318 replies to this topic

[Twin Window]

Best let the MSA get on with it...

Indeed.

Whilst I was intrigued to hear of the incident, all sides have been voiced enabling conclusions to be drawn.

Back to the photos!

(BTW I can't remember ever being stuck in traffic as bad as it was on the A43 Saturday morning - I too came very close to heading back home.)

[Suzy]

Don't mention the traffic! It took me three and a half hours to get to Silverstone from my home! I live 29 miles from the circuit.

First I had to negotiate the traffic chaos caused by the CLA Game Fair which was being held at Blenheim Palace (4 miles from my house) and the traffic was all being sent via my village and my normal route to Silverstone was closed to all except Game Fair traffic.

But the real upset was caused by sitting on the A43 between Brackley and Silverstone for over two hours! A distance of 6 miles.

I got to the circuit at lunchtime and went to sign on as media. When I asked for my tabard to go trackside they couldn't let me have one because they had run out of tabards! And you cannot go trackside without a tabard. This meant that I couldn't actually do any work for some of the races I was intending to cover. The organisers rang me at 4.30pm to tell me that a tabard was now available so I had to walk all the way back to the Media sign-on place in the car park outside the circuit.

I am afraid I shed a few tears of exhaustion when I got into the SRC for lunch and I'm grateful to my friends there for letting me have a bit of weep, making sure I got a decent lunch after my journey and generally looking after me. Then I got to enjoy a long talk by Desire Wilson which also helped cheer me up. After that I perched myself in the SRC grandstand and watched the racing until the call for the tabard arrived.

[Suzy]

Apologies for the double-post: And I will post some pictures as soon as my home internet connection decides it's going to co-operate with me.

[Giraffe]

A big personal thankyou (& plug!) to TNFer John Ruston, his driver Gareth Burnett & his jolly team of guys & gals of whom I was a guest and really made my weekend for me! Thanks a million chaps!
(Oh, and congratulations on your recently acquired Ford GT40 #1085!)


By giraffe138 at 2011-07-26

By giraffe138 at 2011-07-26

By giraffe138 at 2011-07-26

By giraffe138 at 2011-07-26

Edited by Giraffe, 26 July 2011 - 12:04.

[D-Type]

By giraffe138 at 2011-07-26

By giraffe138 at 2011-07-26

It says Speedster on the side, is that a Speedster wth a hardtop?

I don't know my Porsches too well, am I correct in thinking that a Speedster was a base model, no frills, version of the 365?

[mfd]

Is this Gareth Burnett sitting in the car, Tony?

[Davidson10]

The crowds thronging the grandstands in Mr Giraffe's third photo give the meeting the appearance of a mid-week test session. Were they charging extra for all grandstands?

[Giraffe]

It says Speedster on the side, is that a Speedster wth a hardtop?

I don't know my Porsches too well, am I correct in thinking that a Speedster was a base model, no frills, version of the 365?

The car was entered as a 356 B GT Carrera 2 Duncan but as we now know from John it's a 1954 Speedster with a hardtop as the Carrera wasn't ready

Is this Gareth Burnett sitting in the car, Tony?

No Mike, it's the talented Alex Ames. Gareth is in the first pic standing behind the Alfa next to JR.

Edited by Giraffe, 26 July 2011 - 21:03.

[Giraffe]

The crowds thronging the grandstands in Mr Giraffe's third photo give the meeting the appearance of a mid-week test session. Were they charging extra for all grandstands?

Only selected grandstands were open Stuart. The issue is they have to be Stewarded pro-rata to the number of seats & the organisers won't fork out for that.

Edited by Giraffe, 26 July 2011 - 12:50.

[jcdeleted]

The crowds thronging the grandstands in Mr Giraffe's third photo give the meeting the appearance of a mid-week test session. Were they charging extra for all grandstands?

No, they were not charging extra for the stands. Unfortunately most of the weren't open either! Access all areas??? Not.

[Odseybod]

Only selected grandstands were open Stuart. The issue is they have to be Stewarded pro-rata to the number of seats & the organisers won't fork out for that.

At past Classics, I've had the impression that most people arrive with a car club and concentrate on the club displays, with the racing as an added attraction they might or might not get around to watching. That may be changing slightly but on my bus rides around the perimeter, the only vaguely populated areas were around the old and new start/finish straights, with very few spectators out in the boondocks.

[MrAerodynamicist]

Both the Aintree/Beckets and Village grandstands were all but full on Saturday; both give good views and were easily accessable from the main hive of activity. Other areas such as earth banking on the inside of the run from corpse to maggots, and the Wellingto bridge mounds were also very busy. The area & grandstand opposite the new straights had a few people but then it's on the way to/from the car parking/entrance. The outside Copse area had a few people in it, but again it's easy to access via a tunnel from the old paddock area.

[zakeriath]

Both the Aintree/Beckets and Village grandstands were all but full on Saturday; both give good views and were easily accessable from the main hive of activity. Other areas such as earth banking on the inside of the run from corpse to maggots, and the Wellingto bridge mounds were also very busy. The area & grandstand opposite the new straights had a few people but then it's on the way to/from the car parking/entrance. The outside Copse area had a few people in it, but again it's easy to access via a tunnel from the old paddock area.

That sounds a bit gruesome

Edited by zakeriath, 26 July 2011 - 14:17.

[LotusElise]

Dad and I had terrible trouble getting to the circuit, but once we were in there, didn't know where all the people were. The car parks weren't full - it wasn't clear where all the traffic was actually heading.

Highlights for me were the Group C race (dusk, a proper battle for the win, some of the best sounding cars ever built), HGP from one of the tall new stands (hate to flatter the architects, but the view was good, as were the acoustics) and the performances of Nathan Kinch and others in the Italian trophy. The Osellas walked away with it last year, but the Ferraris put up an excellent fight.

It was also good to see a major accident-free Saturday, and that included Carlos Monteverde in most of the races.

Could have done without the "celeb" race, but it provided a useful gap to go and find a drink and use the loo.

[Suzy]

The "Celebrity" race was painful. I was down at Club for it. Firstly I'd only heard of 2 of the participants. Secondly it seemed to be delayed for ages before it got underway, stopped thanks to a red flag and then there seemed to be more faffing about during the race itself. That woman who reads the traffic news was dreadful and I couldn't help thinking that her performance didn't show the Racing School at Silverstone in a good light either. She was clearly terrified and surely there comes a point where you have to say "Celeb or no celeb - you really should NOT be on the track at all especially with a load more amateurs."

There were plenty of positives from the weekend though: the weather, some excellent racing, some gorgeous cars and I managed to buy a panda that can be either a cuddly toy or a cushion (if you tinker with the velcro that's put in an unfortunate place ). I walked miles too (literally) so I'm hoping that I will see some benefit from that too.

[LotusElise]

That woman who reads the traffic news was dreadful and I couldn't help thinking that her performance didn't show the Racing School at Silverstone in a good light either. She was clearly terrified and surely there comes a point where you have to say "Celeb or no celeb - you really should NOT be on the track at all especially with a load more amateurs."

There were plenty of positives from the weekend though: the weather, some excellent racing, some gorgeous cars and I managed to buy a panda that can be either a cuddly toy or a cushion (if you tinker with the velcro that's put in an unfortunate place ). I walked miles too (literally) so I'm hoping that I will see some benefit from that too.

Dad watched, and said he felt sorry for Sally Traffic.

We noticed that Jason Minshaw and Patrick Watts had renewed their animosity somewhat in the big touring car race, although it didn't come to actual blows. It seems that was saved for the Sunday.

[Bauble]

My snaps from the weekend are now up on the usual site, warts and all.



Taking some dirt!

[Tim Murray]

Only selected grandstands were open Stuart. The issue is they have to be Stewarded pro-rata to the number of seats & the organisers won't fork out for that.

I found it very frustrating that, while the grandstands offering a very boring view of the new start-finish straight were all open, the grandstand at the new Abbey curve remained resolutely shut all weekend.

[Derwent Motorsport]

I see Judy Lyons was actually quicker than Sally "Traffic" but not as quick as the other "celeb" lady Zoe Cole in her Morgan. Mrs Lyons must have to spend more time looking in her mirrors than where she is going. Surely that huge speed differential must be unsafe?

Edited by Derwent Motorsport, 26 July 2011 - 17:41.

[john aston]

THe best viewing I found was to walk towards Club from the Wing -ie on infield - past the new grandstand and via a muddy building site in front of some work in progress buildings. The cars were visible from above - at least enough to get a view clear of bloody fencing- and the fast stuff was v impressive on full noise down to Vale. Not overcrowded- fewer than a dozen others seem to have found the spot. But view from grandstand above pit lane was hopeless - cars on track itself were best part of 60 yards away..

[condor]

Re the Grandstands - Aintree one , seats closest to Becketts was the best. No large TV screen though.
Very poor show re lack of TV screens, grandstand access, toilets etc. It does seem that a small outlay on the TV screens would improve the viewing experience for so many people.

[David Beard]

Good to see Bob Dance in attendance...he's not been well I understand. Here he is talking to my old chum and Oz TNFer Mike Bennett about his Lotus 12 book. The chap on the left is a familiar face but I can't name him.



Rest of mine here: ( I keep adding more)

http://www.flickr.co...147102407/show/

[David McKinney]

Try David Morris

[David Beard]

Try David Morris

Thanks David, that was quick!

[john ruston]

Its a 1954 Speedster with hardtop.

The Carrera was not ready but may be at Spa

We had a decent weekend in old pits.

Two separate race meetings at same circuit on same day?

[arttidesco]

Amongst many exotica I had never seen before was this example which turned out to be from Malvern with a body from Williams & Pritchard, you could have knocked my over with a feather when I found out what it was in Anthony Pritchards Directory of Classic Prototypes and Grand Touring Cars just now

[Bauble]

Amongst many exotica I had never seen before was this example which turned out to be from Malvern with a body from Williams & Pritchard, you could have knocked my over with a feather when I found out what it was in Anthony Pritchards Directory of Classic Prototypes and Grand Touring Cars just now

One of three SLR's made by Lawrence Tune, this example is that of John Emberson, Simon Orebi-Gann in a second example was in the Genrleman Drivers event. The third is raced by Keith Ahlers.



Simon O-G.

Arti,
Look at my web site for examples of all three cars.

Cheers,

Bob

[Allan Lupton]

IIRC there was a TR2 or 3 with an SLR body as well, but perhaps that is now on a Morgan chassis?

[Bauble]

IIRC there was a TR2 or 3 with an SLR body as well, but perhaps that is now on a Morgan chassis?

Yes, there is/was a Truimph version. SLR stood for Sprinzel Lawrence Racing (Or similar) try brakehorsepower.net for details of the cars, it is a forum for Morgan drivers, but they allow anyone to join even me.

You will undoubtedly see all three at the forthcoming Bentley Drivers Club meeting at Silverstone 13/14th August always one of my favourites of the year.

[Allan Lupton]

Yes, there is/was a Truimph version. SLR stood for Sprinzel Lawrence Racing (Or similar) try brakehorsepower.net for details of the cars, it is a forum for Morgan drivers, but they allow anyone to join even me.

You will undoubtedly see all three at the forthcoming Bentley Drivers Club meeting at Silverstone 13/14th August always one of my favourites of the year.

When I used to handicap BDC Silverstone, one Tony Howard raced a Morgan SLR.
I have a photo ( reply 7 on this thread) where there's an SLR on the extreme left which I seem to remember was a Triumph.
Can't post it here as can't be bothered with photo hosting sites, and you may not be able to see it there for all I know.

Edited by Allan Lupton, 27 July 2011 - 09:32.

[garyfrogeye]

I'm in regular contact with John (Sprinzel) of anyone has any particular questions regarding his involvement with the SLR's

[Nev]

It was so surreal to see so many E-Types - they were EVERYWHERE! Adding to the surreal experience was the fact that, as well as the static E-Type displays and the procession, owners were constantly driving round inside the circuit. It all felt a bit like Hitchcocks' ''The Birds''
....

I took some video of the procession:

You Tube

Edited by Nev, 27 July 2011 - 17:59.

[David Lawson]

Yes, there is/was a Truimph version. SLR stood for Sprinzel Lawrence Racing (Or similar) try brakehorsepower.net for details of the cars, it is a forum for Morgan drivers, but they allow anyone to join even me.

You will undoubtedly see all three at the forthcoming Bentley Drivers Club meeting at Silverstone 13/14th August always one of my favourites of the year.

I took this photograph at the 2003 Revival. I can't remember where I got the information from when I titled the picture but I have it as a TR4 SLR



David

[Nev]

I took this photograph at the 2003 Revival. I can't remember where I got the information from when I titled the picture but I have it as a TR4 SLR



David

Out of interest .... did these cars pre-date the Opel GT and E-Type coupe?

Opel GT

[Allan Lupton]

I took this photograph at the 2003 Revival. I can't remember where I got the information from when I titled the picture but I have it as a TR4 SLR

DVLA agrees that it's a TR4 registered 1986, but 1962 manufacture, so that may also be the one in the edge of my photo

[Bauble]

David,
The Reg no. is a clue SAH is for Sid Hurrell the great TR driver of the 50's/60's. I know that many Morgan enthusiasts would like to see all four cars racing together someday.

[Giraffe]

This Daytona of Tim Summers and Mark Donaldson sounded quite glorious during the Itailan Historic Car Cup race on Saturday, and was rather eyecatching if only because it sported a novice's cross on the back!


By giraffe138 at 2011-07-27

[Giraffe]

Simon Hadfield had the briefest of tastes of F1 again on the Friday in Rick Carlino's March 811, and set a stunning laptime


By giraffe138 at 2011-07-27

[Barry Boor]

Particularly remarkable, given that the car never set anything approaching stunning lap times when it was racing in Grands Prix.

[Giraffe]

Particularly remarkable, given that the car never set anything approaching stunning lap times when it was racing in Grands Prix.

Which reflects the gulf in ability between current historic F1 drivers (& no, I'm not referring to Mrs. Lyons inparticular). Having driven the Amon F1 in anger, Simon told me he reckoned he could race that well up the field.

[arttidesco]

Out of interest .... did these cars pre-date the Opel GT and E-Type coupe?

I believe that the Opel GT was presented as a styling exercise in 1965 and the Morgan SLR was on the track in 1964.

Thanks to everyone for info on the Morgan and Triumph SLR's

Ref E-types at one point I looked left ...



and right ...



and got the feeling I was being swarmed by them

Thanks to everyone who brought a classic car to the event

[Graham Gauld]

I believe that the Opel GT was presented as a styling exercise in 1965 and the Morgan SLR was on the track in 1964.

As far as I am aware following conversations with him over thirty years ago the Opel GT was a styling exercise done by Trevor Fiore (Frost) that was turned down by the manufacturer concerned and Trevor then sold the design to Opel for the GT.



Thanks to everyone for info on the Morgan and Triumph SLR's

Ref E-types at one point I looked left ...



and right ...



and got the feeling I was being swarmed by them

Thanks to everyone who brought a classic car to the event

[Graham Gauld]

Sorry this got tied up in another post.



As far as I am aware following conversations with him over thirty years ago the Opel GT was a styling exercise done by Trevor Fiore (Frost) that was turned down by the manufacturer concerned and Trevor then sold the design to Opel for the GT.

[Red Socks]

Particularly remarkable, given that the car never set anything approaching stunning lap times when it was racing in Grands Prix.

IIRC when this car , or its twin, was sold by an English auction house about five years ago it was pointed out that it was basically a copy of a Williams FW07 but build witout all the benefit of lightweight high strength components due to lack of money at the time.
However they claimed, IIRC, that this deficit had now been attended to and the thing was now of comparable quality.
Ah the joy of history.

[NZALPA]

Simon Hadfield had the briefest of tastes of F1 again on the Friday in Rick Carlino's March 811, and set a stunning laptime


By giraffe138 at 2011-07-27

Has anyone a photo of Mark Dwyers March 811

Thank you in anticipation.

[Simon Hadfield]

IIRC when this car , or its twin, was sold by an English auction house about five years ago it was pointed out that it was basically a copy of a Williams FW07 but build witout all the benefit of lightweight high strength components due to lack of money at the time.
However they claimed, IIRC, that this deficit had now been attended to and the thing was now of comparable quality.
Ah the joy of history.

Not this car! It is 40kgs above the weight limit for its period but the big levelers are the removal of the skirt system and 40mm minimum ground clearance, the engines are all much of a muchness and the tyres are all the same. Also remember that we have had 30 years to better understand the differences that existed in the day with damping, set up nuances etc and finally we have time - when these cars ran in period they HAD to be at the next test, next Grand Prix etc and so with a limited budget there was only so much a small team could do. My final point is that copy of a Williams it may have been but the ergonomics of the Williams are in a different league, seating/driving position, gear shift, pedal layout are just so much better and therefore easier to use over a Grand Prix distance - not quite so important over a 25 minute sprint....

[Alan Cox]

My final point is that copy of a Williams it may have been but the ergonomics of the Williams are in a different league, seating/driving position, gear shift, pedal layout are just so much better and therefore easier to use over a Grand Prix distance - not quite so important over a 25 minute sprint....

Were you struggling to fit in the cockpit, Simon? It all looks rather 'snug' and I note that the seat back appears to have been left out..

[Simon Hadfield]

Were you struggling to fit in the cockpit, Simon? It all looks rather 'snug' and I note that the seat back appears to have been left out..

Absolutely, the pedals are all set for Rick who is a fair bit smaller than me and as it was just a couple of laps to be able to discuss ratios etc there was no point in changing everything. Having said that, apart from the rack biting lumps out of my shins it wasn't too bad - as I said to Tony I hadn't driven a ground effect F1 car for some time and you forget just how fabulous they are!

[arttidesco]

Has anyone a photo of Mark Dwyers March 811

Thank you in anticipation.

Speaking of Marches does any one know who was in the #17 Rothmans 821 which does not appear in the programme ?

Like wise thanking you in anticipation.

Edited by arttidesco, 28 July 2011 - 09:49.

[arttidesco]

Not this car! It is 40kgs above the weight limit for its period but the big levelers are the removal of the skirt system and 40mm minimum ground clearance, the engines are all much of a muchness and the tyres are all the same. Also remember that we have had 30 years to better understand the differences that existed in the day with damping, set up nuances etc and finally we have time - when these cars ran in period they HAD to be at the next test, next Grand Prix etc and so with a limited budget there was only so much a small team could do. My final point is that copy of a Williams it may have been but the ergonomics of the Williams are in a different league, seating/driving position, gear shift, pedal layout are just so much better and therefore easier to use over a Grand Prix distance - not quite so important over a 25 minute sprint....

Do these cars still have the hydraulic suspension that caused such a commotion back in the day when the ride heights had to be checked on the way into the pits ?

Interesting observations about the ergonomics Simon, I wonder if this is true of all March cars or just the 811 which IIRC came together rather late in the day after March had been out of the Grand Prix circuit for a year or two ?