Bonjour,
Immediately after Round 5 of the British Touring car Championship I left for a holiday in France. The 14 hour drive is usually a nightmare, but the drive down this time was lovely. What a fantastic weekend the entire WIX Racing team had at Croft. Adam Morgan was absolutely immense it has been years since I have felt so much adrenalin rushing through my body.
I will let Adam fill you in on the race car side of things and the action that happened on track. It was a difficult day for the mechanics, they never stop working yet the garage always seems so calm and measured, they do a brilliant job.
In ‘Norm’s world’, Commercial and Marketing together with the hospitality suite things have never been so good. We are now half way through the season and I have never enjoyed myself so much. WIX Filtration bring over 40 guests to their suite every Sunday, from Managing Directors of massive companies to everyday mechanics that work in garages or for suppliers it would appear to me that if you do a good job for WIX Filtration you will be offered the opportunity of spending a day with the team. WIX Filtration use the hospitality suite to entice new business, reward existing business and as an incentive for employees and associates. Everybody who is invited is a VIP and a typical day at the suite is as follows:
9.00-9.30 Guests arrive and are met at the gate by myself and usually Wayne Stevens the MD of WIX. The guests are then taken by 8 seater buggy to the hospitality suite, booked in and the day’s events are explained then coffee and bacon sandwiches are served.
10.30 Pit lane walkabout, hundreds of fans queue for up to 3 hours to collect autographs from the racing drivers and look into the garages at the cars. WIX Filtration VIP guests are shown through the garage and on to the Pit lane without the need to join the lengthy queues. Adam Morgan, the team’s driver is available during the day to pose for photographs or sign memorabilia in the suite.
11.30 The first grid walk of the day, this is a very special moment for all our VIP guests, they are taken onto the grid only seconds before the race begins. There is an opportunity for all WIX Filters guests to have their photograph taken with the team’s grid girls in front of the car on the grid. The team photographer will present you with your photograph by the end of the day in a presentation wallet, you are able if required to have it signed by Adam before you leave.
12.00 Race 1, this usually lasts for about 35 to 40 minutes, grid walk guests are able to watch the action from the garage if they so wish.
12.45 Lunch, The WIX Racing team’s chef Steve Rossi, prepares and serves a wonderful 3 course Sunday lunch for all VIP Guests.
13.15 Adam and I hold a Question and Answer session, usually light humoured and informative. Adam is then made available for photographs and autograph signings, if he has to return to the engineer for de-brief then he will be made available again after race 2.
13.50 Grid walk 2, VIP guests are again invited to join the team on the grid.
14.00 Race 2, Drivers start this race from the position they finished in race 1.
15.30 Afternoon Tea is served within the suite, homemade cakes are available and Adam will again be made available to meet with WIX Filters VIP guests and thank them for their attendance at the event.
16.50 Grid walk 3, the final opportunity for VIP guests to be right in the middle of the action, before the final race of the day gets underway.
17.00 Race 3, the reverse grid race, the top ten positions are reversed and this usually determines that the final race is the best race of the day.
The WIX Filtration hospitality suite serves complimentary wines, beers, soft and hot drinks all day and guests are more than welcome to leave their belongings at their dedicated table, each guest receives a gift from the team and associate sponsors at the event.
It’s a pretty busy day for guests and we try to cater for all ages, there are always lots of trade stalls and kiddie’s rides, at many of the events there are full on fairground rides. We try and change things around a little and ensure that guests ‘who have been dragged along’ and don’t even like racing cars!! (If there are such people) Still enjoy their time with us.
Well that’s me my friends, five whole weeks until the next race at Snetterton, the beginning of August. I am currently on holiday in France, the boss (wife) is sunbathing on the patio and I am indoors writing blogs and responding to emails…… Give me Racing anytime……Anybody can go on holiday, not many people can walk on a British Touring Car Grid!!!
All the best, enjoy the sun!
Norman