Marham Charity Track Days - 14/15 April

[mgmark]

Although I left RAF Marham last year, they have continued the legacy of the Charity Track Day weekends - the next one is planned for 14th and 15th April 2007. 

They have grown in popularity since the first one and attract everything from classic cars of relatively modest performance to Ferrari Enzos, Porsche Carrera GTs and Lamborghinis, and all shades between.  Bikers have progressively thinned out in number to make it not worthwhile to run sessions for bikes, so all of the sessions for the whole weekend are for cars, and you should have a minimum of 6 x 30 minute sessions of actual track time available on each day.

For those who have been before, you know the drill, although sadly, as I am not based there any longer, I can't offer overnight accommodation and cheap beer as part of the deal, but it still represents either a day or whole weekend of sheer fun on the track.   

For those who have not been before, the event has a marvellous common sense approach, a safe environment, and a proper "club" atmosphere to it, and represents the best value track day you'll find anywhere, with every penny of your entry fee going to very worthwhile charities

The track uses a combination of the airfield's main runway and taxiways resulting in a track that is around 4 miles long consisting of wide, smooth tarmac and concrete with lots of safe run offs – there will be approx 1 mile of the main runway in use with many sweeping curves and chicanes along the taxiways to link it all together.

Both days will run from around 9am to 4pm, split into 30-minute sessions.  All the necessary facilities, such as toilets, catering, drinks, marshalling, medical and fire cover to support the event will be on hand, and RAF Marham’s gliding club will be operating for air experience flights.

You will need a helmet, normal seat belts as a minimum, and a fire extinguisher that will need to be secured in the car (that doesn't mean a plumbed in system).  Race suits are not needed, but natural fibre clothing with full sleeves and legs is to be encouraged. Cars must be road legal with a current MOT or, if a race vehicle, licensed for a current MSA series.   There are no exhaust noise level restrictions for the event.   Sharing a car is OK (i.e. alternating drivers between sessions) and drivers are allowed to carry one passenger, but they must also comply with regard to helmet, clothing etc and be over 16 years of age. 

The entry fee is per car entered, not per driver but all drivers and passengers will need to sign a disclaimer.  Spectating is not a possibility, but individuals coming to "assist" someone who is driving as a helper/mechanic is possible.  The reason for this is quite simple - the event insurance premiums and Health & Safety requirements go through the roof astronomically otherwise, so by restricting it to participants and assistants, it makes the event manageable, safer, more relaxed and enjoyable and importantly keeps the cost down to you.

The price is £60 per day or £100 for the whole weekend with every penny going to charity.   RAF Marham are expecting a high number of participants, so it is advisable to get your name down early and confirmed - once they have all attendees’ details, payment information will be posted and prior payment is highly recommended to speed up the overall process.   RAF Marham is a front line operational RAF station and as such, any operational commitments on the 14th or 15th April would lead to the day or weekend being cancelled.   Whilst this is very unlikely, if it occurs, then prior notice will be given and any money paid up front would be fully reimbursed.

For security reasons, details of every person entering the station, including all passengers, must be provided in advance. To this end, the following details of drivers and assistants/helpers are needed by 16 Mar 07.   The details required are listed below and will be held in the strictest of confidence:

Full Name
Address
Contact Telephone Number
Contact E-mail address.
Date of Birth
Place of Birth
Passport No. (if possible)
Car make, model and registration of the car taking part, plus any additional cars brought by assistants/helpers and those of the towing vehicle if the car is trailered to the event)

Anyone arriving on the day that has not submitted their details will not be allowed entry to the Station.   Details submitted after 16 March will not be guaranteed a place.

I am happy to co-ordinate on behalf of CA members, so for those interested, please can you send them to me by PM, and I will colllate and submit them to RAF Marham in the format they want.

Don't forget it's all for charity and is massively enjoyable!

MG Mark

[rcutler]

Right first of all this needs bumping back to Page 1!

I plan to attend and at the moment have a nice list of cars to bring along

Ford Escort Series 1 RS Turbo, just rebuilt designed for the track
Sierra Cosworth, Running about 450Bhp from time to time 
BMW 325i Motorsport
Nissan Skyline, hopefully rebuilt running over 750Bhp!
Nissan Pulsar, hopefully rebuilt again running around 300Bhp.

We will probably stay in hotel in Kings Lynn unless other places can be recommended. All the cars will run both days if they are up to it! One of the drivers has his birthday on Friday so Friday night should be good party.

I have enjoyed the event both times I have been (even if the car I was passenger in didn't take to day one very well on the second trackday). I would stongly recommend going if you have not had the opportunity to try out your car legally.

[mgmark]

Rick,

        Thanks - the list sounds good and the sooner you can PM the details to me to pass on to him, the more chance of getting guaranteed places.  For accommodation, I can recommend the link below - the place does accommodation and good food at sensible rates - and it's only about 2 or 3 miles from the entrance to Marham.

http://www.timbershotel.co.uk/

MG Mark

[BigH]

Another great effort Mark,
And if anyone is in any doubt, let me tell you it's a fabbo weekend. Anyone going will learn a lot, even if it's only just how those girls in uniform get the stocking seam straight at the back.
If you consider yourself a petrolhead, get on down there.
Oh, Mark, I've nominated yourself to be charge of unguents during my two wheeled escapade, simply on the basis that it was you who re-introduced me to the word (unguents, that is, not God) during the last track day...
H

[mgmark]

Another great effort Mark,
And if anyone is in any doubt, let me tell you it's a fabbo weekend. Anyone going will learn a lot, even if it's only just how those girls in uniform get the stocking seam straight at the back.
If you consider yourself a petrolhead, get on down there.
Oh, Mark, I've nominated yourself to be charge of unguents during my two wheeled escapade, simply on the basis that it was you who re-introduced me to the word (unguents, that is, not God) during the last track day...
H

H - many thanks for the words of support for the Track Day.  And the very best of good fortune with the two-wheeled escapade (you mad sod). 

Now then, about this being in charge of your unguents - I am duly honoured.  But we do need to get one thing straight from the outset - I am quite content to do the procurement, supply and re-stocking to the front line of the said unguents, but I do trust that you will have some tasty maiden on hand for the extreme unction application phase - that really would be quite un-officerlike.....

MG Mark

[garyfrogeye]

I have today purchased a full face crash helmet (open top car you see) and a cotton racing thong . So I think I'm fully sorted for Marham on the 14th.
See you there.

[mgmark]

For those who sent me their details, I have forwarded you the event details today to you separately.  I do hope that you enjoy the enormous fun you will have thrashing around the track.

For those who have not, I'm afraid it's too late now as a) its too late to get the necessary personal details checked and b) the event is fully subscribed.

All the best,

MG Mark

[Perdu]

Mark deepest apologies to you and Gary.

My engine has been  having a few "issues" lately so I am not able to join you, Gary and the boys and girls (you are going aren't you?)

I hope the charities do well from this year's events and I fully expect that with a slightly (even more) sorted engine next year I can give those Scoobies a better run for their money.

OK, OK joke, orroight!

:-)

Bill

[rcutler]

Mark deepest apologies to you and Gary.

My engine has been  having a few "issues" lately so I am not able to join you, Gary and the boys and girls (you are going aren't you?)

I hope the charities do well from this year's events and I fully expect that with a slightly (even more) sorted engine next year I can give those Scoobies a better run for their money.

OK, OK joke, orroight!

:-)

Bill

Sorry to hear about it. Sure we will meet up at the Poo Bar in June. The car is better off resting then being thrashed when not well.

Good luck with the engine and see you soon.

[Robbo SPS]

what are driving then rick ??

[rcutler]

A Canon EOS 400D with a 70-300 IS USM Lens.

Cars that I am travelling up with are:-

Nissan Skyline 1300BHP
Sierra Cosworth 500BHP X2
Nissan Skyline 300BHP
Ford Escort Mk1 Turbo if the bits arrive.

[garyfrogeye]

So you won't quaking in fear by my car's lusty 67BHP then

[TobyAnscombe]

Probably not but when you are up until half midnight swapping wheels and alternator brackets and then seeing life this early to make sure that you get there is a bit much

Hope you all have a great day and don't laugh at garys frog (having seen the entry list!)

[garyfrogeye]

Wow!
A fantastic day.
Although my car was only 1/10th the power of many of the cars there, I bet no one had more fun than me around the twisty bits. Along the straight I was able to have a little snooze but I think I hit 100mph once.
I'm pretty sure that that will be the last time that Toby lends anyone a new set of tyres to get them scrubbed in.
Cheers Toby. I owe you. And a massive thanks to everyone at RAF Marham who gave up their time to organise a fantastic day/Weekend.
Good to meet you Rick.

[garyfrogeye]

Rick,
I hope you had fun driving the canon, any pictures yet as the only ones I have of the day are of my car (with others in the background) sitting in the paddock.
I can't wait for the CD and DVD's