The headline figures are certainly very encouraging. Almost two-thirds (64%) of the English club series with comparable data have either attracted a larger grid or one the same size as their 2023 average for their opening event.
Considering all the pre-season talk about rising prices having a negative impact, and there being plenty of doom and gloom in some quarters, it is undeniably a good start. Club bosses are always nervous as a new year starts – never quite knowing what to expect and whether they have booked the right amount of track time for their series.
“It’s always a hunch and crystal ball when you’re planning the next year,” admits one, especially considering dates need to be locked in long before the current season concludes.
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But, with this optimism, it is important to take those March and April grid sizes with a pinch of salt. It’s regularly the case that opening rounds secure larger entries than some of those later in the year as drivers are eager to get back on track after a long winter and the coffers have been replenished.
As enthusiasm and finances may dwindle during a campaign, numbers can start to tail off. It is also worth noting that all of these 2024 figures are based on events held at Silverstone, Donington Park, Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Oulton Park and Castle Combe. They are all traditionally well-supported venues and therefore the lower numbers that can be found at the likes of Cadwell Park and Croft have not been factored in.
Nevertheless, it’s still been great to see so many grids pushing 40 cars or more, with some fantastic battles having already been recorded in Autosport’s pages this year.
Among the success stories so far have been the British Racing & Sports Car Club-administered Clubsport Trophy, Modified Fords and C1 Endurance Series contests, which have attracted opening fields of an impressive 45, 43 and 38 cars, respectively.
Source: Autosport