20 years of The Fastlane

[PTRACER]

On the 22nd November 2003, Crasherama.dk (now The-Fastlane.co.uk) was born.

We've undergone many changes in that time and I'm in disbelief the site has managed to hold on for so long. I can't claim that I have done much more than pay the bills and keep the technical side operational, the folks who come here and start/participate in discussions, post images and videos - you guys are the heart and soul of the forum and deserve all the thanks for ensuring this site is still online two decades after it began. So many other sites and forums - many that were bigger than us - have fallen by the wayside. Not only am I grateful for the members who have been with us from the beginning, but I am hugely thankful for those who joined us from other forums in the series of mergers we organised 5/6/7 years ago. I think that has really contributed to our longevity.

I have no idea what is next for this site and I have nothing special planned to commemorate the 20th birthday. So I'm going to open this topic for comments and suggestions.

What do you like about the forum? What don't you like? What do you think should be changed? For example - do you think we have too many sections on the homepage? Do you think we should increase the number of posts from 3 to another number for access to the Crash Photos section? Or maybe lose the requirement entirely? Are there any features you think we should introduce, or perhaps features we have that should be gotten rid of?

I'm open to suggestions on any topic and willing to implement any ideas you suggest. If something doesn't work out, we can always put it back how it was.

Thanks all for the last 20 years

[MonteCristo]

Almost happy birthday The Fastlane! Your baby is all grown up now PT! I think it's graduating forum university .

I wouldn't *change* anything fundamental. It doesn't need sprint races .

The only problem is retaining members, and really I have no idea how to do that. There are a few new ones, but very few stick around. And it's only natural that old-timers drop off (either reduce their posting rate, or leave entirely) over time for a multitude of perfectly natural reasons that no one can change.

Maybe something like a racing league or two (over different games) would help attract some members and keep them around. Maybe upping the minimum posts to like 10 or 15 might help too, I dunno.

[erwin greven]

Almost happy birthday The Fastlane! Your baby is all grown up now PT! I think it's graduating forum university .

I wouldn't *change* anything fundamental. It doesn't need sprint races .

The only problem is retaining members, and really I have no idea how to do that. There are a few new ones, but very few stick around. And it's only natural that old-timers drop off (either reduce their posting rate, or leave entirely) over time for a multitude of perfectly natural reasons that no one can change.

Maybe something like a racing league or two (over different games) would help attract some members and keep them around. Maybe upping the minimum posts to like 10 or 15 might help too, I dunno.

That old ones drop off, it happens. On other forums it is not that different. Thing is that there are so many alternative places. YT, discord, Twitch, fb, twitter. Fans are more spread out.

[erwin greven]

Maybe upping the minimum posts to like 10 or 15 might help too, I dunno.

That would be a very good thing.
When i look to the "new members", i deliberately put this between quotes, they try to get the minimum amount of posts as fast as possible, and after that you never see them back. Now, think about it. How is that possible? I am still convinced that most of them come here to rip the whole Fastlane collections and post them elsewhere. It saves them from doing research, like we did. And it makes our site less special.

I rather see people come here and be a good addition in our discussion topics. Star is one of them. Aty, the same thing.

[DaleJuniorFan]

Thanks for everything, PT!

As far as suggestions, not much besides repairing the CPDB image uploader. Perhaps the perfect Christmas present for the forum?
(Sorry, I've got a ton of photos to upload that are just waiting be posted onto the database, and I feel more comfortable hosting it on our site than some fly-by-night image service).

[Cheeveer]

20 years is an insane amount of time on the interwebs really. Glad to be here! Still remember the day I found the site, was a very happy 16 year old who hadn't even had the internet for a year, to finally have likeminded racefans to talk to.

Here's to 20 more!

[Star]

Maybe upping the minimum posts to like 10 or 15 might help too, I dunno.

That would be a very good thing.
When i look to the "new members", i deliberately put this between quotes, they try to get the minimum amount of posts as fast as possible, and after that you never see them back. Now, think about it. How is that possible? I am still convinced that most of them come here to rip the whole Fastlane collections and post them elsewhere. It saves them from doing research, like we did. And it makes our site less special.

I rather see people come here and be a good addition in our discussion topics. Star is one of them. Aty, the same thing.

Aww, bless you for the mention, it's always nice to be appreciated


A big happy birthday to the forum in a few days. @PTRACER thank you for keeping this place going.

Back when I joined my first F1 forum, in November 2002, things were very different. If you wanted to discuss F1, forums were the only thing you had really in my experience. Social media has grown massively since then and you can interact with so many people and discuss F1 in so many ways now, you can ever interact with the drivers which is something that you could never do back in the day.

For me, what makes a forum is a sense of a shared interest and a group of people who are tolerant of one another and don't start getting personal if they disagree with a different viewpoint. This place has that community feel for me, that's why I've stayed and why I have made a bunch of friends. That is what I consider many of you to be now. I like to have a laugh and enjoy the company of you guys, as much as I enjoy discussing the racing with you.

The Guess The Pole game that @XcraigX runs is important to being here for me. I did almost suggest we had a league in the F1 Fantasy Game so that we could compete in that too. Maybe in 2024 I'll set that up if anyone is interested? https://fantasy.formula1.com/en/how-to-play
I played in one a few years ago and it was fun in my opinion. Let me know if you are up for it

At the moment I can't think of anything else we could do, but I am glad this place is still going for those of us who enjoy this kind of interaction, long may it continue to be the case as well

Of course, as my old mate used to say YMMV (your mileage may vary)

[PTRACER]

Thanks all for the comments!! I have updated the min post count for accessing the Crash Photos section to 10. Moderators - please keep a close eye on spam.

And I'll look into fixing the CPdB photo uploaded this week.

[Microsprinter18]

Thank you for everything.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Happy Birthday Fastlane and many more to come.
Thanks @PTRACER for making it all possible.

Why do I like TFL and keep turning up for more? Well I guess I like the homely community feel and feel comfortable to be amongst those I classify as friends more than acquaintances even though we have never met. Makes it fun to discuss all things motorsport with fellow petrolheads (Am I even allowed to say petrolheads these days?)

Not the biggest forum in the world but out of the many I have been part of both large and small this is where I feel comfortable and find the collective knowledge we all have and pool a bonus.
Long may it continue.

[Star]

Loving our Birthday countdown clock. What happens when it gets to zero? I hope the site doesn't explode or something

Do we get a party?

[Vassago]

20 years! That's quite an anniversary! Hopefully there's 20 more around the corner!

[PTRACER]

Loving our Birthday countdown clock. What happens when it gets to zero? I hope the site doesn't explode or something

Do we get a party?

Well now you've ruined the big birthday surprise

Nothing special planned unfortunately, except to celebrate the fact we're still bloody here. Actually The Fastlane empire has been quietly expanding but not necessary with the benefit of this forum.

[erwin greven]

It is just great to chat and banter about motorsport, without being toxic. And this for some 20 years.

[ReneLotus]

I have been drifting in and out of the forum in the past year and a half, due to work commitments and a new house, but I keep coming back to the forum since this is a place with plenty of knowledgeable people and also interesting points of discussion. Long may it continue!