HRDC Willhire Reunion

**Peter Mallett** · 26 Dec 2013, 11:03 (Ref:3347979)

Racing into the night.

relativtortoise · 28 Dec 2013, 16:37 (Ref:3348338)

More detail here:

http://www.hrdc.eu/willhire_24hr_reunion.html

Shame it is at the wrong circuit

andy97 · 28 Dec 2013, 18:12 (Ref:3348367)

Very much what the 360 MRC are trying to develop, and they already do a 6 hour race. 360 MRC made it clear when they started out that they were hoping to invoke the spirit of the Willhire. Potential HRDC entrants could do worse than enter the 360 event as well.

Are there any entry lists available of the original Willhire races?

MartinSmith · 29 Dec 2013, 03:27 (Ref:3348480)

I really should post the truth about this event and about what has been done behind peoples backs etc......but in truth...no one would really care

Cant wait to see the entry price.....

relativtortoise · 29 Dec 2013, 16:27 (Ref:3348608)

The press release talks about lots of cars signed up....

The '85 winning Capri of Eaton, Oates, & Clarke is around and in the same spec as original. It was mentioned in another thread last week but the owner has no intentions of it racing.

The '88 winning Sierra of Abbott and 'Skid' has barely turned a wheel since and could I guess be recommissioned if they were keen.

The '89 winning Sapphire is running and took part in CPOP two years ago but has not raced - it has been uprated in quite a few ways as part of it raciing in the Dutch Supercar series after Firesone sold it. Not sure that it would race either.

There's talk you have to run Dunlops to take part

- they are a sponsor I note.

When talk and promises come to an actual entry (at whatever cost) will JT manage to fill a grid at Donington with genuine Willhire cars/drivers - we'll see

Mike Bell · 29 Dec 2013, 16:48 (Ref:3348612)

It's a big ask. The cars from my understanding were Production specification and not even Gp1, so how many, if still around, are still in that spec?

Agree that an event billed as a 'Willhire Reunion' seems a bit lost at Donington, but them I am biased....

MartinSmith · 29 Dec 2013, 17:12 (Ref:3348617)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

It's a big ask. The cars from my understanding were Production specification and not even Gp1, so how many, if still around, are still in that spec?

Agree that an event billed as a 'Willhire Reunion' seems a bit lost at Donington, but them I am biased....

He has gone to Donington because he knows its more popular with the drivers thats all it has NOTHING to do with "going into the night" what cobblers! and please tell me where the "IT MUST BE HELD AT SNETTERTON ON THE 200 circuit…THATS THE NEAREST TO THE WILLHIRE" has gone? eh??? JT? Mr Purest who has very cleverly now added replicas to the entry allowed when at first he didn't…..….what happened to that?…is it because the historic people you are referring to actually said NO when you asked?… I can't hold my tongue for very much longer on this actually….but I will try to for a bit longer

What I will say because I think Ive earned it is that if you enjoy the "camaraderie" and the ethos that the Willhire had, you could ask the people who have done the 360 already if that is the case with that event…..you know…helping each other out and sticking together, where the officials are fair where the competition is relevant and the organisers are NOT JUST IN IT TO MAKE MONEY FROM YOU …then I would ask you to think about what is being done to the 360 by the people who are trying to bring you this event….THAT INCLUDES THE HOSTS!

I don't want to appear bitter but in truth….I am not a happy bunny with the powers that be in regard to this "reunion" and unlike most..Im NOT afraid to say who with and tell the world WHY!

alfaracer156 · 29 Dec 2013, 17:33 (Ref:3348623)

Clare,don't worry about it as we will all
be doing the 6hr first.Mike.

GORDON STREETER · 29 Dec 2013, 17:47 (Ref:3348628)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

The cars from my understanding were Production specification and not even Gp1, so how many, if still around, are still in that spec?

Yes they were (or as near as can be with a bit of fiddling) I know a team that hired a "clone car from a well known rental firm and used it to rob parts off when things broke, funny how that car when returned with about only 100 miles more on the clock had a knackered gearbox/clutch and alternator !!

MartinSmith · 29 Dec 2013, 17:58 (Ref:3348630)

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfaracer156

Clare,don't worry about it as we will all
be doing the 6hr first.Mike.

If the powers that be get their way hon....you may not get the choice.....but I promise I will do what I can to make sure THE REAL SIX HOUR WILL RUN

relativtortoise · 13 Aug 2014, 14:04 (Ref:3443962)

JT has mailed out a postcard letting everyone know this event is postponed due to lack of entries....

johngee · 13 Aug 2014, 14:25 (Ref:3443968)

Quote:

Originally Posted by relativtortoise

JT has mailed out a postcard letting everyone know this event is postponed due to lack of entries....

Just to be clear, the 360MRC 6 hour endurance at Snetterton IS happening this Saturday 16th August

MartinSmith · 13 Aug 2014, 14:26 (Ref:3443970)

That is a shame because I was actually going to enter it!

Yep John is right, Roger Williams is there to drop the flag, The GT40 Enthusiast club will be there (well some of them) there is Javelin doing sprint races on the inner circuit, the 6 hour willhire rewire is on the outer circuit. Radio Le Mans broadcasting at the circuit and around the web and driving in it for charity...BBQ on the friday night in aid of Cancer Research ....Austin A40 to an Aston .....its still the best enduro this country has

Ohh and its not a reunion....its a real race!

morninggents · 13 Aug 2014, 14:47 (Ref:3443978)

Quote:

Originally Posted by relativtortoise

JT has mailed out a postcard letting everyone know this event is postponed due to lack of entries....

As this was first mooted last December and not scheduled to run until the end of the season was there any need to cause possible confusion with the 360 race entrants by issuing the Willhire reunion cancellation notice only 3 days before the 360?

MartinSmith · 13 Aug 2014, 15:01 (Ref:3443982)

Yes, its so I spend a certain amount of money now on a press release to tell everyone that MY REAL RACE is on!

I am actually thinking I need to send a mail to CD WRITE SERVICES

johngee · 13 Aug 2014, 15:08 (Ref:3443984)

Quote:

Originally Posted by morninggents

As this was first mooted last December and not scheduled to run until the end of the season was there any need to cause possible confusion with the 360 race entrants by issuing the Willhire reunion cancellation notice only 3 days before the 360?

You my say that - I couldn't possibly comment ..... but I do like a good conspiracy theory.

relativtortoise · 13 Aug 2014, 15:29 (Ref:3443991)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClaireSmith

Yes, its so I spend a certain amount of money now on a press release to tell everyone that MY REAL RACE is on!

I am actually thinking I need to send a mail to CD WRITE SERVICES

That would be your choice - I see no reason at all for anyone to confuse the two events - you're being paranoid.

The postcard went out to those who had expressed an interest (with a thinly veiled message to slag them off for not coming through) and to advise that those who had paid would be refunded and to thank them for being supportive.

johngee · 13 Aug 2014, 15:52 (Ref:3443996)

Quote:

Originally Posted by relativtortoise

That would be your choice - I see no reason at all for anyone to confuse the two events - you're being paranoid.

With good reason!

MartinSmith · 13 Aug 2014, 16:13 (Ref:3444001)

Well Im not going to get drawn into this..That is the end of the debate from me, its a shame it was not to be as I say, I was going to enter it !

What I will say is that we will have a very special EX Willhire winning car at the 360 this weekend...fully restored ...and ready to go and NOT the sapphire btw...all to be revealed tonight on Midweek Motorsport....actually I better get going...Ive gotta be there!! ha ha

Ta all

midgetman · 14 Aug 2014, 10:27 (Ref:3444197)

Quote:

Originally Posted by relativtortoise

The postcard went out to those who had expressed an interest (with a thinly veiled message to slag them off for not coming through) and to advise that those who had paid would be refunded and to thank them for being supportive.

It's amazing. JT set up an "event" that no-one asked for, in an area where John and Claire have struggled to get entries for years, yet it's the customers' fault that the event they didn't want won't go ahead. I think it was Einstein who said something about optimism is doing something the same way and expecting a different result.

If I treated my customers like that, then I wouldn't have any. Oh, wait.......

johngee · 14 Aug 2014, 10:56 (Ref:3444201)

Quote:

Originally Posted by midgetman

It's amazing. JT set up an "event" that no-one asked for, in an area where John and Claire have struggled to get entries for years, yet it's the customers' fault that the event they didn't want won't go ahead. I think it was Einstein who said something about optimism is doing something the same way and expecting a different result.

As you know Max (not having a dig by the way as you've supported us in the past

) but Claire and I could have redecorated our homes with lists of people who 'expressed and interest' in endurance racing and I'm sure it's been the same for HRDC. We press on regardless and with the support of 10/10ths and Radio Le Mans, 'one day' we'll get a full grid!

terence · 15 Aug 2014, 09:02 (Ref:3444440)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

Yes they were (or as near as can be with a bit of fiddling) I know a team that hired a "clone car from a well known rental firm and used it to rob parts off when things broke, funny how that car when returned with about only 100 miles more on the clock had a knackered gearbox/clutch and alternator !!

Did it have holes drilled in the floor as well Gordon? If so, thats two I know of

racemech · 16 Aug 2014, 21:25 (Ref:3444719)

Hi All,

I like many I'm sure received the postcard, to let everyone know the 'Willhire Revival' has been postponed.

In some ways it's sad when something like this happens. The idea sparks lots of interest with previous entrants of the great event, current car owners and mentions in most magazines. When the idea was first launched with only Genuine cars invited to enter, it sounded great. But, then the entry form arrived, now allowing 'replica cars'. This didn't come as much of a surprise, as the amount of genuine cars still in existence must be thin on the ground, let alone cars that are in a position to be raced once again?

The cost alone of preparing a car for a race like the 'Revival' at Donington is huge. Especially if the car hasn't turned a wheel for such a long time, which is the case for a few of the original cars I know of.

Of course if you had of started, or indeed finished the preparation of your car for Donington, your then told it's been cancelled! Not ideal, but I guess you would of thought that 'might happen' from the onset.

There were no regulations available to the best of my knowledge? So how would you know what specification to build your car to?

A 2 hour race would require re-fueling for some Group N cars, but not in your Production spec Sierra - 3 hours being a 'normal stint'!

To bring a car up to current specification for racing now, would also potentially take away a lot of cars 'original history'. Most cars ran with an Aluminium roll cage in period for example, now of course not legal.

Presumably the race would of had some sort of class structure. Not sure how you would do that, as you would need a lot of them! For example...

A 1987 production specification Sierra Cosworth, would be totally 'outclassed' by a 1991 Group N Sierra Cosworth.
Even a 1988/1989 production specification Sierra Cosworth, would be much different to a 1987 car. As the boost levels had not been 'pegged back', and they were in their first year of racing.

Also if 2 cars the same were to enter there would need to be some sort of parity between the two. So ideally they would run to the same boost levels/regs as in period?

As mentioned above, perhaps the idea was flawed from the onset? For sure, a fantastic idea, but one that would that would need such a great deal of organisation, and willing people to 'make it happen'.

None of the above is intended to come across in a negative way, just some of my own personal thoughts.

For now the Willhire stays in the history books, and will one day perhaps be 'Revived'...

Cheers,
racemech.

MartinSmith · 16 Aug 2014, 23:54 (Ref:3444736)

Well I know its not 24hr but ask nyone whose been to the 360 and they will tell you its very similiar. The ethos and the cameraderie all is there, I have just got back from the fifth runningg of it and I still believe it is Endurance Racing... As it should be

**garcon** · 17 Aug 2014, 22:15 (Ref:3444869)

Damn right.

The greatest thing about 360MRC is that it rekindles the SPIRIT of classic races like the Willhire, without getting bogged down in grid limiting detail on how 'authentic' it must be and what cars should qualify.