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?