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