2008 - Advance interest...

[Paul Thompson 'Hooligan']

Right -

Following Julian's posting re Loton, lets get things started here...

For 2008 let's try to hit the hills in anger, although not literally please (Malc?) ..

We used to have a good field of cars in years past, but as with most things, time moves on, people sell cars, other interests prevail

However, it is quite apparent there is still a lot of interest in driving the 40s competetively, yes, I know its not door-to-door, but once you've tried it, trust me you'll love it.

So, with that in mind, who is up for some friendly competition next year?
Drop your names here, or to me by pm if you prefer, (can't think why though) and lets get some forward planning arranged. If you have any preferred venues, list them too in your post together with any other thoughts/opinions you might have.

Will be great to have as many 40s as possible, but lets keep this open, we are here for fun, so Club members with non 40s will also be more than welcome to play with us too, subject class type + venue and event organiser agreement. (a couple of venues I know of are a bit 'picky' about what they will let enter).

Rules, well we don't have a registered club championship, we keep it friendly, BUT, if opinion is that is what we need, then lets discuss it further. I am fairly sure that we would also then have to provide representation from the club other than drivers, to help with scrutineering / adjudication etc - so to me even non-drivers would be able to be 'actively' involved in the fun... and that being the case - then they should make themselves known here too.

SO - ARE YOU UP FOR IT?????......

 

[Fred/Belgium]

Paul,

One thing that guys accross the channel are certainly interested in is to have Track days where we could enjoy our GT40's.This would not mean racing as such but be able to drive our cars on the British famous tracks (Goodwood,Brands Hatch, Silverstone...) and why not Lydd as this one is an easy access cross channel.
Problem is ensuring dates long enough in advance and make sure we can drive before making the trip (noise issues etc).

Good initiative from you all have to keep it alive !

Rgds
fred

 

[Malcolm]

I wonder how the Prosport would do at a Goodwood sprint? Hmmm, better put me on the interested list.

 

[Ian Anderson]

Next week Tuesday I'm at Gurston for a training day - see how the bug bites but yes I may be interested

Ian

 

[John W]

slightly off topic (well, off forum really).

I'm a member of PostNuke powered Website
The people on there all started with similar cars (Audis generally), and progressed on to a right mix of stuff ranging from race prepared Lotus Exige, to cooper works mini, all the way up to Porsche GT3 RSs and GT2s.

The common theme is enjoying cars at track days throughout europe.
All they do is post up a thread for a given track, date, and a link to the organisers. As people sign up they post to say so. This works even for multi day trips to the ring and Spa.

Maybe the answer is to do similar here by splitting out the track day part from the racing and motorsports events within the motorsport hangout.
If I could see what you guys were up to easier I might manage to get along for a look see a bit more often, and maybe forgo some of the track stuff I do for a few sprints & hill climbs
Just a thought.

 

[Frank Catt]

Paul, good idea to get things started again. Are you limiting this to Hill climbs as we do sprints by choice, and are these going to be GTD club based events whereby the club is invited by other clubs to compete in their events. If so are you going to promote the IOM as I know several people are very keen to return. Secondly there is still a great wish to return to the Goodwood track day of old by a lot of drivers, whatever the pros and cons. Frank

 

[Malcolm]

John, please see my post for the 21st August Track day at Silverstone. Is this what you are after?

As Paul and I were discussing earlier today, whilst sprinting and hillclimbing is not door to door racing, the element of competition does lift it into a new plane over a track day. Give it a try, its given me a buzz for the last 15 years!

 

[Paul Thompson 'Hooligan']

Hi Frank -

The idea is to increase the number of people attending a handful of events, say 8, rather than have 2 or 3 at a dozen or more.

I would want to see both sprints and hillclimbs as it gives a good spread AND I'd like to see new venues. We all have our favourites but there are too many favourites to keep everyone happy, SO, lets pick say 4 or 6 of them, BUT try to add say 1 or 2 new ones.... This is one of the reasons I think a meeting at some point (social) later this year would benefit us. Nothing too serious, perhaps a Sunday lunch somewhere, suitably central, or at least sensible to most of those that commit to compete...

This thread is already generating fresh input - I hope, that was my intention and so the more feedback we get from others, the better.

Rather than just do what the 'die hards' want to do, we should take stock and listen to what prospective competitors would like to see and explore the concept of attracting new competitors. Everyone loves to see the 40s on track, hell at Lydden, the fence viewing line was never more occupied than when the big bangers were hooning around - 3 cars in view on the short circuit at once - very cool!

So - ALL - keep the thread alive... keep posting idea's/thoughts and lets show people what having competetive fun is all about.

Re the trackday, yes, I too would like to see one return, I just will not be part of the organisation again - been there, done that and got thoroughly hacked off with Goodwood's attitude - however, that's another matter so let's keep it for another/new thread.

Finally - Ian - Gurston is a great school - most of the competitors have been through the school and it really is worth doing. The instructors are VERY knowledgeable / helpful and you'll learn a lot. Do pay the little extra to 'take the test' and get some licence signatures - again well worth while. I look forward to hopefully seing you at some event(s) in dure course and beware - You'll be 'HOOKED'!

 

''If so are you going to promote the IOM as I know several people are very keen to return. ''

I am one of them. When I was there I also realised that the luxury hotel and ferry was heavily subsidised by the IOM tourist industry. I also realised that you do not actually have to enter any competitions to take advatage of this. Could we not consider having a club get together there whether you do the competition or not. The roads are quiet, very interesting (its the tt circuit) and it must be the nearest place where there ARE NO SPEED LIMITS!! The best bit was not the competiton but the 20 mile race back to the hotel at the end of the day. It was just a great place to be with lots of other cars there at the same time.

 

[Paul Thompson 'Hooligan']

I agree too Julian (Jon ) - The Isle of Man is.... 'Special'rockonsmile

I'd be up for a return visit, I'm fairly sure I could persuade Roy to go along for another blast too and if not, I'm sure he'd be ok with me using his 40 regardless.

So, subject to 'wifes approval' - I'm up for it... (who am I kidding, Helen is 'one in a million' and is happy for me to do just about anything.... thanks H)

As Julian says, it makes a great 4 or 5 days whether you compete or not and I remember travelling across the island on slicks too - serious fun over the mountain road - so anyone else game?? - add your names here now... Including those who'd like to come along to support/spectate....

ps - before someone pipes up about slicks and public roads, they had been swept as it was during the run-up to the TT - The 40s really do 'blitz' distances...

 

[Frank Catt]

Paul, for Julian read Jon ( Bate )

 

[Paul Thompson 'Hooligan']

Sorry Jon -

Having a blonde moment...

 

Fank and Pole - no worries about my name

John (with a H)

 

[VCC56]

Can't wait to exercise the 40 on the hills and circuits next season, and also glad of the opportunity to run other cars at some of the events. I'd very much like to meet up with everyone and discuss venues etc. I like the idea of having a club meet at IOM, fantastic way to start the season, and a chance to spend some time together over a few days. We just need more people & cars to come along. This year only 3 40's took part and last year only 2! I'm sure we can do better.

 

[JulianBW]

So many Julian's (Common as muck or what!) - please add me to the list for 2008.

For the remainder of 2007 - the war minister and I are off to Loton Park this weekend, AMOC Goodwood next, hopefully Longleat if i get an entry, Brighton Speed trials and St Goerno in France, that is of course if the car / driver dont expire first!

Come on lets have some fun - the more the merrier!

Julian.

 

[Malcolm]

JBW, report back on your feelings on St Georno, not one I know about so would be interested to hear your opinion.

 

[DaveL485]

Hmmm. In my 'usual' circles we very rarely have enough people to attempt organising things like this, unless we involve certain elements of car culture that we'd frankly rather not, ie, the bling crew, chavs and shopping trolley kids.

How would y'all feel about letting lil 'ole me and my co-owning buddy tag along with our Fuego? It's SORT of a kit car (Fuego shell, Renault 21 Turbo running gear) and it DOES have a UN1 tranny (Grasping at straws here lol)
Mag featured 4 times in 3 national magazines, 240BHP, 310LB/FT, 1/4 mile 13sec flat. RAC hillclimb spec approved.

PURLEEEEEEEAAAAAASE? :

 

[Ian Anderson]

Hello All - Especially those who have been down this road before!

If we put together a club event does that mean the cars have to be modified to meet certain specs?

I just got a set of regulations through for the hillclimb school and they are talking a load of stuff to make a road car into a hill climber - so I now ask is there any class that allows non modified cars / no roll cages / no inbuilt fire supression / no timing bars / no slicks etc?

To have a road going car modified could take a long time and a lot of ££££ for a few 40 second blasts up a private road. It would almost make more sense to put it on the full track like Russ in Australia at least the adrenaline buzz lasts about 15 minutes then for a 12 lap race.


Ian

 

[DaveL485]

Hello All - Especially those who have been down this road before!

If we put together a club event does that mean the cars have to be modified to meet certain specs?

I just got a set of regulations through for the hillclimb school and they are talking a load of stuff to make a road car into a hill climber - so I now ask is there any class that allows non modified cars / no roll cages / no inbuilt fire supression / no timing bars / no slicks etc?

To have a road going car modified could take a long time and a lot of ££££ for a few 40 second blasts up a private road. It would almost make more sense to put it on the full track like Russ in Australia at least the adrenaline buzz lasts about 15 minutes then for a 12 lap race.


Ian

Seeing as I just watched a Veyron do a hillclimb, I dont think you need to spec it up to run, but to run competetively in a championship or league you will have to.
I'm sure the spec list is for competition cars only.

 

[Paul Thompson 'Hooligan']

Hi Ian

If you run in a 'road legal' condition, then there is little that is required to compete. You do need a timing strut and helmet and gloves must meet current regulation criteria, but there is little else required providing the car is basically standard. i.e. no slick, treaded road tyres only.

To some extent it depends upon the event organisers and how they set their classes for the event. Provided you meet the required criteria and have and have an MSA licence, then you can come join the fun...epper: