BARC Classics - Thruxton kickoff

[Tony Harman]

Originally posted by Dan Friel
Most of the time you drivers claim its a green flag.. rather than a waved yellow....

I don't wave flags.. but do you usually see blue flags waved at you, or see white flags shown in your mirrors??.... just kidding of course..

Looking forward to meeting you next weekend.

I've never seen a yellow flag.... honest Mr CofC

[Chris Y]

Originally posted by Tony Harman
Seriously though, since the only guidance on stimulants is the IOC list (which I just don't happen to have in my back pocket right now...) anyone know if energy drinks like these would be a problem ?

The only part that could cause a problem would be the caffeine content. The limit is 12 mcg/ml (I just happen to have the Blue book open in front of me ), but I don't know how much is in RB, or other drinks..

[Tony Harman]

Interesting Chris - didn't know that was in the BB, which section ?
It's odd that the Blue book is effectively not on the MSA website.

Considering the time you're either;
- in a different time zone right now like me,
- you've just come in from the garage (most likely ???)
or
- just plain sad...
Now what's it to be ?

[Chris Y]

Originally posted by Tony Harman
Interesting Chris - didn't know that was in the BB, which section ?

Section E, page 49, paragraph 2.8.1

- in a different time zone right now like me,

No - just feels like I'm in a different time zone

- you've just come in from the garage (most likely ???)

Bingo!

or- just plain sad...

That too - most people are out partying, and I've been riveting bits of aluminium. Par-tay

[AndyF]

This article previews the meeting, and has been put together with the help of some of our members. I would like to pass on my thanks to them. The article with a series of photos can also be found in the National and Club Racing Forum.

Classic Touring Car Racing Championships make a welcome return to Thruxton

For many enthusiasts, Motorsport means the thrill and glamour of Formula One, or perhaps the ultra-competitive nature of the British Touring Car Championship, which is beginning to revert to the same glory as in its halcyon days of Super Touring in the mid-90s. However, if you go back further in time, things were very different, when, in the 1970s, the Sunbeam Imp, Chevy Camaro and later the Japanese models like the Toyota were the cars to have. For those who look back fondly on those days, or remember even further back to the very beginnings of the BTCC and the days of Jack Sears and Jim Clark, then you are likely to find a common interest with the competitors in the Classic Touring Car Racing Club (CTCRC). The series has been re-launched for this season, after running under the guise of the Classic Saloon Car Championship (CSCC) since its inception in the mid- 1970s. The CTCRC caters for former Touring Car machines from the late 50’s to the last of the heavily modified saloons of the late 1980s. Running as a club series, it allows the drivers to race these machines at a greatly reduced cost than many did when they ran in the BTCC or similar championships. The CTCRC runs five different championships for models from each era of saloon car racing, while the championships are divided up into classes to ensure even more action and competition.

The Historic Touring Car Championship was formerly the Classic Saloon and Historic Touring Car championship, itself an amalgamation of two separate classes, merged to combat the falling number of racecars that are available for the series. The championship caters for Touring Cars built before 1966, and it includes a variety of American Muscle Cars as well as some of the British challengers of the time, including Jaguars and Lotus Cortinas. The championship has undergone a raft of changes for the 2002 season, with updated regulations initiated to keep the costs down and add to the spectacle on the track. Last season the title was claimed by one of the least powerful cars in field, the Morris Minor of Tony Lake, taking advantage of the CTCRC’s class system helps to provide even competition throughout the championship. The Post Historic Touring Car championship caters for the models built prior to 1974, and benefits from the explosion of interest in Touring Car Racing in the 1970s, with a wide variety of more technically advanced saloon cars, from the Ford Capri to some of the more powerful Rovers, Fords and Chevrolets. As with the Historic Touring Car Championship, the champion came from one of the smaller-engined classes, in this case, Glenn Canning racing a NSU. The Group 1 Touring Car championship is often the best supported of the CTCRC series, and caters for a great variety of saloon cars from the early 1980s, with models from Talbot, Toyota, Mazda and VW commonplace at most events. In 2001, Steve Cripps beat all-comers in his class on all but two occasions, and often humbled some of the Class A & B machines on his way to the Class C and Overall Title in his Ford Escort RS2000.

Racing under the Mallet Racing banner, Buckinghamshire driver Peter Mallett competes in a 3.0 Litre Ford Capri in the Group 1 Touring Car Championship, having cut his teeth in Formula Ford and latterly the MG Owners Club administered MG Metro series, in which he finished second in class in 1993. Peter began his Metro campaign despite limited finances. ‘I bought the Metro for £750 and got it built up by Malcolm Beer. I couldn’t afford an engine, so I made do with the standard engine, new shells and bearing, and polished the head myself’. Having upgraded to an ex-Modified Ford Saloon Car Championship Capri, he competes whenever business commitments allow. The CTCRC is widely recognised as one of the more welcoming series on the club racing scene, as Peter explains - ‘As a novice driver, I’d look seriously at the CTCRC championships, in particular the Classics, which are an ideal way to enter club racing. They’re relatively cheap to run because modifications are limited. There are a variety of cars to choose from and a lot of friendly advice available in the Paddock. The Club has its own hospitality bus and there’s always somebody willing to help if you get any problems.’
A driver who echoes Peter’s thoughts is Tony Palmer, a competitor in the CTCRC’s Classic Thunder championship who revealed his views on racing with the club. ‘They are a friendly bunch, the hierarchy are helpful and approachable and in the paddock everyone gets on well and seem willing to help each other where ever possible.’
The Classic Thunder Championship is a recent initiative of the CTCRC, and provides a home for the heavily modified machines of the 1980s, and well as those cars prepared to race in what was the BTCC supporting Classic Touring Car Championship of the mid-1990s. Tony, who drives a Rover SD1 in the Classic Thunder series, moved to the series two years ago after a limited experience in Hillclimbs. He says – ‘I grew up in the 1970s and so 70’s saloons and sports cars have always been my ‘thing’. They seemed to provide a good range of categories and classes. Whilst allowing some sensible modifications it appealed that one should be able to be reasonably competitive without having to be able to throw huge sums of money at the car.’

Of course Motorsport, even at club level, is an expensive pastime for these drivers, yet the CTCRC championships do offer excellent value for both novice drivers, and the more seasoned classic racing enthusiast. There are events all over the country, with races at most of the UK’s top circuits, including Oulton Park, Silverstone, and the very highly publicised CSMA event each May at Brands Hatch. Last season, this event attracted a larger crowd than either the BTCC or Formula 3 championship meetings. The CTRCR also co-ordinates a non-championship race at Spa-Francorchamps and a two-driver event at Pembrey, in South Wales.

Another driver who competes in the Classic Thunder series is Jos van de Perre, who took his VW Scirocco to the G1 class championship title last season. He joined the CTCRC because ‘The cars are cheapish and not too sophisticated, the series is friendly and the racing is not cut throat – there’s almost certain to be someone of your own calibre to race against.’ Another with a background in sprints and Hillclimbs, Jos had also previously raced in the Marranelo Ferrari Challenge, and later in the Tin Top Hat series, in which he drove a shared Volvo 122s. However, while running the Volvo at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, he met up with CTCRC racer Peter Nixon, and after sharing his car in a two driver, one-hour event, Jos became hooked and moved into the series.

Jos’s Scirroco is also eligible for the remaining CTCRC championship, the Pre-90 Touring Car class, which caters for Touring Cars built between 1983 and 1989. The series was introduced part way through last season, and although it has yet to be granted championship status by the MSA, a series of races will be run this season for the BMWs, Jaguars and Fords, amongst others, which epitomise this era of racing history.

Both Jos and Peter have their cars maintained and stored by Ken Clark Motorsport, which reduces the cost and time the drivers have to spend on their cars, and also solves the garaging problems experienced by many racers.

However, the driver’s dreams of climbing up on the top step of the podium or even finishing the race, don’t always go as planned, as Jos explains. ‘When my wife asked me if I’d had a good day at Cadwell, I gave her the twig that was imbedded in the radiator of the Golf after a tree had jumped out at me and written the car off! We turned up with the Sciroco bought to replace it at Brands two weeks later having thoroughly checked it over – on the first lap of practice we discovered that is only had a four-speed gearbox and that it was geared for hill climbs. This meant my top speed was under 80mph – but it got there very quickly!’

Both Jos and Tony hope to be in action at the season opening event at Thruxton, Hampshire on Sunday March 24th. The meeting features races for the CTCRC’s Post Historic, Group 1 and Classic Thunder Championships, as well as events for the Porsche Classic, Austin Healey, Classic Clubmans and Classic Formula Ford championships. Admission for adults is £10, while accompanied children are free, as is spectator entrance to the Paddock. Following the success of last year’s event which saw six of the eight events won by a margin of less than 1.5 seconds, the ‘Thruxton Classic’ should once again live up to its name! Look out for a full report here soon.

To find out more about the CTCRC, the following links may be of use.

The CTCRC website – www.classictouringcars.co.uk
Information about the Thruxton event can be found at www.barc.net
And for more on Peter’s racing exploits, go to his website at www.malletracing.co.uk

2002 Calendar:

24th March Thruxton B C D
7th April Mallory Park A B C E
27th April Croft B C (d/h) D E
18th/19th May Brands Hatch ALL
29th/30th June Snetterton ALL
27th/28th July Lydden Hill A(d/h) B C E
17th/18th August Silverstone A B(d/h) C D E
31st Aug/1st Sep Pembrey ALL
13-15th Sep Spa (Belgium) Non Championship
15th September Cadwell Park ALL
28th September Oulton Park B C D

A = Historic Touring Car Championship
B = Post Historic Touring Car Championship
C = Group One Touring Car Championship
D = Classic Thunder Championship
E = Pre-90 Touring Car Championship

(d/h denoted double-header meeting)


Andrew Frampton

--Ends

[Peter Mallett]

Thanks for an excellent article Andy. One thing though. The Metro's were part of the MG Car Club's programme not the MG Owner's Club.

[AndyF]

Good luck tomorrow guys!!

[Hobson]

Come on then lads, spill the beans!
Who won what?
Who crashed what?
Is Brian Stevens faster than the rest (as before)?
Any new cars out?

[Peter Mallett]

From MST Sports Timing.

Group One Touring Car Championship - Provisional Result - Race 4
POS NO CL NAME NAT CAR TIME LAPS GAP MPH BEST
1 27 B Graham SCARBOROUGH Ford Capri 15:31.346 10 91.06 1:31.708
2 41 A Nigel GARRETT Chevrolet Camaro 15:39.587 10 8.241 90.26 1:29.935
3 1 C Steve CRIPPS Ford Escort RS2000 15:43.247 10 11.901 89.91 1:32.879
4 6 A Pete HALLFORD Ford Mustang 15:43.440 10 12.094 89.90 1:33.086
5 16 B Colin POTTER Ford Capri Mk III 15:58.486 10 27.140 88.49 1:34.220
6 35 C Stacy VICKERS Mazda RX7 16:00.323 10 28.977 88.32 1:33.622
7 50 C Christian GRIFFIN Triumph Dolomite Sprint 16:01.101 10 29.755 88.24 1:34.647
8 64 C Mark CHOLERTON Ford Escort RS2000 16:07.944 10 36.598 87.62 1:33.366
9 42 B Chris BRIGHT Rover SD1 16:16.193 10 44.847 86.88 1:34.848
10 26 B Malc BEST Ford Capri 2.8i 16:17.545 10 46.199 86.76 1:35.369
11 55 A David HOWARD Jaguar XJ12 16:27.727 10 56.381 85.87 1:35.770
12 10 C David SCRIVEN Toyota Celica GT 16:30.523 10 59.177 85.62 1:37.282
13 32 C Derek BOOTH Triumph Dolomite Sprint 16:32.274 10 1:00.928 85.47 1:36.961
14 34 B Mike MOORE BMW 530i 17:07.538 10 1:36.192 82.54 1:38.779
15 48 D Don HUGHES Volkswagen Golf GTi 17:08.315 10 1:36.969 82.48 1:40.011
16 12 B David ROBERTS Ford Capri 17:09.136 10 1:37.790 82.41 1:39.159
17 31 D Marcus MAYLAM Chrysler Sunbeam Ti 17:10.516 10 1:39.170 82.30 1:40.377
18 25 A Brian STEVENS Jaguar XJS V12 15:31.462 9 1 LAP 81.95 1:31.746
19 75 C Graham STEPHENS Ford Escort 15:42.167 9 1 LAP 81.02 1:42.206
20 82 D Daniel NASH Talbot Sunbeam 15:42.764 9 1 LAP 80.96 1:42.650
21 28 E Hugh POSTON Ford Fiesta 15:48.072 9 1 LAP 80.51 1:43.129
22 96 B Stephen KEATING Rover SD1 16:03.483 9 1 LAP 79.22 1:40.732
23 73 D Ian WALLACE Talbot Sunbeam Ti 16:34.528 9 1 LAP 76.75 1:47.861
24 78 C Jos VAN DE PERRE Volkswagen Scirocco 17:20.792 9 1 LAP 73.34 1:53.505
Not Classified
71 B Peter HOLTON Rover P6 7:56.886 4 D.N.F. 71.14 1:45.797
14 D Will MCATEER Volkswagen Golf GTi 4:10.867 2 D.N.F. 67.61 1:59.424
8 C Peter FRASER Ford Escort RS2000 4:13.920 2 D.N.F. 66.80 1:47.617
23 D Peter NIXON Volkswagen Golf GTi 0 D.N.F. N/A
93 B Kingsley MARTEN Rover SD1 Vitesse 0 D.N.F. N/A

Fastest Lap
41 A Nigel GARRETT Chevrolet Camaro 1:29.935 8 151.77kph 94.30
27 B Graham SCARBOROUGH Ford Capri 1:31.708 2 148.84kph 92.48
1 C Steve CRIPPS Ford Escort RS2000 1:32.879 2 146.96kph 91.31
48 D Don HUGHES Volkswagen Golf GTi 1:40.011 6 136.48kph 84.80
28 E Hugh POSTON Ford Fiesta 1:43.129 5 132.35kph 82.24

(Sorry about the Format)

[AndyF]

Well, Tony Palmer took an excellent third in the Classic Thunder series - held off a nifty looking Lotus Cortina, and was closing on the second placed BMW by the flag.

Tony - didn't catch much of your race but you seemed to get a good start and then drop back a little???

Jos - Like the new colours on the Scirocco!

Brian Stevens had problems with a new engine in his Jag, classified one lap down - did not reappear for Classic Thunder!

[AndyF]

A couple more bits@pieces:

Nigel Garrett had a superb run in his Camaro - winner of the Post Historics by 18seconds, and then taking 2nd in the Group One race after starting from the Pitlane.

Of the 10tenths memebers:

Tony Harman (Clubmans) 9th on Grid 1:36.151 - Finished 8th
Tony Palmer (C Thunder) 5th on Grid 1:32.833 - Finished 3rd
Jos van de Perre (C Thunder) 11th on Grid - 1:50.550 - Finished 11th
(Group One) 28th on Grid - 1:57.095 - Finished 24th

Results are available from the
MST timing website - www.mst-group.co.uk - go to the BARC page.

Andy

[Hobson]

Wow, looks like its going to be a good year for us all!

Did I spot a BMW? is that a first in Gp 1? I don't remember any others racing before.

[Stacy]

Originally posted by AndyF
Brian Stevens had problems with a new engine in his Jag, classified one lap down - did not reappear for Classic Thunder!

Brian's problems were two-fold - his gearbox blew up, and the engine management chip failed. The engine is easy enough to fix, but the gearbox he uses is a CR unit which are the proverbial hens teeth. He'll have to wait and see what's salvagable I suppose.

My first outing in the new orange Mazda was pleasing, I'd never driven it in the dry before so it was somewhat of an extended test. Pleasing though, I was pulling max revs in top at the end of the straight whereas I was pulling a lot less in the old car yet doing the same time. The same time was down to the fact that I was being somewhat more circumspect around the rest of the place.. Comes from having too shiny a car I suppose - I could abuse the old one more readily.

Stacy.

[sunbeam73]

Looks like a pretty impressive grid especially for the first race of the season.
Missing the Group1 action already,
maybe I'll come back next year

Sean

[Peter Mallett]

What are you doing this year Sean? A sabbatical?

[sunbeam73]

Almost!
Decided to go into the Kumho BMW's with an E36 325, so far building has been slow - probs getting roll cage welded in, costing too much, still waiting for brakes to be supplied - all the usual hang ups really. Plus I cant get motivated, bit of a lack of enthusiasm for this car, now if it was a Sunbeam I was building...!
Anyway I'll probably get it all together by about June, then I'm on holiday so probably July first race?!

[Peter Mallett]

Ah,,,,
Loads of folks going Beemer racing. What's the attraction?

[TimD]

If it reduces the road population of 'em, I shan't complain....

[Slowcoach]

Thanks AndyF - it was a most satisfying day particularly because I actually finished a race - believe it or not the first since June 17th - yes June of last year !!!!! Third place and class win was a great bonus, hopefully they'll be a bigger grid at the next round - but Croft is a long way to go from Essex.

[Tony Harman]

Bad day at the office...

I think Thruxton this year is one to forget. I got pulled in scrutineering for a weld joint in the roll hoop, I've got no issue with that, it's a safety matter and was technically illegal, first I didn't get a ticket, then I did, then it was changed to practice only, then it was reffered to CofC who let me race, which was damn good of him really. The chief scrutineer could have said no and that would have been it. So finally got out to entertain the men in orange, (that spin on the first lap at Campbell cost me a cut tyre), did 4 laps to warm up and started getting a misfire ???, visit the pits, a bit of water on the bodywork, back out - same problem, came in to find the swirl pot had come loose and dumped water on No 1 + 2 plugs, so qualified 9 out of 13 ! v. dissapointing !, ( and a very poor entry for our first round, I think we had 20 cars at Thruxton last year), So hence the good start, 9th to 5th off the line and all set for a good race, then on lap two fluffed a gear change into Village, got all off line and dropped 15secs and 4 places, after that the old fast corner understeer problems returned once the tyres warmed up and I couldn't catch up. Then to cap it all in Parc Ferme my rear wing was declared illegal as it was too far back, despite the fact it has been like that for 25 years !!!
So we miss Mallory in 2 weeks and hopefully make it for Croft providing I can get the Roll hoop replaced, that ain't that easy as all rear suspension has to come off, I have to "unstich" some stressed ally panels, then put it all back together and set it up again, Oh and I have a job to go to inbetween times...
Still good to see you all around again, well done on your result Tony, I too like your VW "Gulf" Jos.

[Slowcoach]

Thanks Tony - let's hope it can only get better for you !! Yes Jos - very nice paint job !

[AndyF]

Originally posted by Hobson

Did I spot a BMW? is that a first in Gp 1? I don't remember any others racing before.

The BMW 530i is, according to Motorsport News, the first to appear in the championship, and it showed potential. Took 14th in Gp1 and 8th in Classic Thunder.

Shame about the Clubmans grid, and the fact Geoff Cogan ran away to win by more than 30 seconds.

Eleven cars for Classic Thunder wasn't too bad - it has been worse before. Shame for us spectators that Neil Sampson went out early, as he and Colin Ctott could have had a great battle for the lead. The Batmobile BMW looked very nice, and I am sure it has the potential to go faster - especially around the twisty bits.

[Tony Harman]

Originally posted by AndyF

Shame about the Clubmans grid, and the fact Geoff Cogan ran away to win by more than 30 seconds.

Yes very dissapointing grid, maybe because it was a month earlier this year. Should improve for Mallory, though I won't make it. Geoff took a good win, pity Graham Onion's car expired otherwise it may have been closer. I think we may see Geoff on the podium a few more times this year.