advice and a warning

[GIXERJC]

We have an issue which I would appreciate your advice.  On the 12th September this year we attended a track day with No Limits at Donnington Park.   Unfortunately the weather was horrendous, heavy rain which started the night before.  We were both booked in the novice group as are both relatively new to track riding.  We got there at 7.00am unloaded and by that time the tyre supplier was already sold out of wet tyres he hadn't  brought enough with him,.  There was still people turning up at this point.  We did the briefing and were told that if we did not do the siting laps we would forfit the rest of the day.  We were the 3rd group out on track to do our obligatory siting laps, it was tipping it down at this point and the track was soaked, water running down Craner Curves and flooding on various corners. We both returned to the pits after 2 laps as this felt dangerous, neither of us felt safe riding in conditions like this, there was so much surface water on track the spray was making visibility so bad.  The track was then closed as it was deemed that conditions were so bad.  This was a decision made on behalf of  Donnington from MSV at Brands Hatch.  We had an all group meeting at 11.30am and was informed by the No Limits representative that there would be a review of the situation in an hour, she said that the decision to cancel was normally made by 11.30 but Brands Hatch wanted to wait at least another hour.  She said that if the decision was to be made by them it would have already have been cancelled with a partial refund given.  It was stated that there was a possibility that the rest of the day would be cancelled if conditions did not improve, but they wanted to give us the 'fun' day that we expected  and paid for.

Just after 12.30 we were all gathered together again on pit lane, a decision had been made to send out the expert group, but the conditions were still extremely poor.  A lot of people had already packed up and gone home at this point and some people had not even done a lap of the track at all, not even the siting laps earlier.  Watching the experts go round there was still a lot of standing water on the track and therefore still a lot of spray.  Most of these riders came back in after 1 or maybe 2 laps, this group dwindled down to just a few riders left on track.  It was then red flagged again, I saw only 4 or 5 bikes come back off the track.  The intermediate group went out at 1.20pm and then the novices group at 1.40pm. the track day continued until 5.00pm in conditions that started to get progressively worse.

No limits said that because we did the siting laps and then they decided at 12.30 that they would send out the expert group, the track day carried on so we basically paid for a full day but got only half a day if that.  I am not asking for a full refund/credit but surely we are entitled to something as the track was closed because of the conditions.  I know that no one can control the weather but there has to be some sort of compensation for the lost time.

 

Sorry for the rant but appreciate your thoughts on this situation.

 

Many thanks

[Nick the wanderer]

Hi,

I'm guessing you would have to read the good old terms and conditions for a refund and what qualifies.

Me personally I'd have been doubtful before hand because of the weather, sounds like a lot of folk just gave up early and the track did all they could to give you a go. 

I feel your pain but you can't help the weather. 

[RideWithStyles]

Yep with nick, sorry for you but thats how the cookie crumbles...Its even mentioned in the normal print that you signed before hand, msv and no lims papers let alone the small print.

 

more surprised that they even let it carry on for that long before they definitely said no sorry, no track time so they gave plenty of chances for you, track and weather.

For them safety is first but if they still allowed it then its up to you, If there were less people, less spray and touch up on control and wet weather skills if you were really desperate.

so alot of people did pack up because they knew the score.

for them msv and no limits its not flexi time its set times and days and even lucky down to the half days...its very very expensive to run track days with no refunds etc.

 

you could try closer to the middle of the year or do an aboard track day, spain is nice.

 

 

 

 

[Bianco2564]

Reading the T&Cs does sound like they managed the situation in their favour by sending some out onto the circuit, just to avoid calling it a total washout. With all the rain radar technology, I'm sure they could have predicted the outcome, but that would be bad financially for them.

I think you've just got to take it on the chin and be grateful you are not hurt or looking at a smashed up bike.

 

I used to go to Santa pod with my car on RWYB days, never guaranteed what was going to happen on the day with the weather, crashes, oil on the track etc. Might get 10 runs in, might only be 4. Or none.

[RideWithStyles]

Thing is dates looked at in the msv calendar the year before so they are set and released to customers or private events organisers (no limits) well before hand.
they have other events and duties over the other days in the weeks so They try their best to under the circumstances...but really it just sh1t happens...

if a service or product was not as intended or up to scratch then by all means, throw the book at them.

if you booked a bsb show day or a holiday and the weather was sh!t would you demand a full refund? You wouldnt get very far bar any insurance or cover to state otherwise.

msv did years ago have a policy or cover for unusual weather or certain reasons to cancel with aim of a refund or credit as an extra but i dont know if they are still doing it.

Edited October 13, 2023 by RideWithStyles