Sprinting in the park

After last years trip to Crystal Palace for the sprint, we decided to head back again. Set in the grounds of the park at the site of the massive radio mast like last year it was spilt into several areas. Arriving within a few minutes of The JTBs we set off together, heading down the steps to the classic car show. Not a massive turnout but still a good selection of motors.











Grabbing a breakfast roll we stood by the hairpin to watch a few cars on their first practise lap, the narrow tarmac proving tricky to hang on to at times.





“Excuse me sir, may we have a word!”


Heading through the trees we emerged into the paddock area, set in a clearing in the woods the dappled light filtering through it provided a relaxing setting for some spannering. Once again the quality of cars running was high, from standard road cars to full blown race machines.



The Delta E-4, an electric car built near Silverstone, a mixture of Volvo C30 rear end and McLaren F1 front, all slimmed down in a wind cheating narrow ride.








This Beetle was running a 2.5lt lump and had cooling ducts everywhere.





Former Autosport editor and TV commentator Simon Taylor and the Stovebolt Special.



The Rebuilt Bill McGovern Imp



The very brutal Surtees TS11 F5000, sounded evil and nearly burst my ear drums as I was crouched next to it when they fired it up!





As the second practice runs started we headed for the start line, after a few competitors had left the line we decided the view was too limited so headed round to the straight that leads to the chicane, with a handy lump of stone to elevate me I got some nice shoots over the Armco.









The lunch break provided a chance to refuel and move to higher ground, the terrace area overlooking the run up from the start into the 90° corner and then the run into the chicane.





Disappointment of the day went to the white Delta E-4, it failed to complete a run following some issues with the on/off switch!













As the session ended we upped and moved to the spot we found last year, looking down to the start line and the exit from the chicane.










After a scout around we selected a final viewing area of the day, looking back into the chicane sand along the final straight.









How not to exit the chicane!









And with a final demo run from the Surtees, we were all sprinted out for the day.





Once again the day was a success, some very fast times from committed drivers (35 seconds to cover the 740m course!) fed our need for racing over a bank holiday weekend, luckily the weather held for us too. There are lots more photos here.

Steve.

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Classics at The Mill

After a tough week (well three day week!) at work I was just about to relax on Friday night when I gazed at the calendar, the column where I scribble all the things I might do had something in for today….I’d completely forgotten about the Hants & Berks Motorclub summer meet at Longbridge Mill on the A33. With not enough time to raise any company I set off in the Camper with the words “ I’ll only be an hour or so”

Rolling down the A33 in the cool evening air, window down it was very relaxing, as I pulled into the carpark of the pub there was already quite a gathering so I parked up and set about snapping.









Back at the camper I had a natter to a couple of chaps who had been to DATP the previous week. One had a 1973 Devon in the garage mid resto and his kids were keen to explore our van, fun times camping are hopefully not far away from them.



You can’t have a classic car meet without at least one E-Type Jaguar.



Oldest car of the night went to this beautiful 1921 Vauxhall, proper motoring from the dawn of the automobile. Its owner dressed for the occasion in flat cap and string backed gloves!







Most modern car of the night was this 2008 R8 from Audi, 420hp from a silent V8 out back and all mod cons. The difference was staggering.



As people started to head home for the evening a band of club members were busying themselves under the bonnet of club chairman, David Wilsons Jaguar. Ignition issues had caused some under bonnet smoking and by the time I had wandered over various parts were being removed and checked. The coil, distributor cap and electronic ignition module were all suspects.



As the time wore on more people joined and a couple more toolkits were broken open, countless times the 3.4 litre engine was cranked but still it refused to fire.



The sun had gone down so a couple of modern cars were called on for additional lighting and still the parts were swapped out.



Finally at almost 11pm I called time on my visit and bid the remaining mechanics a farewell with wishes of a speedy resolution to the issue. The owner finally conceding defeat and calling his breakdown company. I’m still not sure of the out come, but the dedication put in was amazing, nobody wanted to be the first one to stop trying things. Heres to a quick return to motoring for the mighty Jaguar.



The rest of the photos are here.

Steve.

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