Britcar

[Steve Wood]

Whilst I was waiting for the computer to fire up, I picked an old photo album off the shelf to browse.

In it was a picture, Brands Hatch, November 1991, Italian Intermarque, silver Alfa 4x4 Sportwagon, bearing the coveted number 1, driver MARTIN PARSONS.

Is this one and the same Britcar superstar ? I think we should be told.

At the same meeting, Slick 50 Road Saloons, lime-green Sierra XR4i, ALAN WILSHIRE.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen !

[martinparsons]

Yes Steve that was me. 1991 my aborted year in the Honda CRX championship. I was Alfa Romeo champion and decided to up the game in the honda's unfortunatly usual story I run out of money in August. Mike Buckler my Alfa Romeo mechanic had built the sport wagon for a laugh (we even had a picnic basket and tartan rug in the back, and he very kindly asked me to drive it at Brands. It was a wet practice and the 4 WD worked brilliant, only changed out of 5th at druids, and i put it on pole. Race was dry and we soon realised how much power the 4WD used and I had to sit and watch every car in the field pass me, even a nice old boy called derek who was in his 60/70's and i reckoned to lap twice in a 10 lap race. It was bloody good fun i'd do it again tommorow but don't tell Warren as he'll have me entered at Donington in his Ford Sierra Estate.
MP

PS. So now you all know, building an embarrassing car ? Martin will drive it, got no pride - I even talk to snapper baz !!! lol

Sorry baz

[Steve Wood]

I imagine the Sierra Estate is pre-1991, in which case it's ineligible, so you're safe. I could ask Mr Tucker for special dispensation, though. I'm not sure that a bin-liner and tank-tape rear side window would please the scrutineers, or is that fixed now ?

[Steve Wood]

Martin, have you got pictures of that Sportwagon ?

I took mine in the paddock, just before you went through the gate and into the tunnel.

I can try to get it copied if you want one.

[Snapper Baz]

...and I wrote a Autosport race report about you at Croix saying how good you was...I take it all back now!

[DelaRonde]

If you have seen what my fellow countryman Tucker has made me race in with him, I think the Sierra could receive special dispensation, although the bin liner might be deemed to be a movable aerodynamic device....!! Don't make me go up into the loft to find some photographic proof of a Tucker/DelaRondemobile !

del

[martinparsons]

Originally posted by Snapper Baz
...and I wrote a Autosport race report about you at Croix saying how good you was...I take it all back now!

Baz 91 too many years ago but your right, your in credit by me, 10 pints, any bar you like, jason gore is buying (if i get the le mans drive)


hehe owe you a pint anyway


MP

[martinparsons]

Even better Andrew Davies is buying, awnser your phone andrew or i'm going to rack up your round here more than a seasons racing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[martinparsons]

Originally posted by DelaRonde
If you have seen what my fellow countryman Tucker has made me race in with him, I think the Sierra could receive special dispensation, although the bin liner might be deemed to be a movable aerodynamic device....!! Don't make me go up into the loft to find some photographic proof of a Tucker/DelaRondemobile !

del

Are you the Del Delonde that i can remember from history as always being at long distance races and doing well ? always in bmw's ?

[DelaRonde]

Guilty as charged, usually in BMWs, sometimes in Hondas and seemingly always in a failing turbocharged Ford at the Willhire 24hr, apart from 1994 when it finally came right...

James Tucker and I "raced" in a 4WD Sapphire at the 'Ring 24 hour in 1997.....to cut a long hilarious story short we broke open a glass display case in the Dorint restaurant to "borrow" a turbocharger to try and stay in the race. Needless to say, we didn't. Much beer was drunk instead.

Out at Pembrey in the DTM M3. Maybe see you there.

del

[martinparsons]

del
i know you by name but not by face, wont be at pembrey due to work, but wander in our garage at donnie be great to say hello, i might even be able to con charlotte (our team managress) into making you a cup of tea, got to be carefull here charlotte is my great co-driver in the willhire.
Come and say hello, and any plans for europe in june - september i'd love to hear about - james been good to us and give us summer off racing (ps remember i have to build into budget for taking baz with me lol i owe him now).
MP

[martinparsons]

Steve no and no
lets just bury 1991 ok R.I.P the ex andy ackerly honda, bloody expensive lesson lol

MP

Originally posted by Steve Wood
Martin, have you got pictures of that Sportwagon ?

I took mine in the paddock, just before you went through the gate and into the tunnel.

I can try to get it copied if you want one.

[DelaRonde]

MP,

I checked the website after I posted and noted you were not down. It is also a long haul for lots of people, easy for me because I am Cardiff. Believe it or not my other passion is racing bicycles so I also race at Pembrey on 2 wheels as well. And Castle Combe....Bit slow though !!

I'll say hello at Donington, and a cup of tea would be welcome.

del

[Steve Wood]

A racing cyclist, eh, Del.

Just one of the interesting / unusual facts that run richly through the Britcar drivers CVs.

Did you know, that in our midsts, we have :-

An ex-England test cricketer,
A former World and European model aircraft flying champion,
The bassist from the Blues Band,
A top-level motoring journalist,
A pigeon fancier,

Plus a host of occupations, from welder through to managing director.

[Les]

Originally posted by Steve Wood
Did you know, that in our midsts, we have :-
A former World and European model aircraft flying champion,

When did my brother sign up

[DelaRonde]

Originally posted by Steve Wood
A racing cyclist, eh, Del.

Just one of the interesting / unusual facts that run richly through the Britcar drivers CVs.

Did you know, that in our midsts, we have :-

An ex-England test cricketer,
A former World and European model aircraft flying champion,
The bassist from the Blues Band,
A top-level motoring journalist,
A pigeon fancier,

Plus a host of occupations, from welder through to managing director.

Definitely fascinating - I wonder if the competitive nature of motor racing is reflected in our "real world" occupations/past times. I never thought of myself as competitive until I started doing half ironman triathlons and bike racing at 39 years of age....never really thought of the motor racing as that competitive...!!

By the way, beautiful morning in Wales, hope it holds all weekend.

del

[Snapper Baz]

Could somebody keep us posted on the meeting as I know have to be Lydden!

[martinparsons]

Good luck to everyone this weekend, see you at Donnie next week

MP

[johndpeat]

Good luck to all the people going to Pembery this weekend,See you at donni next weekend.

[Steve Wood]

Give our regards to Pete Daniels, Snapper.

I've got no way of posting the Saturday results on Saturday evening, so you'll have to give one of us a call, if you really can't wait !

[Sheila M]

Looks like the pit lane at Donington next weekend is going to be VERY busy. We have two very full days of practice and racing and I'll be only to pleased to help out with the Britcar sessions if I can (I'll be there in my capacity as Chief Pit Marshal for 750 MC). However I wonder if the regular Britcar pit team would like to help me with the other practice and race sessions?

I know you all know what to do in your own sessions but would you like to learn about other series as well? I would be more than happy to see any of you and share my experience (and the tea and coffee) with you in return for you just being there and learning other aspects of pit marshalling.

How about it folks?

[Snapperjack]

There is a section already and waiting on MST for Pembrey. They might have the results etc on-line quite quickly.

http://www.mst-group.co.uk/meeting.a...ttype=barcclub

[DelaRonde]

Weather has taken a turn for the worse. 0630 Welsh time (!) brisk wind, very overcast, circa 11 centigrade. The odd terradactyl circling overhead looking for dead sheep....

del

[johnw]

Are they still using the sheep for braking points then Del?

[DelaRonde]

Hi John, yes, we don't need MST !! I upheld BMW honour today and led for a bit, but the twei Marcos were too powerful. I managed a 62 second lap, not bad after the trucks had laid down a mess.....Round 2 tomorrow. Hope you are well and still enjoying the racing.

del