Thruxton Historic

[Mike Crow]

All is not well I fear with our sport. MRL entries for Thruxton are truly dire. Especially as they are for 1 hour races. Brexit ? Covid? Economic outlook? Too much racing? Dislike of Thruxton? All or none of these? Whatever, it’s very sad.

[Peter Mallett]

I mean no disrespect to Duncan and his team but there are two things reducing entries IMO.

The first is the dominance of the Turbos and M3s in the HTCC, which means the earlier Group A drivers are now playing second fiddle, I know two who have given up. This has also impacted the Tony Dron Trophy but perhaps to a lesser extent. Then the HRDC is trying (possibly successfully) to run a Gerry Marshall Trophy thus taking away the Group 1/1.5 cars. This series is sponsored by Jim Morris of Lifeline who runs an exceedingly quick Golf GTI.

Then we have the Le Mans Classic this year, although as John R says in that thread, UK entries are down for that one too.

The stock market has nose dived which has taken a number of people out of the game, albeit hopefully temporarily. Not sure about Brexit, which happened two years ago, can have any impact on this event. The pandemic, and associated drag on investments, is certainly having an impact. But grids were good during the pandeminc so I suspect overall it's a product of timing and too many events.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I mean no disrespect to Duncan and his team but there are two things reducing entries IMO.

The first is the dominance of the Turbos and M3s in the HTCC, which means the earlier Group A drivers are now playing second fiddle, I know two who have given up. This has also impacted the Tony Dron Trophy but perhaps to a lesser extent. Then the HRDC is trying (possibly successfully) to run a Gerry Marshall Trophy thus taking away the Group 1/1.5 cars. This series is sponsored by Jim Morris of Lifeline who runs an exceedingly quick Golf GTI.

Then we have the Le Mans Classic this year, although as John R says in that thread, UK entries are down for that one too.

The stock market has nose dived which has taken a number of people out of the game, albeit hopefully temporarily. Not sure about Brexit, which happened two years ago, can have any impact on this event. The pandemic, and associated drag on investments, is certainly having an impact. But grids were good during the pandeminc so I suspect overall it's a product of timing and too many events.

Yes i noticed Jim Morris name attached to the HRDC Snett event. Isn't he also sponsoring the HTCC series too?

The first drafts of entries for Thruxton are pretty thin but hoping a few more will turn up.

Like you say too many historic meetings too close together at the moment.

[kipper]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Yes i noticed Jim Morris name attached to the HRDC Snett event. Isn't he also sponsoring the HTCC series too?

I think the HTCC series is sponsored by Silverstone Auctions (Nick Whale)

[brands]

The MRL entry lists are pathetic, even combining series the published grids are only 10, 10, 15 and 8.
We have weekend tickets at half price, via a car club, and it still feels like robbery.

[Mike Crow]

Originally Posted by brands

The MRL entry lists are pathetic, even combining series the published grids are only 10, 10, 15 and 8.
We have weekend tickets at half price, via a car club, and it still feels like robbery.

Unless the other grids are really strong I will probably skip Sunday ( wasting the ticket ) and go to Combe. Though Combe grids have been blow par so far this year.

Perhaps we should hand the whole lot over to MSV and let Dr.Jonathon sort it out!

[Mike Crow]

On reflection, I think the biggest impact on Thruxton has probably been the proximity of the Le Mans Classic.

[Peter Mallett]

New Thread here: https://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4112815

[delta]

A very long story but we have decided not to go to the Red Bull Ring. Dr Bob and myself will race the Elite in Stirling Moss/ Gentleman drivers. and I will race a Delta in JRT. Looking forward to getting back to my local circuit.

[Peter Mallett]

Enjoy Iain, I suspect all that mileage is getting you both down. Enjoy the meeting I have no doubt you will both have fun.

[brands]

Entry list from BARC site https://www.barc.net/wp-content/uplo...22-WEBSITE.pdf

[GORDON STREETER]

How long can meetings go on with very low entry numbers ?

[Mike Crow]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

How long can meetings go on with very low entry numbers ?

Until supply matches demand I guess. We got used to some huge grids during the pandemic but before that came along there were already far too many clubs, circuits and competing series all chasing the same cars. Some consolidation seems inevitable. Eventually.

[justracing]

Originally Posted by Mike Crow

Until supply matches demand I guess. We got used to some huge grids during the pandemic but before that came along there were already far too many clubs, circuits and competing series all chasing the same cars. Some consolidation seems inevitable. Eventually.

[brands]

Thruxton does have a habit of producing small grids for clubbie events and that is what this meeting has become, despite the hype on the Thruxton website.
I won't be rushing to book for this event next year, assuming it hasn't been binned by then.

[Willmaz223]

With the congested schedule also this weekend is MG Live which includes the GTSCC which has a reasonable grid along with Masters in Austria too though that included a single digit HGPCA grid sadly.

[Mike Crow]

Originally Posted by Willmaz223

With the congested schedule also this weekend is MG Live which includes the GTSCC which has a reasonable grid along with Masters in Austria too though that included a single digit HGPCA grid sadly.

I will give the whole Thruxton weekend a miss despite having bought tickets and enjoy two days of real clubbie racing at Castle Combe. Packed grids and Mini 7 races will be far more entertaining.

[Thundersports]

There doesn't seem to be a entry list for the Masters this weekend which is unusual.

[justracing]

Originally Posted by Mike Crow

I will give the whole Thruxton weekend a miss despite having bought tickets and enjoy two days of real clubbie racing at Castle Combe. Packed grids and Mini 7 races will be far more entertaining.

Mmm, I've been hanging fire getting a ticket this year, I'll be using my season ticket at Brands. It's a shame as I love Thruxton but sadly many of their events seem to fizzle out. The Easter F2 reunion was a damp squib a few years ago.

[chunterer]

Some of the grids have decent sized entries, mainly the HRDC ones and JRT.

MRL's are slim but they often are outside of the Donington, Classic and Gold Cup meetings.

However I note Mark Burton's Commodore is now on the HTCC entry so that's something I'm really looking forward to seeimg and hearing.

[Mike Crow]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Some of the grids have decent sized entries, mainly the HRDC ones and JRT.

MRL's are slim but they often are outside of the Donington, Classic and Gold Cup meetings.

However I note Mark Burton's Commodore is now on the HTCC entry so that's something I'm really looking forward to seeimg and hearing.

They promised five hour-long races and so I paid £36 for advanced tickets. For these five races( now only four) they have assembled a grand total of 44 cars. On their website today they still describe the event as top flight historic racing. That’s just lying.

I will be sorry to miss the JRT and I feel really sad for Thruxton but still talking up the event in that way is unforgivable.

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by Mike Crow

On reflection, I think the biggest impact on Thruxton has probably been the proximity of the Le Mans Classic.

How about the clash with Le Mans itself? Surely the Venn diagram of drivers in historic racing/people who like the 24 is almost one circle!

[Willmaz223]

Originally Posted by Thundersports

There doesn't seem to be a entry list for the Masters this weekend which is unusual.

F1 at 10. Sportscars and GT grids at 7 cars a peace with a 18 car Legends grid. Deary me...

[Mike Crow]

Originally Posted by Willmaz223

F1 at 10. Sportscars and GT grids at 7 cars a peace with a 18 car Legends grid. Deary me...

That makes Thruxton look busy. Very strange days. The Equipe GT grids and GTSCC at Silverstone are all very strong.

[Willmaz223]

Originally Posted by Mike Crow

That makes Thruxton look busy. Very strange days. The Equipe GT grids and GTSCC at Silverstone are all very strong.

Also given the fact there is an abundance of opportunities to race on the GP Circuit nowadays in a Pre 66 car.

Be interesting to see how the new Snetterton Historic does for entries.