Thruxton Historic

[brands]

The race long battles for the lead in the Jack Sears and Jochen Rindt Trophy were the highlights of the day. The MRL races were as expected, unfortunately.

[GCCheddaris]

I thought the fifties sportscar race was quite entertaining with Ben Adams beating the bigger cars in his little Lola Mk1 and a good scrap between the first three RAC Woodcote Trophy contenders.

[Willmaz223]

5 starters for the Pre 63 and Jag race

[GCCheddaris]

Just five cars for the Pre '63 GT /Jaguar race. For one hour. Presumably problems for Delta and Dr Bob in qualifying.

[brands]

Highlights today were the first few laps of the Single seaters, Alfas and Midget & Sprite races. The other races were dire.
A lot of people through the gates at the event but Thruxton/BARC need to have a serious look at the event as lots of the public were less than impressed.

[GCCheddaris]

Nice to be back at Thruxton in spite of the desperately thin grids in some races. Highlights for me, obviously the Jochen Rindt Trophy races although today's race fizzled out slightly after Ben Tilley's retirement there were still plenty of other scraps down the field, including delta who seemed to be battling a different driver every time he came past!

The other races ranged from not bad (the HRDC races, Spridgets and fifties) to complete non events. Oh and I got a great tan standing on the new banking at Noble which gives a good if distant view of the previously mostly hidden fast parts of Thruxton. A shame it doesn't extend to the next corner (Goodwood ?) where a lot of action seemed to take place.

In defence of this meeting, I noticed a couple of the races at Castle Combe garnered only single figure entries with just two finishers in one race.

[chunterer]

Well run event and fairly well attended despite the unfortunate lack of entries and hope next year is better supported once again.

[Lancsbreaker]

I checked and there were 14 in the HRDC Alfa Challenge race - which is about par for what Julius has been getting, sadly.

[Peter Mallett]

Delta is having problems logging in but I can tell you he enjoyed his single seater outings, but sadly Dr. Bob's Elite suffered a diff failure.

[delta]

OK here goes a full Thruxton report from team Delta.Due to a lot of travel problems at airports and Dr Bob had to get back to London from Zandvoort where we were last weekend we decided not to go to the Red Bull Ring.Much disappointment from me as I was looking forward to racing in Austria. We will have to wait for another time. As it turned out this was correct decision as we found a 60 minuet race at Thruxton to do but the little Elite 100% reliability ended with a broken diff.It was good to get Robert to another track and he managed 30 min practice and half the qualy session before car broke.
Another reason was I could test a Delta we had rebuilt over the winter so customer told me to enter the car in the Jochen Rindt Trophy Race.
Saturday morning went like this. We sent Robert out for his practice on new tyres. I was in the pit lane when Delta mechanic came rushing up saying the Scrutineer had failed a customer Delta on seat belts looking a bit worn. I went along to the garage to find out what the fuss was about and then another team member comes rushing up to tell me Dr Bob is in the pits complaining of very bad vibration from engine. Flyping eck I rush back to pit lane only to see the Elite driving out on track.GRRRRR .Back to the belts and I convince scrut that we will go to Merlin at Castle Combe and get a new set.He is happy with that and agrees to let our customer qualify with old belts. I dispatch Delta son off to Castle Combe but then another crew member says the Elite is back in the pits again. Rush round and there he goes back out on to track again.More Grrrrrr .This time I wait in the pits and Robert comes back in to explain the problem with the vibration. Quickly realize whats going on so i rip the weights of the front wheels and send him on his way for rest of practice.
Phew relief but no !!!!. My friend who was running the Delta i am racing comes up and tells me the scrut has confiscated my crash helmet.This is another long story but thankfully Mary was coming over and she brought Mikes helmet for me to use. Thank you Mary.
Al in all an eventful morning.
I was just so glad by this time to get out on track and qualify the car.Ended up 21st and P5 in FF2000 class. We did a few changes on the car and I had a brilliant race . Sunday was more of the same although I was nursing high water temperature "suspect head gasket".On Aggregate I was P3 over both races so very happy with that and we had sorted a few teething problems with the car. Owner of the car came to watch but there is very sad story here as recently he has been diagnosed with MS and will not be able to race any more . The car is up for sale.As I said earlier diff failed in qualy with the Elite but thankful it was here and not at our next stop. LeMans.

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by delta

OK here goes a full Thruxton report from team
.

Nothing new there then !!

[eamonn ledwidge]

Originally Posted by delta

" My friend who was running the Delta i am racing comes up and tells me the scrut has confiscated my crash helmet.This is another long story but thankfully Mary was coming over and she brought Mikes helmet for me to use. Thank you Mary.

I think we need to hear much more about this.

Question - Has your head outgrown the helmet?? or is there more??

Just asking for a friend

[delta]

I did a stupid thing. I know that's not difficult for me. I left a bottle of rain X in my helmet bag. It leaked and took the paint off. I was horrified as much as scrutineer. They did go a bit over board and condemned the hat.I will get it checked at Bell and repainted. It was a real privilege to use Mike helmet.
Here is a picture from Sunday wearing the owner of the car crash hat., He has given it to me. I look like Daft Aydore.

[midgetman]

What a great tale of a typical motor racing event. As drivers/owners/managers we are all such experts in crisis management, far more so than those with business letters after their names. Well done on even getting out there.

Took me ages to work out who Daft Aydor was, looks like one of Bauble's infernal puzzles

Sent from my AC2003 using Tapatalk

[Malcolm Smith]

Originally Posted by delta

I did a stupid thing. I know that's not difficult for me. I left a bottle of rain X in my helmet bag. It leaked and took the paint off. I was horrified as much as scrutineer. They did go a bit over board and condemned the hat.I will get it checked at Bell and repainted. It was a real privilege to use Mike helmet.
Here is a picture from Sunday wearing the owner of the car crash hat., He has given it to me. I look like Daft Aydore.
Attachment 75294

Fabulous photo, Ian. Great to read the tales of you and Dr. Bob's European tour. Don't forget Knockhill, there's an an ideal opportunity, on 21st August, to race with Scottish Classics.

[Derwent]

Given the cost of running a meeting, you have to wonder if these meetings are viable for the club or promoter. Usually you look at 60% full grids to cover costs.

[GCCheddaris]

Originally Posted by Derwent

Given the cost of running a meeting, you have to wonder if these meetings are viable for the club or promoter. Usually you look at 60% full grids to cover costs.

I think the maximum grid at Thruxton is 35, so 60% would be 21. Multiplying that by nine grids equals 189 so with just over 130 cars entered it's easy to see that the BARC probably made a substantial loss. Hopefully this was just a blip and the meeting can bounce back next year.

I see the HRDC's Gerry Marshall Trophy for Group 1/1.5 saloons begins at Snetterton this weekend with nearly thirty cars entered. Shame they weren't at Thruxton last weekend !

[Mike Crow]

Originally Posted by GCCheddaris

I think the maximum grid at Thruxton is 35, so 60% would be 21. Multiplying that by nine grids equals 189 so with just over 130 cars entered it's easy to see that the BARC probably made a substantial loss. Hopefully this was just a blip and the meeting can bounce back next year.

I see the HRDC's Gerry Marshall Trophy for Group 1/1.5 saloons begins at Snetterton this weekend with nearly thirty cars entered. Shame they weren't at Thruxton last weekend !

Who stands the loss? Thruxton or MRL? I would have thought the club bought the grid and they would lose if they cannot fill it. Am I right?

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Mike Crow

Who stands the loss? Thruxton or MRL? I would have thought the club bought the grid and they would lose if they cannot fill it. Am I right?

The organising club for the event will have hired the circuit from Thruxton. The organiser stands the loss.

[kipper]

Originally Posted by GCCheddaris

I think the maximum grid at Thruxton is 35, so 60% would be 21. Multiplying that by nine grids equals 189 so with just over 130 cars entered it's easy to see that the BARC probably made a substantial loss.

The maximum grid at Thruxton varies between 28 and 42 cars depending on the type and engine size. However, most of the grids at the weekend could have accommodated 42 cars. Therefore the losses might be a bit bigger than suggested.

Originally Posted by GCCheddaris

I see the HRDC's Gerry Marshall Trophy for Group 1/1.5 saloons begins at Snetterton this weekend with nearly thirty cars entered. Shame they weren't at Thruxton last weekend !

Pleasantly surprised by that as Snetterton isn't the most 'fashionable' circuit. I guess this does indicate that people will participate in races where there cars will be competitive. As previously indicated, a Group 1 saloon currently isn't in the HTCC.

[Mike Crow]

Originally Posted by kipper

The maximum grid at Thruxton varies between 28 and 42 cars depending on the type and engine size. However, most of the grids at the weekend could have accommodated 42 cars. Therefore the losses might be a bit bigger than suggested.

Pleasantly surprised by that as Snetterton isn't the most 'fashionable' circuit. I guess this does indicate that people will participate in races where there cars will be competitive. As previously indicated, a Group 1 saloon currently isn't in the HTCC.

GTSCC also have a new group 1 / 1.5 saloon car race scheduled at the Autumn Classic at Castle Combe so they see an opportunity as well. Hope we don’t get two competing series. Mixing these cars with the later cars was a mistake as time has shown.

[Peter Mallett]

I was part of the original MRL initiative and it worked fine, the problem has arisen with the inclusion of the Sierras, M3s and Nissans.

The GTSCC event is quite expensive compared to HRDC. I wish them all well but it does appear that someone has jumped on a bandwagon to the detriment of others.

[GCCheddaris]

Following on from this year's poorly supported Thruxton Historic, Thruxton have announced that they will be organising the 2023 meeting themselves. Apparently there may be less Historic content than in previous years. https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/news/17...-historic-2023

[Peter Mallett]

Interesting, if it doesn't clash with Le Mans next year it may be entertaining.

[GCCheddaris]

Donington's HSCC meeting is the following weekend although with the crowded calendar it is difficult to avoid back to back weekends.

Having lost their second BTCC race in 2023, Thruxton are also looking for content for their sixth meeting. British GT appears to be ruled out as they appear reluctant to race at the Hampshire circuit.