A Friend Remembered A Tribute to Mike Bell 2021 Calendar

**Peter Mallett** · 11 Feb 2020, 08:18 (Ref:3956908)

Good stuff. Will look out for it.

midgetman · 11 Feb 2020, 08:53 (Ref:3956915)

Quote:

Originally Posted by morninggents

As far as I know the owners of Silverstone are not the promoters of the Silverstone Classic. I think I am right in thinking that the promoter then sells on race slots to other organisations (and possibly on again) and each time these 'layers' make a fat profit without actually adding to the spectacle.

Unfortunately Max you've fallen in to the trap of taking an extreme point of view to make your point. Why should objection to greatly increasing the price of an article (the Classic/Revival) have to be seen as wanting charity. Is there no such thing as a middle road?

Maybe some lefties don't like profits, but I think that's the minority and certainly not many in motor racing circles. I am a capitalist by nature and training and I understand the economics of profits paying for research, development, employment etc. and the taxes levied on these profits goes towards all the services we demand such as health, roads, libraries, government, etc. Some may see the Classic as profiteering rather than profit making.

I'm sure Silverstone takes a healthy whack in track rental even if it isn't the ultimate promoter!

And it's not only lefties that despise profit, you'd be amazed at the number of staunch right wingers who, for instance, think I should be doing my job "for the good of the sport" instead of trying to eke a living from it.

I like the Classic. I exhibited there until the cost/benefit ratio went the wrong way for my business and then I stopped. It works for other people though and they continue to exhibit and entertain. Yes it may be expensive but it really works as a package and I don't think of it as profiteering.

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andy97 · 28 Mar 2020, 17:47 (Ref:3967411)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

Yeah, Julius Thurgood's Classic Alfa Challenge is running a 20 minute qualy on Friday, with 20 minute races on Saturday and Sunday.......all for what he says is the bargain price of £845 - or more than twice what we pay for 30 minutes qualy and a 40 minute race with CSCC

. I know this is the GP circuit, but even so..........

Just for interest’s sake, Richard, is your 75 eligible for Julius Thurgood’s HRDC Classic Alfa series (when any racing eventually takes place)? I see there is a “Sud class”, are 33s eligible?

zefarelly · 1 Apr 2020, 18:36 (Ref:3968071)

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy97

Just for interest’s sake, Richard, is your 75 eligible for Julius Thurgood’s HRDC Classic Alfa series (when any racing eventually takes place)? I see there is a “Sud class”, are 33s eligible?

Yes they are . . .

Sadly I don't think we'll be seeing any sport at least until Autumn the way things are panning out.

andy97 · 2 Apr 2020, 11:18 (Ref:3968184)

Agree with you, Joe.

I should have kept my ex Roger Donnan 33. Mind you, I still would not have entered the Classic at the prices Richard quoted earlier.

Lancsbreaker · 7 Apr 2020, 12:37 (Ref:3969098)

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy97

Just for interest’s sake, Richard, is your 75 eligible for Julius Thurgood’s HRDC Classic Alfa series (when any racing eventually takes place)? I see there is a “Sud class”, are 33s eligible?

Somewhat belated reply, mate....no the 75 isn't eligible, although the Alfettas are - the regs say models from the 750 - 116 range of vehicles.... EDIT: I've just checked and James Wright did run a 75 in end of season meeet last year, at least......so Julius is obviously flexible in his interpretation of the rules....

As we race as a partnership these races wouldn't suit us, anyway...and I certainly couldn't afford - and wouldn't pay, the sort of money for the Silverstone Classic rounds. Not that I think it very likely that the Classic will run - at least on that date......

andy97 · 7 Apr 2020, 12:50 (Ref:3969101)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

Somewhat belated reply, mate....no the 75 isn't eligible, although the Alfettas are - the regs say models from the 750 - 116 range of vehicles....

As we race as a partnership these races wouldn't suit us, anyway...and I certainly couldn't afford - and wouldn't pay, the sort of money for the Silverstone Classic rounds. Not that I think it very likely that the Classic will run - at least on that date......

Agree with you about the entry fees, Richard! And the fact that the meeting won’t run.
Joe seems to think that 75s are eligible?
It seems strange to me that 75s would not be eligible, whilst not actually a 116 platform (I don’t think) it is clearly a development of that platform and the 116 Giulietta and was the last of the pre Fiat control RWD cars.
It would seem sensible to have regs that allow all cars in that are “Pre Fiat”.
Sorry, thread creep, but what the hell, we are all bored, I am sure.

zefarelly · 7 Apr 2020, 14:15 (Ref:3969114)

I was making an educated guess, and specifically about Suds ( Chris Whelan has an ex works one and has been out . . . this is based on the track day last month . . . . I know the wifes 'new' Giullieta I'm caning around in isn't eligible. Nor the Giulia I'm eyeing up to replace my pensionable Subaru!

andy97 · 7 Apr 2020, 14:38 (Ref:3969119)

Quote:

Originally Posted by zefarelly

I was making an educated guess, and specifically about Suds ( Chris Whelan has an ex works one and has been out . . . this is based on the track day last month . . . . I know the wifes 'new' Giullieta I'm caning around in isn't eligible. Nor the Giulia I'm eyeing up to replace my pensionable Subaru!

Sud’s and Sprints definitely race, Joe, but not sure about 33s (but they are largely the same floor pan and drivetrain) though.

And the Classic Alfa race at Silverstone in 2019 definitely had one x Alfa 75 Twin Spark in it, driven by a James Wright. The Alfarace.com race report refers. https://alfaracer.com/classic-alfa-c...verstone-2019/. However, I also don’t see any V6 engined cars, and surely the Busso V6 is very definitely a “Classic Alfa” engine, but not the much later GM based 3.2, but I can’t actually find the regs anyway!

Mods, maybe we should separate out a discussion of the HRDC Classic Alfa series?

Lancsbreaker · 7 Apr 2020, 18:21 (Ref:3969152)

I'd corrected my post in edit when I realised that James Wright had been out in a 75

Further checking has also shown that at least two Giuliettas have been out in the series.

Despite requests (I'm the Director for Motorsport for the Alfa Romeo Owners Club) I've never actually seen any regs for Julius's series - the entry form for the Silverstone Classic merely says :
"This race is open to competitors racing any Classic or Historic production-based Alfa Romeo from the 750 - 116 range of models.
Cars must be recognised by one or any of the respective organisations:
FIA
HRDC
HSCC

Cars must run the tyres permitted by their respective registered Clubs or Series. NO SLICKS OR CUT SLICKS ARE ALLOWED"

Its one of the most "relaxed" series I've seen with regard to regs

andy97 · 7 Apr 2020, 18:28 (Ref:3969156)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

I'd corrected my post in edit when I realised that James Wright had been out in a 75

Further checking has also shown that at least two Giuliettas have been out in the series.

Despite requests (I'm the Director for Motorsport for the Alfa Romeo Owners Club) I've never actually seen any regs for Julius's series - the entry form for the Silverstone Classic merely says :
"This race is open to competitors racing any Classic or Historic production-based Alfa Romeo from the 750 - 116 range of models.
Cars must be recognised by one or any of the respective organisations:
FIA
HRDC
HSCC

Cars must run the tyres permitted by their respective registered Clubs or Series. NO SLICKS OR CUT SLICKS ARE ALLOWED"

Its one of the most "relaxed" series I've seen with regard to regs

Clearly all open to interpretation, Richard! But dont series regs have to be signed off by MUK?
Very odd that regs are not available. I know they have fairly decent grids but if things were a bit more transparent and logical (to my mind!) they would have even more. Still, it is Julius’ trainset and he can play with it how he likes!
Julius has had a Giulietta for sale for a long time.

Mike Bell · 7 Apr 2020, 18:39 (Ref:3969162)

All this talk of eligibility, cost etc and we don’t even know if the event will go ahead! As it has relied in the past on sharing temporary infrastructures with the GP, I have my doubts.......

Moneyseeker · 27 Apr 2020, 13:59 (Ref:3973118)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

All this talk of eligibility, cost etc and we don’t even know if the event will go ahead! As it has relied in the past on sharing temporary infrastructures with the GP, I have my doubts.......

All quiet from Silverstone Classic apart from the standard coronavirus statement, I noticed they keep extending the early bird tickets, which is now up to 10th of May.

Now (if it happens) the Silverstone BGP will be a behind closed doors event only, do we really think that a big public event like the SC will run only 2 weeks later?

Rudernst · 27 Apr 2020, 16:09 (Ref:3973138)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

All quiet from Silverstone Classic apart from the standard coronavirus statement, I noticed they keep extending the early bird tickets, which is now up to 10th of May.

Now (if it happens) the Silverstone BGP will be a behind closed doors event only, do we really think that a big public event like the SC will run only 2 weeks later?

Nope, personally I dont think so, and I had two cars entered
I cant see the SC happening this year
but thats my own personal opinion

RuE

Lancsbreaker · 28 Apr 2020, 13:46 (Ref:3973355)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

All quiet from Silverstone Classic apart from the standard coronavirus statement, I noticed they keep extending the early bird tickets, which is now up to 10th of May.

Now (if it happens) the Silverstone BGP will be a behind closed doors event only, do we really think that a big public event like the SC will run only 2 weeks later?

According to today's Times, the GP plans are for "closed door" GPs on successive weekends - 19th and 26th July, so only a week's gap to the Classic......

Can't see any chance of it happening, I'm afraid.