"Secret" International Class at Hampton Downs and Taupo

[Murray Maunder]

The thought of a bunch of Cosworth DFVs and the odd V12 mixing it with the rowdy F5000s gets my juices flowing but I can't find anything better than a sports cafe blog that dates back to June or a Taupo generated story that's low on specifics. At this rate I'll be making my plans to be elsewhere if Tony Quinn, Chris Roberts or someone can't enlighten the historic fans in advance that it won't be just another season.

Considering we're only a few weeks out from the first of the NFOMR weekends I'm dismayed at the lack of buildup. Main points that are known - Kenny is this year's featured driver and - TADARRRR - there will be a class for historic F1s which will/may be included with the F5000s. Why the shyness? I'm not directly involved in the historic club, HD or Taupo racetracks so I don't get the inside line but what the.....??? Am I missing something??? Are the expectations of a big bunch of old F1 cars that was hinted to me by a reputable source back in winter grinding to an embarrassing letdown of a few cars doing demos or being parked on display? Word of an M26 McLaren, sorry that isn't good enough.

Seems a shame that 2017 marks 50 years since Denny Hulme pulled off the unbelievable for himself, Jack and New Zealand and there is no fanfare of big things for our premiere historic events of the calendar.

Someone - please?

[nigel watts]

Murray I agree with you.

We spectators have a much different expectation than those who are competing.

I know it can't be easy for the promotors to entice overseas owners to bring their cars out to NZ for us to see and enjoy, but like you, I would like to know what we're going to see or is it the same old same old.

So far I would say that the HMC class with the Aussies coming and the Central Muscle Cars would seem to be the main attraction for me.

I'll probably be there but it would make the decision a lot easier if we knew for sure what was going to be there and racing.

[ERC]

The HD Festival is being run by Hampton Downs, not the 'old guard' (Chris Watson/Tony Roberts etc), although Chris Watson via the Motorsport Entry website would have a handle on entries to date. A slight hiccup in the system printout meant that an up to date list of cars in their correct classes wasn't available 2 days ago. I'll happily pass on any info I have, but as I am no longer directly involved in any way, shape or form, any info will be second-hand.

I believe there is a large contingent of Formula Juniors expected, as part of their 'World Tour'. I'm not sure but I think there are two classes.

I believe our own series entries weren't as high as in previous seasons as at the closing date (December 16th) but as is normal in NZ, drivers seem to leave entering until the last possible minute, even if it means paying a late entry fee (a measly $40). This puts a strain on organisers trying to promote an event when so many drivers are so slack about entering.

For most local drivers, this may be their only chance of running on the full 4km track.

Are you on the Hampton Downs and HRC mailing lists?

[Murray Maunder]

Are you on the Hampton Downs and HRC mailing lists?

Thanks for the background Ray. The answer is no. As a diehard HMC supporter I get good info from Dale and his guys. These guys really promote their class well as do others, eh?

But when it comes to a potentially stand-filling class like pre-76 F1, the "promotors" forget to tell the peoples. Can't recall a better circuit racing promotor since Pete Hanna way back when. And when you think how much it costs nowadays to put on an event like the HD ones it beggars belief that they keep their plans virtually secret.

[Andrew Metford]

Exactly Murray, well said. They cry about the cost of running a meeting, and then lump the "increased costs" onto the competitors, who then decide it's becoming too expensive and enter in ever decreasing numbers which causes the organises to cry more, when they have "free" money ( paying spectators ) not entering the books because they don't promote the meeting / who's going to be there / what cars are running etc. If you don't know who / what is going to be there, you're hardly likely to make the trek down there on the off chance you might see something of interest.

I'm in the same boat, dying to see an entry list to decide whether it's worth going, or another year of the same old same old. How hard can it be to put up an entry list as the entries are processed and accepted? It doesn't need to be sorted into class or anything flash, we can all work that out, just need driver name and year / make / model of car. Buying a program at the gate on the day is no good as you're already committed, and only the real diehards turn up in hope. It's the people that are on the fence about attending or not, that the advertising needs to be aimed at, people have a lot more demands on their time these days, so you need to give them a reason to attend. If that happens, then the stands and the coffers will be fuller, opening up other options for the future. It's like advertising there's going to be "a concert" on, but not saying who the artist / group is, who's going to go on that little info? We have "a race meeting", but no info about who and what will be racing.

Every year it's the same, and every year I raise these issues, and every year nothing changes. A few years ago I got an email survey after the NZFMR, a whole range of questions, then at the end a "write your own comments". Complete waste of 1/2 an hour of my life that was.....

So at the moment I've got better things to do with a whole day, 40 bucks to get in the gate, 10 bucks for a program, 5 bucks parking, 10 bucks for lunch, 20 bucks petrol to get there and back, and sunburn 'cos there's not an ounce of shade anywhere to sit / stand under for a bit. And thats' just for me, 1 person, think about the average guy who's got a wife and 2 kids, it's getting on for a $200 day. I'm no marketing guru, but jeez it's not rocket science.

[Bailey]

As I understand it, the F1 cars that are coming from England are a Taupo promotion
It is probably a David Abbott idea, that without the help and enthusiasm of Frank
Lyons, most likely wouldn't have got off the ground I'm told that there will be 7 F1 cars
running They are running at Hampton because Frank will want to run more than one event,
as with the logistics of getting the cars here for just one meeting, Taupo, wouldn't be sensible

I have heard the Taupo meeting promoted on the radio plenty of times in the last month
If you want to see BRM V12s and Cosworth DFV powered cars from the 70's, you will probably
want to go and take a look, as these are valuable cars that have plenty of opportunity to run in
Europe and the USA, so don't really have to come to NZ

[ERC]

Well said. Couldn't agree more Andrew. Like Dale and John Mckechnie, I used to post our entries whenever possible as at least I felt I was doing my bit.

I did get frustrated that we had full grids once I finally managed to get the ERC series accepted, but not once was our class mentioned in any pre event publicity, nor any mention in most race reports, despite the great, close racing with bags of overtaking, which most spectators want to see. Quite why that is I have no real idea; I can only speculate. Jealousy? A reluctance to accept that it took a lot of persuasion to break through some entrenched incorrect perceptions and they didn't want to acknowledge the success? (Despite contributing more to the coffers than any other class...)

Most Festivals after the initial McLaren opening had relatively small grids and certainly our Series drivers used to close handicap racing, just couldn't be bothered with scratch races amongst cars that were blatantly not compatible, getting lapped within 5 laps.

'Same old, same old' presumably means regular supporters of local classic racing? But they are the core, so without them, there is very little from outside the region.

Some classes seem depressingly small on a regular basis and given the long history of motorsport in NZ, one has to wonder how many cars are just mothballed and then the question must be, 'Why'?

Shipping cars to NZ SHOULD be an attractive proposition for overseas owners, given the huge costs of race entry fees in Europe, particularly prestige events such as Goodwood and Monaco and the relatively modest cost of entry fees in NZ and also the opportunity for more races. (Goodwood/Monaco, 3 day meetings, huge entry fees, possibly just one practice and one race...) Maybe the summer classic events, north and south island need more overseas promotion aimed at drivers first? Only then can the promoters shout from the rooftops or as originally posted, use free social media.

[GD66]

I'm a long way away, but I've been trying to find out which F1 cars may be rolling out for a gallop at these meetings to radio silence. Murray and the lads are right, here we are almost at Christmas and there's still no word. The Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park has a couple of links, Historic Formula One Cars to Race at Taupo, and Taupo Historic GP, and neither link works. With the limitations of international transport, the cars participating should be well locked-away by now, and even if they are of a lesser headlining calibre than the promoter may have originally hoped, it is still well within their interest to circulate the info on who and what will be appearing. I figured because I live so far away, it was just me that had heard nothing, if the lineup is still unknown in NZ it's really rather unfortunate. Glad to see this issue brought into the limelight.

[ERC]

The race categories for the (Kenny Smith) festival are as follows:
1.Formula 5000
2.Historic F1’s
3.Central Muscle Cars
4.Group A / Heritage Touring Cars
5.Formula Junior Group 1
6.Formula Junior Group 2
7.Historic Formula Ford
8.Libre / Historic Single seater / Atlantic cars
9.Historic Muscle and Historic Saloon cars
10.European Racing Classics

[GD66]

Thanks Ray, I probably haven't been clear in asking who are the drivers, or what specifically are the F1 cars scheduled to participate ? This has been the hardest info to obtain for me. I am happy to wait until the links on the Taupo website work, but for others close at hand it would be nice to find out so they could get the message around by the old but still-efficient Word Of Mouth method.

Incidentally, I have always found the practice you have outlined above of progressively posting your entries to work very well, especially when promoting a national event : it gives potential entrants the opportunity to get their entry in to knock off a suddenly-spotted long-term rival, or for others to see numbers may be low in their category so they can fire an entry in and swell the field.

[RogerH]

Historic F1 cars entered so far at Hampton Downs Kenny Smith Festival are :

1976 BRM P207
1976 Lotus 76
1974 McLaren M23
1976 McLaren M26
1974 Hesketh 308
1971 Surtees TS9
1976 Hesketh 308
1974 BRM P201

Plus 27 F5000 and 43 FJ - with apparently more still to come.

[ERC]

Thanks Roger. You posted as I was responding!

I'll try and get hold of the full entry list to date - but don't hold your breath. Although I'm not running the ERC Series anymore, I'm still in handover mode, as Chris Browne tries to come to grips with the extensive Excel based systems I'd set up over the last 20 years.

With the long track being used for the first time for our drivers, we have no historical data to work on, so the handicapping may not be as accurate as in the past, as drivers learn at different speeds. Some get a grip quite quickly and others take a fair bit of time. The new 'Double B*****d' complex seemed to catch quite a few out at the 101 in practice.

[John McKechnie]

The race categories for the (Kenny Smith) festival are as follows:
1.Formula 5000
2.Historic F1’s
3.Central Muscle Cars
4.Group A / Heritage Touring Cars
5.Formula Junior Group 1
6.Formula Junior Group 2
7.Historic Formula Ford
8.Libre / Historic Single seater / Atlantic cars
9.Historic Muscle and Historic Saloon cars
10.European Racing Classics
Ray , you forgot us
11-Historic Sports Sedans and Invited Allcomers
Re- edit..Sorry Ray, not your mistake, we got left off the Facebook page,

[ERC]

Ray , you forgot us
11-Historic Sports Sedans and Invited Allcomers
I didn't forget John. I just copied and pasted that straight from: https://hamptondowns.com/nzfmr/ so I assume their website isn't up to date.

[Andrew Metford]

Thank you Ray and RogerH for the info, much appreciated.

[ERC]

Spgeti has just sent me the entry list to date. The invited Central Muscle Cars seem a bit tardy entering...

ERC now has about 42 cars entered. I'm saying about, as only yesterday at Ivan Selak's funeral, Liz seemed happy for Neil to race Ivan's Escort, so he isn't yet on the list and that grid is therefore almost full. One or two tardy ones may yet find themselves on the reserve list...

Apparently the maximum grid size is 47 saloon cars. As there is no stand alone Sports/GT grid, I note that one driver who is not part of the ERC Series but a regular at the Festival has entered and there may yet be another overseas driver allowed to run, but they are not my decisions to make.

There is usually a degree of attrition both before and during the event, but that cannot be guaranteed as we found out two years ago.

[GD66]

Historic F1 cars entered so far at Hampton Downs Kenny Smith Festival are :

1976 BRM P207
1976 Lotus 76
1974 McLaren M23
1976 McLaren M26
1974 Hesketh 308
1971 Surtees TS9
1976 Hesketh 308
1974 BRM P201

Plus 27 F5000 and 43 FJ - with apparently more still to come.


Good stuff, thanks Roger.

[Murray Maunder]

Historic F1 cars entered so far at Hampton Downs Kenny Smith Festival are :

1976 BRM P207
1976 Lotus 76
1974 McLaren M23
1976 McLaren M26
1974 Hesketh 308
1971 Surtees TS9
1976 Hesketh 308
1974 BRM P201

Plus 27 F5000 and 43 FJ - with apparently more still to come.

Thanks Roger.

It's been about 35 years since I've been an event promotor but I reckon some things haven't changed. The "promotor' ( who ought to have a stake in the financial success of the event) fails to maximise the creative use of "free media" to build up interest in the event. A series of "leaked" media releases progressively informs the fans that the event is happening, that somebody or machine of real interest is coming, a competitor reveals a personal story (goes well with the motoring pages of the daily fish and chip wrapper), and so on.

As said, the cost of putting these events with all the modern enhancements, not to mention political correctness items, is quite an obstacle to conceiving of a balanced set of financials, let alone profit. I find it ridiculous that I'm effectively lecturing an unknown promotor on how to stir the public awareness, let alone passion. With all the social media opportunities there's no excuse for your likely paying customers from staying home through lack of awareness or interest.

The lineup shown, I guess, is as good as it gets down here for F1 cars. I'm not complaining but if half of them are static displays then I'm currently still sitting on the fence. The era concerned is right in "my zone" but I am thinking about not bothering and waiting till I make it to a well attended overseas historic meeting where there could be dozens of F1 cars plus CanAm cars etc.

I wish Tony Quinn all the best with HD but maybe his heart just isn't in this form of motorsport.

[Kiwiboss]

Thanks Roger. I wish Tony Quinn all the best with HD but maybe his heart just isn't in this form of motorsport.

I do too but from some of Mr Quinns past ramblings he's made it known that he doesn't have much interest in "Old car racing at the hobby level" as that's not were the money is(I agree with that) he has left this event up to his managers(one has just going on holiday for 2 weeks) to run but until several weeks ago they appeared to not even know about Historic Muscle Cars and even left Historic Sports Sedans of the list? last week their PR person phoned asking if HMC had ever raced at the festival before, Duh! and seemed unconcerned about the Aussies guys coming over as if a non-event. He's even charging them storage in the pit garages between events, that's gotta be good PR you think........NOT. The incompetence level and last minute running around has left me disgusted and to the point that we are now promoting the Tasman Revival as our premier meeting, and come what may the following.

I did earlier on express my interest in helping with the promotional side of HMC/HSC as I've done in the past(I do it for FREE, Duh again), getting our legends along and anyone else involved in helping promote this historic event, it required posting out free tickets as after all these people are what helps make these festival tick but told under no circumstance will even ONE single person get a free ticket and EVERYONE must pay so I shrugged my shoulders and went F-it, i'll just turn up and be another racer like everyone else so stuff-em.

[ERC]

It is very, very sad that a lot of the good work Chris and Tony did has now become totally business orientated and despite the chunterings about the state of the SPORT in NZ by TQ, he hasn't really grasped that the classic events rank second only to the Aussie V8s for competitor numbers - and let's face it, it is the competitors who really pay the bills and spectators are only icing on the cake IF the ticket sales exceed the promotional costs - and early Festival events lost money.

Charging the overseas competitors garage space beyond the event when there would be no rental oncome anyway, is just not on but as we apartment owners with units in the rental pool were totally ripped off for the HD 101, I doubt there will be too much support in the future. I have withdrawn ours from the rental pool for all 'premier' events unless a suitable rental cost is agreed in writing. I am not going to be ripped off again.

Dale, (or any other competitor) I currently have a virtually empty garage at HD and am happy for two cars to be parked in there for the event at no cost if that is any help for the impoverished!

[Rod Grimwood]

Believe there are a couple more F1 for Taupo
Classic is what the 'real' motorsport followers love to come along and watch. Real cars, real people.

[Andrew Metford]

What a shambles. HD is going to the pack, and it didn't take long. Another Erebus motorsport in the making?? ( spend squllions, to go to from being the best to being a joke overnight ).

When you look on the HD website for their race car test dates, half way through December they're still showing December 2nd as the next ( and only ) one. I emailed them, and said can they update the site, and can they put up test dates for at least the next 3 months, so people can plan their testing around their racing. Not an unreasonable request I thought. I also asked them what the actual charge for additional drivers is, as the info page says $50 and the booking page says $30. They replied "they will try to get a date or 2 up shortly, and it's $50". No "thanks for pointing out that mistake, we'll fix it straight away". It's still showing $50 and $30 today. So guess who can't be bothered with HD's sh*t anymore? I'll go to Pukekohe for testing, it's closer anyway. HD might have the "premier" facility at the momment, but when they turn everyone off with their "we're too good for you" attitude, they won't last long when there's no money coming the door to run the joint. Shame, as I really thought Tony Quinn would do better than that.

[ERC]

The offer of garage space has been accepted, so no longer available.

As I am still assisting ERC with the handicaps, will I be expected to pay for a ticket? (I have no real worries about getting in, as initial purchase of a unit came with free access to all events anyway. I wonder if that will also get the chop?)

We knew we had it good with Tony (R) and Chris at the helm, so have we already had the golden days of HD? Is all the good work done over the previous years, building up a really strong classic sector, going to be unravelled in a matter of a couple of years? All saloon/GT classes had shown good, steady growth, from HMC, Historic Saloons, Alfa, BMW (open and E series), ERC (U2K Cup on the fringe of classic)s etc., and whilst it may appear to be same old, same old, to some, that was inevitable, but at least it was a good solid base with tremendous support and camaraderie, not only within the classes, but between them.

This was not only recognised by the drivers but also by the meeting officials and even most MSNZ Stewards, as almost without exception, there was a feeling of genuine appreciation and respect from both sides as to the strength and the determination to provide good clean racing and high driving standards. Yes, it would be a shame if all that was sacrificed for the sake of a dollar or two here and there and a couldn't care less attitude.

We expect better and quite frankly, deserve better. My support for HD is already starting to fade and it is going to take more than bringing the GT's here once a year to maintain my previous level of support.

[Kiwiboss]

Buggar, too late, I needed your spaces Ray, anyone else??

Yes we did have it good with Tony and Chris, they had the PASSION that we have, unfortunately they had the financial burden as well, don’t yar hate that 

Having never been in the position of vast financial wealth as im just a “dirty ol Mechanic” I guess I have to dream a little and pretend what’s it’s like to be in Mr Quinns shoes. He owns the track just like you and I would say our own houses or property, he purchased the Festival event which is run at his track, I guess I’d have to say for him “its my way or the highway” and that I can respect,(imagine if you had a race track in your back yard and everyone wanted to use it) off-course we the competitors have the option as to whether to buy into his way or not, if we don’t like the terms, conditions and cost we can move on. But, I guess with what he has invested and the upper echelons of wealthy people he probably deals with, I’d say without a doubt, we in the classic fraternity are probably looked upon as no money peasants so why would he want to deal with us?(remember im just assuming this but sort of appears that way) he’d want to bring to his facility those race classes and people with more wealth to help subsidize his costs, can’t blame him there and this was effectively what the 101 event was and maybe this is his vision for the Festival? I do see next month’s Festival as a transition between the current way and the unknown.

So with that in mind, I guess for all us “wages financed or retired” type classic racers we have the option to put up, shut up and pay up or move on to more cost effective and person friendly venues, or maybe, just maybe he is the NEW cost and person friendly way of motorsport in todays world? It seems we’re all attending his Festival so let’s see how it goes, it may just be OK but im struggling? Anyway, some of my thoughts. Merry X-Mas and New Year to TRR members.

[Grant Ellwood]

Could just be a short term transition problem, I've been through a couple of difficult company failures up here and usually it needs a "tough love" rescue to keep a losing business ( but with promise) alive. The opposite season aspect should give New Zealand a brilliant opportunity for an historic festival to be a major drawcard for northern hemisphere ( and well heeled) historic racers to vacation and race down-under. I don't know Tony Quinn but having read his book I'm sure he isn't taking over HD just as a prime investment but there has to be a base level to make it stand on its feet. Seems to be a lack of communication preventing a great venue from becoming a major Motorsport venue.

[Rod Grimwood]

be a shame if it is to turn into a 'rich' boys club as some are pointing too, as the general motorsport person will miss out and so will the track as a whole. in all reality GTs and other exotic class's only have limited following and are foreign to the average person (out of reach) and not many people relate to the cars like a good old classic that they saw heaps of on the roads in yesteryear and still even now. difference between jandels, ragged ole moustache and whiskers and ladies that push wheels around and help out in pits too leather shoes, styled hair and Rolex and lady look at me.
be great if all can be catered for Gts, Exotics, V8 supercars etc, with the back bone (clubman-2000-ERC-HMC-HSS-Classics) still in the mix for the other weekends, and don't price the 'average guy' out of it. Hope it all gets on even keel and picks up.

[Spgeti]

Time will tell. Like Dale, I am not holding my breath and I feel for him this Festival. He has put a huge amount of work in over the years promoting HMC and a bloody good job he has done. The Aussie Trans Am coming over is his baby and he does deserve recognition for his efforts. Like John McKechnie with HSS and it was great to see it all come together for John at MG Classic this year.
We do have a strong backbone in all our groups and if HD do not want us other doors just might open up.

Cheers
Bruce D

[Grant Ellwood]

Time will tell. Like Dale, I am not holding my breath and I feel for him this Festival. He has put a huge amount of work in over the years promoting HMC and a bloody good job he has done. The Aussie Trans Am coming over is his baby and he does deserve recognition for his efforts. Like John McKechnie with HSS and it was great to see it all come together for John at MG Classic this year.
We do have a strong backbone in all our groups and if HD do not want us other doors just might open up.

Cheers
Bruce D

Yes HMC is a fantastic formula, a tight reign on rule interpretation keeps a lid on costs. Dale has done a great job of ensuring reasonable parity and the competitors in that class are supportive.

[Dale Harvey]

So, would I be correct in assuming that the circuit owners are also the promoters and organizers of the meeting as discussed? Over on this side of the ditch most historic race meetings are promoted and organized by a car club that is only interested in historic racing. The circuit in question is leased from the owners of the circuit by the organizing club for the event usually the Saturday and Sunday. Costs are calculated and entry fees worked out on the costs involved.
Dale.

[Andrew Metford]

Thats the norm here too Dale, but not for this particular meeting this time around. The circuit ( Hampton Downs ) has taken over the running and ( lack of ) promotion of the event for 2017. Maybe it was a part of the change of ownership of the track, I don't know.

[ERC]

Tony Quinn made it known earlier in the year that the 'Festival' was one of maybe 4 or 5 'Premier' events to be run at the track per year - meaning that he sees it as a money spinner.

His stance is that these premier events effectively lock out apartment owners other than 4 'free' tickets per unit and all other visitors/guests (to a maximum of 16) have to pay a general entry fee PLUS an extra fee for what he considers a prime viewing spot.

Even if granny is baby sitting and not watching the racing at all, she is going to have to pay. This has not gone down too well with apartment owners, who reluctantly accepted these rather draconian conditions for the 101 meeting, on the basis of giving it a try, and as an expression of support for TQ to get the track moving forwards.

Whether this arrangement is going to get continued support remains to be seen and if that jeopardises the future of high profile events coming to the track is anyone's guess, but at this stage, my guess is that there are challenges ahead, as some of those who gave their support first time around, may not do so again. I must stress, that is my personal guess.

The 101 (GT meeting) obviously is one that will be on the calendar.

January Festival makes it 2. (No plans announced as yet for 2018.)

I think that motorbikes in some form will obviously be another = 3. That is also a given.

Whether the Aussie V8s make it to HD for a 4th is debatable (we have heard for and against).

TQ is keen to try and get the NZ GP to HD so that is a possible 5th.

There may be more than 1 premier bike event and who knows what else is in the offing as we do know that there are Asian based series that have expressed an interest in heading to HD.

Yes, the new HD team may still be finding their feet in term of promotion and also local knowledge, but the Captain steers the ship and sets the course.

[khyndart in CA]

Perhaps you could do some of your own promotion with a raffle at $ 10.00 each ticket and put it in every publication possible.
Winner gets 3 laps with John McKechnie in his wonderfully restored Holden Monaro around Hampton Downs.
They would also have the opportunity to wander the pit area and possibly meet well known people in jandals, ragged ole mustache and whiskers, fine women and fast cars.
Plus two entry tickets for the weekend
I could even provide some of the images at no charge.
I think it would be a great raffle and great advertising. (I would buy 10 tickets for sure and donate to a worthy charity.)
39879
( The poster boy himself )
39880
(The mighty Monaro )

Perhaps the icing on the cake would be for the winner to get a round trip helicopter ride from Auckland Airport to the circuit to avoid sitting in race traffic.

(Ken Hyndman )

[Andrew Metford]

So back to the Festival for a minute, on the Ticketmaster website to buy tickets for the Festival, you can buy a 3 day pass, a Saturday pass, or a Sunday pass. What happens if you can only ( or only want to ) go on the Friday?? Is it free??

[Kiwiboss]

So back to the Festival for a minute, on the Ticketmaster website to buy tickets for the Festival, you can buy a 3 day pass, a Saturday pass, or a Sunday pass. What happens if you can only ( or only want to ) go on the Friday?? Is it free??

I'm getting "Hammered" by people wanting to know what the hells going on, even calls and E-mails from Aussie? pissing me off, I just tell them to phone Hampton Downs and that its nothing to do with me(which it isn't) but with past involvement I understand why I'm getting calls, already I can't wait for it to be over so we can move on to other more friendly run and informative venues.

[Jac Mac]

So back to the Festival for a minute, on the Ticketmaster website to buy tickets for the Festival, you can buy a 3 day pass, a Saturday pass, or a Sunday pass. What happens if you can only ( or only want to ) go on the Friday?? Is it free??

The Sat/Sun tickets are $20.00 a day, 3 day pass $69.00. That does not add up as Fri would be $29.00??. Can you pay at the gate with cash? Not that I am ever likely to go.

[ERC]

I can't wait for it to be over so we can move on to other more friendly run and informative venues.
It's not the venue Dale, it is the promoters/organisers.

Apartment owners have had no communications whatever about this event, so I am presuming the usual 'Resident's Silver Pass' will be honoured. (Part of the deal when the apartments were built was free access to all events.)

Yup, the $69 weekend pass seems a bit odd! The usual support for Friday's is pretty low anyway. I would have expected $50 for the weekend. My usual attendance for major events if I am not directly involved, is the Friday and Saturday only.

[Andrew Metford]

The Sat/Sun tickets are $20.00 a day, 3 day pass $69.00. That does not add up as Fri would be $29.00??. Can you pay at the gate with cash? Not that I am ever likely to go.

Saturday / Sunday single day tickets are $39 per adult - the $20 single day tickets are the youth ticket. $69 is correct for a 3 day adult pass.

[Andrew Metford]

It's not the venue Dale, it is the promoters/organisers.

Which this year, is one in the same, and it seems, the whole problem with communication to the masses.


My usual attendance for major events if I am not directly involved, is the Friday and Saturday only.

I'm the same Ray, get in early with no crowds, see everything and get out before the great unwashed descend on the event. This year it'll be Friday only if they can give me a ticket price beforehand and I'm still unemployed then, owing to another commitment on Saturday.

[ERC]

I'm the same Ray, get in early with no crowds, see everything and get out before the great unwashed descend on the event. This year it'll be Friday only if they can give me a ticket price beforehand and I'm still unemployed then, owing to another commitment on Saturday.

I have a trophy replica here for your brother! I'll try and remember to bring it. I should be there Friday.

Andrew, send me a PM and I'll have a ticket for you. Just had an email from HD confirming it is a premium event and therefore apartment owners have to apply for their passes.