The BMW Pit Lane Park is descending upon the Trafford Centre in Manchester in July. But not at just any old time in July, the 4th, 5th and 6th. Hmm, sound familiar? That's because it's at the same time as the British Grand Prix.

As an F1 nut, I would love to go to the Park and experience it. I've heard great things, and any opportunity to get closer to the cars, and the team is something I want to be doing. Plus, there's a pit stop challenge, and we all know I can't resist a challenge. It seems like a really fabulous way to spend some time, and I've been wondering when they'd turn up at location I could get to.

Unfortunately, however, I won't be in Manchester during that July weekend. I will be engrossed in that pesky business of actually racing. Which leads me to the point of this post.

Why must teams schedule things at the same time as the Grand Prix?

Now, on the one hand, I can understand the logistics of taking everything to the same country at the same time. On the other hand, the race team and the demo team are completely separate so I don't understand this decision.

If fans are at the race at Silverstone, they won't be at the Pit Lane Park in Manchester. And if they're not at the race, surely they should be watching it somehow? On TV or online? Bernie can't be impressed with BMW trying to steal away his viewing figures, can he?