And this is how it ends - A Grandstand -yes :-) Covered - no :-(

A deep feeling of dissatisfaction after receiving an email from Ticketek with "important information about your event" including this:

Yes - the offer of a refund for those who were offered pre-sale tickets without being given all the relevant information. Yes - a grandstand with a reserved seat for three days and we hope that the weather plays fair. No - Tassie, the state with four seasons in one day, is not the ideal place for an uncovered grandstand.

The questions remain the same. Are there any other rounds without the offer of at least some covered grandstands? Why has it been a problem this year when there has been a covered grandstand for the last five years? Why should Tasmanian fans not have this option? Why were mixed messages made when the V8 website has Mark Perry quoted in a media release that definitely suggests a grandstand with a cover?

Surely there is still time to try and find a cover.

You know be sun safe - Slip on a shirt, slop on suncreen, slap on a hat, seek shade .... have a covered grandstand!

And the saga continues...

It seems that celebrations have been premature with the provision of reserved grandstand seating at the Symmons Plains round of the V8 Supercars in 2014.

Lobbying by fans led to an announcement by Mark Perry which stated

In a further coup for fans, due to popular demand, the grandstand will be erected near turn two for next month’s V8 Supercars Tyrepower Tasmania 400.

But V8 Supercars is quick to point out that again, spaces are limited with tickets to go on sale to the general public from Saturday.

"The grandstand always provides one of the best seats trackside, as well as comfort for racegoers with shade and of course optimal viewing of the action," Perry said.

Yet on the Ticketek website it states in black and white (link now broken as the event has been held) that the Grandstand in 2014 will not be covered. How does a non covered grandstand provide shade? Mark Perry stated "comfort for racegoers with shade"!! The cost of grandstand tickets has increased so that fans are paying more for less. Interesting way of placating fans?

So the question remains the same. Why does this organisation believe that Tasmanian fans deserve less than that provided at any other round of this national/international event? Why has it taken pressure from irate fans to get even this far?

Taken from Turn 2 Grandstand - 2009

A Successful Outcome for Fans

The V8 organisers released a news item on their website today and there will now be a reserved Grandstand seating option offered for the Tasmanian Round of the V8 Supercars event.

Early Morning shot of the Grandstand at Turn 2
 ready to be filled with race watchers.

They are also offering the opportunity to park and view.

Latest Viewing Options on Ticketek

A very positive outcome for V8 Supercar fans who have enjoyed a grandstand in previous years.

Still Waiting

Still waiting impatiently for a better offer from the organisers for seating at this very popular motor sport event in Tasmania. The options on the Ticketek site have changed again but still no reserved seat Grandstand at Turn 2. These are the best seats at Symmons Plains that have been well patronised each year the event has been held.

The only choices at the moment for the Tasmanian round.

Yes the email I received from the organisers said be patient and that some kind of announcement would be made by the 21st of February as to whether Grandstand seating would be available. So far all the viewing options offered do not appeal especially not the hospitality ones. I do not need the food, drink and hospitality all I require is a covered, elevated seat in the best position at the track for watching racing not socialising.

The basic questions remains the same. Why did organisers think that it was OK to treat one round differently? Why are only Tasmanian fans being given less options for viewing this one round that comes to their state?

Fans Are Unhappy

I am not alone in objecting to the removal of the last surviving grandstand at the V8 Supercars round to be held at Symmons Plains at the end of March 2014. Quoted below are the contents of a letter from Mr M Shearer (emailed to the organisers) who is also very unhappy about not being able to purchase reserved grandstand seating so as to be able to enjoy this event in a similar fashion to previous years.

I have been waiting with anticipation for the V8 show returning to Symmons Plains at the end of next month. What I am disappointed about, and wish to express my opinion for, is that there appears to be NO GRANDSTAND SEATS? Surely, there must be a mistake here? This will be my tenth outing this year to the Plains in a row, and each year since the return in 2004, I, along with a group of us, have purchased and enjoyed grand stand seating. As an avid, year round follower of the sport, I like to watch the races, uninterrupted, undercover from the varied & unpredictable Tassie weather & with a view of the large screen in front of me. If it is pouring with rain, as you know, racing is always more interesting, particularly when it can be watched by fans without getting drenched themselves.

Each year, I remember, there are always very few, if any, seats left on the grand stand, so it is obviously a popular seller. Also, the quality of the fans who are prepared to pay for G/stand seats is noticeably better than say, those on the hill. Particularly older people, over 50, often frequent the grand stand & quite often the same crowd year in year out. These people, might I add, are also most likely more “cashed up” and are more likely to spend $$$ in merchandise alley, including V8 Supercars own product – each year a lot of people in the grand stand are wearing current season merchandise, as opposed to the majority “general admissioners” still walking around in old Ambrose Pirtek colours or old school HRT gear.

Take away the Turn 2 Grandstand, (which back in 2004/05/06 was actually three), that has now widdled down to one and you are disenfranchising a large group of your greatest supporters. I doubt there is one other racing location in Australia where there isn’t at least one grandstand available?

Please seriously consider the flow on effect & negativity from not bringing the grand stand seating to Launceston. Without this, you will not see myself, or the large group of us seriously devoted V8 fans at the track, but instead on our recliners at home watching the racing on our tv’s – and missing out on the adrenalized rush, sound & smell created by the sport we love the most.

The Examiner published a letter to the editor in today's edition from Mr L Shearer. Mr Shearer has also commented on this blog about his dissatisfaction at the viewing options offered to fans this year.

Another view from the Grandstand in 2013

Yes we have been sent replies to emails that suggest that a grandstand solution is being sought but should this situation have arisen at all? Why was it OK to contemplate taking away a well patronised seating option from only one round of a National/International motor sport event?

Latest reply from the V8 Supercars Organisation

I have emailed the V8 Supercars several times asking for answers to my questions and the below is a quote from the latest reply.

You will note in the original reply from V8 Supercars we did indicate a result would not be expected for a few weeks. We have taken on board all of your feedback in the emails thus far. We are continuing to work on securing a stand at the Tasmania 400, and will be in touch no later than 21/2/14 to advise of the outcome.

We will not be updating any of the information on either the Ticketek website or the V8 Supercars website until we have definite information to provide.

In the interim, please be patient.

Hoping for a good outcome for the fans that would like reserved grandstand seating.

Taken from Turn 2 Grandstand - 2009

No Change in Info on Ticketek Yet but an Updated PDF

I have been regularly checking the Ticketek website to see if there has been any progress in the availability of reserved grandstand seating.

There have been some changes and an updated PDF document still states that there will be no grandstand in 2014 at the Tasmania 400.

Updated PDF - now called General Information rather than FAQ
but no change re grandstand.

My original questions still apply.

Is is OK for Tasmania to be the only round where reserved grandstand seating is not available? Are Tasmanian motor sport fans being treated differently? Is this OK for a national/international standard event that is very well supported?

The particular grandstand I am referring to has always been full so why is it not being provided if there is definitely demand for it?

Early morning view from Grandstand Turn 2.

Getting Some Replies

I have had a reply to my email to the V8 Supercar organisers.

I apologise for the delay in responding as we have been working through the logistics of getting a grandstand down to Tasmania and this is the only reason we are yet to put it on sale and as is always the case, there is a good reason as to why things happen or change.  Moving a show the size of the V8 Supercars is a major logistical undertaking and takes many hours of work to pull it all together and at the time tickets went on sale we could not guarantee that we would be able to provide the stand and I’m sure you agree that if we had put the grandstand on sale and then announced that we couldn’t provide it that this would have caused much more angst and inconvenience with our fans.

I assure you that we are doing all we can to provide the grandstand and will be making further announcements in relation to this in the weeks ahead.

In the meantime, we thank you for your patience.

I am sincerely hoping that this means there will be a Grandstand at Turn 2 in 2014.

I will definitely be waiting for further announcements about this that are not as final as the fine print in the Ticketek FAQ pdf document.

Why is there no Grandstand?

Another Agenda??

Further internet research makes for food for thought.

http://www.speedcafe.com/2011/09/20/new-three-year-deal-for-v8s-at-symmons-plains/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-21/20110921-government-funds-car-races/2909416

http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2011/motorsport-v8-supercars-stay-in-tassie-until-2014-26824

http://monzaimports.com.au/automotive/v8s-hit-tasmania-11-13th-november/

All of these articles refer to the uncertainty that happened in 2011 when the Tasmanian State Government reneged and then back pedalled on a deal to ensure that the V8 Supercars calendar would include a Tasmanian round until at least 2014.

Why is there no Grandstand?

Is the decision to not provide reserved grandstand seating - The Turn 2 Grandstand - the beginning of the end?

Are Tasmanian motor sport fans about to be disappointed again?

Turn 2 Grandstand - another great view!

Definitely food for thought.

Less Choice in Viewing Options

The V8 Supercars returned to Tasmania in 2004 after no round for five years. The attendance figures for 2004 were around 60 000 people over three days. Some of these patrons would choose general admission ticketing and byo seating. Others would choose reserved grandstand seating. Others would be hosted in the corporate hospitality section over pit lane. Record attendances and one of the biggest crowds to a sporting event in Tasmania.

Late Friday Afternoon in 2009.

Jump forward ten years and there are fans who have returned year after year. Crowd numbers have fluctuated slightly over time but on average the Symmons Plains circuit can claim attendance figures around the 50 000 mark over each set of three days. A big sporting event for Tasmania. In all of these years patrons have been offered a tier of viewing options from general admission through to corporate hospitality. Plenty of choice for the variety of V8 Supercar fans attending a local event.

May 2009 - Early morning view from Grandstand Turn 2.

Jump forward to 2014 and things have changed. Loyal Tasmanian V8 fans are being offered less options for viewing this event. Why? Up until this current year there has been a reserved grandstand seating option for those who wished to pay more than general admission and less than the corporate hospitality. A seat for watching all the races, some protection from Tasmanian weather (4 seasons in one day!) and the inclusion in the price of a paddock pass to be able to wander past the pits and check out the action before returning to a seat to watch the next race.

Looking from the Turn 2 Grandstand in 210.
There is another Grandstand that vanishes in later years.

For my family this is a break in a tradition that spans all the years of the V8 Supercars coming to Tasmania since 2004. I have gladly purchased reserved grandstand seats every year. There has not been a year that we have missed travelling to Launceston and spending three days at Symmons Plains watching all the racing. Our seats have been in almost the same spot. We have seen the same faces return year after year. The grandstand has been full year after year. Why has this been changed for 2014?

View from Grandstand at Turn 2 in 2011.
Still a second Grandstand in the centre.

I have emailed the V8 Supercar organisation and I have phoned the V8 Supercar organisation and I am waiting for an explanation for this reduction in seating choice.

This is the only round in the 2014 calendar where patrons are not able to purchase reserved grandstand seating. Why?

Early Morning shot of the Grandstand at Turn 2
 ready to be filled with race watchers.

Why?

Why is there only one round of a National/International event that is not offering reserved grandstand seating in 2014?

Why is there no Grandstand? Screen clipping from FAQ PDF document on Ticketek site.
Hard to find!

Why are loyal Tasmanian fans who have purchased reserved grandstand seating every year since the V8 Supercars event returned to Tasmania no longer able to do this?

Since the return of the V8 Supercars to Symmons Plains in Tasmania in 2004 patrons have been offered a tier of entry options including reserved grandstand seating but this is not the case in 2014. Why?

In the first few years there were three grandstand options to choose from and this gradually declined until only the Grandstand at Turn 2 remained. Each year it is filled with fans who choose to sit and watch the racing from a slightly elevated, sheltered spot that gives great views of the racing action. Not so in 2014. It has gone. Why?

At the start of the return to racing at Symmons Plains the Turn 2 Grandstand was uncovered but it still provided a reserved seat that gave an elevated view of the action. Wisely the organisers added a roof and back curtains making this an ideal spot to shelter from Tasmania's fickle weather and still enjoy the V8 racing along with all the support categories. Great views of the start and battle for places in those first few seconds of each race. Great views of the exit from pit lane and the occasional excursion into the "kitty litter". Why has this option been removed?

Early Morning shot of the Grandstand at Turn 2 ready to be filled with race watchers.