Club Arnage

Right guys and gals – here is an early heads up on an event that would be foolish to miss.   As most of you know, I run my MGA in a tolerably spirited fashion on the annual pilgrimage to Le Mans and at other venues.   I also used to organise an annual rally for the MG Car Club, where we used the main runway at a couple of RAF airfields as part of the event.   I am now stationed at RAF Marham (near Kings Lynn in Norfolk) and have the go ahead to organise a motoring event or two there, with a view to raising funds for some of the good and worthy causes that Marham supports.  

It would be an ideal venue for a track day. ;D ;D  The airfield's main runway is one and a half miles long and over 75 metres wide - dead straight, smooth tarmac - enormous fun driving it and plenty of distance to not only achieve terminal velocity, but to hold it there for as long as the sphincter factor allows as the end of the runway looms! ;D ;D   The aircraft taxiway, which connects the two ends of the runway, is a similar width and surface, and provides a further two and a half miles of uninterrupted tarmac, providing a proper circuit of 4 miles in all. ;D ;D   As a whole, the shape is roughly triangular, but with the width of the runway and taxiway there is ample scope to create everything from sweeping curves to chicanes.        
    
As it is an operational airfield, Marham cannot be used during a weekday.   However at the weekend, exclusive use of the runway and taxiway is the ticket.   The event could be run on a Saturday from, say, 1000 until 1600, or on a Sunday, with sessions of around 30 minutes to cater for different experience levels.   Alternatively, if there was enough interest, it could be run over both days of the same weekend.   In addition, all the necessary facilities, such as toilets, catering, drinks, marshalling and medical cover to support an event would be available.   There are also a couple of other possibilities, with the Station’s kart club opening its doors to visitors (shades of Karting Nord..…), and the chance to visit some of the Station’s aircraft facilities as part of the event.   The event would be organised and run properly, with appropriate public liability cover for participants.

I have interest from the Ferrari Owners Club, the TVR Owners Club and the MG Car Club, but I know that there is a whole load of interesting machinery out there belonging to CA members – and it would be wholly wrong of me not to offer the opportunity to fellow members to gather together and exercise our steeds, classic or modern, in the way that was intended when they were built.

I am sure that an outstanding track day/weekend could be provided, probably for as little as £70 per car or less – incredibly good value when you compare that to commercial track day costs.   I envisage everyone getting a good chunk of the time available – preferably as much as they want and the machinery will stand, but that will depend on how many cars there are in total.   No money needed yet, but what I really need to know now before I commit my time/effort, proceed with any further planning/organising, and provide more detail for the event is quite simply how many CA’ers would be sufficiently interested to go beyond the “great idea” response and actually participate?   Likely timing of the event would be a weekend in September this year, so it is well after Le Mans and summer holidays, and sufficiently good value not to attract any approbation from ‘er indoors.

Please post responses as part of this thread, but please keep the posts on topic and relatively brief at this stage.   Naturally, I am happy to answer questions about the event itself on this thread, but Smokie will be moderating this one so that we don’t have to pick through loads of posts exchanging thoughts/humour etc on the subject – of course the forum wouldn’t be the same without that, so we would be grateful if you wish to exchange thoughts indirectly related to the subject, then please start another thread to provide the entertainment.   All the best for now,

MG Mark
 

Mark, as previously discussed, my East Anglian Cobra Le Mans contingent would be very interested in this.

Hi Mark, I'd be interested to hear more. Will there be a presence from the Caravanners Club?
H

Bobblehat Racing would be up for that too

I'm in, and so are about 15 of my mates too..........any camping available on the site?

Any rules ?

Can i take my motor bike ??

Do you plan to restrict it to participants only, or open it up for specatators too?  Sounds like a great idea.  Will there be camping facilities, or will rooms in the barracks be available for rent?

I'm up for bringing my 1972 Plymouth Cuda over from Jersey, i might know a few more people with similar cars up for something different(as opposed to drag racing that is). Hey but could it be possible to set a 1/4 mile drag strip too, for part of the day, i'd like to see how a ferrari or porche would be like going up against a 33 year old car.

Mark will be along with an answer soon, but CA isn't especially exclusive so I'm sure that priovision can be made for specatators only! I don't have any fancy hardware to try out but I will be there. for one!

Looks like we defiantely need a friendly campsite nearby!!!!  Could be busy!!

I quite fancy giving the 540 a blat, and I'm sure a couple of our group will bring thier more exciting kit along (Morgan Plus 8, Mazda RX8, E-Type Jag, Honda NSX)

Would be most interested in coming along to watch, as my pristine motor vehicle (cough) is currently acting as a large paperweight, and until I extract my digit from my rectum it will remain so.

Interest from here too. As I am likely to replace the trusty Impreza with something else interesting in the next couple of months it would be an ideal opportunity to explore my new steeds' capabilities.

Many thanks for the interest so far - in answer to the questions posed so far:

1)   Not sure that the Caravan Club will be represented…..
2)   For camping, it may be possible on the site itself, but if not, then I will certainly sort out somewhere local
3)   Motor bikes – almost certainly, as I fully expect there will be plenty of interested bikers from RAF Marham, so you won’t be on your own!
4)   Spectators – yes, but as with participants I will need full name/address/vehicle details of who is coming for access to the site.
5)   Barracks accommodation on the site is (unfortunately) very unlikely – for the foreseeable future all our rooms are full/allocated just with personnel at Marham
6)   Quarter mile strip – should be able to manage that as part of the proceedings.   We have a mobile speed trap we can use that should be able to give a terminal speed read-out, and I am sure we can source some timing gear from somewhere

Hope that answers them adequately.   I’m aiming to leave until about the end of January before counting up the interest expressed so that I know how many places I can offer elsewhere (if any) – so for any that have read the thread and are pondering before posting, please don’t leave it too long to ponder - if interest exceeds capacity, to be fair I will aim to allocate spaces on a first come first served basis in line with the order of posting on this thread.  

Take care all and keep the interest bubbling!  All the best for now,

Mark

Mark, sounds fun, be even better if I manage to get the Chim by then, otherwise the MG will still be a good crack!
Put us on the list!!
Cheers
Ian

I would be very interested in this  ;D.  Would it be ok to open it up to the FTO owners club? or are we quite high on numbers as it is?

Just an idea, you could copy what Dream Rides do to raise funds for the appointed charity- punters sign up to take a ride in a car of their choice for say 3 laps, at a fixed price based on the car they choose. A small portion of the cash goes to the owner to cover his fuel etc, and the rest goes to the charity. Get it sponsored by a fuel retailer/ tyre manufacturer / parts supplier or whatever, then if there's enough cars attending that want to giving rides, you may be able to generate some good funds for the charity, get it publicised via the local press, increase spectator/ passenger attendance, and give the drivers good track time access? The only possible complication could be insurance issues?
But then again, you may be dead against the idea.......

hi

as a new member I saw a thread on the Xpowerforums site. I am based at Swanton morley just up the road and would be seriously interested as a MGZT owner (Our side of our airfield has been ruined by no maintenance and tanks driving up & down it.

I would be intrested in coming with my bike certainly be a laugh, and catch up with some fellow ca'ers aswell.

Hi Mark,

Would it be acceptable to bring a certain green van along for hilarity purposes? Alternatively you may wish to use it in an official capacity, say the Clerk of the Course's mobile office. Or how about charity rides around the course for the kiddies?

I'm fitting a new rear wing element and me and Steve Brown are hatching a plot on the engine front....

Oh, and if you want your own radio station broadcasting for the duration( a la Radio Le Mans), with the voices you are already familiar with, please let me know.

Hi all,

          In response to the recent thoughts/questions:

1)   In terms of opening it up to clubs, like the FTO Owners Club, we shall see what we have available nearer the time, but there is obviously going to be an upper limit on total numbers.
2)   Dream Rides, a radio station etc is a great idea, but would open the whole thing up from being essentially a closed event on private land (i.e. open only to drivers and their accompanying passengers) to being a public event - that then leads to massive Health & Safety issues and insurance premiums, control of spectators etc.  Bearing in mind that this is something that wil be organised and run using people's own spare time, it needs to be kept relatively straightforward.
3)   The immortal Commer  :o - of course it is more than welcome  ;D and, indeed, expected.   In light of its venrable status, it might be more appropriate for it to carry out an inaugural opening run, rather than to be used as a pace car or incident vehicle.   Moreover, I would not wish to expose its concours interior to use as a mobile office....  If you want any assistance with rear wing elements, then we do have a few cannibalised Tornados that could offer up a complete wing sweeping mechanism and a pair of supersonic wings for those really high speed runs - now you could mount them the wrong way up for unimaginable downforce or the right way up and go flying.......

All the best for now,

Mark

Thanks for that I'll keep it under my hat for now then.  ;D

Thanks Mark.

The Holbay engine and twin 40 Webbers should liven things up a bit!

Tell me more about swept wing principles, do you think they have a proper application in the light commercial vehicle sector?

Mmmmmm track day/weekend, sounds good to me!!!  ;D

Well i'll be at Marham in May/June surveying all your trees as part of the technical inspections  so sometime then would be ok

We are Team Bud from Norwich and we have a group of appox 10 people who do track days all over the country (we just spent a day at the Top gear test track which is a airfield)we would be very interested to come your day but do we have to wait till September could you not do a early one say April to try it out?  

Sounds like fun , add a 4.5 Cerb' to the list

Rob

Any update on this?  ::)

Hi all,

           By coincidence, I saw the request for an update today, as its the first time I've managed to get the time to log on to the site for a few weeks, and today was the recce visit to Marham by two of the guys from the Ferrari Owners Club (FOC).   Visit went really well and they are very keen to run a day there and anticipate around 50-odd cars from the FOC would turn up ;D   So, looks like we're on for a good time and would have plenty of space for 40+ cars from CA.

            Likely date now, subject to confirmation early next week, is 1/2 October to avoid holidays, other activities at Marham and clashes with other FOC events.   Weather should still be warm enough and reasonable then.   What we will probably be looking at is setting up on the Saturday and running sessions all day Sunday.   Probably/hopefully also running sessions on the Saturday afternoon, for those that wish to cane the nuts off their cars on both days or can only make it there on the Satruday.   As a target cost, we will be aiming for around £65 for the Sunday, for which everyone should get 6 sessions of 30 minutes.   Mandatory Requirements will only be the need to have an adequate lap/diagonal seat belt as a minimum, plus wearing a suitable helmet.    Fire extinguisher recommended but not mandatory.

Will post in more detail later next week once I have confirmed some of the basic details.   All the best for now,

Mark

I've put it in my diary, fingers crossed. ;D

So no Bikes then ??

I hope so I don't think my Ford Ka is an adequte track day tool

Robbo - Although I didn't mention bikes specifically, I will be aiming to include some sessions for bikes, subject to:

1)   I need to get the basics in place first at Marham and with the FOC, particularly with regard to level/type/cost of liability insurance.
2)   There would need to be enough to make it worthwhile giving over session time, as mixed sessions of cars and bikes is pretty much a non-starter - there will doubtless be a number interested from here at Marham itself.

Mark  

Shame, The age old pub chat about whats faster would get another outing.

Although i dont fancy my nice new leathers being dmaged by some old boy in his fiat penis extension !!

Nice new leather hey????

Cheers for the update.  Sounds like it's going to be a good laugh.  I'm up for this definately  ;D

Dear All,

A few further nuggets of info.   The major hurdle of public liability insurance has been sorted.  Participants will be covered for liability for injury to other people and the property/real estate of the airfield.  What your own standard road insurance pollcy will not cover will be damage to yourself and/or your pride and joy.   So, might be worth contacting your insurers to see what they say and/or the likes of Firebond, Peter Best or Adrian Flux Insurance who do one-off cover for track days.  

The dates are definitely set now as 1/2 October; the Ferrari Owners Club will be starting to advertise in their club magazine soon and putting the entry forms etc together.   Once I have those, probably within the next few weeks, I will be able to post them here and confirm any other requirements that need to be met, like payment, the type of helmet you need etc.    

Finally, the course we will be able to use is agreed using well-surfaced, smooth and wide tarmac surfaces - it will be 4 miles in length, running anti-clockwise - with the main runway at 1 3/4 miles long, and a reasonably high entry speed, you will be able to achieve terminal velocity........we should also be able to get timing gear there to provide irrefutable proof.......

All the best for now,

Mark

Good news Mark.

Ohhh - 1 October is my birthday - can i book a nice gentle tour of the circuit in the Commer ?

Fran

Steady Andy!!!!!!!  ;)

Can me and the Mazda Type R come to play as well??  I fancy giving daddy a run for his money in  the MG......

Must get the car delimited first though  ::)

May I just add that anyone considering one-day insurance for this type of activity to cover possible accidental damage to their pride and joy should check VERY carefully the actual cover and exclusions.

Quite a few companies specifically exclude events that have timing equipment as this is considered to be 'competition'.

If I'm not too late can you add my name to the list please.

Rob

I would also be very interested if there is still room available for me and the Skyline.

Jon

it sounds like a good idea. i'd bring my alpine renault a110 1600s.

If anyone is interested in 'timing' or similar, i have a mate who is just setting up a track day video thingy, where in he rigs up your motors with camera, ie front facing, driver facing etc and then rigs up a data logger jobby and then records the whole tour(s) and puts it onto CD, it has picture in picture, speed, revs etc like you see on the F1 coverage, all pretty cool.

If there is any interest for a photographer for the day then i am more than up for the task.

Would be interested in coming up for it anyway, might try and get the old man to come down in the TR.

Chris

Is there an ongoing list of those who would like to attend??  or is it simply a matter of getting your name on this thread?

If so, I'm in Z3M Coupe.. will be able to find out if the limiter is set correctly :D

Right, things are now shaping up well after the return from Le Mans.  

The event is definitely ON and the content of my previous posts on the subject about the organisation, facilities, nature/length of track etc hold good.    The Ferrari Owners Club are about to publicise to their members, hence my post now.

The dates are 1 and 2 October 2005, with the aim of running from about 1300-1700 hours on 1 October and 0900-1200 and 1300-1600 hours on 2 October.   Prices likely to be £30-£40 for the Saturday only and is definitely set at £60 for the Sunday only - haven't worked out a discount price for anyone wishing to run on both days yet, but £75 will probably be about right.  

Helmet, fire extinguisher and normal seat belts are required.

The aim on both days will be for sessions lasting about 20 minutes (so 3 sessions in each hour) divided into 3 groupings based on experience/car performance.   That should mean a minimum of 4 sessions for each group on the Saturday and a minimum of 6 sessions on the Sunday.

There will be an open (i.e. uncovered) paddock and a parking area for non-participating vehicles with adjacent buildings providing cover, event control, plenty of refreshments, loos etc.   For those wishing to camp overnight, I will try and come to a good deal with a local site.

What I do need now is some firm details of those that wish to participate and those assisting participants (I am not using the word spectate deliberately - please note the reason from previous posts).   The details I will need to meet site entry requirements are

• Full name, address, date and place of birth of all participants and any others attending as "helpers".
• Vehicle details - Make/Type, colour and registration number of participating vehicle(s), and of any support vehicles.

Without these details in advance, access will not be permitted on the day

Please PM me the details (and whether you are after camping on the Friday and/or Saturday night) so that you don't have to publish them on the site and I undertake not to pass them on to anyone unconnected with the organisation of the event without permission (it is assumed you are happy for me to do to those connected with organising the event).   All the best for now,

MG Mark

I've mailed Mark for the contents of the empty list: it will be corrected asap.

Any space left for a Dutchie? Have to discuss at home though, a Leeds-visit by the rest of my family might be a good combination. Don't think I'll have a vehicle on me then, unless somebody can point out a Cebera-hire company in the neighborhood there somewhere ;D

Ahh well seeing as I dont have seat belts on my bike or afire extinguisher looks like I will not be there. As i have said before the KA is not atrack tool at all

Paddy

A leeds visit? where I am from Leeds.

About half an hour west of Leeds, can't remember the exact town name :-[

By the looks of it I got a green light though. Maybe just the small visit to admire the new born baby and then zoom down again!

Please see update to MGMark's post above and PM him with the required information as soon as possible if you are interested.

I did Smokie, I did.

Is there a maximum on PM's Smokie?

Hmmmm.....dunno!!! We'll find out I guess :)

Only 3 PMs so far since my post asking for definite participants - Paddy NL, Andy A and Snoring Rhino, so unlikely to break the site limit so far!  

MG Mark

Mark, I've e-mailed details of my crowd to you.  Many thanks for arranging this.

Would loved to have brought the Sud up as the season will have finished and I'll have some rubber left over that I havent left on the hill.  Shame its wrong end of the country for me  :-[

Maybe one over the other side of the UK for anyone over this way?  Llandow perhaps?  They have good rates for exclusive hire

Which days are you people doing ?

Both, or just saturday / sunday.

Mark - PM'd.

Will get the bike ready for action  ;D

7 or 8 cobras on Sunday.

Is it possible to bring my go-kart up for a whack round, the kart is 125cc and is as fast as most of the cars there anyways. I have a license and so on. Would be good to see my kart against some of your guys cars because im telling you it would be close. The kart has 0-60 time as qucik as the ferari f430 and can top about 130mph. Sounds stupid but you dont know untill you ask do you.

You normally need lights, especially indicators for track days.  Looks like a fuse or two has blown

I can sort that out but i just need to know so that i can actually get lights and stuff sorted out because that isnt a problem but yeah thanks James

Ladies and Gentlemen,

    We are definitely on for 1/2 October ;D ;D ;D.   As well as a bundle of people from RAF Marham and the Ferrari Owners Club (waiting for full details of participants from them) I also have a Jaguar XJ220, a racing GT40 and a Ford sportscar prototype (I think the successor to the Ford 3-litre) coming.   

Thanks to those of you that have PM'd me with definitive details - so far, that is Steve Brown plus mates, Andy Z, the Wills, Simon Hagger, Fran, Dan Lowe/Rick Cutler and Robbo SPS.   I have PM'd others on this thread who expressed an interest before, but who have not sent me details yet.   for the latter and anyone else interested, I do need - NOW - full details of name(s) address(es), date(s)/place(s) of birth, and vehicle details (type, reg no, colur)  - if I don't have them then, put quite simply, with RAF Marham being an MOD establishment, you will not be allowed entry.

Final costings run out at £30 for the Saturday (minimum 3x20 minute sessions) and £60 for the Sunday (minimum 6 x 20 minute sessions).    Just as a reminder, approved helmets are needed, as are fire extinguishers for cars.   I will post an entry form in the next week, together with other details (like how to get there) which I would like completed and returned to me with the entry fee before the event.   Acceptable payment is only by cheque, made payable to "Service Funds RAF Marham" - I know you trust me all implicitly, but that gives you a little more reassurance of where it is going!   

All the money raised goes towards RAF Marham Charities and Appeals.   This year the Charities are the RAF Benevolent Fund, RAF Marham First Response and the East Anglian Air Ambulance; the appeal is for Marham's fund-raising towards building a swimming pool (in the midst of rural Norfolk, with about 5,000 people we need one!).   

Finally, I will see if I can sort out camping at Marham itself - if not, there is an excellent campsite nearby (Pentney Lakes) - I will let you know what the arrangements are when I am back at work next week.

For those of you who do make it, please remember to check all the usual track day things on your car - tyres, belts, bearings, oil etc etc - before you cane the nuts off your car!

Looking forward to it and keep your fingers crossed for the weather.

MG Mark

Sorry MG, but 1st October both my boys are karting and the 2nd we're at Brands Hatch for the last Formula BMW of the season. So we won't be able to make it.

Shame as I know we were all looking forward to this event.

I hope it all goes well, perhaps it could become an annual event, or has all the organising put you off for ever?

Mark,
I've had a couple of questions passed to me from some of my group who have booked to attend the track day.

I'll raise them via the forum as they may also be relevant to other attendees.

• Is there a noise limit.  If so, what is it, will it be checked and enforced?
• Are we to assume that roll over protection for open cars is not required?  If it is, will a single roll hoop be ok for driver and passenger?
  
• Is a portable fire extinguisher required or do you require a plumbed in system?
• Is there medical cover on site?

Thanks Mark, we've booked good weather, do you require some help with setting up etc?

Steve - No problems - answers as follows.

No specific noise limit - the only limitation is that if particular cars result in complaints on the day then I may have to take action.

Rollover protection not required, assuming car is road legal, although from a personal view, track days without one is inviting injury.

Portable fire extinguisher is fine as long as it is secured inside the car - plumbed in system not required.

Crash and Medical Cover will be provided by a) RAF Marham Fire Section (aside from normal fire training, trained in rescuing aircrew from aircraft, so plenty of relevant skills there) and b) NHS First Response Paramedics with vehicle and 2 crews c) Service personnel trained in basic first aid and d) if they are available and not called out, the East Anglian air ambulance on site - a + b + c are definites - d is a possible.

Glad you have arranged good weather - help always welcome with setting up/clearing down - will be in touch nearer the time

Hope that helps,

MG Mark

Hi Mark thanks for the PM, unfortunatly I will not be able to make it too. Scimmy is not ready-its taking longer than expected! Also I will be with tkm271, as his boys are the racing bit of Bobblehat Racing.

Have fun, was looking forward to see the Commer in full flight!

Mark,

Is the track day still open for entries ?

Mark,
I'm still up for this, although I may have lost the thread a bit. Can you still fit me in?
I have a letter from my doctor saying that I can do more than thirty miles an hour, one from my dentist stating that even forty would be ok, and one from my mother saying that both my doctor and dentist are lying b*stards. To be honest mate, I think I knew that anyway.
I am hoping to have a car also.
H

Sorry for the delay in replying - it is, but only just - need to be quick with the details to me please.

Mark

Weather is looking good - dry, between 56 and 60 degrees. High winds likely though.

I'd better put the sails up as well then.  Should add another 5 mph on the back straight!

What a great weekend!

Beer at £1.11 a pint. B&B and evening meal (steak!) for £11.

And lots of cars.

I went up in a powoered glider, and on landing Steve took me out for one of the sessions. Superb.

Thanks Mark for arranging it, I can't wait for the next one!

I agree absolutely with Smokie.  Lovely to see a few familiar faces and the Commer.  A great weekend all round.  Fantastic weather too - so long as you had your wind proofs with you...  ;)

A big thank you to Steve B for taking me round the track n not frightening me to death!  :o

Also thanks to Mark for all his organisation and hard work, not forgetting his volunteer assistants from the base who all helped to make it safe and successful. 

Fran
XX
 

Just by way of a bonus - I must say the drive from Manchester to Marham was a pleasure too (apart from a tiny stretch of M1) - and how often can you say that!

Oh, and here's the pic you all wanted to see - the infamous Commer outside the Officers Mess at RAF Marham.

and another...

A fantastic weekend and I can only echo what has been said above. Good to see all the CAers and their pals, but especially the wonderfully hospitable MGMark, who I had not previously met; it was a pleasure.

Had a great time on the track and up in the air. The mess bill was unbelievablly low and even Smokie didn't wake me up too often with his snorring and other "nocturnal noises".  ;)

A real hoot and no mistake. Military precision and young women in uniform, what more can you ask for?
It was great to see the usual suspects, and I even think the cars enjoyed it.
Well done Mark, and thanks for all your efforts, brilliantly done!!
And I made a new friend at the local filling station!
H

Chaps and Chapess,

            Thanks for the kind words - the whole weekend went off extremely well, with 2 hours of track action on the Saturday and 4 hours on the Sunday.   I really enjoyed meeting those CAer's I had not seen before (and those I had as well) and the convivial atmosphere of the bar as the drinks flowed on Saturday night - shame the bar couldn't stay open longer but, in hindsight, it was probably as well that it didn't for all sorts of boring practical reasons (like not being pis**ed the next day and hurtling round the track at the same time).   Aside from it all running smoothly and the sight and sounds of some jolly nice machinery, a few of the CA highlights for me were:

The mighty Commer coming into view as it made its stately progress around the perimeter road on arrival and later outside the Officers Mess
The look on faces at the bar prices (just shows you how much the pubs mark up by!)
Dan Lowe's pleasure at finding out that his FTO is not speed restricted
His look of pain on discovering that his tax disc had disappeared down between the dashboard and windscreen, which will probably lead to a removal of the former to find it.   
Andy Z hooting with glee in the MGA
Big H's frequent trips to the local filling station - the Jag's fuel consumption must have been about 1.5mpg based on the number of trips made.
The smile of Smokie's face having been gliding and then jumping straight into Steve's Cobra

I'm sure Rick will chime in soon (but he and Dan have only just left Marham this morning) with details of the video footage that he took over the weekend.   There indeed some classic moments there, including the TVR spinning as it passed the  Cortina estate's exploding windscreen on the Saturday.

More to come no doubt, but a damned fine weekend all round.   Thanks to you for coming and supporting the event, all the best for now,

Mark

The first of the video footage taken by one of the other visitors yesterday.


Haven't been able to watch it yet (work computer doesn;t support wmv files, but enjoy - includes in car footage of the Ultima at 3 miles a minute

Mark

Nice Footage. Look forward to seeing more as other videos (Rick??) become available, and of course Steve Browns pics on Webshots.

Was that Smokie at the start walking towards the Motorised Glider?

And Harry, I thought you might have tried to hold off the Ultima!!!  ;)

Bloody cheek!!!


I tell you, although Ian looks to be a skilled and cunning video man, he failed to edit out the bit where I let the Ultima pass.
If we could see the earlier footage I'm sure it would be obvious that I had the little yellow weasel outgunned in pretty well every department.
Apart from acceleration that is.
And handling.
Oh, and top speed, obviously.
Err, and roadholding of course.
And well, driver skill as well, if I'm honest.
Anyway, I bet he was counting his blessings when that red flag went out.
H

H I'm certain I was in the Jag when that film was shot, so take some of the blame for the ballast. In all honesty, it came past us and was breaking for the corner whilst we were only two thirds of the way down the straight. It really was very fast, but it's a strange line he's taking though that righthander.

H, I like the way you and Dave roared off from Marham ahead of me, and despite my leisurely cruising speed and a petrol stop too, I'm totally baffled how it was only at Stanstead that you managed to catch up. Either it's the mythical powers at work again, or you did you stop for another "Chef's Surprise" by the rolled-up carpet on the A14? Oh and sorry about "doing the shimmy" when I pulled back into the slow lane; the old girl doesn't like the HGV ruts and anyway, the yaw damper's broken.

Andy, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw you up ahead on the M11, I had a short stop for (more!) fuel, and that was it!
It just goes to show that Autoroute is a damned dirty liar and shouldn't be trusted, unless there's more to this than meets the eye. Were those ferret furs and chicken bones I saw in the back, along with candles, shaven coconuts and other Voodoo paraphenalia?
I was laughing to myself for a good half hour after passing you, you had a look on your face which seemed to combine resignation and futility with a stiff upper lip. The grin was a rictus, I'm sure.
Glad you made it back!
H

Arrh yes, what a great day the track day was - and good weather too.

A huge thank you to Mark from all us East Anglian cobra pilots for an excellent day.  We're already looking forward to next year.

Highlights - pretty much all of it really.  Eileen managed to spin the Trans Am and I used a whole oil well of fuel in the Dax.

There were no major engine traumas from our point of view, but Wilby Meadows pumped out probably 2 pints of oil from a blown out valve cover breather cap in his cobra caused by a sudden increase in crankcase pressure (holed piston?) probably, judging from my speeds over the same part of the track, at over 100 mph.
Also, Mark Bright managed to kill his alternator and a turbocharged Nissan 200SX blew a large hole in the side of the engine block due to the contained parts wishing for some fresh air.

Simon Finlay's cobra's under floor exhausts set fire to the passenger footwell and Rick Cutler has some good video footage of him spinning and fishtailing rather dramatically out of a bend.

I've now uploaded the photos I took to Webshots at - http://community.webshots.com/album/467296937uPhexB

Meanwhile, here's a few tasters - these are reduced in size / quality.  For the full size versions, follow the Webshots link.

Part of the East Anglian cobra pit (with CA'ers in the background - Smokie, Andy Z, Fran, Dan Lowe, Rick C)

The Steve Brown cobra and the Big H Jag.

The Big H Jag hard on the heels of Simon's cobra.

Wilby's Chevrolet engine expiring (thanks to Simon Finlay for the photo)

Excellent stuff!   Saw some of Rick's video last night - great stuff to come there.   The Stn photographers have given me some of the sample pictures to have a look at before I go down tomorrow and sift through all of them to make up the photo CD.   As a taster, here's one of Mr Zarse proving that he can survive about the Commer's max speed.......

Idiot - for "about",  read above..........

A great weekend!! Thanks to Mark for all the hard work, putting on a cracking weekend.  Also to everyone there making for bringing that special CA spirit to the event.  It was great to see Mark getting out on track even with all his organising and seeing BigH's Jag being driven the way it was ment to be driven.... flat out! 

It was good to see what the FTO could do... which turned out to be better than expected and surprised a few, including Andy as I practised some late braking going into "the corner at the end of the main straight" (catchy name ;)).

Good to see everyone having a great time, see you all there next time  :)

P.S Still can't find that dam tax disc!!

Here's one of the very quick racing XJS.......

And one that just goes to show that just because you have one...........

Good to see the driver has his foot firmly on the brake peddle.  Will this be in the video?

Mark, who was there from the FOC?

Jack Sears, Peter Everingham plus a whole bundle of other blokes and about 30 Ferraris.......non-FOC was about 45 various jolly nice motors.

MG Mark

Is it April yet????  ::)

I think you've got me hooked on an expensive hobby Mark! (http://www.ftooc.org/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif)

P.S Anyone got a pic of my car going round? I haven't seen one yet.

See the link.

Great weekend had by all.

http://www.rafmarham.co.uk/relations/stories-2005/track-day05.htm

"there was a wide spread of vehicles, ranging from the affordable to the expensive, from the standard to the exotic, and from road-going to pure-bred racers"

Which catergory did the Cortina fall into then?  ;)

Probably "expensive" - particularly if you ask the driver of the unfortunate TVR that was behind him.  ::)

Even at 180 mph that straight seems long...nice work.

Does anyone know who posted FTD?
The XJS looked a bit nippy to me. Brian Stevens the driver is well known in the Jag world, and was probably the most experienced driver there, apart from Mr Sears. He recently posted a FTD at a Jag track day with an XJ220, - building and race prepping jags is his living. Mind you, I was a little concerned when he told me he was having to back off on the long straight, as he's so short sighted he couldn't see the end!
Dan, your motor sounded the DB's and looked to be passing anything in sight, I'm sure that your times must have embarrassed a few of the FOC 'drivers'.
Anyway, it all turned pear shaped, as I received a NIP this morning from a camera I must have sprung. Oh bugger!
H

Cheers H, would have been fun to get on track with the Ferrari posers.... I mean drivers.  ;)

Gutting about your ticket! >:( Hope it's not too bad!

H - not that anyone was timing of course (that would have been against the event rules) but the XJS turned a 2min 21secs over 4 and a bit miles.   Fastest that I know of bar none over the weekend.   As to your indiscretion, aside from you ignoring the end part of the driver's brief, at least it shows that the old girl moves along when at a fioar rate of knots!

MG MArk

Dan,

        Bags of pictures will be on the photo CD which will be ready about Monday to send out, and there's plenty of a certain FTO looking particularly sporty, as well as plenty of pictures of everything else that was there.   Ian Beech has also send me a longer video to go on the CD as well - more stuff in the opening sequence (including Cobras) and a longer stretch of the Ultima.   If I get Rick's stuff in time that will go on it too (if he is happy for that to happen)   Photo CD is a fiver (to the charities) anyone that would like one who hasn't already ordered, please let me know.

MG Mark

I trhink the answer to that one is "shed", even with a nice 2.0 litre Cosworth Turbo in it.   As well as expensive for the TVR.

Mind you I spent a fair time being sympathetic to said TVR driver on the Saturday evening, but my sympathy started to wear thin the longer it went on and I started to think about track day etiquette - 1) If a shed is around - avoid it 2) If it stays around - say something about it 3) If its windscreen explodes and glass goes down the radiator grille and side of the car, and you spin at 130mph, then doing 3 laps leaking coolant before overheating, rather than coming straight in to inspect for damage is a tad naive........ Hey ho - at least that and the biker who injured his shoulder on the Saturday were the only snags of the weekend.

Oh and by the way, I am definitely on for more than one next year - looking at April and late August as the probable times to run them ;D ;D ;D.

MG Mark

Glad to here that Mark!  ;D  I agree with your comments on the TVR/Cortina as I too got a good showering of glass but these things happen on trackdays and I had a great time, all more than worth it!

Oh and today I finally managed to retrieve my tax disc from behind the dash!! (http://www.spacespider.net/emo/happy046.gif)

Mark looks as if I missed a great weekend. B*ggerit!
If you organise another (please, please) I will try to get along. It looked as if you were the only MG representative there, so I would like Lara to come along and join in too...

A quiet unassuming little Midget but quite fun for all that.

Nice one all of you, some great pictures too thanks.

 :D

Dan - Hurrah - presumably without having to dismantle the whole dash to get at it!


Fear not - there will be another.   and there was a nice BGT V8 there keeping the A company..........

MG Mark

I would consider my MG Tractor running and tow the bikes in for more fun ?

Only the passenger air bag, a few air vents and the glove box needed to be removed. I've now bought a new tax disc holder!

Photo CDs now produced and on their way out in the post to those who have ordered them.   Anyone who hasn't and would like a copy, please let me know, send a fiver and I'll pop one in the post to you - features an extended version of Ian Beech's video, plus around 300 hi-res photos from the Saturday sessions and the same number for the Sunday sessions.   All the best,

MG Mark

and here's a few taster pictures - first H's gorgeous Jag being skilfully hustled through a corner (and yes it was H driving it).....

and then the A with Andy Z wondering if breathing is still possible at over twice the terminal speed of the Commer.......

helps if the picture is attached............

and then one of Dan Lowe with Rick Cutler

Great shots.

Don't the older cars always look like they're really shifting?

Not that you weren't, Dan.

I agree, always nice to see the older cars driven how they should be!  :)

Cheers Mark for the photo, looking forward to the CD  ;D

It's that lovely fine line between oversteer and understeer called a four wheel drift ;D ;D ;D.........

MG Mark

I'm camped out by the front door waiting for the CD to arrive  :D.

Hopefully they'll be some shots of the wonderfull tyre smoke from my rear offside tyre every time I rounded the corner at the end of the runway.   8)

Smoke?!!  :o

No thanks Fran, I gave it up! :D