Donington Historic Festival

[Peter Mallett]

Fourth running of this event. Incl MRL, STCC, HGPCA, F2, GTSCC, U2TC, Jaguar Classic Challenge, HRDC, HMR 1000km and Pre 80 Endurance grids

[gary396]

Timetable now available:

http://www.doningtonhistoric.com/the-races/

[Mike Bell]

Thanks Gary! Going to a busy busy paddock.......

[brands]

I was planning on attending on the Monday but looking at the timetable Sunday is another excellent days racing.

Do they still allow camping for spectators ? and if so is there still an overnight curfew for the airport ?

[Rudernst]

this year the Donny Festival will be without any Formula Junior races.
Last year they had two races as double headers, Front and Rear engined
4 in total

this year FJ were strung along and then hung out to dry

with hindsight you could see the writing on the wall last year
the race slot for RE race start past 7pm was as bad as it could get

The festival organisers now start giving the boot to the racers that supported the event with money and enthusiasm in its formative years, but are now not needed anymore and hence not wellcome anymore

I mean to combine racing my Junior(s) with Historic F2.
and ended up canning my entries for a number of reasons
including the above

my understanding is that some races needed to be canned to free up tracktime for the 3 hour race
but some of the would be 3 hour racers now complain that this will eat up half their engine life, meant to last a season, eeeeeexpensive


RE

[Peter Mallett]

There's all sorts of things going on here; not least the complaints from European racers who didn't like having to be around for two days. Thus the format has changed. I expected to be there for three days. I'm qualifying and racing on Saturday so only one day for me.

Can't please all of the people all of the time sadly.

[zefarelly]

I have a few options for this, and can't decide, one things for sure, it'll be very busy!

[andy97]

Originally Posted by brands

Do they still allow camping for spectators ? and if so is there still an overnight curfew for the airport ?

I don't know what what the camping arrangements are but there has never been an overnight curfew for the airport. EMA is the only airport in the country with no night time flying restrictions at all.

[grantp]

There seems to be quite a bit of construction work going on in the paddock area at the moment. Between the Formula E complex and the marshal's camping area. Presumably that will be over before the season starts in earnest.

I have no idea what it might be.

For those who enjoy track days I note that bookatrack have taken part of one of the units in the Formula E complex although what significance that may have is unclear.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by grantp

I note that bookatrack have taken part of one of the units in the Formula E complex although what significance that may have is unclear.

Apologies for going OT, but it is interesting. They're establishing a 'Caterham Showroom' at Donington. That particular track day company runs Caterham cars, so sounds like are going up a gear and establishing a dealership....

[andy97]

Originally Posted by grantp

For those who enjoy track days I note that bookatrack have taken part of one of the units in the Formula E complex although what significance that may have is unclear.

Bookatrack have expanded and diversified their business and taken on the Midlands Caterham dealership rights, and so this is the new Midlands Caterham showroom, I think.

[Mike Bell]

Snap!

[andy97]

Indeed, Mike, we were obviously both typing a similar thing at the same time.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Apologies for going OT, but it is interesting. They're establishing a 'Caterham Showroom' at Donington. That particular track day company runs Caterham cars, so sounds like are going up a gear and establishing a dealership....

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Snap!

Originally Posted by andy97

Indeed, Mike, we were obviously both typing a similar thing at the same time.

Simultaneously.

[grantp]

https://www.facebook.com/15662910068...53312254365686

Bookatrack Caterham showroom due to open on 5th March apparently.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by grantp

There seems to be quite a bit of construction work going on in the paddock area at the moment. Between the Formula E complex and the marshal's camping area. Presumably that will be over before the season starts in earnest.

I have no idea what it might be.

For those who enjoy track days I note that bookatrack have taken part of one of the units in the Formula E complex although what significance that may have is unclear.

Hmm, is this taking further possible parking space away from competitors?

The paddock is pretty tight as it is for this especially since the Formula E unit went up!

[Peter Mallett]

I think that's another reason for the schedule. I'm practicing and racing on Saturday. Means I don't need to be in the paddock on Sunday.

I suspect the final instructions will ask us to vacate in the evening.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Hmm, is this taking further possible parking space away from competitors?

The paddock is pretty tight as it is for this especially since the Formula E unit went up!

The work seemed to be at the back of the Bookatrack building where one usually finds stray trucks and stuff parked up . It didn't look like the work itself would be taking up a lot of space for whatever it is to be but the effect on the gravelled area available is unknown.

That said last Thursday the pits end of the paddock was very crowded. It seems that there are larger artics arriving in ever larger numbers for the test days.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I think that's another reason for the schedule. I'm practicing and racing on Saturday. Means I don't need to be in the paddock on Sunday.

I suspect the final instructions will ask us to vacate in the evening.

You could be right Peter.

I would imagine that vehicle passes may also be strictly controlled like most of last year.

Might be good to turn up in a e-car there are a few charging points just inside the gate at the Formula E complex and I suspect they might like to see them be used at some point.

How about an e-Caterham?

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by grantp

How about an e-Caterham?

It must be possible, Morgan are bringing out an electric version of the 3 wheeler. In fact, to meet ultimate manufacturer targets set for emissions, they'll probably have to roll out something similar! Anyway, that's all OT....

My lack of enthusiasm in the past to race at Donington has mostly centred around the paddock size, condition and facilities. During this coming meeting it is really going to be crowded, so I hope whatever is being done at the moment works for the competitors!

[chunterer]

Some encouraging rumours on FB suggesting that the Touring Car Trophy entry is already 40 strong.....

If that is full of proper tourers as has always been intended, it will be a tremendous achievement.

[Peter Mallett]

I saw Lindsay from MRL at the 74MM. She was very excited about the entries thus far. I'm sure the rumours are true.

My engine looks like it will be replaced in time so I'm looking forward to it. In Group 1 we will be running on Post Historics rather than slicks, should make life interesting.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I saw Lindsay from MRL at the 74MM. She was very excited about the entries thus far. I'm sure the rumours are true.

My engine looks like it will be replaced in time so I'm looking forward to it. In Group 1 we will be running on Post Historics rather than slicks, should make life interesting.

Yes I hope you have an engine back in your car too, I was thinking you must've been pretty ****ed off when you saw the smoke...

What is the reason for the grooved tyres being run again Pete? Was it a cost issue or lack of availability of suitable slicks?

[Peter Mallett]

Philosophical.

We can't get slicks for the Gp1 Rovers but we could run Yokos. The thought was that having to switch tyres was putting some of the Goodwood competitors off. So we stick with the Post Historics. Anyone want to buy a part used set of Yokos?

[zefarelly]

I've entered the HRDC BTCC race with the Crustina, was contemplating U2TC but can't justify double the price for an extra 15 minutes.

I'm expecting the closest we'll get to the Paddock arriving Sunday will be just South of Simon H's back yard!