Fantasy Island At Mallory

[SPECTATORSAL]

Hello!!

Can anyone tell me what is actually on the Fantasy Island at Mallory Park &/or why it exists? Very quirky!!

Brilliant circuit by the way-loved the V6 Super Silhouette's as they approached the esses-you felt like they were coming right at you!! (They were!!)

The Alfa's were pretty impressive too-well done Paul Lund (shame about Nick Sismey though-anyone know what happened to his car?)!!

Hope to revisit Mallory v.soon!! It really IS "The Friendly Circuit"!!

Byeee for now

Sally

[stroller]

Fantasy Island.

Set up I believe by Circuit owner Chris Meek for "Entertainment & Hospitality use"

I daren't go into any other details

[SPECTATORSAL]

Hope it's not a Michael Jackson kind of of hospitality....!!

[ss_collins]

anyone been over there?

[SPECTATORSAL]

PS. When I said about Michael Jackson I meant that it looks like a kind of Never, Never Land-an escape from reality!! Good for Chris-we all need that from time to time!! Honest!!

[Andrew Kitson]

The island has been there since the artificial lake was formed in the 50s. The lodge on fantasy island belongs to Chris and it is full of many of his old racing pictures and photos of him with various personalities, plus many other ...ahem....bits and pieces. But nothing too naughty!
He has a fun day / BBQ when the superbike meeting is on.
I have been invited a few times, great fun, great hospitality, great music from R&B/blues bands long into the evening. When invited you even get issued with a passport to allow you access across the 'bridge of eternity'! Chris stamps it each time you attend. Mad!

[SPECTATORSAL]

Thanks for this Andrew-I knew someone out there must know something!! Sounds like Chris is a bit oddball, then again , aren't we all from time to time? Good for him-we all need a fantasy to escape to from time to time!!

Sal

[Andrew Kitson]

I really like Chris. A bit of an extrovert but a super generous guy. Just needs to get his hair cut at his age!!
..and change his personal number plate on his 360. Very rude!

My favourite story is from the 80s when Chris had his Ferrari 512BB. John Miles had tested one for his 'Autocar' track test and had rubbished Ferrari's claims that it could do 188mph, managing to do only 165mph.

Enzo was furious and contacted Colonel Ronnie Hoare at Maranello Concessionaires,the UK importer to see if this could be corrected. Chris offered to do a test in his own car to prove it could do it. So at 5am on the M1 to the south of Sheffield he set off with a friend and photographer in the passenger seat to 'snap' the speedometer. Beforehand, the car had been checked over by the factory, Michelin sent technicians to keep an eye on the tyres which were inflated an extra 20psi to handle the extra speed and a mechanic from Maranello Concessionaires was there. The 'michelin men' stationed themselves on each bridge.

Chris actually got the 512BB up to 190 but had to back off slightly for a left hand sweep. The photographer then got the shot of the dials - 188mph.

A poster was made of this photograph and Enzo was delighted. He summoned Chris to Maranello to thank him and Chris was staggered to see one of these posters in Enzo's office.
He asked Chris if there was anything he could give him in return. On his way in to Ferrari, in the corridor he had noticed a pile of ceramic tiles, each with the prancing horse motif. So he asked if he could have some for the hallway of his new house in Leeds. A few weeks later a truck arrived full of pallets of these tiles. Enough to do the whole house. Chris said that the Colonel was very envious, so he let him have just one for the Concessionaires reception!
One of many of Chris' great stories.

[SPECTATORSAL]

Nice story Andrew. Chris sounds like a really nice bloke (with long hair!!). Byeee.... Sal