I was at Kirkistown today by pure chance as I have never been and to say I was surprised by all the activity is an understatement, I was even more surprised by the fact that a full day of car racing happens every last Saturaday of the month... Is it just me or have I missed something? Can't say I have ever seen any advertisment of car racing for Kirkistown, ok I know they do bikes and rally stuff down there but I'm more into my F1, so when I seen this totally amazing red formula race car (a formula master when I asked) I felt I have missed out on something I want to be closer to with my young son by my side! To be honest I found it hard not to annoy the guy working on the car but he was cool with me taking a real close look as the car was up on stands like you see on TV with all the bodywork removed. I'm into my F1 and this looked like a current F1 yoke, car like new as its never been raced, you should see the carbon fibre work in this thing and the exhausts like a piece of art so going to make a point of going this Saturaday with my son to see what I have missed out on. My son who is 9 will love this ferrari look alike and will certainly get a buzz by the whole paddock atmosphere. Going to take my camera and post a few pics, trust me this yoke is drop dead gorgeous! So with that all said.....why isn't there more PR from Kirkistown to raise the profile of Car Racing at kirkistown every last saturaday?? Surely I'm not that blind or stupid, I earn an honest wage and have an interest in car racing but by feck I never knew there was car racing at Kirkistown every last Saturaday of the month! let me know what you all think? and by the way, I joined this forum today after being told about it from a driver suited bloke at Kirkistown...well I never! SuperSpec
most of the events for Kirkistown are shown up on the different racing/car forums through NI But i can see where your coming from, if you don't have access to the forums how would you no. Lucky enough i live right beside the track so i can hear them to no. The chronicle would maybe advertise from time to time but more so for bikes i think.
Yeah, your right there, but if your not a person for forum's which I am a novice too then you just would'nt know, you only know if your in with a crowd which Kirkistown is a common topic, I'm a belfast man and I don't see anything relating to Kirkistown being pushed on! I was just thinking to myself that I have been to 8 F1 races, 3 le mans, 2 A1GP, F3 at pau twice and Spa once - and never Kirkistown...... I seriously didn't know Kirkistown did a Monthly car race, Sure the lure of jolly boy trips overseas has been part of it but just can't even recall a fancy PR poster advertising a Fun day out at the car races in support of your local circuit. I never seen one cos there never been one in the first place... Now I'm thinking maybe no one goes to the car racing at Kirk, but judging by todays testing at Kirk then there must be a somewhat good day out to be had. Granted that NI don't have the numbers like England or maybe even the quality of cars but what I seen today it looked damn ok. I just find it strange that who ever runs the Kirkistown operation don't at least advertise on a more public awareness front rather leaving it up too forums who discuss it amoung themselves. Whats the use in that...and to think of our racing history, North and South as a whole....we even had a GP here many years ago! Even for a grass roots inspiration basis for the kids, I know a few kids down my street would love to know more Wow - 3 posts in one night, I'm doing well
I 100% agree with this, there must be some kind of local track day or motorsport mailing list you can get? Bar Autosport which is a rip off **** bag mag full of dealer promotional material and no tits.
Kirkistown is a hotspot for Photographer's and it always seems to be when I don't go down something epic is there (SLR Last weekend) and there are usually a few topics about it before and afterwards. But I have never seen nor heard anything being advertised over the radio/TV/Newpaper, but then why would it be? if you're going to be racing on track you already know about it and know the cost's involved etc etc. so they are still going to make their money, whereas if you are just spectating its free so advertising would be a waste of Money to them It's never really busy anyway spectator wise, I've noticed that most people who claim to be into cars haven't got any interest in Motorsport and are only in the car sc3n3 to be cool Welcome by the way.
I would quite happily post up their meeting dates on the events section on here. If I ran a circuit, that like all circuits is just about keeping head above water due to noise complaints/dwindling numbers, I'd be making use of local forums etc to get the word out. Wayne at SWRC does it, Donal at trackskills does it- it works well in both instances. Anyway, what do I know Andy
Advertisement = awareness awareness = attendance attendance = more income at gates more income at gates = circuit improvement circuit improvement = more fun for racer and spectator alike more fun for racer and spectataor alike = attention of serious promotors for big race meets...even if it was just once a year! what I do know is Andy's New Year Bash Party is a real hoot, only him by himself sipping WKD as all his mates are at the party that has been advertised....boooyaaaaaaa!
Thankyou Marc W, I was beginning to think that I had some sort of visual block to advertising from Kirkistown... Point taken Cooper....However it should'nt be upto a freak passer-by like myself to highlight Kirkistown Car Racing weekends....or is it too much hassle for them? Money not important even for track improvement? no desire in Motorsport awareness and what that brings to the masses? sack the board in charge I say! ok maybe just prod them with a big stick as I dont want to be seen as a busy know-it-all annoying ranter
If it was yesterday then it was private testing and therefore not open to the public, yes you can drive past and see something then call in for 10 minutes but if these tests were to be publicised then the track will need spectator marshals which isn't do-able during the week... The biggest race meet of the year is on this Saturday and it's to be one of the best days racing, join the mailing list and be updated on the events, you wont know about the test days though unless you drive past. I agree with Andy somewhat though, if it was advertised to the masses the place would get too busy and not be as enjoyable for the likes of myself who has lived there pretty much twice a month for the last five years. The racing in Ireland is HUGE, and you will be amazed at the amount of drivers travelling up from ROI for this Saturday. As for quality, well it's there also. I am really looking forward to the race meet this weekend but didn't post anything about in on RMS as anyone into motorsport in Ireland will already know about it, as for the mass of RMS, well they would only go for an hour, get some sc3n3 points, wear the t shirt and go home. G
http://www.reallymeansounds.com/for...i-sevens-round-7-ktown-next-sat-28th-aug.html everyone does their bit.. mark notifies everyone on the forum before each round of Ni7's and on these race days there are lots of different championships running on the one day. hope weather holds up for sat, as graham says its set to be the biggest race of the year
More doesn't always mean better. There are problems enough with noise complaints from local residents and every year there seems to be some new drama. There have been some very good improvements over the years too. Look at the new buildings for example, to save us all standing freezing wet in Kirkistowns special microclimate. Plus if it gets fancier or bigger the roads to the circuit couldn't cope, more people would complain etc etc. From my own perspective, I love spectating and doing the odd trackday. I love we can still get into the paddock (as you and your son do). Go to some of the English circuits and you will definitely struggle to get into the paddock (especially on a race day). And let's not talk about the cost of trackdays over there, or even at Mondello for that matter. So my view is that Kirkistown is fine just the way it is. Support it by all means, but treasure it. And my New Year parties are pretty good thank you
well come on now- its never going to get busy like a silverstone touring car weeekend is it, and shame on you Graham for being so selfish, surely a few extra bods isn't going to upset your enjoyment, and again I think you are missing the point..extra money from the turnstiles = better circuit + improvement for all, and better toilets is a factor here for crying out loud.. Gez even Knockhill has garages. And to say this is it's biggest weekend yet and not a single piece of outside advertisment is shocking, how can youngsters wanting the inspiration to kickstart a motorsport career get that if those in the know dont what to spoil there day as they percieve it would get too busy, sorry but thats just plain insular tripe which lets be honest has no real grounding Great to hear its the big weekend, I will tell everyone I know, get my wee son kitted out, bring my fold out seat, lots of money for burgers, Binos for far away viewing and of course my camera as that Formula Master isn't getting past me this time...I want ONE!
This is not just Kirkys problem its a Northern Ireland thing. If you are involved in Motorsport you will know of the events if you are not then you wont. How much advertising did people see for the special olympics when it was here?. Game Fairs which attract thousands of people the odd poster on a telegraph pole is all they get. Northern ireland has always been very low key on its events and what it has. People are already complaining about how the NW200 is going as people here like to keep things to themselves. You wanna try getting permission on land or to attend a pointing trial with dogs etc. I phoned BASC for an event advertised on their website and they didnt know about it FFS Kirky is doing fine so Im with Andy on this one, Let those who know enjoy it and those who dont drive on by. If you are keen enough on anything you will get the information some how and attend
With these extra people you will get young tubes out diffing on the grass, concrete etc and all this will need patrolled and maybe even repaired at a cost. as for being selfish, i don't mean it in that way at all, for a genuine motorsport enthusiast to come and watch racing is great news, but this is NI after all and mass advertising will attract a lot more people, of which a number will be of a bad influence, not on the sport but to the name of racing. and in regards selfish, i am far from that, i do more than my fair share of chores for motorsport in the world, both media and official duties, and only now am i getting the enjoyment from the competitors side, it has taken me about 8 years of photographing and marshalling with being away every weekend with rallying, racing, track days, drifting etc (all over the world) to realise the costs involved and get a good understanding of the different sports, and only last year did i get my licence to compete MSA events, so it's not something anyone can walk into and start right away. as for toilets and garages etc, there are plans for garages up in the canteen, but my veiws on the toilets is "if they ain't broke, don't fix them" and the ones that are there, just add character as they are like the old air-raid shelters that would have scattered the landscape there in the 40's. extra bodies on the day wont help greatly in revenue in comparison to the costs of advertising and PR in my opinion. and it's like any circuit, if you want to know what's going on at it, check the web site, Bishopscourt is another prime example, there is events there that i never even knew still ran, and are not advertised anywhere but the tracks site. i do agree to an extent that the tracks should maybe mail a pre event PR to web masters to generate some interest and excitement, but as for print media, well it's dying a slow death as the power of the internet is taking over, and magazine costs are going up and up every few months...
oh and the lack of advertising i dont think has anything to do with the events not wanting more people it's all down to budget. as andy said, the place is to be treasured, my take on this is that no one knows how long the circuit will be here for... look at nutts corner, it was shut down for 5 years due to residents moaning and the last thing we need is more circuits getting tortured by the council
Well it looks like I'm pissing into the wind on this thing, cant help feeling that the hardcore regulars fear the bigger world out there. Like i said before I'm not talking silverstone here just more awareness for what we have, and Kirkistone could do with that. As on improvements which I'm sure there have been but its a long shot away from what Kirk should have if you compare like for like. I certainly would not want to upset locals who live there but if you take Brands or Bedford Aerodrome which both have strict noise control with a no blind eye from mates friendship with the scrutineer policy then noise control is easily achieved even with close proximity to housing As of road infrastructure then please remind ourselves that we are not talking about thousands of more attendance for a big weekend, I think some here just will put up any excuse so they can keep their insular mindset at rest Shame that some only think of themselves and not of others especially the youngsters that this can inspire Thanks again to the Negative crew, you can keep your lot and I certainly will attend Kirk and enjoy my day, but never complain to me when you visit my neck of the woods...you simply are out of your depth and cant think with educated vision Lawrie Freeman Aircraft Future Propulsion R&D Engineer I still want that Red Formula Master racer down at Kirk...how much is one of them?
Seriously. Type "motor sport northern ireland" into Google and what is the first thing that comes up? Am pretty sure most aspiring young kids can do that.
i agree with you on the basis that the place needs to be advertised more for those who have never been, I'm sure their are plenty of people who have never been but if they gave it a go they would maybe really enjoy it. As i have said i am right beside the track the only problem down here is racing on a sunday morning due to the Christian community down here. Any other days are fine and people realize it is a race track and what goes on. It always seems to be the same people who go to the track and that's the problem as their is no change or youngsters being introduced to spectating at it really. plenty of events to be watched but just never advertised well enough other than on the motorsport sites and forums.
You are coming from an outside point of view and have openly said you have never been to the circuit before, those posting here have been and know what way the place has developed. Also bare in mind that Kirkistown is one of very very few "motor club owned" tracks left in the UK if not the EU, most tracks are now privately owned and this is why they can afford all the amenities that they have. I am being far from negative, just telling it how it is, we should be grateful there even is any race meetings, if you are into rallying at all you will have noticed the dramatic number of events being cancelled due to lack of entries meaning it is not fee-sable to run the events, this time next year the same could maybe start happening to the race meetings (i hope it doesn't) but in that respect, in my head, is any investment wise until we know that the financial climate and motorsport is coming back in a big way. NI is very backwards also and I have travelled the world with motorsport, but i still love coming back to "our wee circuit". You should have been there 10-15 years back when the club house was a portacabin with the roof falling in, you pee'd against the wall in a brick hut and still had the same number of entries and spectators... And for your reference superspec, here is the Association of Norther Ireland Car Clubs web site which has a FULL calendar of every MSA / club event happening from nav rallies to the likes of this racing on Saturday, maybe it's them that should be pushing the PR and not the events themselves? www.anicc.org.uk
the circuit really has improved and grown in the aspect of events. Remember it when i was younger and it really made those colds days even worse to bare. Hopefully they get the new development plans sorted and start building soon as with Kirkistown being one of the best circuits in Ireland the plans can only be welcomed with open arms
There are good toilet and shower facilities at Kirkistown if you know where to find them!! As for advertising, ok it isn't advertised well but as Andy says, anyone can search google and it will bring back plenty of information. Some advertising wouldn't be a bad thing, but it's expensive and I'm not sure it would achieve a great deal. They could well advertise somewhere and you just have never come across it. Any how, I'll be there on Saturday racing
Superspec, I have wondered about this myself, trying to find out dates/locations for hillclimbs, sprints, etc. Never mind trying to work out spectator access to rallys, lol. I think the truth is it is really a family affair - someone races, people near them watch. There is no entrance fee to any of this, or at least very modest, so all the money comes from competitors, and they already know. Get yourself over to this Superspec, very good and very varied racing. Watch up at the chicane, good access and good action