I spoke last week with Andrew Crighton who is the lead organiser for what is hopefully the upcoming 2009 SEAT Leon Supercopa UK.
Info here if you missed the news - http://www.seatcupra.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1041&Itemid=1
Andrew is very keen to involve SCN and its members in suppoorting the race meetings this year.
But he's also trying to come up with ideas to increase the interest level for those that may not have interest in the racing alone. Obviously for the die-hard motorsport fans it's less of an issue.
He's had experience of VW car clubs through his son whom was involved on a member level at least with the No Rice meets, and Andrew tagged along and went to a few meets with his son. He also mentioned Time Attack, as kind of event that has inspired ideas.
I explained we are not a cruise site and he agrees this is an advantage because as we know that tends to carry better credibility and have less of the undesirable element that can go with some of the MaccyD's generation.
But its true that we do have a population of members whom are more concerned about how low their car is and how loud their sound system might be We also have an equally important group who are into the motorsport, and into performance mods, plus many more who will never mod their car. They would like to make it an attraction for all tastes.
He has suggested they can put on show and shine / best club car to help draw in some of the folks that might not be attracted just by the motorsport element alone (McD's generation). Even if members treated it as a social aspect it would be opportunities for good meets.
Special Tuning UK are now official SEAT Sport parts distributors, Andrew said there could now be scope for race parts sales to the public. (I'm sure it won't be cheap) but the option is there and they seem keen to attract that business element.
He also suggested one of the things that may well be possible at these quieter race meetings, that during a lunch break the forum members could take to the track for a prosession. (Speeds would of course be strictly limited, but it would be a great experience for people to drive their own car on a circuit in procession in front of the crowds).
The series looks to be sharing on the most part the Formula Palmer Audi race weekends, with Castle Combe being an exception where the SEAT's would be top billing.
The current provisional calendar includes:
18 - 19 April Donington Park National
4 May Castle Combe
16 - 17 May Anglesey International
06 - 07 June Silverstone National
18 - 19 July Brands Hatch GP Circuit - SEAT Eurocup/World Touring Car Championship
08 August Oulton Park Island
22 - 23 September Snetterton
03 - 04 October Spa Francorchamps - The Racing Festival
24 - 25 October Brands Hatch Indy
Andrew is looking for any other ideas or suggestions and a level of interest from us to help make it happen.
They are looking to attract interest to get people coming to the racing, which is understandable as they won't have the funding or marketing power as a BTCC weekend. So they are looking at every avenue to bring people to the racing.
Unlike a BTCC meeting there would be no limits on the numbers because these race meetings won't compete in terms of BTCC crowd numbers. So we should be able to put on big displays and meets.
He appears genuinely sincere and interested in making this series a success and getting us involved in it.
So please fire your ideas in this thread folks, and if we can come up with some suggestions. ideas etc I can pass all this info on.
With no official SEAT racing taking place now, it's within our power to help support this series and keep SEAT's racing on a national level.
Info here if you missed the news - http://www.seatcupra.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1041&Itemid=1
Andrew is very keen to involve SCN and its members in suppoorting the race meetings this year.
But he's also trying to come up with ideas to increase the interest level for those that may not have interest in the racing alone. Obviously for the die-hard motorsport fans it's less of an issue.
He's had experience of VW car clubs through his son whom was involved on a member level at least with the No Rice meets, and Andrew tagged along and went to a few meets with his son. He also mentioned Time Attack, as kind of event that has inspired ideas.
I explained we are not a cruise site and he agrees this is an advantage because as we know that tends to carry better credibility and have less of the undesirable element that can go with some of the MaccyD's generation.
But its true that we do have a population of members whom are more concerned about how low their car is and how loud their sound system might be We also have an equally important group who are into the motorsport, and into performance mods, plus many more who will never mod their car. They would like to make it an attraction for all tastes.
He has suggested they can put on show and shine / best club car to help draw in some of the folks that might not be attracted just by the motorsport element alone (McD's generation). Even if members treated it as a social aspect it would be opportunities for good meets.
Special Tuning UK are now official SEAT Sport parts distributors, Andrew said there could now be scope for race parts sales to the public. (I'm sure it won't be cheap) but the option is there and they seem keen to attract that business element.
He also suggested one of the things that may well be possible at these quieter race meetings, that during a lunch break the forum members could take to the track for a prosession. (Speeds would of course be strictly limited, but it would be a great experience for people to drive their own car on a circuit in procession in front of the crowds).
The series looks to be sharing on the most part the Formula Palmer Audi race weekends, with Castle Combe being an exception where the SEAT's would be top billing.
The current provisional calendar includes:
18 - 19 April Donington Park National
4 May Castle Combe
16 - 17 May Anglesey International
06 - 07 June Silverstone National
18 - 19 July Brands Hatch GP Circuit - SEAT Eurocup/World Touring Car Championship
08 August Oulton Park Island
22 - 23 September Snetterton
03 - 04 October Spa Francorchamps - The Racing Festival
24 - 25 October Brands Hatch Indy
Andrew is looking for any other ideas or suggestions and a level of interest from us to help make it happen.
They are looking to attract interest to get people coming to the racing, which is understandable as they won't have the funding or marketing power as a BTCC weekend. So they are looking at every avenue to bring people to the racing.
Unlike a BTCC meeting there would be no limits on the numbers because these race meetings won't compete in terms of BTCC crowd numbers. So we should be able to put on big displays and meets.
He appears genuinely sincere and interested in making this series a success and getting us involved in it.
So please fire your ideas in this thread folks, and if we can come up with some suggestions. ideas etc I can pass all this info on.
With no official SEAT racing taking place now, it's within our power to help support this series and keep SEAT's racing on a national level.
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