Conference terri::cars_uk

    Couldn't this topic be used to notify any CARS_UK readers of any
    forthcoming events - as it's title implies...
    
    The recently-mentioned event at Brands (Kit Car race?) could be
    included, plus any others that readers may be attending, either
    in a spectating or a competing role.
    
    How about the Lombard RAC Rally, Brands Hatch Rallycross etc. etc.
    

    Re 115.3
    
    21st of October
    
    It's a Sunday, but WHERE ???
    
    
    Sounds like an interesting event, going by the classes listed, but
    as I am an 'ignoramus' regarding racing, tell me - what is 'Group K' ?
    
    Is this what the line below explained 'Lotus + road-going', or not ?
    
    Tell me more,
    
    		John Rutter
    

    
    Correction to the date of the Silverstone Meeting - 
       
              its on Saturday 20th October!
    
    (Bit bad when the competitors don't know when they are supposed to be
    there! :-)

    The Motaquip British Rallycross Grand Prix is on this weekend.
    
    Dec 1st/2nd, at Brands Hatch (of course).
    
    Saturday, scrutineering	8:00 - 10:45
              practice		9:30 - 11:15
              heats/races	12:15 --> 15:15
    
    Sunday, scrutineering	9:00 - 10:00
            practice		10:00 - 10:45
            heats/races		11:40 --> 15:05
    
    There is more action on Sunday (than Saturday), it is usually
    an event well worth seeing (unless the fog comes down again).
    
    Cars competing will range from RS200's, 205 T16, down to Lada Samara...
    
    Above information from today's Motoring News.
    
    J.R.

    It has been mentioned in another note, that there is a National Rally
    in/around Bournemouth this Saturday.  This is the only chance to see
    the 'big boys' with their 'toys' in the South, so if you are at all
    interested in rallying, you really ought to go.
    
    Reason for this note - I would like to know if anyone has any more
    details than has already been posted, such as Stage Times/Locations.
    I know the rally covers a fairly large area, so I would like to know
    whereabouts the event will be in both the morning and the afternoon.
    
    J.R.
    
    PS - I'll be there

    
    John,
    
    The rally starts at 8 AM in the morning at Bournemouth Pavilion and 
    the first stage is through the Winter Gardens behind the Pavillion.
    
    At about 10 O'Clock there is a pair of stages in the forests north of 
    Ringwood. If previous years are anything to go by the event will be
    signposted, or failing that follow the cars covered in numbers!
    
    There are stages in the Wareham area later with the finish in
    Bournemouth. Unlike previous years there don't appear to be any
    afternoon stages in the Ringwood forest.
    
    If anyone has a Motoring News to hand perhaps they could enter the
    brief schedule which appears in there.
    
    Thanks,
    
    	Mark

    Well, I went along to see this event in the Forests.  My conclusion :
    
    Rallying is not as impressive as it used to be (blame Group A).
    
    
    The [front-running] Celica's and Cosworths were certainly fast,
    but they didn't always _look it_.  This is down to the fact that
    a smooth line is more effective and rear-wheel drive is dead
    (in rallying circles).  I can't believe that the drivers weren't
    really trying, this was a National level event.
    
    Any chance of posting the winning team/car - if anyone knows it ?
    
    Only one Lancia in the event (shame), and one Galant.
    Rest of the entry seemed to be the vehicles above as top-seeded
    cars, with Astra's, Nova's, Peugeot's and Golf's filling almost
    all of the rest of the field.
    
    Main 'fun' recollection was seeing a Yugo in the event, which appeared
    to be going quite well indeed.  Do these have a Fiat-based engine, it
    certainly revved well ?  Good luck to the crew, they deserve anything
    they get !  Always like to see something 'different' in use...
    
    After "Surprising Skoda", what adjective can you use for Yugo's ???
    
    J.R.

    For anyone who may be interested, events on Santa Pod calendar :-
    
    	Mar 16/17	Season Opener
    	Mar 29-1	Easter Thunderball (televised)
    
    	April 13	Italian Supercar Sprint and Show
    	April 20/21	VW Spring Championships
    	April 27/28	CC Saturday Night Special
    
    	May 4-6		Spring Nationals
    	May 11/12	CC Saturday Night Special
    	May 25-27	Main Event (televised)
    
    	June 1		Summer Super Car Challenge
    	June 8/9	Rod & Custom Summer Picnic
    	June 16		The Caring and Sharing Classic Car Challenge
    	June 22/23	Bug Jam
    	June 30		Street Machine's Hot Sunday
    
    	July 5-7	The Cannonball (televised)
    	July 13		Italian Supercar Sprint and Show
    	July 20/21	VW Bash
    	July 27/28	Street Bike Racing
    
    	Aug 3/4		Ford Festival
    	Aug 11		Street Machine's Hot Sunday & Mini Truck Racing
    	Aug 17/18	Big Truck Drag Racing
    	Aug 24-26	Summer Nationals (televised)
    	Aug 31/1	Open Drag Racing
    
    	Sept 7/8	CC Saturday Night Special
    	Sept 15		Street Machine's Hot Sunday
    	Sept 21/22	International Doorslammers
    	Sept 27-29	Santa Pod World Finals (televised)
    
    	Oct 5		Autumn Supercar Challenge
    	Oct 12/13	CC Saturday Night Special
    	Oct 26/27	Bug It
    
    	Nov 2/3		Fireworks Spectacular

    
    There's racing at Thruxton this weekend.
    
    MGs and Production saloons are the main features with some minor
    races to support.
    
    Mark

    I received a leaflet from Brands yesterday which had details of a
    race meeting in July which included Saloons, CRX's, Porsches, TVR's
    and some form of Group C racers.  I think it was on the 28th.
    
    Looks like a good, varied, meeting - anyone going  ?
    
    
    For another, sooner meeting including lots of different classes of
    racing, I would expect the 'Racefest' meeting on June 29/30 to be
    really good, but I cannot make it for that one.  On that weekend
    there will be races for everything from Karts to Trucks, including
    F3000 and Touring Cars.
    
    For anyone who is not 'into' racing of any particular sort, I would
    have thought that these type of events would be appreciated.  If you
    can get to Brands Hatch easily enough, consider it for a day out...
    
    J.R.

Due to a change in vacation plans, I'll be travelling to the UK in August.
I just received my August copy of C&S but it only lists events up until the
first weekend. The next issue won't be in the US until after I've left.
Sooooo.

Could some kind soul post any race/rally/show events occuring between
16-Aug and 30-Aug. My particular interest is historic/antique events but
almost anything involving 2 or 4 wheel vehicles would be appreciated.

Thanks

    Brands Hatch  	INTERSERIE COUPE 1991
    
    According to the advertising leaflet -
    
    
    Group C1, IMSA, CAN-AM and C2 sports cars
    
    Group N Esso Superlube Saloon Car Races
    
    Honda CRX's
    
    Porsche Supercup
    
    Caterhams
    
    TVR Tuscans
    
    Formula Ford 1600
    
    Formula 3
    
    
    On this weekend - I've no idea what is on each day, but it sounds
    like a fair selection of sports car races.
    
    J.R.

    I have the following dates:
    
    Aug	11	Thruxton	F3000
    	18	Brands		F3000 International round 7      
    	26	Silverstone	F3
    	26	Brands		Touring cars
    Sep	1	Brands		F3
    	1	Donnington	F3000
    	8	Brands?		F3000
    	15	Donnington	F3  +  Touring cars
    	22	Silverstone	F3000
    	22	Thruxton	Touring cars 		
                      
    Anyone got other dates, or updates to these, please enter
                                              

	Watch out for Steve Hampshire driving a blue Sylva Clubman with
	 1600 fiat twin-cam.  He'll have a little yellow square with an
	"X" on it, so be gentle with him...

	Dave

    
    Dave,
    
    So he decided against a Westfield then?
    
    Mark 

	He was looking at the Westfield, the Robin Hood and the Sylva.  He
	felt that the Sylva was more what he wanted.  It certainly looks
	the part, and feels it too.  Very quick but also nimble and light.

	Dave

    
    And Derek DOES brake for Sylvas... :^)
    
    Mark

    
    Errr....
    
    Sitting around with the other cars and drooling over the better ones.
    
    Also, hopefully, picking up some whizzo tips on how to improve my Beast
    for little cost!
    
    Mark
    
    PS Just in case it causes confusing the rally is as in 'the rallying
    cry' rather than 'the RAC rally'. It's just a big meet up.

    		Brands Hatch   30th November / 1st December

    From Autocar magazine (1 July issue) :-
    
    Over 600 Ferraris will be at Silverstone on 25 and 26 July in
    what could be the biggest-ever European gathering of the marque.
    Everything from a 250 GT Lusso to a clutch of F40s will participate
    in races and track displays.  Phone (0993) 882446 for information.
    
    
    I haven't phoned - as this stinking job means I can't go !  :-(
    
    J.R.

    I went and it was excellent. On the Saturday just in front of us they
    interviewed Phil Hill, John Surtees, Jody Schekter, and Stirling Moss
    who all went off and did a few fast laps in an approriate Ferrari.
    
    What a difference from the GP weekend. Instead of "The paddock prison",
    the pits and paddock were completely open. If you stopped and looked at
    a Maserati 250F, a Lotus 33, or whatever, the owner would often come
    over and tell you the car's history and show genuine pleasure at your
    interest.
    
    A memorable sight was Frank Sytner really using a D-type (someone
    else's!) round Woodcote. There were quite a few people prepared to be
    pretty committed about driving some very valuable cars.
    
    Oh, and Ferraris everywhere, even an F40 cruising the paddock.

    
    On my last Club 96 day, at Silverstone, I too saw Sytner in a 'D'
    type. Isn't he harsh? The car was certainly quick, but watching
    from the pit wall you could see a distinct lack of finesse as he
    flung the car through the following right hander. Maybe it was a
    deliberate ploy, but I got the impression that he's not of the
    'feed the car in' school...
    
    William.

    
    More 'the drive into your team-mate' school for anyone who remembers
    him in the BTCC!
    
    We used to dread Sytner at Thruxton, because he usually managed to hold
    up at least one of the qualifying sessions by putting his car in the
    armco! Still, he was mighty quick when he stayed on the black bits!
    
    Mark

    Re -.1 and -.2
    
    Right - "Finesse" certainly isn't a word I'd use in connection with Sytner.
    
    BTW, another person exercising a D quite hard at that meeting was Timo 
    Makkinen (who used to drive one on the circuits during his rally
    career).
    

    Events listed in the Alfa Romeo Owners Club newsletter :-
    
    	Classic Car Action Show, Castle Combe, Saturday 15th August
    	(AROC members may take their car on the track, if arranged
         beforehand, for a small fee)
    
    	South West Alfa Day, Longleat House, Sunday 13th September
    
    	750 M.C. 6 Hour Relay, Saturday 14th November.
    	(anyone interested in forming a team should contact
    	 Ed McDonough on 0604-766645 a.s.a.p.)
    
    	Goodwood Practice Day, Sunday 20th September *** I hope to be there ***
    
    J.R.

	Does anyone know of a classic car or kit car show soon?

	We are thinking of selling the NG, and thought taking it to one of these
	might be a good idea.

	Thanks,
	Heather

    
    I seem to recall seeing that there's an event called the British
    Sportscar show (or something like that) at Longleat this sunday.
    
    There's an event called the biggest MG picnic in the world at
    Brooklands on 11th October.
    
    Mark

	Does anyone know the date of this year's Brighton Sprint ?

	Thanks,

	Ralph.

    
    If anyone's interested, there's a meeting of the Club Marcos
    International Thames Valley Section (Just formed, so I don't know how
    many people are likely to turn up!) at the Swan Pub In Thatcham (by the
    railway station) on Sunday 6th September (This Sunday) at 12 noon.
    
    Rumour has it that Jem and Chris Marsh will be there and some 'exciting
    news' will be announced.
    
    Mark

    
    I hope so too! The distributor network was announced in the last club
    magazine and has been widely reported in the Kit and Classic car press.
    
    My guess? Either a one-make race series OR something to compete with
    the Griffith...
    
    Mark

>    Owners can use the day "just for fun".  I *think* that passengers
>    are permitted in the cars - but could be wrong.
 
	Passengers were allowed last time.

	Heather - who drove and passengered.

>    Must say, I would be concerned about a track full of non-racers (and
>    that would include myself, if I were there), as to the control of

	This is used by kit-car buliders to test cars before putting them
	on the road for any length of time - there are many non-racers, there
	are many cars going about 40-50MPH, and some lunatics.

	There is a max speed limit too.

	The organisers only allow a certain amount of people on the track at
	a time - if you go early and there's not many there, you can get a lot
	more than 5 laps, they'll let you stay there until they get a queue.
	Dave was on for 25 laps, and came off "cause we needed more petrol.

	Although Alans car passed the MOT, they pulled it off for being too
	noisy............

>    'race-track etiquette'.  I suppose that 'pull to the inside' is a
>    simple rule, rather than 'leave the racing line free', since you can
>    be sure there will be many interpretations of 'the racing line'...
 
	As I don't know a racing line from a washing line - nor do many 
	non-racers - then I would think this is a more reasonable way to 
	approach things. 
  
>    Anyone out there planning on going ?
 
	Possible - depending on the weather with our 2-seater.

	Heather

    Re Kit Car Action Day
    
    With a bit of smooth talking, it looks like I will be going to
    Castle Combe on the Friday - Press Day.  Should also be free !!!
    
    Shame I don't have my own car, for unlimited track access.
    
    So, I won't be going on the Saturday.  I will, however, be going
    to Goodwood on the Sunday for an Alfa 'Practice Day' - in my GTV6...
    
    J.R.

    Yes,
    
    I plan to be there, weather permitting, as a spectator. The Kit is
    still a future project temporarily...
    
    & No, I wont be driving my bog-Std Carlton around the track !
    
    TJ

    Well, I went along to Castle Combe on the Friday, where there were
    7 Stratos replicas in attendance.  All claiming to be 'demonstrators'
    for Hawkridge Developments/Transformer Cars.
    
    Pleny of track time, all for free (condition being that the cars had
    to carry 'HF2000' stickers as advertising for Gerry).
    
    The weather started damp, got wet, then got abysmal.  At the very end
    of the day, it improved slightly, with a bit of a dry line appearing
    on the track.
    
    The Transformer Stratos kits present included one Volumex-engined
    version (which did the Mitsubishi - nee Pirelli - Classic Marathon),
    four tuned 2-litre engines (with power outputs between 150 and 200 bhp)
    one version with a Honda/Rover V6 (which sounded 'the business') and
    one other which had the 16-valve Lancia Thema Turbo engine installed.
    
    Gerry turned up with a set of parts that will allow existing owners
    of his kits to convert to the 'HF3000' - of which mine is the first.
    Since there appears to be a great deal of interest in using the 164
    engine/transmission in this kit, he has agreed to charge me much less
    than he might have for the engine mount/gear linkage development  :-)
    
    During the day, I was mainly a passenger in one of the kits, with a
    2-litre engine running a pair of large Dellortos.  The driver was
    quite smooth, using [apparently] the correct line most of the time,
    but he was fairly gentle on braking.  I did go out in the turbo,
    which is painted with a *very bold* Bennetton design.  Later on,
    I actually got to drive a number of laps in another of the 'atmo'
    engined cars.  Even though the track was soaking wet, I found that
    the car behaved surprisingly well.  I await the day that I can take
    my own V6-engined version out on the track...
    
    I also went to Goodwood on Sunday, for which I'll enter a write-up
    later on when I get round to it.  Suffice to say, a great weekend.
    
    J.R.

    Castle Coombe Saturday...
    
     Amuch better day, dry track, good weather, very well attended.
    
     The most prevalent Kits were Lotus 7-types, with more Cobras than you
     could shake a dipstick at. 4 GT40's & 2 Countaches were also there.
    
    As for the cheap tools, there were some very high quality tools 
    available which wre bankrupt stock. 
    
    Tony

    The Alfa Romeo owners club have just sent me their events list for '93.
    Here is a selection :
    
    Sun, April 18th	Brooklands Alfa Day	(good fun last year)
    Sat, May 15th	Goodwood practice day	(Any chance of the Stratos,
    						 J.R. ?)
    Sat, May 29th	Snetterton practice evening
    Sun, June 13th	National Alfa day (Stanford Hall)
    Sat, June 25th	Castle Combe practice day
    Tue, July 13th	Mallory park test day
    Sat, July 31st	Snetterton practice evening
    Sat, Sept 18th	Goodwood practice day
    
    Steve.

    
    Just a quick plug for a couple of upcoming events.
    
    The first is at Loseley Park, near Guildford and is billed as a Classic
    Car Show and Country Fair (which should guarantee something for most
    tastes). Entry is 3.50 for adults and 1.50 for children (but it is for 
    charity - The Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for disabled people) and the
    house (where Loseley Ice Cream comes from!) will also be open. This
    takes place this weekend (24th and 25th July 10 - 6 each day.)
    
    The second is the Classic Car action day at Castle Combe on August 14th
    (which is a Saturday). This event consists of lots of classic cars
    toodling around Castle Coombe at very sedate paces (although the rules
    seem more relevant to a demolition derby!) There should be plenty of
    cars there as many clubs get free entry tickets and there is extensive
    advertising for it in the Classic Car press.
    
    Mark
    

    There's also the Coy's historic festival at Silverstone this weekend.
    I've been to them all and they're excellent (if you like that sort of
    thing). It's a real culture shock after going to the GP to have owners
    who are keen to have you look over their cars in the pits. And some of
    these guys do actually RACE!
    
    I think the two days are the same, except that there is an additional
    historic touring car race on the Sunday.
    
    The recently sold Vanwall is supposed to be racing as well as being
    demonstrated by Moss. Nick Mason is also expecting to race his V16 BRM.

        
        Monday 6th December:  Classic car auction at Blackbushe.
        

    
    Is there going to be any camping there for "weekenders"?
    
    Ta, Richard.

    We had a very entertaining day at Goodwood yesterday, just some of the 
    100+ classic cars and drivers we saw haring up the hill at various 
    speeds were:
    
    	1906? GP FIAT (Got the chest resonating nicely)
    	1935? Alfa Romeo Bimotore (2x2.9L, dumped it's sump in front of us)
    	1937 Mercedes W125 (645 bhp, supercharged 5.6 litre - John Surtees)
    	1950 Alfa Romeo Tipo 158 (Best looker of the day IMHO)
    	1955 Mercedes W196 (Stirling Moss revisiting his first F1 winner)     
    	1958 Vanwall (First constructors champion in 1958)
    	1960 Cooper Indy car (Jack Brabham driving then and now)
    	1962 BRM (Graham Hill's "old faithful")
    	1963 Lotus 25 (From the Clark/Chapman heyday)
    	1973 Tyrrell Matra (Paul Stewart driving Dad's car)
    	1974 Yardley McLaren (Ron Dennis driving - and he was trying)
    	1979? BWM engined F2 (Marc Surer driving his old car to 2nd ftd)
    	1982 Williams 6 wheeler (Jonathan Palmer pushing hard)
    	1985 F1 Ferrari (ex Johansson - driven slowly by rich boy owner)
    	1993 Williams FW15 (ex Hill, driven by the designer, Adrian Newey)    
    	1994 Arrows (Christian Fittipaldi burning rubber)
    	1994 McLaren/Peugeot (Martin Brundle - stunning!)		
    
    Not to mention some great sports cars (many Ferraris back to the 1950 
    and Scuderia Ferrari Alfas from the 30s), plus current supercars like 
    the McLaren GP1 (Palmer really showing off), the Bugatti (used 
    properly), recent Aston Martin (Coulthard wasting rubber) and a Ferrari 
    F40 (dawdling).
    
    All of this was on narrow, cambered roadways in the park, not the race 
    circuit. We were about 20 feet from the road with just the traditional 
    line of straw-bales between us and the "demonstration runs". The old 
    guys like Moss were really trying - he was wearing his old racing gear 
    and drove Aston Martin DBR2, Cooper 500cc, and Mercedes W196 among 
    others. The sight and sound of Brundle coming up the slight incline 
    towards us with the McLaren squirming all over the road under heavy 
    throttle was memorable to say the least! We only worried about the 
    safety aspects afterwards....
    
    At the end of the day, all of the cars were available for (literally) 
    hands-on examination, with no guards or ropes. In particular we were 
    able to look over the two Mercedes (with engines obligingly exposed) and 
    the two Alfas (Bimotore and 158) entirely on our own. We couldn't decide 
    whether to steal the Alfetta, the W125, or the beautiful Vignale bodied 
    1950 Mille Miglia winning Ferrari, so we left empty handed.
    
    It was interesting that Williams, McLaren, and Arrows all brought their 
    F1 transporters, each containing one current car and another from their 
    own collections. People like Patrick Head and Ron Dennis were there, 
    clearly having fun, and also mingling with the masses along with Brundle 
    ("my only chance to get on the top of the podium this year") and Palmer. 
    
    
    
    
    

    >>	1982 Williams 6 wheeler (Jonathan Palmer pushing hard)
    
    Tyrrell did a 6 wheeler, but I didn't know that Williams did.

    
    >    <<< Note 115.67 by AUSSIE::COLE "Phil Cole back in Sydney" >>>
    
    >>>  1982 Williams 6 wheeler (Jonathan Palmer pushing hard)
    
    >Tyrrell did a 6 wheeler, but I didn't know that Williams did.
    
    Yup, I've got a piccie of it somewhere that I took when when I visited 
    the Williams 'Museum'. Williams did it the other way round from Tyrrell 
    (Tyrrell had 4 fronts and 2 rears, Williams had 4 rears and 2 fronts).
    
    POL

	Cars, Cars everywhere. The list in an earlier reply was of
	course only an extract, and apart from those actually taking
	part there were hundreds of other interesting machines spread
	about the place. Even the spectator car parks had a good 
	turnout of classics.

	At one extreme there was some very early stuff - an 1884 steam
	car that struggled up the course and an 1886 Benz on display.
	All of the current supercars were there - that Bugatti is
	ugly and an insult to those elegant machines of the past. If
	I was shopping in that league I'd go for the DB7 Aston and 
	keep the very considerable change.

	I missed the pre-war Mercedes demo run which was a pity, they're
	said to make an impressive noise, but looking at the cars in
	the paddock they (the Mercs) did have an "ahead of their time"
	look about them.

	One particularly interesting car was the Edwardian Itailian
	racer. This had a very short, very tall bonnet, unlike the 
	more normal long ones that characterise the period when 
	engine size was unlimited. I sought it out in the paddock.
	I think it was a Fiat of 1911. It belonged to a soft spoken
	american from Oregon, who appeared to have popped over for
	the event!. This car had a 14 litre 4 cylinder engine - ie
	each cylinder was the size of a current F1 engine. It also 
	had 4 valves/cylinder and overhead camshafts.

	The car Brundle drove was an early season one, without the 
	latest 'safety changes'. Fittipaldis Arrows (no Footwork 
	here!) appeared to be current and a very neatly designed 
	package too, no wonder it's doing so well in the championship.

	Surers effort to get so close to the F1 brigade was probably
	the driving effort of the day.

	In perfect weather the turnout was huge, many many thousands
	including Top Gear. The only poor feature were the numerous
	delays on the track.

	-John

    Re the Williams 6 wheeler
    
    It was developed in the off-season period of 82-83 in the Keke Rosberg
    days, but they just about got it going well when the FIA produced one
    of their instant rule clarifications and banned >4 wheels.
    

    MARCH also had a 6 wheeler.  I think it was around 1979, and numbered
    the 2-4-0.

And don't forget the Ferrari 6 wheeler - double rear wheels.  Not like the 
WIlliams, but like a lorry, two wheels on each side of the axle.  It seemed to 
be more of a joke than anything.

Dave

>   Williams probably had it right. The frontal section of the smaller
>   wheels should have translated into higher speed (less drag). But FISA
>   was there to prevent innovation ...

But the reduced drag was the whole idea behind the Tyrrell 6 wheeler as well.  
They figured with the 10" front tires and wheels, they could hide the front 
wheels completely behind the front wing.  Unfortunately, the car would not 
turn in properly with only 1 set of wheels up front so they had to add the 
second set.

Dave

    In the case of the Tyrrel, the side pods blended the front wheels to
    the back. So, while the area was there, the drag coefficient was
    reduced. It was not possible to do the same with normal size front
    wheels and the front wing. Even so, the front wing was more along the
    lines of a bodywork extension than a wing. (Imagine the front of a
    prototype sports car stuck on the front of the F1 car).
    
    Tyrrell also found they had to match the front tyre diameters (as mounted and
    inflated) to a poofteenth to make the thing handle. 
    
    Also I imagine that they we hassled all the time by Mini drivers 
    wanting to by their old front tyres :).