Every weekend during the thick of the national racing season there are scores of events taking place that feature a stunning array of cars and some brilliant battling. Yet it’s no secret that, at many of these race meetings, very few people are spectating trackside and get to witness this action – it might just be the marshals and a small number of family and friends of the participating drivers.
But leading circuit operator MotorSport Vision has been trying to change that for the past decade, by organising an increasing number of special, themed events that have attracted thousands of people through the gates and showcased the wonders of club racing to a whole new audience.
“We’re fortunate we have so much national racing compared to a lot of other countries, and the racing at some events is really superb, and the hardest thing as a circuit operator is to attract spectators to race meetings,” admits MSV group motorsport event manager David Willey.
“The way these festivals and car shows work is we’re attracting people who have an interest in a certain theme or car or manufacturer, bringing them to our event and they see some relevant racing – we’re attracting people that wouldn’t usually come to a race circuit.”
While MSV does not publicise attendance numbers for such events, the sizeable crowds are hugely important for the whole motorsport industry.
“Your first experience of a race track hooks you for life and that’s the aim,” explains Willey. “It might get people wanting to start racing themselves – whether you become involved in the industry as your career or as a volunteer or marshal or spectator, it’s a great way to develop people’s interest.”
Source: Autosport