The headline figures are definitely very encouraging. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of the English membership collection with comparable information have both attracted a bigger grid or one the identical dimension as their 2023 common for his or her opening occasion.
Contemplating all of the pre-season discuss rising costs having a destructive affect, and there being loads of doom and gloom in some quarters, it’s undeniably begin. Membership bosses are all the time nervous as a brand new yr begins – by no means fairly realizing what to anticipate and whether or not they have booked the correct quantity of observe time for his or her collection.
“It’s all the time a hunch and crystal ball whenever you’re planning the following yr,” admits one, particularly contemplating dates must be locked in lengthy earlier than the present season concludes.
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However, with this optimism, you will need to take these March and April grid sizes with a pinch of salt. It’s usually the case that opening rounds safe bigger entries than a few of these later within the yr as drivers are desirous to get again on observe after a protracted winter and the coffers have been replenished.
As enthusiasm and funds might dwindle throughout a marketing campaign, numbers can begin to tail off. Additionally it is value noting that each one of those 2024 figures are based mostly on occasions held at Silverstone, Donington Park, Manufacturers Hatch, Snetterton, Oulton Park and Citadel Combe. They’re all historically well-supported venues and subsequently the decrease numbers that may be discovered on the likes of Cadwell Park and Croft haven’t been factored in.
Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless been nice to see so many grids pushing 40 automobiles or extra, with some improbable battles having already been recorded in Autosport’s pages this yr.
Among the many success tales to this point have been the British Racing & Sports activities Automobile Membership-administered Clubsport Trophy, Modified Fords and C1 Endurance Sequence contests, which have attracted opening fields of a powerful 45, 43 and 38 automobiles, respectively.
Vans take to the observe at Manufacturers Hatch
Picture by: Gary Hawkins
Among the many British Car Racing Membership portfolio, the Caterham Roadsport and Seven 270R divisions every boasted 41 automobiles at Snetterton final weekend, whereas the Traditional Sports activities Automobile Membership’s bustling curtain-raiser featured giant Swinging Sixties, Tin Tops and Slicks Sequence numbers. Then the BRSCC’s Audi TT Cup Racing and the 750 Motor Membership’s Ma7da championships have loved a few of the largest proportion will increase.
Nevertheless, 36% of comparable classes that includes a decline in reputation remains to be a sizeable chunk. And it’s regarding that a few of the UK’s most notable and prestigious collection are in that pool.
For instance, British Endurance Championship numbers have been noticeably down, whereas the British Truck Racing opener featured only a disappointing dozen of the behemoths for its Easter Manufacturers occasion – value remembering that it was just a few years in the past that the Division 1 and Division 2 vehicles justifiably had standalone grids.
Autosport will carefully monitor all of those championships and, if the pattern continues, discover a few of the particular elements within the coming weeks and months
Then, TCR UK has additionally slumped and the British GT-supporting Ginetta GT Championship achieved a meagre 11 automobiles for its Oulton opener. As well as, the as soon as unrelenting and seemingly exponential rise in Mazda MX-5 reputation seems to be over, with each BRSCC and MotorSport Imaginative and prescient Racing classes for the Japanese sportscars having dipped in comparison with final yr.
Autosport will carefully monitor all of those championships and, if the pattern continues, discover a few of the particular elements within the coming weeks and months.
Equipe Traditional Racing is one other of the organisers to have had a modest begin to 2024, with its new F2 Atlantic providing failing to get into double figures at Manufacturers final month. Nevertheless, racing such single-seaters within the colder months is just not essentially engaging and managers are assured of entries choosing up as we transfer into what must be hotter instances.
There are different perennial issues that may stymie early-season numbers, such because the basic ‘my automobile is just not prepared’ excuse, which undeniably performs an element in some {cases}. The CSCC has additionally taken the choice to put in writing to all of its members following some criticism of shared grids at Donington, explaining the fragile monetary scenario and the way it’s extra essential than ever that every second of observe time is maximised.
The Slick Sequence put together to race at Donington
Picture by: Mick Walker
So, general, it’s far too early to leap to any conclusions. There are some very Positive indicators, and a few barely extra regarding, based mostly on the primary 13 English circuit racing conferences of 2024.
It’s inevitable there are winners and losers, nevertheless it’s maybe no shock to see that a few of the largest grids are as soon as once more reserved for the low-cost endurance classes that supply such good worth for cash and shut racing.
But, for the sake of the trade as a complete, it could be a improbable outcome if that two-thirds proportion of collection both rising or sustaining their 2023 numbers can proceed. At a time of ongoing uncertainty, it could be the final word vote of confidence.
Autosport will hold observe of entry numbers throughout the season
Picture by: Steve Jones