Having hosted a number of events during 2020, how did the Clubs find staging of events during the Covid restrictions?
To be honest we ran the same day format for racing as previous years but with restrictions around signing on and parking and PPE made available for officials and marshals and signage at entry and throughout the pits and viewing area's - for this outdoor experience and making the best use of outdoors where we were able to avoid queues and cramming people together.
Can you give us a brief overview of some of the measures that you had to put in place to allow the events to take place successfully?
Targeted online entry via ACU which allowed for sign on of riders at the gate by club secretary and team (no pen passing or money exchange) a separate area for collection of Transponder hire (official wore PPE mask gloves and hand sanitizer available for public use.) We made mobile hand sanitizer stations for around pits, toilet and race viewing area's and then took scrutineering to the riders.
How did you find using the ACU Covid-19 Risk Assessment Template and the support from the ACU and methods required to run these events?
At first there seemed a lot of requirements on there and looked impossible - then we talked through how it would look from a practical point of view and walked through the day and touch points from the rider arriving at the gate through to riding, break down and requiring medical and put in place the signage and requirements as required by ACU and Government guidelines to keep everyone Safe, Face and Space and at last couple of meetings when masks became mandatory we provided those for rider and mechanic if they required them.
Paying Spectators were never a large part of our championship racing however we had to ensure we let the publicly known that the events were not open for Public spectating and had to ensure someone was on the gate to ensure no public entry. Parking / camping was well managed with Vans 3 meters between vehicles and door to neighbour’s blank side.
How was your local authorities’ reaction to your events and were they supportive?
We had no difficulties and we had police visit on 2 occasions, but they were satisfied as it was an ACU permit event and that signage and controls were in place.
After running your first events did you find any additional measures and changes that you needed to put in place prior to the remaining events?
Yes, you never stop learning and you must adapt - to meet what required to keep members, officials, and riders safe and enjoying this family sport and environment.
Is there any advice or guidance that you would give to any other ACU clubs looking to run events during these Covid-19 times?
Plan ahead and have an open mind and don't over think it.
Finally, as a club what plans do you have for running events during the 2021 season?
We have a 10 round Quad Championship and inviting sidecars to do a 7 round National Championship within our club. We are also running British Quad, British Sidecar and British Evo round at the famous Foxhill circuit on April 18th.