Mapledurham Jubilee Fete

I got an email from my Uncle a few weeks ago. He lives up in Mapledurham with a wide expanse of golf course backing onto his house and the hedge bordering the playing fields out front. The council are desperate to build on the fields for more houses and a school but the local residents quite rightly don't want this, the area couldn't cope with the extra traffic or people. The local residents association have managed to prevent his happening and now want to rejuvenate the area and the pavilion.



The group were organising a Jubilee fete and wanted to add a little classic car line up, knowing that I'm a petrolhead my Uncle extended the invite to me to bring something along to show. With Kim and Lily busy later in the day it was just the Camper, but I was joined by my brother and his Aston as well. It wasn't a big line up, but there were some nice cars in it. We were joined by some friends of ours for a picnic in the shade of some old Routemaster buses.



We then set off to check out the various stalls and carboor sale, a few books were bought as well as this absolute bargain. Lily spied an old pram and was straight over to grab the handle, it was a bit dirty and could do with the hinges oiling, but it looked solid if a little old. I was guessing at 1970s, a perfect addition to our retro haul for the camper. It turned out to by older still, 50s or 60s and actually a design classic. Its a Cumfifolda dolls pram and I found a couple that sold recently for £75, not bad for £1! She absolutly loved it and wouldn't be parted, puhsing along behind mummy for the next half hour.



It was soon time for the ladies to head off, so I set off snapping the remaining cars.







There were a few bikes and scooters there too.







We weren't the only VW there, this 1303 convertible was a sight in lurid green.







The family fleet, well part of it!





With the crowds heading home and both of us roasting we fired up the V8 and flat four and headed off too, leaving the louvred windows open on both sides meant my 1970s air-con had worked and the van was cool inside! The rest of the photos can be found here.

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Classics at the Mill

The last friday in May has now become the date to head down the A33 to The Longbridge Mill for the Hants & Berks summer meet, a chance to sip a cold pint in the grounds of the mill and admire the other club members cars. Usually I head down in the Camper, but I had a chauffeur for tonight after a throw away comment to my brother I found myself in the passenger seat of his new Aston Martin Vantage in convoy with our friend Rob and his wife in their Caterham.



On arrival we clearly had the most modern car there, but it fits right in with the H&B ethos and we were waved in to park in the middle. The area of the carpark we use already heaving with some lovely old motors.





This unusual Saab Sonnet was a 70s wonder in bright yellow with its tiny V4 power plant up front.







We decided it was best to make for the bar for a cold pint before continuing our trawl of the classics. Such a wide variety turn up each year, mostly the same cars and members, but theres always something new too.



The mayflies were out in force, the air thick with them.











Car of the night for us all though was this amazing 1953 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT, packed with so many little details and period tuning parts, we spent half an hour chatting to the owner about it. Its not quite a daily driver, but he travels all over the place in it on rallies and touring holidays. The clock on the dash was particularly special, coming from a Lancaster Bomber!













After a second pint and another walk round it was getting dark and home beckoned. Ever the gentleman I swapped passenger seats with Robs wife, she had the luxury of the Vantage, I had the raw, screenless 7, a pair of sunglasses all that was between me and the night air as we raced home. It was a brilliant end to another successful meet. The rest of the photos can be found here.

Steve.

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Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters

I like F1, but touring cars and GTs are far more my thing. Having been to the BTCC a few times over the years I'm used to noisy race engines. Nothing though can prepare you for the racket that a 500hp RWD V8 DTM car makes. Following the cancellation of our local VW show I had a free sunday that just happened to coincide with the UK round of the German Touring Cars at Brands Hatch. As luck would have it my VW chum Malcolm works for BMW who have returned to the DTM this year and was able to get a discounted ticket through work. So at silly AM this morning we were cruising round the M25 heading for the track. First port of call was the shop to pick up a paddock pass. Theres nothing like getting up close and personal with the cars and drivers.









With a few posters and autographs stashed away we headed over to the support paddock. Races for Euro F3, VW Cup and a few others were tucked up in various shelters. It also contained the DTM shop and promo area.













The DTM qualifying was on saturday, but the drivers got a warm up session in the morning. It was the first time to hear exactly how loud these cars are. Very doesn't really cover it. We watched from the fearsomely steep Paddock Hill Bend, before moving round to Druids.







The first race proper of the day was the Euro F3, I'm not that keen on slicks and wings races, they are very fast but also processional. The only man to make some decent passes was the pole sitter who got a drive through penalty for not lining up correctly at the start and dropped to the back before fighting up to a points finish.





Following a break for lunch and the drivers parade it was soon time for the start of the 98 lap main event.





The lights went out and the noise level rose, for the next 70 minutes we communicated with hand signals and yells.







I don't like to stay in one place too long. Every corner holds a different view and I like to see as many as possible, so we set off following the track round. From Paddock Hill Bend up Hailwood Hill to Druids Bend.









Down the slope to Graham Hill Bend and along Cooper Straight.



We then crossed over the Grand Prix loop and made our way to Surtees and Clearways.







And finally Clark Corner and the Brabham Straight.







The race ended with Paffet winning and Spengler second. All three marques got on the podium where Jenson Button handed out the silverware.





Everything after that was going to be quiet and an anticlimax, but we hung around to watch the Lotus race get under way.





Before going back into the paddock for a last look round. The cars now all in Parc Ferme.





The mouthful of a titled "Euro Racecar NASCAR Touring Series" began, the lumbering V8 racers sliding round and bashing panels.





With tired feet and waiting families at home we decided that much as we'd both like to see the VW Cup, a 5:10pm start would mean a late get away and neither of us had the energy for that! So with a final cheesy photocall we headed home.



It was a fantastic experience, the noise, the crowds. Everything just made it a full on day of action, club racing is great but a proper international series offers so much more. Fingers crossed we'll get back there again soon.

There are loads more photos here

Steve.

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