595 replies to this topic

[arttidesco]

My first visit to Oulton since Damon Hill scrounged a drive in a Colin Bennetts Reynard for the F3000 championship and IIRC Jonathan Palmer bagged the Celebrity Honda CRX !



Late comers missed Bobby Verdon-Roe set a pole time on in his first visit to Oulton in an almost equally long time, does any one know why the #22 did not start the Woodcote Trophy Race ?



Ian Ashley was entertaining as ever until he pulled off at the chicane, I was too busy talking to Barry, Roger & Mallory Dan to notice why exactly ?



Learned about another completely unknown to me F1 car the Lotus 35 Martin, thanks to who ever was responsible for inviting it.



Judy Lyons strategy of opting for intermediates went horribly wrong but she still found time to give members of her fan club the thumbs up



Martini appears to rapidly be coming the sponsor when Gulf fails to deliver the lolly.



Charlie Kemp did his best to make a race of the Martini Trophy.



Driver of the Day IMHO John Minshaw.



Dennis Welsh (?) manhandles his J2 trough Casscades.



#1 Ben Simms lines up his next victim #17 Keith White on his way to victory.



In his second 50 min race of the day Brian White (?) explores the scenic route round Old Hall.



Martin Stretton in the winning Knobbly blasts past David Allen (?) D type.



Mallory Dan's FF2000 driver of the day, which he was instructed should not include most of the front runners was Paul Dukes (in the yellow helmet) who impressed with his drive from the back of the grid to 13th place in Reynard.



For Bjorn



IMHO Car of the day in the Car Park was this nifty Piper which must be handy when passing under level crossing when the barriers are down !

And finally a Surprising Skoda....





















was out for a leisurely Sunday spin. The programme does not mention who the driver is, does anyone in TNF land know ?

Lovely to finally meet Barry Boor, Roger Clark, Mallory Dan, Alan Cox, David Beard and say hi to Phil and Simon whom I expect will be at Mallory tomorrow.

[arttidesco]

Indeed, the Lister won by 28.4 seconds from the Lotus and young Mr Mcintyre would have been a lot closer at the finish if he:
1) Hadn't straight-lined the Knickerbrook chicane - 10 second penalty and
2) Hadn't had to suffer the penalty that all single-driver cars are subject to, in that they have to remain stationary for 45 seconds while the two-driver teams can exit the pits just as quickly as they can execute the changeover - in the case of the winners, about 30 seconds*

*This presupposes that your co-driver is as fleet as you are.

I did not capture it in pixels but Mr Mcintyre might also have finished a little closer had he not paid a visit to the kitty litter at the bottom of Cascades.

Edited by arttidesco, 30 August 2011 - 21:11.

[richie]

Absolutely - I was at Deer Leap and it nearly brought a tear to my eye.Stayed there to get my fix of V8s at close range- Michael Lyons sounded suitably ferocious.

I met Judy Lyons in the paddock around her 3 car F5000 compound and thought it hilarious that in 10 years she's still not improved or got faster. Practice was a farce, going round in 3.16 mins whilst the fastest was 1.39; her average speed 49.40mph ridiculous and downright dangerous, signalling to faster drivers to pass. I could have driven faster myself. An accident waiting to happen and at one stage the commentator remarked she got in someone's way, luckily, without incident. The rest of her family, Frank & Michael were steaming through the field. She shouldn't have been allowed to race.

[Rob Ryder]

I met Judy Lyons in the paddock around her 3 car F5000 compound .....
Practice was a farce, going round in 3.16 mins (2 laps) whilst the fastest was 1.39 (11 laps) ; her average speed 49.40mph ridiculous ....
She shouldn't have been allowed to race.

Mandatory Judy bashing post

I assume that when you met Judy in the paddock you made your feelings known?
No, I thought not !

Rob

[Red Socks]

O.K, I know, it was foggy at the Nurburgring.

Sebring 12 hours would seem to be a candidate Barry.

[Giraffe]

And finally a Surprising Skoda....

It seemed that every time I passed the rally stage, there was said Skoda pointing in the wrong direction. I doubt if he completed a spin-free run all weekend in those conditions! No wonder he didn't want his name in the programme!

[Gav Astill]

Learned about another completely unknown to me F1 car the Lotus 35 Martin, thanks to who ever was responsible for inviting it.

Not a car I was familiar with either. It's a recreation, and the full story is well worth reading at it's own website;
http://www.lotus35ma....com/index.html

[Simon Arron]

I still haven't finished editing my Gold Cup photos - work is a constant impediment - but here are a few...

Bank holiday traffic was busy all the way from M6 junction 20 to Lodge Corner, apparently. Barrie Williams heads the queue.


The John Ure/Patrick Blakeney-Edwards Cooper T24/5 (edited as per Professor Cox's correction, below).


Doctors report a serious outbreak of the 1964 British Saloon Car Championship in Cheshire...


...and it appears to be spreading.


Smoke gets in your eyes: the Paul Chase-Gardener/David Allen XK140.


Ian Ashley sports the latest in fire-resistant gilets.


Michael Lyons in a Lola T400, an example of which Ian Ashley used to race (albeit not in a gilet, if memory serves).


Andy Jones (Singer Tricycle).


Chinooks and crannies: Jay Esterer and a foreboding Cestrian backdrop.

Edited by Simon Arron, 03 September 2011 - 18:44.

[Andrew Kitson]

Good pics SA..meanwhile, at Mallory, pictured here during the rainy lunch break grid line-up of iconic saloons, are former racers of the V8 Chevy Beetle. From left to right: Mick Hill ( who built it of course and had many successes with it ), Mike Wilds who raced it once at Brands ( 1977?) and Doug Niven. Their smiles portray what the day was all about, despite the gloomy weather.

[Alan Cox]

The John Ure/Chris Mann Cooper T24/5.

Actually John Ure/Patrick Blakeney-Edwards, Simon.

[paulsenna1]

Good pics SA..meanwhile, at Mallory, pictured here during the rainy lunch break grid line-up of iconic saloons, are former racers of the V8 Chevy Beetle.

There doesn't appear to be many photos of the Beetle on track at Mallory. In period it was among my favourite super saloons along with Alec Poole's Skoda, the DFVW, Nick Whiting's Escorts and Baby Bertha.

[Alan Cox]

Provisional details for this weekend's Masters meeting at Donington
http://www.themaster...v_Timetable.pdf
http://www.themaster...Garage_Plan.pdf

[Alan Cox]

Martin Stretton in the winning Knobbly blasts past David Allen (?) D type.

Ben Eastick in the D Type. Nice to put a face to the name, Artti.

[Phil Rainford]

There doesn't appear to be many photos of the Beetle on track at Mallory. In period it was among my favourite super saloons along with Alec Poole's Skoda, the DFVW, Nick Whiting's Escorts and Baby Bertha.

One from the Test Day


PAR

[paulsenna1]

One from the Test Day


PAR

Mad, bad and very quick in the hands of Mick Hill and Doug Niven. Thanks!

[Roger Clark]

Sebring 12 hours would seem to be a candidate Barry.

Not to mention Le Mans.

[Phil Rainford]

Not to mention Le Mans.

PAR

[Phil Rainford]

Last lot from me.....







Both Dan Cox and Tim Davies show how to take Lodge in a Lotus Cortina



Michale Wilkinson takes the wide line through Cascades



Tony Wood takes the tight line in his RGS Atlanta



While Rob Hall powers out of Cascades in the Aston Martin DB3



Well you have to try something different now and again

Roll on next year


PAR

[Barry Boor]

I have to admit to being rather disappointed at the Monday offerings at Oulton Park. I recall many, many more F.5000 cars in the Derek Bell Trophy in previous years and I found the rest of the single-seater classes rather samey.

As a certain race sponsor was heard to say during the older sports car race "Is there any paint around that I can watch dry? Let's go for a cuppa."

Of course, better weather would have improved things and I'm sure I'm probably way out on a lonely limb with this criticism but with it being my only day at the races this year I left feeling a tad let down.

[Alan Cox]

Sorry you were disappointed, Barry. I don't know if you were watching a different Woodcote Trophy (the one for earlier sports cars) from me, but the battle for the lead between John Ure and Stephen Bond was gripping stuff, until the pit stops. John led for most of it, but Stephen was at his heels all the way, and even managed to snatch the lead at one point. Neat and tidy with no ill manners. And the E Type race produced a great 4-way battle for the honours with three different leaders. I know Formula Ford is not really your thing, but, again, a great battle for the lead which lasted for the full distance.

[john aston]

I enjoyed it but ..well..it's not got better over the last few years. I remember the exquisite sounding BRM P180 being driven by Flavien Marcais (?) a few years ago and whilst the Lyons 5000 (fils not mere) is wonderful to watch the quality of the fields is fair to middling at best. The S/stone Classic is pre eminent but shame about the track.

[Cirrus]

I found the rest of the single-seater classes rather samey

Samey? SAMEY!!!?

Next time we meet, I'll have to acquiant you with the subtle differences between the Reynard SF78 and SF79 and the Delta T79 and T80.

... we're clearly casting pearls before swine!

Edited by Cirrus, 31 August 2011 - 20:07.

[Barry Boor]

Quite!

[arttidesco]

Thanks for the correction Alan.

Having been to the Silverstone Classic which was twice the price for a one day entrance I felt like Oulton was equally good value for money, half the variety half the quality in depth I left feeling Oulton got it about right, plus at Oulton I felt I had plenty of time to see everything AND spend plenty more time with my new found TNF friends

If I can find a suitably spivy suit and matching hat I hope to be at Goodwood Revival on the Friday I'll be interested to see how that compares with Silverstone Classic and Oulton.

One final thought I went Banger Racing at Mendips Raceway on Bank Holiday Sunday afternoon £11 entry 14 race schedule essentially made up of 3 fields



non contact Juniors,



pretty much anything goes Bangers.





& defensive contact F2.

[Barry Boor]

For goodness sake, Ralph, don't let Kingsley Rob see that first picture. His health is precarious enough as it is!

[retrospeed]

Quite!

Considering the unhelpful weather I was impressed by the spectator turn out at Oulton Park, the atmosphere was more intimate and clubby than Silverstone could ever replicate and the formula of short sharp racing must also help those teams watching their budgets. All in all I rate the meeting a success. Time will tell but my brain says HSCC have got it right, let's judge it by the turnout at Donington next week. Come the end of the season changes will have to be made, there are simply too many meetings and the money is going to run out! Check out the number of race cars for sale or up for auction. Want to buy an E Type?

[richie]

Mandatory Judy bashing post

I assume that when you met Judy in the paddock you made your feelings known?
No, I thought not !

Rob

I hadn't seen the practice times when I saw her. I suppose you think its ok to drive at that pace? At least she's honest about her abilities. She might have her fans but is it safe to hinder other drivers?

[Giraffe]

Sorry to say that the Gold Cup, whilst it will always be a special meeting for me personally, now belongs here.

I have to admit to being rather disappointed at the Monday offerings at Oulton Park. I recall many, many more F.5000 cars in the Derek Bell Trophy in previous years and I found the rest of the single-seater classes rather samey.

As a certain race sponsor was heard to say during the older sports car race "Is there any paint around that I can watch dry? Let's go for a cuppa."

Of course, better weather would have improved things and I'm sure I'm probably way out on a lonely limb with this criticism but with it being my only day at the races this year I left feeling a tad let down.

I enjoyed it but ..well..it's not got better over the last few years. I remember the exquisite sounding BRM P180 being driven by Flavien Marcais (?) a few years ago and whilst the Lyons 5000 (fils not mere) is wonderful to watch the quality of the fields is fair to middling at best. The S/stone Classic is pre eminent but shame about the track.

Thanks for the correction Alan.

Having been to the Silverstone Classic which was twice the price for a one day entrance I felt like Oulton was equally good value for money, half the variety half the quality in depth I left feeling Oulton got it about right, plus at Oulton I felt I had plenty of time to see everything AND spend plenty more time with my new found TNF friends

If I can find a suitably spivy suit and matching hat I hope to be at Goodwood Revival on the Friday I'll be interested to see how that compares with Silverstone Classic and Oulton.

Considering the unhelpful weather I was impressed by the spectator turn out at Oulton Park, the atmosphere was more intimate and clubby than Silverstone could ever replicate and the formula of short sharp racing must also help those teams watching their budgets. All in all I rate the meeting a success. Time will tell but my brain says HSCC have got it right, let's judge it by the turnout at Donington next week. Come the end of the season changes will have to be made, there are simply too many meetings and the money is going to run out! Check out the number of race cars for sale or up for auction. Want to buy an E Type?

The Gold Cup crowd is both very different to a Silverstone crowd and very loyal to the meeting, which has now become just a normal HSCC event spread over two days with a couple of invitation races. My arrival on campsite was delayed by the weather until the Saturday, and the two nights under canvas were simply dreadful not only due to the appalling weather but the need to call Security out to sort our threatening obnoxiously drunk neighbours! The experience was alleviated by two splendid meals in the Red Lion at Little Budworth, the pub in which Paul Hawkins spent his last night, and Ruth Ellis stayed with her racing boyfriend David Blakely who she later shot dead.
As Ralph and Retrospeed say, the HSCC have got it about right, but as a result it is just another of their fine race meetings, and a bit like Barry, I expect a bit more from the Gold Cup. The E-Types were fine but the Martini Trophy field was much thinner than origially anticipated (thank God the later be-winged cars are ballasted or otherwise Burty would by his own admission have lapped the entire field). The two Guards Trophy races were fine, but the DBT race was a bit lightweight as Barry also said.
Somehow, Stirling's presence and the F3 reunion gave last year's meeting a bit of pizzazz and the F5000 reunion the previous year was a bit special, but this year left me cold in more ways than one!

Edited by Giraffe, 01 September 2011 - 10:23.

[Alan Cox]

As John Aston suggests, the Gold Cup really needs one high-profile single-seater race to pay homage to the great history of the event, and which the HGPCA would be well suited to organise each year on the HSCC'c behalf.

[Barry Boor]

What a good idea.

[dwh43scale]

CSCC Mallory 29 August

[richie]

Considering the unhelpful weather I was impressed by the spectator turn out at Oulton Park, the atmosphere was more intimate and clubby than Silverstone could ever replicate and the formula of short sharp racing must also help those teams watching their budgets. All in all I rate the meeting a success. Time will tell but my brain says HSCC have got it right, let's judge it by the turnout at Donington next week. Come the end of the season changes will have to be made, there are simply too many meetings and the money is going to run out! Check out the number of race cars for sale or up for auction. Want to buy an E Type?

It was my first time at Oulton Park and I too was impressed with spectator numbers, even if the weather on Monday was very changeable- for once I came prepared for any conditions and its not too far from West Sussex.

[Alan Cox]

Masters entry list for Donington http://www.themaster...ine_Entries.pdf

[Andrew Kitson]

Masters entry list for Donington http://www.themaster...ine_Entries.pdf

Some good cars there Alan, thanks. I notice some Can-Am cars and the pair of BMW M1s. These were testing at Snett a couple of months ago...huge flame-outs on the overrun, have your camera ready!

[Mallory Dan]

Yes - although according to Ian Titchmarsh I actually work for Armitstead Barnett Financial Services.

Seriously though - thanks to Dan for sposoring our race yet again. My fears of the race being shortened by the 18:30 curfew were unfounded and it was gratifying to see a few hardy spectators staying to the bitter end..

Derek Watling's Girobank Reynard looks fabulous, doesn't it?

Finally, I'm back logged in, after some techy issue a few weeks ago. The reason I didn't get to the podium was that, last year I did do so, and Mr T was very brief and quite curt with 'my' Trophy/Award. I thought this year I'd let him get on with it by himself!

Next year, I'll make sure I am there. And have a shave beforehand. And get to the Curry Night before. And see if I can get any stickers on the cars. And try and order some better weather !!!

[retrospeed]

Try to get 'your' race moved up the programme, before the crowds start drifting away, Dan. I think the podium presentations have to be hurried along because of a packed itinerary and the 6.30pm curfew - the cut-off time arrived this year before Mr T had finished rounding off the meeting. Being last on the running order two years in succession must earn you some Brownie points for next year.

Hi Alan will be at Goodwood only on Friday then down to Angouleme and Circuit des Remparts for Sunday. Surely the better event!

[harbee]

I wonder what effect the appearance of a pre-war Auto-Union or Mercedes would have on the attendance, or a grid of 50's G.P. cars, the V.16 s/ B.R.M.,a Vanwall,? is Oulton getting the cold shoulder?, Or is it me getting old?

[Giraffe]

Entry list for the CER event at the Silverstone Six Hours meeting next Saturday

http://www.classicen...Silverstone.pdf

[Allan Lupton]

Entry list for the CER event at the Silverstone Six Hours meeting next Saturday

http://www.classicen...Silverstone.pdf

Why is it in French?
Is that way of listing countries normal in this class of racing, and if so where's the decode?
Perhaps this post belongs in the Blood Pressure thread.

[Simon Arron]

CER is a French enterprise, part of the Peter Auto classic portfolio.

[Alan Cox]

I wonder what effect the appearance of a pre-war Auto-Union or Mercedes would have on the attendance, or a grid of 50's G.P. cars, the V.16 s/ B.R.M.,a Vanwall,? is Oulton getting the cold shoulder?, Or is it me getting old?

One must remember that the Gold Cup is organised by the HSCC, and the types you mention are not within their normal remit. However, as I have mentioned above, it has invited the HGPCA to provide grids at Gold Cup meetings in the recent past and as it still does at the Silverstone Classic, along with Grand Prix Masters. Pre-war and early post-war Grand Prix has very much fallen out of favour with organisers over recent years as it doesn't seem to be as much of a draw as many of us here would like to think it is.

I have to say that the appearance of another works replica Auto-Union driven relatively slowly in yet another demonstration wouldn't get me out of bed early

[Phil Rainford]

Bet a mid -1980s Champion of Oulton Formula Ford race would get you out of bed though Alan....mind you not too sure Mr Booth would fit in a FF1600 car these days?


PAR

[Gatmo]

Bet a mid -1980s Champion of Oulton Formula Ford race would get you out of bed though Alan....mind you not too sure Mr Booth would fit in a FF1600 car these days?


PAR

Here's some vintage Butcher Booth trackcraft, Perry McCarthy on the receiving end here.



Another old Oulton clip here, Eric Pennington's mother and father of a shunt at Knickerbrook.....

Edited by Gatmo, 03 September 2011 - 13:05.

[D_M_J]

Only managed to get to the Gold Cup for the Monday this year, didn't feel quite the same as a one day visit, and kept nearly walking back to the campsite.

Didn't get as many photos as normal either, but its still taken long enough to sort them (work getting in the way). Just a few here as there's so many great shots over the last page or two...

Barrie Williams over Hill Top


Had to include the E-type Challenge


Greenery, sunshine, threatening clouds and great racing....


(sorry about the watermarks, but as their on flickr...)


More -HERE- if you haven't had enough.

Cheers,

[Duc-Man]

More -HERE- if you haven't had enough.

Cheers,

Love the paddock shots on the first page. Some awesome pictures there.

[Alan Cox]

Lovely shots in your gallery, David. An excellent website, too.

[elansprint72]

Those of a nervous disposition........................

................................. LOOK AWAY NOW!

[elansprint72]

XKE x 3

[Simon Arron]

Don't have any incriminating snaps of P Taylor wearing shorts as the temperature nudged single figures, but I can confirm that I found lighting conditions similar during the E-type race.

This is one of the 38 participating Minshaws - Alan, I believe.

[elansprint72]

Simon,
Check the archives of Cycling (Cycling Weekly) Magazine- they have shots of my purple knee-caps during the early 70's in Flanders races, damn; it was cold!

As usual there was a whole load of stuff going on at the Gold Cup, apart from the racing. Unfortunately the Air Cadets band' slot coincided with the F5000 race and they were rather drowned out (except when Judy Lyons was passing).