RedBull AirFarce
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expialidotiousIsAVeryLong
WordAndIStillOnlyPaid£5
expialidotiousIsAVeryLong
WordAndIStillOnlyPaid£5
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RedBull AirFarce
Let me tell you about my day. If you don't want to hear a rant then close the browser now.
I got up at 6am to go see some amazing guys fly in amazing ways.
Ahead of me was a 230mile journey. I completed the 1st 200 miles by 11am.
Then the **it hit the fan, we started queueing before we got off the motorway with 30 miles to go.
We stopped queueing at 2pm with 10 miles to go.
We stopped queueing at 2pm and went home.
On our 20mile trip back to the motorway we saw 1000s of cars with car park stickers still queueing at 2.30 where we had been at 11am, so they has 3 hours to get to where we had.
Red Bull you ****ed up, Longleat cannot handle the amount of traffic you need. You open the car parks at 9am an it is impossible to get everyone in by 2pm when the real competition starts, nevermind the early show stuff.
I just got home at 6.45pm you wasted 12 hours of 2 peoples lives and nearly 500 miles of my petrol money. Had the weather been good I would have been even more annoyed as I would have missed it, as it happened it was cancelled.
So, although others might not agree, I think Red Bull deserve the bad weather toady, due to the bad choice of location and non existent traffic management I bet 40-50% of people who tried to get there wouldn't have done had the weather been good.
Therefore you do not deserve to profit from the farce that was the Red Bull Air Race UK 2006
Rant over
Now I'll go calm down Mrs. Ben
I got up at 6am to go see some amazing guys fly in amazing ways.
Ahead of me was a 230mile journey. I completed the 1st 200 miles by 11am.
Then the **it hit the fan, we started queueing before we got off the motorway with 30 miles to go.
We stopped queueing at 2pm with 10 miles to go.
We stopped queueing at 2pm and went home.
On our 20mile trip back to the motorway we saw 1000s of cars with car park stickers still queueing at 2.30 where we had been at 11am, so they has 3 hours to get to where we had.
Red Bull you ****ed up, Longleat cannot handle the amount of traffic you need. You open the car parks at 9am an it is impossible to get everyone in by 2pm when the real competition starts, nevermind the early show stuff.
I just got home at 6.45pm you wasted 12 hours of 2 peoples lives and nearly 500 miles of my petrol money. Had the weather been good I would have been even more annoyed as I would have missed it, as it happened it was cancelled.
So, although others might not agree, I think Red Bull deserve the bad weather toady, due to the bad choice of location and non existent traffic management I bet 40-50% of people who tried to get there wouldn't have done had the weather been good.
Therefore you do not deserve to profit from the farce that was the Red Bull Air Race UK 2006
Rant over
Now I'll go calm down Mrs. Ben
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Echo Echo Echo
I echo everything you say, was a complete f****** disaster. Just glad we decided to call it a day before we got caught up in the traffic of disgruntled punters, who actually made it in, leaving.
More pissed off as this is the first year I've actually managed to get tickets...never ever again.
I feel better now too
Mine's a G&T.
tsb
More pissed off as this is the first year I've actually managed to get tickets...never ever again.
I feel better now too
Mine's a G&T.tsb
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Hey guys a little unfair I think. I was also caught up in the horrendous traffic and like you, gave up at about 1:40 still 8miles from Longleat.
There had been a serious accident on the A36 ring road at Warminster which we could just about see in the distance. The road was closed, due I suspect, to the police doing their investigations.
The air-race was at Longlest last year and they hold other big events at Longleat so I don't think it was the choice of location that was the problem.
What annoyed me was the lack of info from the police, local radio etc. Why didn't the police organise diversions? The accident happened early morning I believe. Why didn't local radio find out what was going on rather than just saying "the roads are solid"
every 15 mins?
Since the weather made it unflyable, I believe we all get full redunds.
I suspect it will be the last at Longleat as most commericial sponsors get bored after a few years and the weather and disgruntled punters could be the last straw. Shame - I'd have liked to have seen it in person as it's very different for us aircraft-heads.
Martin - Bristol, UK.
There had been a serious accident on the A36 ring road at Warminster which we could just about see in the distance. The road was closed, due I suspect, to the police doing their investigations.
The air-race was at Longlest last year and they hold other big events at Longleat so I don't think it was the choice of location that was the problem.
What annoyed me was the lack of info from the police, local radio etc. Why didn't the police organise diversions? The accident happened early morning I believe. Why didn't local radio find out what was going on rather than just saying "the roads are solid"
every 15 mins?Since the weather made it unflyable, I believe we all get full redunds.
I suspect it will be the last at Longleat as most commericial sponsors get bored after a few years and the weather and disgruntled punters could be the last straw. Shame - I'd have liked to have seen it in person as it's very different for us aircraft-heads.
Martin - Bristol, UK.
whilst nothing could be done about the wx - lets face it - you would expect better in august , where would you suggest as a better location to longleat ? It does have good motorway links ( as you say only 10 miles from leaving motorway ) it has unique topography for the race ( hills to watch from !!) - what exactly would you have done differently given the requirements for the actual aircraft and race itself ?
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It was just as bad on Channel 4 TV.
What the fcuk have the prats from Big Brother got to do with it and those other idiot commentators.
Potential great show ruined by those fools with there 'media studies' degrees and no knowledge of history of Air Racing. I quote 'a new sport' I think the prat said. Suggest he Google's ' Alex Henshaw and the 1938 King's Cup Air Race' before the next show
Nice to see the UK chaps and Nigel Lamb involved, pity about the wx.
What the fcuk have the prats from Big Brother got to do with it and those other idiot commentators.
Potential great show ruined by those fools with there 'media studies' degrees and no knowledge of history of Air Racing. I quote 'a new sport' I think the prat said. Suggest he Google's ' Alex Henshaw and the 1938 King's Cup Air Race' before the next show
Nice to see the UK chaps and Nigel Lamb involved, pity about the wx.
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Well guys. I had a fairly rubbish day out there too. Aside from the weather, exactly the same problems plagued the event last year - traffic both human at the event and vehicular entering and leaving the location.
Unknown to many the earliest red bull air race was actually held at Kemble a few years ago. OK the landscape is not quite as good at a real airport but nearby Fairford holds RIAT every year and the traffic is definitely better there, not great, but better.
I agree they MUST change location, they completely oversubscribed it these last 2 years (I've been to both). Weather is out of their hands and understandable.
Unknown to many the earliest red bull air race was actually held at Kemble a few years ago. OK the landscape is not quite as good at a real airport but nearby Fairford holds RIAT every year and the traffic is definitely better there, not great, but better.
I agree they MUST change location, they completely oversubscribed it these last 2 years (I've been to both). Weather is out of their hands and understandable.
Last edited by splatt; 29th Jan 2009 at 16:01.
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Hang on! Moaning about the weather!
As Martine explained, there was an accident that caused the hold up. That's life.
As for being oversubscribed - I don't remember too many complaints from last year. I would even suggest that had the weather been ok and no accident to cause delays, you would all be saying what a great time was had by all.
Get some perspective.
As Martine explained, there was an accident that caused the hold up. That's life.
As for being oversubscribed - I don't remember too many complaints from last year. I would even suggest that had the weather been ok and no accident to cause delays, you would all be saying what a great time was had by all.
Get some perspective.
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It was just as bad on Channel 4 TV.
What the fcuk have the prats from Big Brother got to do with it and those other idiot commentators.
Potential great show ruined by those fools with there 'media studies' degrees and no knowledge of history of Air Racing. I quote 'a new sport' I think the prat said. Suggest he Google's ' Alex Henshaw and the 1938 King's Cup Air Race' before the next show
Nice to see the UK chaps and Nigel Lamb involved, pity about the wx.
What the fcuk have the prats from Big Brother got to do with it and those other idiot commentators.
Potential great show ruined by those fools with there 'media studies' degrees and no knowledge of history of Air Racing. I quote 'a new sport' I think the prat said. Suggest he Google's ' Alex Henshaw and the 1938 King's Cup Air Race' before the next show
Nice to see the UK chaps and Nigel Lamb involved, pity about the wx.
Anyone notice the 'presenter' who headed up the C4 show? A certain Tamara Ecclestone...she was useless and I wondered...and checked the net and yes, she's the daughter of the F1 head-honcho: Bernie
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Of the people arguing pro Longleat as a location it seems as though only Martine actually went today. I've been both times, and both times it was terrible traffic. Yes the accident added to frustrations - I was in blue car park also having to enter via A36 - however that is part of the problem the police have no way of actually altering vehicle routings because to do so would severely mess up the whole parking scheme. The local radio by the sounds of things should also be more informed but I would reckon that is a job for the redbull organisers and not a job for the local radio jocks.
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Er, not just the accident...
We left home (for the 72 miles drive) at 08:30. We parked up at 11:30. Lots worse than last year, but last year they let you come off the A303 where Longleat's signposted, not miles before at the A36(?) junction and then winding roads all the way in (plus loads of roundabouts - the scourge of free flowing traffic). We didn't see an accident, so the journey was no better really before the smack.
As for the weather, well, pants, but that's not Red Bull's fault! What they should have done was think that 60,000 people are probably going to want to do something other than watch low clouds and the occasional TV/Weather helicopter flying around - there was nothing to do other than the static Army Air Corps Historic flight - nice, but not *that* amazing to look at. As the for the pit lane walk - thoroughly pathetic. They let one huge load in and that was it, but being standard Brits we all queued anyway (getting more and more tetchy but not really saying anything). But funnily enough, if you only have one entrance and exit (combined) then you're not going to be able to get a throughput of people are you!?
As for the car park farce on leaving, well all I can say is 100% effort from the guys on the final exit gate for funneling in 8 lanes in a fantail into one, but more effort in getting a logical exit system should have been made.
And as for the tw*t in the Vauxhall Vectra 2.0i bought from an Audi garage - I hope you impressed your wife and kids with your cutting up antics. You nearly got a road rage of 4 angry, cold, wet and fed up blokes wanting to point out the error of your ways (we followed you for about 10 miles so you should remember us...) - and to the chavscum in the Fiesta (not that that narrows it down at this event), didn't your Mum ever tell you that dropping litter was bad? You sat there eating wrapped sweets and chucking all the papers out the window, empty coke bottles and everything. You also nearly got the 4 angry, cold, wet, fed up and community spirited blokes pointing out the error of your ways.
Think next year I'll watch it on the telly.
Good choice in Steve Rider commentating (mainly on the weather, but he was good). Also, I did see Pete and Nikki off Big Brother. My life is nearly whole now..
Longleat was a stunning venue last year (nice weather) but the traffic, crowd control and the ground events are pants. Don't think that you can correct the traffic other than by moving it though...
As for the weather, well, pants, but that's not Red Bull's fault! What they should have done was think that 60,000 people are probably going to want to do something other than watch low clouds and the occasional TV/Weather helicopter flying around - there was nothing to do other than the static Army Air Corps Historic flight - nice, but not *that* amazing to look at. As the for the pit lane walk - thoroughly pathetic. They let one huge load in and that was it, but being standard Brits we all queued anyway (getting more and more tetchy but not really saying anything). But funnily enough, if you only have one entrance and exit (combined) then you're not going to be able to get a throughput of people are you!?
As for the car park farce on leaving, well all I can say is 100% effort from the guys on the final exit gate for funneling in 8 lanes in a fantail into one, but more effort in getting a logical exit system should have been made.
And as for the tw*t in the Vauxhall Vectra 2.0i bought from an Audi garage - I hope you impressed your wife and kids with your cutting up antics. You nearly got a road rage of 4 angry, cold, wet and fed up blokes wanting to point out the error of your ways (we followed you for about 10 miles so you should remember us...) - and to the chavscum in the Fiesta (not that that narrows it down at this event), didn't your Mum ever tell you that dropping litter was bad? You sat there eating wrapped sweets and chucking all the papers out the window, empty coke bottles and everything. You also nearly got the 4 angry, cold, wet, fed up and community spirited blokes pointing out the error of your ways.
Think next year I'll watch it on the telly.
Good choice in Steve Rider commentating (mainly on the weather, but he was good). Also, I did see Pete and Nikki off Big Brother. My life is nearly whole now..
Longleat was a stunning venue last year (nice weather) but the traffic, crowd control and the ground events are pants. Don't think that you can correct the traffic other than by moving it though...
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The only other Red Bull location I've seen (only on vid, unfortunatley) is Budapest. There, its over the river in the city centre.
Now, do any UK cities have a nice straight, wide river with unobstructed approaches (rules out London!) ??
Now, do any UK cities have a nice straight, wide river with unobstructed approaches (rules out London!) ??
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Shame the traffic was so bad but last year it was fine, no delays getting in and we had an hour of slow traffic getting out. In all not too bad. I guess the accident was just bad luck.
But given the TAF from last night why did you all bother? The weather was exactly as forecast. I binned because despite the chance they might scrape a few trips in I didn't fancy sitting in a wet field trying to have a picnic under and umbrella that was trying to become part of the display. ~As pilots we are blessed with good weather information sources ,why didn't you believe them. I can understand the great unwashed not understanding cloud bases and visibility but as part of the master pilot race we are in a unique position. Mind you it was probably the first time this year the TAF and the METAR agreed.
Roll on next year.
But given the TAF from last night why did you all bother? The weather was exactly as forecast. I binned because despite the chance they might scrape a few trips in I didn't fancy sitting in a wet field trying to have a picnic under and umbrella that was trying to become part of the display. ~As pilots we are blessed with good weather information sources ,why didn't you believe them. I can understand the great unwashed not understanding cloud bases and visibility but as part of the master pilot race we are in a unique position. Mind you it was probably the first time this year the TAF and the METAR agreed.
Roll on next year.
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Well, the TV was just as bad. After 25 minutes of (fairly interesting interviews) I said that racing was unlikely. Somrhting they only confirmed when the show was nearly over
As for Miss "Daddy owns F1" - shocking.... introducing 2x Big Brother wasters who seemed to know or care as much about the event as she did. (she must have loads of Google hits after today Martin!)
Ch4 really screwed up on this one...... shame really.
As for Miss "Daddy owns F1" - shocking.... introducing 2x Big Brother wasters who seemed to know or care as much about the event as she did. (she must have loads of Google hits after today Martin!)
Ch4 really screwed up on this one...... shame really.
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Pathetic traffic control
I live in Westbury, only 5 miles from the venue. Using local knowledge I got to within 2 miles of Longleat and then spent the next 2 hours waiting in traffic, no evidence of any RTAs just volume of traffic and 'Care in the community' running the traffic control.
Having finally got into the event it was impossible to move from the pit lane area across the (only)bridge to the spectator areas. Fortunately everything was delayed so not too much of a problem, but to take over 1 hour to cross a 10 meter bridge seemed a little excessive.
There is no doubt that access to and control of crowds at the event were the most abysmal I have ever seen at any aviation event in over 20 years.
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.
No-one can cater for crap wx and the ensuing cancellation, that's life.
Pathetic traffic control and poor site organisation cannot be excused.
Had the event gone ahead and a mishap occurred I shudder at the likely consequences.
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.
Having finally got into the event it was impossible to move from the pit lane area across the (only)bridge to the spectator areas. Fortunately everything was delayed so not too much of a problem, but to take over 1 hour to cross a 10 meter bridge seemed a little excessive.
There is no doubt that access to and control of crowds at the event were the most abysmal I have ever seen at any aviation event in over 20 years.
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.
No-one can cater for crap wx and the ensuing cancellation, that's life.
Pathetic traffic control and poor site organisation cannot be excused.
Had the event gone ahead and a mishap occurred I shudder at the likely consequences.
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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I have no idea why the wuckfits at Red Bull didn't can things based on yesterdays forecast. Could they not have moved it to Sunday? Would have saved us (including 2 small kids) sitting in the car for 3 hours only to get to the back of a 12 mile tailback at midday. All for nothing.
It was never gonna happen guys - not in a million years. It's almost like the Red Bull bods just wanted to get 1 aircraft airbourne so that they wouldn't have to pay out on the refunds!!
Sorry guys yet another British Sporting debacle.
Top Tip: Hold it in June or July where there might be a vague hope of some sunshine.
2nd Top Tip: Hold it somewhere where you might be able to get to without leaving home two weeks before the event.
3rd Top Tip: Go to the practice day(s) instead - you might see the winner!
Oh and Tamara Ecclestone, stick to modelling.
It was never gonna happen guys - not in a million years. It's almost like the Red Bull bods just wanted to get 1 aircraft airbourne so that they wouldn't have to pay out on the refunds!!
Sorry guys yet another British Sporting debacle.
Top Tip: Hold it in June or July where there might be a vague hope of some sunshine.
2nd Top Tip: Hold it somewhere where you might be able to get to without leaving home two weeks before the event.
3rd Top Tip: Go to the practice day(s) instead - you might see the winner!
Oh and Tamara Ecclestone, stick to modelling.
A little less conversation,
a little more aviation...
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I have no idea why the wuckfits at Red Bull didn't can things based on yesterdays forecast. Could they not have moved it to Sunday? Would have saved us (including 2 small kids) sitting in the car for 3 hours only to get to the back of a 12 mile tailback at midday. All for nothing.
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Two lessons to be learned.
1. Don't plan international sporting events in the UK at any time other than mid-July to mid-August.
2. Run the race somewhere which can handle the traffic. Getting out was an absolute farce. Personally, I'd suggest Poole Harbour.
1. Don't plan international sporting events in the UK at any time other than mid-July to mid-August.
2. Run the race somewhere which can handle the traffic. Getting out was an absolute farce. Personally, I'd suggest Poole Harbour.