Heritage Gt Challenge

[andy97]

Originally Posted by kickstart

The Crossle is a road registered original 1966 car and a lovely old thing but it does have a modern zetec engine, which just about makes it affordable to race.

Road registered as in a "one off" done by an individual, or built as a vehicle originally intened for the road (& then modified for racing)? There have been one off road legal Mallocks & even a F3000 but that doesn't make them road cars! Surely they were originally designed as sports racers through & through?

Anyway, I assume that the Crossles in Heritage will have their own class (or run in Invitation) as strictly speaking they don't comply with the regs: Engines / Gearboxes / Axles: Engine must be of a type and size that was used in period . Neither the Heritage or Crossle Owners Group website mention the Crossles in Heritage GT yet either.

Is there still a Crossle series in Ireland?

Great looking cars - one of my favourites - must go and look at the one on display at Autosport, & Kickstart, I don't think you should have sold yours!!

[eamonn ledwidge]

Virtually all of the 1960's cars, 5S, 7S & 9S were road registered in Northern Ireland. Built a sports racing cars for racing only, many had a 'scoot' up the road for various reasons, this in more relaxed times. The reason for road registration was that these cars crossed the border regularly for racing in the Republic and this made customs clearance much easier at the Border.

I do know of one car, a 7S, which was drive on the roads from Belfast to Solitude circuit in Stuttgart as the twincam engine was delivered late and it needed a run-in!

Sadly, no Crossle series in Ireland now, all those cars are now in UK or Switzerland. Several of the Swiss cars are currently road registered and a couple of the UK based cars are also, including mine, regd in RoI.

Originally Posted by andy97

Road registered as in a "one off" done by an individual, or built as a vehicle originally intened for the road (& then modified for racing)?

Is there still a Crossle series in Ireland?

Great looking cars - one of my favourites - must go and look at the one on display at Autosport, & Kickstart, I don't think you should have sold yours!!

[joss Ronchetti]

Just got back from The Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells, owned by Aston Martin driver, Chris Scragg, where the Heritage drivers had meeting to discuss Regs etc in the afternoon and vote on them, followed by a fanatstic dinner, dance and social with over 80 in attendance. Had a great time with true enthusiast racers with some very different, fast and beautful machinery, with some front runners lap times on the current BTCC pace at some circuits
Guys, like me, who want to race fair and hard without resorting to body contact.
The Heritage now have a commitee made up of 3 of the drivers, John Wilson (MGBV8), Sean Brown (Lightweight Aston), John Dickinson (Ram Cobra) and Heritage Boss, Rodger Bennington. Any planned changes/gripes will be discussed after each race and voted for by the drivers, the commitee can be outvoted by the drivers
In my opinion THE fair and transparent way to run any series/championship, which is similar to the CTCRC's Classic Thunder Championship affairs. This stops any driver/organiser unfairly influencing/or appearing to manipulate changes for their own personal/ or mates advantage. That in turn should help to remove 'paddock moaning' and make the whole racing weekend more sociable
With ex F1 and Touring car drivers making appearences as 2nd drivers at some races, last races starting no later than 3pm on the best circuits, at big meetings with a beautful array of widely different cars such as Cameros, Sunbeam Tigers, Porsches, Astons, MGB's, Detomaso Panterra, Corvettes, Mustangs, Minis, Jaguars, Ram Cobra, Morgans, Zakspeed Escort, various Lotus's and my Sunbeam Lotus amongst others.
The 2011 season for The Heritage Grand Touring Car series is on target for the very best for a long time,
just like The Sub Zero Wolf Classic Thunder Saloon Car Championship with new cars joining from all different quarters.
I feel this is largely down to the similar organisation of both, giving us, the paying client and competitor, as it should be, the right to voice any gripes/proposed changes and know exactly what is happening all the time and any changes are delt with democratically and fairly.
Looking forward to a great and fun season and highly recommend any other drivers with suitable machinery to contact the organisers to find out full details, I promise you will not be dissapointed

[Al Weyman]

Good post Joss only one complaint and my pet gripe, its a CAMARO not a CAMERO!!!

[joss Ronchetti]

Sorry Al, I'll make up for my spelling and ignorance at the Snetterton trackday. You can have a drive in my Riceburner EVO IX XT400 on the day, as I am bringing it too, to learn the circuit before taking the Sunbeam out, as running hours are too expensive to do much more than an hour or two out on track in it. This motor has got to do testing with the new dampers, and more than likely will have to do at least the first race or two, so don't want to overdo it. If you have not driven one of these Jap computors Al you will be amazed at the way the tricky diffs on it just keep it going in the direction. It goes where you point the steering wheel, even when you arrive into a corner far too fast, braking too late while turning in, missing the apex and getting right out of shape, the car sorts it all for you in most situations, apart from the pure suicidal, and you live to fight another day without even having to take your elbow off the door ledge And with only 400BHP she just goes all day long, she has done half her 18000 miles on track and never missed a beat.

[Al Weyman]

SOunds good, I'll forgive you

[Rikki Cann]

It was a great day/evening, I think hgtcc have now got it sorted especially as we can have any probs dealt with at each meeting (should there be any). The driving standards have always been very good, Hopefully when we get to brands on the GP circuit we will have the grids back to 36/38 cars with reserve lists the sight of all those different makes of classic cars pouring into Paddock Hill bend from a rolling start is quite special and not for the faint hearted.


Thanks guys for all the hard work in assembling the commitee and arranging the dinner, rollon 17th April Silverstone GP circuit

[gt917]

Joss, i agree with Al. It was a great and informative post and having just put the telephone down from John Dickson i,m overjoyed to hear that you will accept me and the 917, as well as the GT40 if i can find a suitable local driver for it.
I,m so sorry to have missed the drivers meeting which i had so dearly wanted to attend but as John was aware my Father passed away last Tuesday and then my Mother in law on Saturday.

Please let 2011 get better and thanks to one and all for accepting the cars.

[car35]

I was especially pleased at the attitude of all the drivers. Everyone just wanted to race they didnt want all this success penalty crap they wanted to beat their competitors on merit. Keep the racing pure and make sure the grid is full of fabulous cars someone said and judging by the fact that their were drivers in the room from various other series agreeing this is a popular view.

[car35]

The Heritage have a Media Day at Brands on the 23rd, all welcome.

It is yet another opportunity for you to meet and socialise with other competitors and view some of the fabulous cars which will be participating in the series at top events on the best circuits such as Silverstone GP, Brands GP and Snetteron 300 . Cars in attendance include;

DB4
Aston V8
Cooper S
Lotus Sunbeam
Camaro
Pantera
FIA Lotus Elan
S1 Esprit


The format for the day is still being formulated but is expected to include the following:

Photo shoot
Breakfast provided in the Media Centre
Press Conference hosted by Jonathan Palmer
Circuit laps for prospective drivers, media/sponsor and passenger laps
Coffee and sandwiches served in the Media Centre at lunchtime to finish off the event

[Tim Falce]

Just my bad luck I'm on holiday the week before and the week after but have to work that day. The email I have from Kim Denning says there will be track time in the afternoon, will any of you be staying?

[Rikki Cann]

Great news John, we will be there, it seems like ages since we was last on a track can't wait, and a big thankyou to MSVR for organising the event, Have you heard if any celebraties (apart from yourself) will be attending?.

[joss Ronchetti]

Whizzo Williams is coming along to have his first drive in The Bullet, and Martin Donlly is coming as well apparently

[BILTEL]

Originally Posted by joss Ronchetti

Whizzo Williams is coming along to have his first drive in The Bullet, and Martin Donlly is coming as well apparently

I'll ride down with Whizz for a look. See you then Joss.

[GORDON STREETER]

I might pop along to wind some of you "nippers" up !

[car35]

Some of our cars will be out in the morning and there will also be a public track day in the afternoon which I (in a 76 Esprit...sorry) will be out in and I believe others are staying to.

As you know Whizzo's racing with us, also Martin Donnelly and Tiff Needell. Also hear a rumour that Steve Howard might be bringing James May on the 23rd.

Its all looking good!

[Rikki Cann]

We will have our Elite (1959) with us and will be giving passenger rides in it, should be fun.

[car35]

Twenty seven cars are already registered including the Bryants, Beightons and Jackie Cochrane with many others verbally confirmed such as Harvey Death and Pat Thomas. If that wasnt good enough we have several pro celebrity drivers racing such as Tiff Needell, Martin Donnelly, Barry Whizzo Williams and others not forgetting Gregor Marshall as our series journalist.

Just got to finish my own car or I wont be joining them!

Love this vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxW72d1_0u8

[gt917]

Great news John, and have just received my receipt for my registration in the series as well.

See you at Brands next Wednesday.

GT.

[Rikki Cann]

Just had some more info regarding 23rd and it looks like not only some brilliant cars (some will be offering passenger rides for free) but also quite a few celebrities, i hope to see lots of you there.

Rikki

Lotus Elite.

[GORDON STREETER]

I trust the "celebs" include me Rikki

[SAMD]

Only if retained by your harness Gordon

[GORDON STREETER]

Oh well I guess I'll have to drive the sofa up to Brands !

[joss Ronchetti]

My Sunbeam Lotus will have passenger seat fitted and will be giving free passenger rides with either me, Whizzo Williams or Phil Seaman driving.
Passenger seat is already booked in the morning, with Kevin Turner from Autosport and Andy Basoo from Retrocar getting in first, but we are stopping on for the open pit lane trackday in the afternoon from 2pm. Anybody wanting a ride find us in the pit lane, you will have to sign an MSV dislaimer and pay a £10 I think.
If possible please message me, to let me know if you are coming down, as don't want to have dissapointed people if there are too many :'0)

Be good to see you Gordon again, bring your licence with you if you fancy a few laps out in her

[GORDON STREETER]

Pity it was a miserable wet day today at Brands, as I didn't want to throw "The Bullet" into the scenery I took it a bit easy.
However Wizzo and I managed to get a slight bolloc*ing for overtaking infringements in our drives whereas Joss was squeaky clean
Thanks for the drive mate !