National Day 2009

[Adrian]

Date is now 13th Sept I believe. All info on the RSOC/Passionford forums.

[matt]

Thanks for posting that Adrian, i will find out whats happening.

[cozmeister]

The calendar and website will be duly amended. 

[Mike Rainbird]

The RSOC are trying to make the best out of bad situation, basically due to the short notice, they either two choices - either cancel the whole event or take the date that Donno have offered of 13th.

The track is being dug up and refurbished with the intention of taking the Grand Prix off Silverstone next year, so Donno are pulling out all the stops to ensure this happens - ND is a casualty of this, as the work needs to start on the 15th September.

Obviously this will mean (IMO and reading between the lines), that if this happens, next year the costs will show a reversal (as in Silverstone is MUCH more expensive than Donno at present), but if they lose the Grand Prix and Donno gains it, Donno will be sticking the prices up next year to claw back some of the multi-millions needed to prep the circuit to the required standard for a GP. On the flip-side, I can imagine that the huge revenue lost by Silverstone for this event would see them having to cut the costs of hiring the circuit to claw some of this back as well. So don't be surprised if the venue changes next year (even if it is done to spite Dono for doing this at the last minute ). However, this is all (logical) speculation on my part..... 

Anyone unable to attend due to the changed date will get a full refund.

[cozmeister]

I'm still in - but I think I owe you some magic beans.

[massivewangers]

Just adds to the Donington farce IMO. They'll never be ready and Donington just isn't a suitable venue at all. Last time I was there, virtually nothing was done.

Feel sorry for all in the RSOC who've put all the months organising this to have to deal with this at such late notice!

At least the show is still going ahead, but I do have to wonder if this will affect attendence of people/traders etc.

[cozmeister]

It'll be an interesting event one way or another.

I dont know why the Donno management want to ruin a perfectly good track for F1.  Even though I've not driven on it (well, not outside of a Playstation anyway), I like it as it is.  Hey ho.  PS: If anyone's on track I wouldn't mind a ride

[massivewangers]

I think it's terrible. Everyone, and I mean everyone, I've spoken to in motorsport just hates the idea. Donington is a great circuit for club and national level racing, and it's just being ruined. This venture is going to end in total disaster. I haven't spoken to anyone who believes it will be ready, and if there is a British GP at all next year, I think it will be at Silverstone.

It just comes down to Bernie Ecclestone not liking the BRDC who own Silverstone. It isn't perfect down there, but in a far better position than Donington is. A little more investment would get it up to the level, far less than eighty bloody million anyway.

Such a shame to see such a great venue being dragged down

[RST-Steve]

This was quite a surprise last night and the first time a show has been changed at such short notice that i'm aware of. It is no reflection on the RSOC obviously as this is totally out of their control and to go ahead with the show regardless and not cancel deserves a big in my opinion as the organising and general timetable will now be thrown out of the window..... literally!

As for the F1 argument, Silverstone is the home of British Motor Racing, end of really. I think Jon's right, Donnington is a great circuit for other events like National Day for example BUT formula 1?? yeah right!! It would be like holding it at Brands Hatch!! Its just that money grubbing Bernie Ecclestone imo, the British Grand Prix WILL be ruined one day at this rate

I'm stil up for ND as well, but wonder how many people will be stuck and not be able to make it..........