A little belated - but just dried out - a BIG thank you to race fans and teams for the end of season `Gala Night' at Birmingham in terms of supporting the event - particularly after such a miserable, wet season and yet another typical BriSCA F1 evening!

We have a BriSCA meeting on Monday and an MB meeting the following week after which we will be able to report how well the event did -
Car numbers were up on 2007 and the racing was lively.

Having read the Driver of the Day thread I would like to respond to some very constructive comments - and am relieved that the consensus was everyone enjoyed the event despite the weather.

The phrase `Gala Night' was to make the event `different' to the norm however I am the first to acknowledge that some additional `razammataz' would be welcome - I personally am 100% into that! It was raised as a discussion point and the general view has been by those around the table that given the timing of the event and the cold in November that we should `get it on and get it off and turned around as quickly as possible' - which indeed, as the weather has turned out, was the right decision.

I would hope that this event will continue into it's third year, getting stronger and stronger - we introduced the Whites & Yellows race adding quality trophies for the race which I believe worked in building the car turnout.

I read the suggestions about the `wingless' race, not something I personally could get the horn about as many of the cars look like sheds without the wings....but just a personal opinion - I would however appreciate some constructive ideas for '09 to take to our next Management Board meeting early December, one idea I will throw in is a `Champion of Champions' Finale!

One of the Edco people won the raffle, again I acknowledge not everyone , particularly given the weather got one - Sam Wainman has come up with the best suggestion that these tickets go on sale a few weeks prior to the gala night which would certainly raise more money - That WILL happen in '09. A big thank you to Sam and the 91 team for getting very wet and selling the tickets.

Again, on behalf of the MB/BriSCA/BSCDA our thanks for your support not just at Birmingham - but throughout the 2008 season, we respect and acknoweldge it has been a tough year in many aspects.

Just one comment....

Is there any reason why the Gala Night is always in deepest darkest winter? How about having it in July or August next year?

have to agree if the gala night was in summer ,on a night when it was not a ns round or wq would it not be better only a thought

does it matter when it is

Can't see any promoters giving up a date or indeed wan to run the same weekend as the gala meeting .The only Idea I can come up with is a two day meet with one of them designated as the gala fundraiser. The only drawback being most tracks able to stage a 2 dayer probably already have enough of them.
Like the Idea of a champion of champions race with all the winners of every major championship taking part although the same 2-3 drivers tend to hog them. What about a fnal winners race open to all drivers that have won a final during the season.
Don't think any amount of bunting etc would have cheered up the night on saturday good job the drivers put up a top show.
One thing that could have created a lot of interest was the mini points championship going to the last race of the last meeting yet didn't even get a mention and Jack got no recognition at the time.Congratulations Jack.

i think it's good at the end of the year... i think the only reason people are complaining is because it rained at brum...

if it was dry, the meeting would have been even better than it already was...

beaks

I for one enjoyed the gala night, as a fan it puts the feel good factor in, I feel like I am having a positive effect on the sport I follow. Having followed NASCAR for the first time this season (well done team 48 great achievement) perhaps we could take a leaf out of there book. Have a “meet and greet” with the drivers where they could sign autographs maybe give caps away ect. Ex superstars and world champs included.
Perhaps get the Heritage F1s there, “you’ve got to where your from to know where your going” I feel sure a package could be put together that would be both fun (match races?) entertaining (big grid) and useful (get the money to support the drivers) and a good positive end to the season.

Too much time taken to put the cars in order for the final(particularly annoying in the pouring rain!) Should have been done in the "holding area" outside (that's what it's for). Otherwise a good meeting in the circumstances. Hey, 107, keep putting the bumper in too hard and indiscriminately and you'll get some back with interest!!

I'd like to echo the comments of Carl H and Ingle and re-iterate my comments in the BV programme:

The concept of the Gala Meeting is great. The timing needs to be reviewed. Yes Woody, it does matter what time of year it's run. You far more likely to get a bigger crowd on a June evening than you would on a cold and wet November night. Especially when the venue has no cover.

I appreciate you have no guarantees in this country regarding the weather but you've more of an outside chance of a dry, warm evening in June than November.

I'd like to see a weekender where there's lots of fun activites to put the 'gala' in Gala. Let's build this event up to be one the highlight events of the season.

I do not see why fund raising has to stop at the Gala meeting. Let's have a dinner/dance/awards ceremony to help raise funds. Ultimately, these monies go towards the good of the sport and benefit all.

just saying, i think it would be a good idea to keep the meeting at the end of the season because in the summer you have major events e.g euro, semi 1 n 2