Spa 6 Hour Race - Page 4

Slippy Diff · 28 Jun 2006, 21:37 (Ref:1643767)

Quote:

Originally Posted by esper

So here you are "slippy diff" in New Zealand. Nothing to do with the great Train Robbery or the Schiphol Diamond robbery ?, great pseudonym!!!!
Can remember we were pit-neighbours when I ran a white MGB in the six hours. Your blue car did the 6h as well. I bought my big B and a while later saw yours for sale rataionaly I thought to have bought the wrong car. But what rational about a big Healey!!!!!!!

Yep, did the 6 Hour most years and got some good results. I sold the car to Robert Mills shortly before I moved to NZ. It was built from the ground up by Denis Welch and was a stunning car, it would have been a good move to buy it !!

Slippy Diff · 28 Jun 2006, 22:01 (Ref:1643781)

Quote:

Originally Posted by esper

Don't remind me of those races. Just got father second time and no Healey racing then . Wasn't it very wet then ? which would have been my game as well.

I loved the wet, sorted the men from the boys....

esper · 29 Jun 2006, 07:12 (Ref:1643912)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy Diff

Yep, did the 6 Hour most years and got some good results. I sold the car to Robert Mills shortly before I moved to NZ. It was built from the ground up by Denis Welch and was a stunning car, it would have been a good move to buy it !!

Whats the substitute in New Zealand for six hours and Healey racing?

Slippy Diff · 29 Jun 2006, 21:52 (Ref:1644476)

Quote:

Originally Posted by esper

Whats the substitute in New Zealand for six hours and Healey racing?

I work for a motorcycle mag. I've ridden probably 40 to 50 different bikes in the last two years, everything from R1's to 50cc Vespas to BMW HP2's.

It's not so bad.....

There's no real substitute for a race such as the 6 hours although there is a reasonably healthy club racing scene.

esper · 29 Jun 2006, 22:00 (Ref:1644479)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy Diff

I work for a motorcycle mag. I've ridden probably 40 to 50 different bikes in the last two years, everything from R1's to 50cc Vespas to BMW HP2's.

It's not so bad.....

There's no real substitute for a race such as the 6 hours although there is a reasonably healthy club racing scene.

upon that the most beautifull country in the world, not a bad choice!

Slippy Diff · 29 Jun 2006, 22:17 (Ref:1644494)

We used to love preparing for the 6 Hours each year. It was a great weekend of racing, even with the 'issues' of certain other cars entered. Alain could run it strictly to FIA Appendix K and still get 80 entries if marketed correctly. It could be the premier historic race in Europe with a bit of work.
If someone offered to fly me over for this years race, I wouldn't hesitate. Spa ranks right up there alongside, Brands GP circuit, Nordschleife and Oulton Park.

zefarelly · 30 Jun 2006, 08:46 (Ref:1644691)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy Diff

We used to love preparing for the 6 Hours each year. It was a great weekend of racing, even with the 'issues' of certain other cars entered. Alain could run it strictly to FIA Appendix K and still get 80 entries if marketed correctly. It could be the premier historic race in Europe with a bit of work.
If someone offered to fly me over for this years race, I wouldn't hesitate. Spa ranks right up there alongside, Brands GP circuit, Nordschleife and Oulton Park.

I agree with all of that, the SPa 6 hour race and indeed whole weekend meeting hour could, and should, blow everything else into the weeds

simon drabble · 30 Jun 2006, 08:55 (Ref:1644696)

I think that the Spa 6 Hour race is now back on track - the latest email from them confirms no invitation race (apart from Eau Rouge Cup) and that only has a handful of cars in it
sadly no sportsracers which is a great shame
maybe someone else should get a 6 hour race up for them

zefarelly · 30 Jun 2006, 11:13 (Ref:1644801)

I think tin tops and GT's is far more reflective of period races so I'm all for it

(sorry Simon!)

at least until I win the lottery and move up a peg or two on the racecar ladder

6 hours of Brand Hatch gets my vote as an alternative, I'd be there in a shot

esper · 30 Jun 2006, 22:30 (Ref:1645343)

Quote:

Originally Posted by zefarelly

I think tin tops and GT's is far more reflective of period races so I'm all for it

(sorry Simon!)

at least until I win the lottery and move up a peg or two on the racecar ladder

6 hours of Brand Hatch gets my vote as an alternative, I'd be there in a shot

He'll have great weekend in the Cortina, period.
Esper

simon drabble · 1 Jul 2006, 22:17 (Ref:1645905)

we are giving the Lotus Cortina a pre Spa shake down at Snetteron next weekend in teh MST Appendix K race and then again at Silverstone Classic. Then it will have the larger tank etc fitted - the Touring Car class is mostly Mustangs and Alfa GTA's we are the only L-C entered - not sure why the others have stayed away as they were competitive in period

Slippy Diff · 2 Jul 2006, 21:57 (Ref:1646837)

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon drabble

sadly no sportsracers which is a great shame

I'm sure that when I did my first Spa 6 Hours it was for GT and Touring only? Then, the GT40 started appearing (GT/P) and went pot hunting.

Slippy Diff · 2 Jul 2006, 22:04 (Ref:1646841)

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon drabble

as they were competitive in period

Aha!! 'in period'. I remember one year at the 6 Hours watching one car being scrutineered - we were in the queue behind - and being picked up for running roller rockers. An argument ensued during which the scrutineer said something along the lines of "do you think we run this race just for your benefit and pleasure?" the response... "I have four other cars entered here, I can always take them home". The discussion continued in an office somewhere and we all thought, great, their being thorough for once. Said car went on to win the race....

simon drabble · 3 Jul 2006, 07:18 (Ref:1647036)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy Diff

Aha!! 'in period'. I remember one year at the 6 Hours watching one car being scrutineered - we were in the queue behind - and being picked up for running roller rockers. An argument ensued during which the scrutineer said something along the lines of "do you think we run this race just for your benefit and pleasure?" the response... "I have four other cars entered here, I can always take them home". The discussion continued in an office somewhere and we all thought, great, their being thorough for once. Said car went on to win the race....

Stopped his BRDC membership if you are referring to a former Chemist!

zefarelly · 3 Jul 2006, 08:12 (Ref:1647079)

it seems most of these events, 6 hour particularly, start as a good craic for all with a genuine competitive edge, then over a period of time it gets warped and distorted by the money bags glory hunters, then gets put in check (like this year ? ) and so on.

simon drabble · 3 Jul 2006, 08:27 (Ref:1647089)

in terms of the sports racers etc they did run against GT and Touring in period so its not that unusual, but if they are excluded why doesnt someone like Carol Spagg, Julius or WSM take up the mantle and do a 6 Hour for SRC. I know VdeV do it but their catchment is pretty wide and with modern Crossle's etc running as well it doesnt have quite the same feel

zefarelly · 3 Jul 2006, 08:38 (Ref:1647099)

Is that not the problem Simon? theres a limited number of racers in pukka cars ? so the lowest common denominator makes way, most of those owners have an alternative ( ie the LC in your case ) and theres more GT's and tin tops out there so a full grid is virtually guaranteed. which makes money and thats what it seems to be all about . . . .

simon drabble · 3 Jul 2006, 08:45 (Ref:1647104)

at somewhere like Spa where you can start 70+ cars there is room for both - I know out of choice I would prefer to be racing my Merlyn in the 6 Hour as its more competitive to the overall placings, the L-C hopefully will be competitive in the Touring Car Cup

zefarelly · 3 Jul 2006, 09:45 (Ref:1647148)

fair point, Spa is a long lap so a bigger grid spreads out, although its interesting that the tin top quantity dwindled as more SRC's came out, the speed differentials can be quite considerable, but as long as we avoid some of the pitfall as in earlier posts it should be ok !

Slippy Diff · 3 Jul 2006, 20:39 (Ref:1647577)

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon drabble

Stopped his BRDC membership if you are referring to a former Chemist!

Must have been a bitter pill to swallow.....

simon drabble · 4 Jul 2006, 07:04 (Ref:1647741)

having his objection overruled by FIA was as that led to the BRDC blackball!!! Hardly seen him on the historic seen since altho I gather he is active in other series

**Peter Mallett** · 4 Jul 2006, 07:16 (Ref:1647748)

Interesting. That would have been 2003?

Shame because he has some fine cars. He's also still got a pair of my old gauntlets that I loaned him when testing one day!

simon drabble · 4 Jul 2006, 07:22 (Ref:1647751)

If that is the year that a GT40 won then didnt win yes! Rather annoyingly that year they were given nice watches for winning and he kept his rather than giving it to a mate of mine who came second in a Cobra - my friend who was a hired driver rather than owner is still complaining about it now!

esper · 4 Jul 2006, 20:20 (Ref:1648308)

all those gossips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!its to much thinking for a dutch outsider, i onl have guesses

Slippy Diff · 4 Jul 2006, 21:11 (Ref:1648340)

Quote:

Originally Posted by esper

all those gossips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!its to much thinking for a dutch outsider, i onl have guesses

In a nut shell. Arrogant person makes a rather large pile. Arrogant person buys very nice historic race cars and goes racing. Arrogant person thinks all should bow before him and thinks nothing of cheating. Arrogant person is caught at 6 Hour race and spits the dummy. FIA reject Arrogant Person's appeal and arrogant person now throws his toys out of the pram. The BRDC (to their eternal credit) blackball Arrogant Person.

Of course, all this only allegedly happened....

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