the btcc last year and left the cicuit at around 9.30 on raceday and arrived back at around 10.30 and there was no traffic or police anywhere near the circuit.
Click to expand...

Easier said then done when he is coming from Kent and driving back at the end :p
 
Probably only two dates on Croft's website because its still very early in the year.

Most circuits only have the big national/international dates posted so far.
 
desantnik said:
Probably only two dates on Croft's website because its still very early in the year.

Most circuits only have the big national/international dates posted so far.
Click to expand...

most likely but they also have very few dates with the noise restrictions and use more for track/test days as they have better profit margins.
 
Thanks for all the replies! I now know the problem, I was living in a dream world! I was sort of hoping/expecting there to be packed out weekend schedules for every single weekend, when really it's not the case. I'll keep my eyes peeled for events coming up, and if I do decide to go I'll put something up in the 'Meeting Place' section, and hope to see some of you there! :thumbs:

Chris
 
Oooh, since I last checked, 11 events have been added to the croft page I linked to! So there shall be racing afterall :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top