Masters Magny Cours 11/12 July 2009

[Mike Bell]

Interesting to see cars not on 'our' radar. I'm a bit confused because some were more prod saloon than Gp1 (standard exhaust system, Falken 60 series 'control' road tyres), but others were 'Gp2', open exhaust on semi slicks.

This Magnum 2300 was championship winner and fastest of the group. Note the production brake ducts. In practice it was among the 3 TopHat FIA Lotus Cortinas with a 2min 15secs lap. During the first race it gradually started to emit smoke or steam. After 11 laps it came into the pits with oil, water steam, smoke all coming from the engine. A case of keep going until...... The marshal responsible for treating spills in the pits was not impressed, especially when the car was pushed, still leaking everywhere, along his pitlane!



Also relatively quick were 2 matching R12 Gordinis, these running Michelin TBs and open exhausts running accross the front of the cars. The fastest finished 10th and 9th in the 2 races.

Next up were an Opel Commodore and this BMW 3.0Si.

My favourite becuase of it's rarity and the way it was being driven was the 1300cc Simca Rally 3. It regularly enetered the pit straight from the chicane sideways in an attempt to get ahead of the big BMW, which naturally pulled away on the straights.

Apart from 2 Dolomites (both using overdrive 3rd on pit straight!) Capri 3000 and 2 RS2000s (Mk1 & Mk2), there were several Alfa GTVs of both shapes, BMW E21, 2002Tii, CSi and another Simca Rally (2). Most interesting for originality however were this Simca 1100

And lastly the Innocenti De Tomaso-


In the Top Hat class it was the usual duo of Falcon (Leo Voyazides / John Young) and Mustang (Patrick Watts / Jim McDougall) that provided the close racing, with one win a-piece. (Patrick in 1st and Leo in second, I think!) In the 1st race the Hall's Falcon followed with the Beltramelli Lotus and Ian Bankhurst's similar car 2 seconds behind. A fine 6th and 7th were Ron Maydon and Tony Gaston in their Cooper S. Sadly Ron retired in the 2nd race leaving 3 Cortinas to take 3rd to 5th- the Monteverde / Pearson car ahead of Beltramelli and Bankhurst- with the Cooke / Dowd Mustang 6th and Tony Gaston an excellent 7th again. Best of the french cars this time was the Mk2 RS2000 in 8th.

[rogerwills]

Thanks Mike. A fun weekend and a shame the grids were not better for the proto / touring 70s.

We are just getting to grips with the batmobiles and unfortunately the diff on the green car expired during testing on Friday.

I must say I had an absolute ball in qualifying in the 10 car and was clearly having a little too much fun. When I came in I was beckoned to the clerk of the course. Fortunately there was a very friendly chap who appears here from time to time there to translate for me (I planned to deny all knowledge if the French COC had spoken to me) who explained that as I had 4 wheels off the track more than 5 times (not sure if that was each lap or just during the session????) that ALL of my qualifying times had been cancelled!!

Clearly the car had a serious handling issue and seemed to want to understeer and straight-line across 2 of the chicanes........

John didn't seem in the mood to discuss such an excuse so I took the rap across the knuckles and returned to the paddock with a huge grin on my face. Of course I was in the wrong but man oh man, was I having fun!!!!!!

Apologies if I caused any embarrassment or hassle John, certainly not my intention.

I've just had a look at the GB Photosports website - some great shots of the car in action.

[rogerwills]

I'm not good on posting photos so here is a link from the GB site

http://www.gbphotosports.com/modules...ar=10#photoNav

[Mike Bell]

I think you are supposed to pay for them first, Roger!

Also 3 pics of Escort on 2 wheels trying to keep the CSL in sight.......

Thanks for telling the story of your qualifying!

[johngee]

Originally Posted by rogerwills

John didn't seem in the mood to discuss such an excuse so I took the rap across the knuckles and returned to the paddock with a huge grin on my face. Of course I was in the wrong but man oh man, was I having fun!!!!!!

Apologies if I caused any embarrassment or hassle John, certainly not my intention.

A straight face was kept with some difficulty