RedBull AirFarce
Professional Student
Did anyone else get stuck on the wrong side of the bridge (the only way across the river) whilst the local security/police stopped *everyone* from going across said bridge through to the aircraft viewing area (cos as it was the only thing to see, therefore every bugger was trying to get in there) & blue/green carparks on the other side.
The only problem was....I think most people just wanted to go home by this point! I'd been there since 0900, and the chances of the event happening were looking grim. But cos the pit area was clogged, they stopped anyone from moving across.
So having decided at 1500 that the thing was a no-show, me & a few others (like say 1000 or so) wanted to get back to our cars on the other side of the bridge, and go post-haste, but no-one was allowed to do so! For 45 min...
Cue a lot of angry, wet, annoyed punters clashing with police. I think one guy got carted off, and someone else swam the river...
Having said that, they couldn't control the weather. And they did refund everyone (or are going to). But the transport infrastructure?
The only problem was....I think most people just wanted to go home by this point! I'd been there since 0900, and the chances of the event happening were looking grim. But cos the pit area was clogged, they stopped anyone from moving across.
So having decided at 1500 that the thing was a no-show, me & a few others (like say 1000 or so) wanted to get back to our cars on the other side of the bridge, and go post-haste, but no-one was allowed to do so! For 45 min...
Cue a lot of angry, wet, annoyed punters clashing with police. I think one guy got carted off, and someone else swam the river...
Having said that, they couldn't control the weather. And they did refund everyone (or are going to). But the transport infrastructure?
Supercalafragilistic
expialidotiousIsAVeryLong
WordAndIStillOnlyPaid£5
expialidotiousIsAVeryLong
WordAndIStillOnlyPaid£5
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I understand that the organisers had attempted to increase attendance levels twofold since last year, pity their greed spoilt what promised to be a great event.
The concept is fantastic, the pricing very fair (full marks to the organisers for the promised refund), the location stunning but........totally unsuitable!
Oh yes they were still admitting late arrivals as we were leaving at 1630!!!??????
My sympathies to those who had a long drive before joining the queues, I will definitely not be pencilling in Air Race 2007 in my diary.
I understand that the organisers had attempted to increase attendance levels twofold since last year, pity their greed spoilt what promised to be a great event.
The concept is fantastic, the pricing very fair (full marks to the organisers for the promised refund), the location stunning but........totally unsuitable!
Oh yes they were still admitting late arrivals as we were leaving at 1630!!!??????
My sympathies to those who had a long drive before joining the queues, I will definitely not be pencilling in Air Race 2007 in my diary.
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Queueing was a pain but the "bridge" problem on the site was horrendous and should have been foreseen and a solution found before the event. The exodus from the car parks was mayhem - where had all the marshalls gone ?
The pits had all aircraft tucked up in hangars so could only view from a congested open front. All in all not a very well planned event.
Might I suggest the Mersey as a UK venue - it is long and wide with excellent viewing areas.
The pits had all aircraft tucked up in hangars so could only view from a congested open front. All in all not a very well planned event.
Might I suggest the Mersey as a UK venue - it is long and wide with excellent viewing areas.
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Just a point on pricing. I went to see it in Berlin and it was free of charge !! Just because we live in rip off Britain are we expected to pay ? Think about how many of the other venues are free.
The flying was great but oh the bulls**t factor. I guess thats what TV does.
The flying was great but oh the bulls**t factor. I guess thats what TV does.
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Just to add to what a few others have said, I didn't attend, thankfully, however, I tried to watch it on TV, jesus, who on earth thought BE's daughter " who must really need some more cash" could become an overnight presenter ? then, we were treated to some complete idiot + girl friend, I have no idea who they were, or from what institution they escaped from ?
Steve Cracknell, attempted to bring back some sanity, asking some interesting questions of the pilots, then it was back to Ms E and then ensued a much better race, for the remote ! Channel 4 or 5 which ever it was ! you blew it big style
Steve Cracknell, attempted to bring back some sanity, asking some interesting questions of the pilots, then it was back to Ms E and then ensued a much better race, for the remote ! Channel 4 or 5 which ever it was ! you blew it big style
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It was free last year but I guess as thousands turned up Red Bull decided that they could make a nice bit of money out of this one. Now they won't make any because of the weather.
Longleat is a fantastic location but the roads near by are not up to that amount of traffic unfortunatly.
Didn;t go yesterday as I was working but went last year. As I said in another post myself and a friend last year decided to walk halfway home from the venue, parents live 3 miles away, and got my Dad to pick us up from a country lane near longleat (Car went with some other friends). It was so much quicker getting out as we were home within 30 mins of leaving!
I think if they are doing it next year they should drop the rule that you can only come in by car. It would mean that those of us that live near by could come in by bike or foot leaving a bit more space on the roads for those that live further away.
If I had gone this year would have tried to get in on foot, having lived near Longleat since 1988 and on and off since 1998 I know enough ways around the woods to be able to do that!!
Didn;t think too much of the TV coverage, what were the big brother people doing there?!!!!
Longleat is a fantastic location but the roads near by are not up to that amount of traffic unfortunatly.
Didn;t go yesterday as I was working but went last year. As I said in another post myself and a friend last year decided to walk halfway home from the venue, parents live 3 miles away, and got my Dad to pick us up from a country lane near longleat (Car went with some other friends). It was so much quicker getting out as we were home within 30 mins of leaving!
I think if they are doing it next year they should drop the rule that you can only come in by car. It would mean that those of us that live near by could come in by bike or foot leaving a bit more space on the roads for those that live further away.
If I had gone this year would have tried to get in on foot, having lived near Longleat since 1988 and on and off since 1998 I know enough ways around the woods to be able to do that!!
Didn;t think too much of the TV coverage, what were the big brother people doing there?!!!!
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Well, I had a fun day. Ok, so no racing, but lots of fun catching up with mates I'd arranged to meet there, and of course the glee felt whilst watching those who brought tents trying to keep hold of them against the wind!
We parked up at 1110 having only queued for literally two minutes at the entrance to the red car park to get over that hump.
I was mightily impressed that I received a text from Red Bull just after 1800 to tell me that my refund would be automatically processed.
I'll certainly be going again. Great news that you lot won't be, as I'll have more room!
We parked up at 1110 having only queued for literally two minutes at the entrance to the red car park to get over that hump.
I was mightily impressed that I received a text from Red Bull just after 1800 to tell me that my refund would be automatically processed.
I'll certainly be going again. Great news that you lot won't be, as I'll have more room!
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Left Hungerford at 10:00,
Reached the motorway queue at 10:30
Went 7 miles in 2 1/4 hours
Turned around and followed a queue of other blue/red ticketed windows giving up
Went to IKEA
Spent £150 on flatpack
Spent the evening cursing
Not doing that again
Reached the motorway queue at 10:30
Went 7 miles in 2 1/4 hours
Turned around and followed a queue of other blue/red ticketed windows giving up
Went to IKEA
Spent £150 on flatpack
Spent the evening cursing
Not doing that again
Like others have said I looked at the TAFs early yesterday and was somewhat pessimistic that anything worth watching would happen.
But, as this was a Birthday surprise day out for a relative we pressed on, leaving the Newbury area at 0815L.
Took us until approx 1100L to get in, but at least we did !!
Despite the optimistic broadcasts of Steve Rider over the big screens, the low cloudbase and gusty winds never really looked like clearing, which does leave you wondering whether the organisers really were trying to "string it out" to the last minute in the hope of not having to pay a refund
No-one can help the weather, but the Traffic Management was shambolic (take some lessons from RIAT, who have really got this sorted now, on the same type of Country lane-type infrastructure).
But, as this was a Birthday surprise day out for a relative we pressed on, leaving the Newbury area at 0815L.
Took us until approx 1100L to get in, but at least we did !!
Despite the optimistic broadcasts of Steve Rider over the big screens, the low cloudbase and gusty winds never really looked like clearing, which does leave you wondering whether the organisers really were trying to "string it out" to the last minute in the hope of not having to pay a refund
No-one can help the weather, but the Traffic Management was shambolic
(take some lessons from RIAT, who have really got this sorted now, on the same type of Country lane-type infrastructure).
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TV Coverage on Channel 4
I had looked forward to watching one of the rare TV sports programmes that is not about football.
So why oh why did Channel 4 hire such a dreadful presenter as Tamara Ecclestone? She clearly knew nothing whatsoever about aviation and her 'interviews' with equally ignorant people, were simply cringe-making. Would a joke presenter such as Tamara be let anywhere near a football programme?
Why doesn't she ask Daddy for a presenters's job in Formula One?
By contrast, Steve Cracknell's interviews with the pilots were well done and very interesting.
So, next time Channel 4, please save your money and just hire Steve Cracknell.
Well, rant over, 'cos at least I didn't have to spend 12 hours in a traffic jam.
I had looked forward to watching one of the rare TV sports programmes that is not about football.
So why oh why did Channel 4 hire such a dreadful presenter as Tamara Ecclestone? She clearly knew nothing whatsoever about aviation and her 'interviews' with equally ignorant people, were simply cringe-making. Would a joke presenter such as Tamara be let anywhere near a football programme?
Why doesn't she ask Daddy for a presenters's job in Formula One?
By contrast, Steve Cracknell's interviews with the pilots were well done and very interesting.
So, next time Channel 4, please save your money and just hire Steve Cracknell.
Well, rant over, 'cos at least I didn't have to spend 12 hours in a traffic jam.
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I imagine they did as last year where evevryone had to go out of Longleat the same way. I think if they do it next year they should utilise the lanes more, it would mean disrupting traffic to a couple of villages for a bit but I am sure they can cope.
There is more than one way out of where the cars were parked but last year only one way was open, helpful!
There is more than one way out of where the cars were parked but last year only one way was open, helpful!
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I imagine they did as last year where evevryone had to go out of Longleat the same way.
We stayed for the prize giving etc to avoid the mad rush. Left ~1745 and took 15 mins to get out
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Rule 1 - Unless in the USA or Dubai etc, watch it on TV. Saves petrol, queues, bad weather, and you can record it and watch it when it suits you. And the Brit guys never normally win anyway!
I had a ticket, but gave it away!
I had a ticket, but gave it away!
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And the Brit guys never normally win anyway!
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Hi guys, I dont personally know what you are all moaning about! There was nothing that red bull could have done about the weather, let me know if this is not the case because I would love to know about it, would be useful for all them non flyable days! 
As for all of you moaning about getting up at stupid hours in the morning...we booked a travellodge room, 3, yes you heard right, 3 days before the event for 4 people so you're not telling me that that wasnt an option! Was up at 0600 and in the grounds for 0830, no traffic, nothing!
I will grant you that there was a lot of traffic but what do you expect? I was in the blue car park and from what I could see on the way out there were several people marshalling but they couldnt do their job properly because people were getting angry at them and they had to deal with these people not direct the traffic!
I personally think that red bull and longleat did a fantastic job (apart from the DJ and his music lol), they were quite within their rights to hang on as long as possible, and if you didnt want to then there was nothing stopping you. We had an excellent day out, will be making the trip again next year for sure!!
And as for all of you moaners!!! Quit it!
As for all of you moaning about getting up at stupid hours in the morning...we booked a travellodge room, 3, yes you heard right, 3 days before the event for 4 people so you're not telling me that that wasnt an option! Was up at 0600 and in the grounds for 0830, no traffic, nothing!
I will grant you that there was a lot of traffic but what do you expect? I was in the blue car park and from what I could see on the way out there were several people marshalling but they couldnt do their job properly because people were getting angry at them and they had to deal with these people not direct the traffic!
I personally think that red bull and longleat did a fantastic job (apart from the DJ and his music lol), they were quite within their rights to hang on as long as possible, and if you didnt want to then there was nothing stopping you. We had an excellent day out, will be making the trip again next year for sure!!
And as for all of you moaners!!! Quit it!
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I'd really fancied going to this having missed out on the lotto draw last year, but on closer examination of Longleat on the OS map and considering the stated 1 mile muddy trudge to the viewing areas, I decided to give it a miss - based on years of experience being stuck getting in/out of F1 GPs.
Shame, but they either need to strictly limit tickets to say 20,000 or choose a different venue.
It still makes a great TV spectacle. Those of you complaining really should get a hard-disk video recorder, then you fast-forward to the interesting bits through all the guff/adverts at 32x speed. I've used one for years and consider it essential to watching any commercial TV.
Shame, but they either need to strictly limit tickets to say 20,000 or choose a different venue.
It still makes a great TV spectacle. Those of you complaining really should get a hard-disk video recorder, then you fast-forward to the interesting bits through all the guff/adverts at 32x speed. I've used one for years and consider it essential to watching any commercial TV.
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Puchacz 14 says
"We had an excellent day out"
Some people are just easily pleased - good luck to you. Personally I'd like to whinge about crap organisation and the poor reading of the weather forecast. Why not move it to Sunday (travel lodge budget permitting).
And for pity's sake - move the event to the summer time!
"We had an excellent day out"
Some people are just easily pleased - good luck to you. Personally I'd like to whinge about crap organisation and the poor reading of the weather forecast. Why not move it to Sunday (travel lodge budget permitting).
And for pity's sake - move the event to the summer time!
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An helpful suggestion..
..could those top peeps wot organise the Goodwood Festival Of Speed for the Earl of March give the numptys at Red Bull a call.
Seems like they know how to move 30k cars and 150k punters through the narrow Goodwod lanes.
Not once
Not twice
but three days running.
Poole Harbour is OK but Liverpool Docks. Now there's a V N U.
Sir George Cayley
Seems like they know how to move 30k cars and 150k punters through the narrow Goodwod lanes.
Not once
Not twice
but three days running.
Poole Harbour is OK but Liverpool Docks. Now there's a V N U.
Sir George Cayley