Excessive Brands Hatch Admission Prices

Sir,

In common with many other people, I am very much shocked by the admission prices that are to be charged for the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch this year. For 17s. 6d. we are offered Brands with the “Continental” look – at the Nürburgring last year, the “Continental” look cost me 8s. 8d. plus 1s. 11d. for the programme. Further, we are offered free parking, thus making the “all-in” price for five people in a car £4 7s. 6d., which makes a very unfavourable comparison with Silverstone “all-in” prices. Spectator views are stated to be unparallelled on British circuits – it is true that the view is extremely good on the old portion of the circuit, but this is now half occupied by grandstands at 47s. 6d. and, as a student, I do not have that much money to spare, so I shall have to fight for a tiny space on the section between Druids and Clearways.

If this trend in prices spreads to the other British circuits. I for one will be priced out of Formula One spectating, leaving only vintage racing (superb value for money) to provide the right noises, and motorcycle racing to provide sheer speed.

On behalf of everyone without bottomless pockets, I appeal for the Grand Prix to return to Silverstone and sane prices.

B. C. COPPER

London, S.W.7.

(We publish these as points of view which will no doubt be aired elsewhere, and which the race organisers may wish to consider, perhaps contest, before the racing season opens, in their own interests. – Ed.)