Union Square Grand Prix 

Update # 4 

We are now seven weeks away from what promises to be one of the highest profile RC races ever held in the UK, interest has been very strong from the touring car section but the response has been slower from the 1:12 guys, come on you guys your national season will be over, what better way to finish off the year. 

Final details on driver deals are now close to being confirmed, recent new sponsors coming on board are Costa Coffee and Tinderbox who both have outlets next to the track, also Nando’s the restaurant chain, all these companies are offering special deals for drivers on meals, drinks and refreshments during the weekend, more food and drink outlets to hopefully cover everyone dietary requirements will be confirmed in the next few weeks. Stagecoach the nationwide bus company are providing the “Union Square Grand Prix” shuttle service, imagine that, walking out of Aberdeen airport and getting on the “Union Square Grand Prix Bus”. Once inside the centre there is no reason to leave, the Jury’s Inn hotel have already extended their offer of discounted rooms, such was the initial response from drivers, having viewed the hotel I can confirm that this venue offers four star luxury but thanks to their sponsorship at Premier Inn prices. 

As well as a race this meeting will offer us a fantastic shop window for our sport, a team from Scotland will run the public have a go experience, or as we like to call it “Scotland’s Got Talent” thanks to our sponsors ten cars are ready to go and being painted and logo’d up in the colours of the shops backing the event, we are very grateful to everyone in the industry who has donated to the event, we have a large number of giveaways for the viewing public, some donated by companies outside the RC industry, thanks to the likes of Dunlop Motorsport, WD40, and many more well known brands who are supporting this part of the event with freebies. 

Having the weight of a large marketing organisation behind the event will guarantee TV, radio and local newspaper coverage, a pre race press conference and media launch is being planned before the event to promote what they see is a high profile media opportunity for the centre, the event is already being advertised in the local press, on the back of this we can expect massive coverage for RC racing north of the border. Pulling this together has been a logistical and health and safety nightmare but everyone involved feels the pay back is worth the effort. The centre management are responsible for a number of high profile retail centres across the UK; the feedback so far is this may be the start of something we could roll out nationwide, taking RC racing to the public on a massive scale. 

Places are now limited but there are still spaces left in both touring and 1:12, we will close the entry list in two weeks, those who have already committed please return your media information sheet along with your entry fee to avoid your place being given to another driver, please also confirm if you are attending the Grand Prix Ball at Jury’s Inn on Saturday night. 

Don’t let this be the best event you ever missed.  Look forward to seeing you there on 17 / 18 April   

Updates for Drivers already entered.

Pitting

Pitting with power will be provided in three conference rooms within the Jury’s Inn hotel, security will be provided on the door and you will be required to wear your Union Square GP racer / mechanics pass to get in and out. The track is a short walk and then down the escalator, we will be asking you to proceed in an orderly fashion through the hotel reception to avoid disturbing guests not involved with the race. PAT testing of your equipment will need to carried out on Saturday morning, we have organised this.

 Rules

Rules for the race will be confirmed in the next week or so but there will not be anything that is unusual or out of the ordinary. We can confirm at this stage that qualifying will be base on FTD not round by round.

Drivers Briefing

Because of the nature of the venue and the close proximity of the public the drivers briefing will be slightly different to what you would usually expect, a heavy emphasis will be put on behaviour and conduct, you are representing the sport and we expect you to be courteous at all times, any problem with bad language or drivers throwing their toys out of the pram will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave the event straight away.

Venue, Google Maps

Please don’t use Google maps to locate the venue, the details are wrong, I would advise using the post code for Jury’s Inn which is AB11 5RG, more info on this closer to the date.

PR and Media Interest

Please be aware of the high profile nature of this event, you can expect a great deal of public interest in you and your cars, please take time to answer peoples questions in a positive and polite manner, there will also possibly be TV, radio and media interviews, if you particularly don’t want to be interviewed, and we would understand it if some people are not comfortable with this, please advise someone on the media team.

The Grand Prix Bus

If you are arriving by plane into Aberdeen Airport on either Friday night or Saturday morning please inform us of your flight times so the GP bus is there to collect you, this is a free service provided by Stagecoach one of our sponsors. 

Railway Station

 We can’t stress enough how easy the venue is accessed from the station, it is literally next to the track, don’t dismiss the train without checking the timetable and costs, it is by far the easiest way to arrive at the venue.  

This is what its going to look like......................