360MRC 24hrs Race Proposition

[johngee]

I've decided that letting Claire and Piglet work together is a VERY bad idea!

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

............A lot of thought needed, and certainly most entrants would want to have team drivers prepared not only to stump up for their share of entry and event costs, but a contribution to car wear and tear also? Not sure if at club level there are enough able to do that.

Yes, I suppose that with the 24 hour as opposed to the six hour, we could allow more drivers to participate (say teams of min 3 up to six or eight even?) then the cost would be less per individual but as you say....do you have that many people?

[Piglet]

Originally Posted by johngee

I've decided that letting Claire and Piglet work together is a VERY bad idea!

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by ClaireSmith

Yes, I suppose that with the 24 hour as opposed to the six hour, we could allow more drivers to participate (say teams of min 3 up to six or eight even?) then the cost would be less per individual but as you say....do you have that many people?

I believe that is the problem Claire. For 6 hrs you can get away with 2 drivers and couple of helpers, but for 24 hrs you would need to share costs between 4 drivers plus I would have thought and need 3 or 4 helpers. Now if you get a grid of 20 cars that is possibly 80 drivers, all who have to be not racing somewhere else that weekend or have other / family commitments.....

I keep thinking of the 2CVs and their 24hr race but they are a special case and would be dangerous to assume that as they can make it work others can. Appreciate that your germ of an idea has seen the light of day earlier than you wanted, but think you need to see a well supported and successful 6 hr race next April to give some indication of the state of the market.

[johngee]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Appreciate that your germ of an idea has seen the light of day earlier than you wanted, but think you need to see a well supported and successful 6 hr race next April to give some indication of the state of the market.

Absolutely Mike and that's our first priority ....... but for the germ of an idea, this one will need a long gestation priod

[midgetman]

I did a 24 hour prokart race once. It was the longest, most miserable 24 hours of my life. It was brilliant, I'm in!

A lot of hard work for the team, even with something as reliable as Honda engines. Mike, you'd better respray your 924 silver the same as MGD's and mine, we'll park one a Sear and one at the Bombhole for quick changeover!

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by midgetman

I did a 24 hour prokart race once. It was the longest, most miserable 24 hours of my life. It was brilliant, I'm in!

A lot of hard work for the team, even with something as reliable as Honda engines. Mike, you'd better respray your 924 silver the same as MGD's and mine, we'll park one a Sear and one at the Bombhole for quick changeover!

We are sorted for the 24hr relay race if nothing else. Where's Richard and his 944.......

[Alan Morgan]

This is not my field at all, but I would have thought that a 24 hour race for pre 1990 saloons, with the basic MSA rollcage, seat and extinguisher requirements would get a lot of support, with standard fuel tanks as well, if they're allowed.

The "Home to Rome" style banger events are very popular, and whilst I'm not suggesting you should descend to that level, a well-publicised endurance race for budget 80's and earlier cars could be a winner. Montegos, Mk2 Golfs, XR whatevers can be picked up very cheaply, and the associated safety equipment is readily available.

Presumably, a 24 hour race will be part of a 2-day meeting, and you'll need something to fill out the qualifying day. Might I suggest Historic FF2000 as a pleasant diversion from the closed wheel activity?

We "give good beer tent" if you know what I mean...

[johngee]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

Presumably, a 24 hour race will be part of a 2-day meeting, and you'll need something to fill out the qualifying day. Might I suggest Historic FF2000 as a pleasant diversion from the closed wheel activity?

It would have to be at least a 2 1/2 day if not 3 day meeting and you're quite right about the need to find other races to help with the 'commercials' I've never thought of you and Delta as a pleasant diversion!
Let's make sure that we talk once we get a cunning plan and a firm date.

[Terry Scannell]

Originally Posted by johngee

It would have to be at least a 2 1/2 day if not 3 day meeting and you're quite right about the need to find other races to help with the 'commercials' I've never thought of you and Delta as a pleasant diversion!
Let's make sure that we talk once we get a cunning plan and a firm date.

As you are no doubt aware John normally for 24 hr meetings we would expect to do a evening session on the Friday for say an hour in daylight and then a short break with an hour for everyone to practise in the dark so that everyone qualifies officially.

These periods are normally marshalled by our regular crews, while the Friday day time would be a normal circuit run General Test Day as such manned by the circuit staff marshals etc. On the Saturday run a a couple of support races - could be double headers perhaps then have a marshals break before the build up and start of the 24hrs.

Again what would need to go into the programme also depends on the degree of generousity of MSV regarding circuit hire and the additional costs incurred with the various support elements required.

Terry

[Lancsbreaker]

I've been wandering through this thread, pondering how well suited the 944 Turbo would be......Ours is a bog-standard 215K+ mile car - at least engine and box are original, and the only component that has been touched is the turbo which was rebuilt for the start of this season. The car has done 2 or 3 seasons of 750MC roadsports, and 3 seasons of CSCC Future Classics, so I'd have thought it should last 24 hours........tho I guess a precautionary bearing swap might be a good prep! However, come to think about it, the car usually gets an oil change every 2 to 3 races, which might not be particularly practical every 3 hours or so

I do think that it would probably be prohibitively expensive - as Mike says the fuel and tyre costs can probably be reasonably extrapolated from experience from this year's six hours, but I would think that a full rebuild would probably be needed post-race - if you managed to complete the distance, of course.....and as we're struggling to contemplate a full season of normal events next year, unless the car trade has a dramatic revival, I can't see us affording this in 2012, attractive though it is. It would certainly use up a season's budget......

If anyone fancies a 944 Turbo I think I know where a fully prepared car might be available......if turbos were to be allowed, of course.....

[MartinSmith]

Ta Terry you are a star

Mike et al Just to confirm, the 6 hour race is still the most important thing in my ( our ) diary, indeed my life with the exception of my son lol. We will continue to make the six hour the best six hour this side of Spa and that is our. First and foremost incentive

[MartinSmith]

Turbos are allowed

[johngee]

Thanks Terry - that's pretty much the timings we had in mind so it's good to know we're on the same wavelength.

[Terry Scannell]

Cheers John,

Have sent you an e-mail in response to yours - sorry for delay responding just had to go and pick up son from Uni ( and I can confirm its been snowing up here in Nooorfolk!!!!)

Terry

[Paulaweybridge]

I have been reading this thread with considerable interest.

I think that it's a great idea and sincerely hope the race will come to fruition.

Good luck 360MRC.

Paula

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

This is not my field at all, but I would have thought that a 24 hour race for pre 1990 saloons, with the basic MSA rollcage, seat and extinguisher requirements would get a lot of support, with standard fuel tanks as well, if they're allowed.

The "Home to Rome" style banger events are very popular, and whilst I'm not suggesting you should descend to that level, a well-publicised endurance race for budget 80's and earlier cars could be a winner. Montegos, Mk2 Golfs, XR whatevers can be picked up very cheaply, and the associated safety equipment is readily available.

I think that is the way I would want to do the race Alan! As for tanks, there a lot of race series that still retain manufacturer fit, including the budget Porsche ones. The firewall requirement would need thought on some cars and then we come to refuelling again. The normal fuel filler on Metro or XR2 for instance would make it nigh impossible to get any in from Sunoco churn. So maybe Spa type refuelling at the pumps?

[Happy Snapper]

Originally Posted by johngee

I've decided that letting Claire and Piglet work together is a VERY bad idea!

Were you in the SAS because you appear to like living dangerously!!

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by Happy Snapper

Were you in the SAS because you appear to like living dangerously!!

SAS?...lol like Salvation Army Specialist

[Terry Scannell]

Originally Posted by ClaireSmith

lol....Tell em to bring a flat bed!!! (boom boom)

Right on that note, it is now my firms Xmas doo so I'm about to go out and probably drink far too much wine as I always do....but, it is Christmas

Tis the season to be jolly well sozzled

Ta
C

Hope the post race practice session went well then????!!!

Terry

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

I think that is the way I would want to do the race Alan! As for tanks, there a lot of race series that still retain manufacturer fit, including the budget Porsche ones. The firewall requirement would need thought on some cars and then we come to refuelling again. The normal fuel filler on Metro or XR2 for instance would make it nigh impossible to get any in from Sunoco churn. So maybe Spa type refuelling at the pumps?

The one thing you won't want is filling from the pumps. For a six hour you may get away with it but the staff turn over for a 24hrs would be pretty large. Better to insist on bespoke tanks and dry break fuelling as per the six hours. Besides there are very few series that allow standard tankage simply because of the fuel spill problems so most cars prepared for the track will have the necessary tankage anyway.

[delta]

Mikes right its the only way!!!!!.Sunaco have a petrol pump at Snett and in sure they would be only too pleased to take our money.

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by delta

Mikes right its the only way!!!!!.Sunaco have a petrol pump at Snett and in sure they would be only too pleased to take our money.

Any of you gentlemen looked at the regs in the Blue Book for 2011 re refueling ?

[Happy Snapper]

Originally Posted by ClaireSmith

Any of you gentlemen looked at the regs in the Blue Book for 2011 re refueling ?

Thats assumes :-

a. I'm a gentleman
b. I can find Piglets 2011 blue book!!
c. I can read

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by delta

Mikes right its the only way!!!!!.Sunaco have a petrol pump at Snett and in sure they would be only too pleased to take our money.

Delta, with the price they charge for fuel @ Snett, it would be cheaper to buy a dry-break system for the car and pop out to the A11 with the van to get fuel in churns. Seriously.

Natch I'm thinking my un-modified 924 will be the way to go. It's a mere youngster compared to others on this thread, either 88,000 or 188,000 I don't know which

I'd be up for it. Like people have said, it's a season's racing or more in one weekend, and that suits my lifestyle perfectly, am too busy to give up weekends for a championship.