Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Last Update 23/11/2020

We would like to thank all of our loyal customers for their patience and understanding during these unprecedented times.

COVID -19 Statement from Santa Pod CEO – Keith Bartlett

As we move into the winter season, which would still normally be a very active time for the management and staff of Santa Pod Raceway, we are now facing the most difficult period we have had over the last 25 years. It is hard to believe that’s how long I have now owned Santa Pod Raceway.

As we come into the closed season and with the second national lockdown in full swing things are very tough indeed. Except for online merchandise sales, income has stopped again, so I am in no doubt that this will be for all of us our hardest winter period of all time. With the first Lockdown closing the venue for over 3 months between March and July directly after the previous winter closed season, the reality is that Santa Pod Raceway will have been through the equivalent of three winter closed periods all within the space of 15 months. A normal winter period is hard enough but in financial terms, three in a row is almost beyond belief…

With the current national lockdown still in effect and restrictions likely to continue for some time, it makes the planning for 2021 very difficult. However, with that said, we are working on a more “normal” calendar with the aim of releasing our 2021 dates before Christmas. This is, of course, far later than any previous years when the calendar would normally already be announced, and tickets would already be on sale!

In writing this statement, I would like to thank every single person who has attended one of Santa Pod’s small events this year or purchased merchandise or indeed made a donation via our ticket shop. The whole experience has been very humbling indeed.

A key part of our survival so far has been due to our loyal fans and customers opting for ticket credits on advance tickets that were purchased prior to this situation. Without that support, we would have had a battle on our hands far worse than what we have just gone through and Santa Pod may not have made it this far.

Whether it be from our regular fans or first time visitors, the huge support we have seen has given myself and the whole management team the strength and determination to continue to fight through this Covid-19 pandemic despite all the restrictions and financial losses that we have incurred. I must also thank the racers, teams and our sponsors too for their incredible dedication and patience during this time; your loyalty is why I have remained in this sport for so long and why, despite the cliché, I will always see us as one big family.

So now, as we try to endure the toughest winter of all, we sincerely hope the support can continue. Remember that our merchandise and gift voucher sales will be more important than ever, so in the run up to Christmas, please visit the Santa Pod Shop for some exciting new gift ideas! Mine’s the new Christmas Jumper please?

On behalf of everyone at Santa Pod Raceway I sincerely hope that you all stay safe and we can’t wait to see you back at the track next year.

Best Regards

Keith Bartlett
CEO – Trakbak Racing Ltd / Santa Pod Raceway

Covid-19 Tier 3 Area Info

We are required by our Local Authority to advise customers of current government guidance for people within a Tier 3 area:

• You should try to avoid travelling outside the very high alert level area you are in or entering a very high alert level area, other than for things like work, education or youth services, to meet caring responsibilities or if you are travelling through as part of a longer journey
• You should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK if you are resident in a very high alert level area, or avoid staying overnight in a very high alert level area if you are resident elsewhere
• In addition, Government advice states further: We are advising people not to travel into or out of an area if it has been categorized as a very high alert level area. This is part of wider measures to help manage the risk of transmission. You can continue to travel into or out of very high alert level areas if you need to for work, education, to access youth services or because of caring responsibilities. If you are a resident in a very high alert level area, we ask you to avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK, except if you need to for work, education or caring responsibilities.

Based on the above Government information and advice for Tier 3 restrictions, travel to Santa Pod Raceway is considered non-essential and should not take place. This applies to both spectators, racers and their pit crew. Santa Pod has been formally requested by Bedford Borough Council to cancel all tickets sold to all persons living in a Tier 3 area. Please DO NOT purchase tickets if you are in, or will be in a Tier 3 area by the time of the event.

Covid-19 Tier 2 Area Info:

We are required by our Local Authority to remind customers of current government guidance for people within a Tier 2 area:

• You must not socialize with anybody outside of your household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place you can continue to travel to venues or amenities that are open, for work or to access education, but should look to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible
• In addition, Government advice states further: You may continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, for work, voluntary, charitable or youth services, or to access education, within a high alert level area, but you should and aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible. You can still go on holiday outside of high alert level areas, but you must only do this with people in your household or support bubble.

All those attending events must abide by Santa Pods Social Distancing, Hygiene and Safety Measures at all times.

Based on the Government information and advice for Tier 2 restrictions, travel to Santa Pod Raceway is not for work, voluntary, charitable or youth services, or to access education. Therefore spectators, racers and their pit crews should consider the above information and determine if it is appropriate to attend the event. Santa Pod has been formally requested to provide this advice to all ticket holders living in a Tier 2 area and offer to cancel any tickets, providing a full credit to account to all persons living in a Tier 2 area if they determine it is not appropriate to attend the event.

If you do not deem it appropriate to attend, please do not purchase a ticket for this event.

We apologize for the inconvenience and hope that you can appreciate the need to comply with these instructions not just for Santa Pod, but the whole Country.

Rule of Six

The latest Government announcement states that from Monday 14th September, you must not meet with people from other households socially in groups of more than 6. This will apply indoors and outdoors, including in private homes. This change will simplify and clarify the rules on social gatherings, so they are easier to understand and easier for the police to enforce.

As a COVID-19 Secure venue, Santa Pod Raceway as a venue can still host larger numbers in total but groups of up to 6 must not mix or form larger groups anywhere on site, this includes camping also. This rule will not apply to individual households or support bubbles of more than 6 who will still be able to gather together. From Monday, this limit will be enforceable in law.

Please do not expect to set up a campsite consisting of more than 6 people (including children), this will not be allowed; in order to safeguard the continuation of camping at Santa Pod, we ask you to adhere strictly to the rules. Authorities can now close venues that are breaking the rules. Fines will be in place for venues who are not complying.

Visitor Areas

• The Group of Six rules apply to all visitor accessible areas - Spectator Grandstand and Spectator Banking, Bar/Catering areas, Pod Pub Garden, Café/Shop and Show & Shine area.
• A distance of 1 metre must be maintained between you and any other person not from the same household as you.

Campsites

The maximum number of people (including children) allowed on a camping pitch is six, no exceptions. This is a legal requirement; Santa Pod Raceway must enforce this or we will fall foul of the Local Authority. Do not expect to camp in groups larger than six, it will not be allowed -  NO EXCEPTIONS!

• If all members of the group are from the same household, no further restrictions within the group apply.
• If the group of six is made up from multiple households then social distancing rules of 1 metre must apply between the households within the group of six.
• Your camping pitch will be set out accordingly.
• Individuals from different households may not share a tent or caravan/motorhome.
• Please listen to the campsite marshals and be patient, placement may take a little longer due to these new rules.

Race Pits

• The Group of Six rule applies in the pits. The maximum number of people (including children) allowed in a pit space is six - no exceptions. This is a legal requirement; we must enforce this or SPR will fall foul of the Local Authority. Do not expect to pit in groups larger than six, it will not be allowed, NO EXCEPTIONS!

• Groups of six: If all members of the group are from the same household, no further restrictions within the group apply. If the group of six is made up from multiple households then social distancing rules of 1 metre apply between the households within the group of six. Where 1 metre distance cannot be kept facemasks must be worn.

If You Cannot Comply With These New Rules Please Do Not Come!

COVID-19 Safety

The safety and welfare of racegoers, participants and our staff is our highest priority and we have been working hard to ensure our site is Covid secure. New hygiene, social distancing and safety measures have been introduced around site in line with Government guidance.

Limited Capacity

To allow for social distancing, we are limiting the number of tickets available each day on a first-come, first served basis. All tickets and sign-on procedures will be Pre-Booking Only.

Social Distancing, Hygiene and Safety Measures:

Before You Arrive

• We politely request that you do not attend if you or your household start displaying any of the symptoms associated with Covid-19 prior to the event. The main symptoms are: a high temperature, a new continuous cough and/or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. (www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/)
• We encourage all participants (RWYB, DWYB, Racers & Crew) to bring their own first aid kits where possible for minor injuries.
• Ensure you have your tickets ready either printed off or on your phone prior to leaving for the event.
• Please be ready to pay for items on site from our catering units, bar and Pod Shop with contactless card payment rather than cash.

On Arrival

• The pits will be marked out to allow for social distancing between each pit bay to include race car and/or trailer only. We ask you stay within the marked pit bay and take any instruction given by the pit marshal and security. Additional parking will be available for Crew.

On Site

• Hand Sanitiser stations will be at key locations around site. We ask you uphold the highest possible hygiene standards with regular hand washing or use of hand sanitiser. 
• Please adhere to the social distancing guidelines when moving around site, viewing the track and when queuing for the Sign On Office, Toilets, Catering Units, Bar and Pod Shop. Please pay attention to markers and signs which will be clearly visible at all key locations for your safety.
• For Weekend Ticket holders camping is available.

Please be Aware! Important Covid Camping Information

We are delighted to be able to offer you camping facilities for events HOWEVER, in order to safeguard the continuation of camping at Santa Pod, we ask you to adhere strictly to the following rules!

Current GOVERNMENT guidelines state that you cannot stay overnight away from your home with members of more than one other household (your support bubble counts as one household.)
Therefore, PLEASE follow the instructions of our stewards – these are challenging times – let’s not make their job more difficult!

• You will be allocated a camping pitch on arrival according to our new Covid-secure campsite regulations.
• Large group pitches WILL NOT be allowed, No more than 6 people (including children).
• You should take care to limit your interactions with anyone outside of your group and you should continue to maintain social distancing from those that you do not live with.
• Please use our extra wide roadways to get to other places on site – DO NOT stray into the camping areas of our other visitors.
• Remember your campsite manners and refrain from playing loud music or causing any kind of disturbance that may antagonise your neighbours or cause an unnecessary gathering of people and our stewards. The safety of our staff is important too.
• Abusive or threatening behaviour towards our staff or other visitors WILL NOT be tolerated and may result in an end to your stay and future visits.
• Keep your pitch clean and tidy and use the bin bags we give you to clear up before you leave!

If you have any campsite concerns during your stay then please contact any nearby steward/member of security OR call the Security Team on 07795(672170).

Failure to follow requests and instructions may result in removal from site!

COVID-19 - Tickets

Unfortunately due to Coronavirus and in line with Government Guidelines we have been forced to suspend some scheduled events at Santa Pod Raceway in 2020. Therefore ticket holders will receive a full credit to your Santa Pod Ticket Shop account equal to exactly what you’ve already paid, which can be redeemed against any Santa Pod Raceway event within the next 24 months. This will be added to your account and contrary to our standard terms and conditions, this credit will be available for 24 months instead of the standard 12 AND include any booking and postage fees that you’ve paid.

We are operating with a reduced workforce like so many other businesses causing a significant delay in our normal administration processes but we will be in touch with all our visitors as soon as we have more information to share. We are also trying hard to instigate a few more bells and whistles on our ticketing platform to make some of the admin quicker and more efficient for us all. Bear with us, while we work through all the communications, enquiries and requests from our customers – we’re dealing with everything as quickly as possible but it’s not easy.

Rest assured that we will get around to you!

In the meantime, we will keep you updated via our website, newsletters and social media.

Once again, thank you for your understanding during these very challenging circumstances.

"If ever there was ever a time when Santa Pod needed your support, it is now. We are asking you help us through this crisis by accepting the full credit values that we will be offering to every single one of our customers who have purchased advance tickets to affected events. On behalf of Santa Pod Raceway and all the staff I would like to thank you for all the support we have had over the past decades and sincerely hope we can count on your support. Help us to get through this - and in return we will continue to bring you the most exciting events in motorsport and entertainment in the UK." - CEO - Keith Bartlett