ZANDVOORT HGP 28-30th Aug

[Mike Bell]

Includes FIA Championship grids from Lurani FJ, Masters F1 and WSM. Also mainland support from Historic Monoposto Racing, NK GTTC and NK HTGT. There's more open wheel action from HGPCA and Historic F2, and lastly Masters GD and Pre '66 tin tops........

Saturday evening will see a race car parade into Zandvoort centre, hopefully with no one getting lost or overheating!

So plenty going on, with possibly the extra spectacle of Delta's traditional dip in the North Sea. Having grown up next to it, I'm happy just to watch!

[FISCracer]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Includes FIA Championship grids from Lurani FJ, Masters F1 and WSM. Also mainland support from Historic Monoposto Racing, NK GTTC and NK HTGT. There's more open wheel action from HGPCA and Historic F2, and lastly Masters GD and Pre '66 tin tops........

Saturday evening will see a race car parade into Zandvoort centre, hopefully with no one getting lost or overheating!

So plenty going on, with possibly the extra spectacle of Delta's traditional dip in the North Sea. Having grown up next to it, I'm happy just to watch!

See you there. I will be in the two NKHTGT races in the Marcos

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by FISCracer

See you there. I will be in the two NKHTGT races in the Marcos

Will keep an eye out for you. I've only been to Zandvoort once before, remembered because I booked b&b for wrong weekend and finished up sleeping in the trailer........

Don't forget- no drone flying without permission! (A sign of the times?)

[delta]

I shall be going for my customary swim Saturday evening anyone brave enough to join me . It's blooming freezing

[terence]

Brave????

[Will Nuthall]

Hope you've got your bike ready as well Iain!!

[delta]

Yes Wil. Racer being loaded .

[Mike Bell]

I've only crosstrail taxed and mot'd at mo so will be lagging behind somewhat- unless you find some off road trails.......

[Mike Bell]

Waterproofs packed, thermals packed, sunscreen packed- 'Changeable' I think the experts call it.....

[henk4]

three days of sun expected, with only chances of rain/thunderstorm late on Sunday afternoon. certainly not a changeable as last year.

[Mike Bell]

Zandvoort can't help but feel different to most race meetings, with it's location in sand dunes and the North Sea behind them! I'd not been to the HGP before, but was told to expect massive crowds, and that proved to be the case. Many arrived by train, bus, coach or bicycle, as well as cars. After our miserable drive to Dover on Wednesday in torrential rain, next morning drive from Antwerp started in the dry, but then another downpour started as we got closer.....

Luckily was dry again while setting up, but just after we got the awning in place, it all started again, and just as torrential. Forgetting that am not young anymore, I made a dash to get into the back of a truck and slipped on the wet tail lift. The resultant 3 point landing- knee, head and hand- left me very embarrassed and very sore. Luckily the Delta first aid kit contained some awesome plasters, probably old but with proper glue to hold them in place!

That evening, we walked the short distance to a beach restaurant for supper, and watched the kite surfers doing aerobatics in the strong wind. Definitely a young persons sport!

Friday morning, the rain had gone, and we were bathed in sunshine for the rest of the weekend. Only a 'pretend' shower 0830hrs on Sunday intervened, just as Delta was waiting to go out for the 2nd HMR race, and on slicks! Luckily it stopped and an hour later it was glorious sun again....

The meeting was significant for Lurani FJ, as the first race marked the 500th for main man Duncan Rabagliati and his Alexis. Quite an achievement! The occasion was marked by a superb BBQ party Friday night at another beach restaurant, complete with group sing-a-long as the sun set over the sea behind us. Then after the '500th' race the prize giving was suitably uprated with bubbly stuff and cake. Saturday night the race car parade into town included a few FJs, and I was very privileged to drive the Alexis into the centre of Zandvoort, the little car attracting much applause from the massive crowds, likely in part due to the fact that it is painted in the Dutch National Colour! A few cars got a bit hot during the parade, but luckily without any permanent damage.

The second Lurani race action entertained us all with a superb 3 way fight for first place. On the pit wall this was enhanced by someone leaving a monitor on showing the circuit live camera feed! Well done our own James Murray for being one of the 3 combatants, and for showing superb car control under braking....

Iain was driving a Delta FF2000 in the Historic Monoposto Racing races. This includes F3, FF2 & 1600, Super Vee and Formula Vee, and at Zandvoort the cars were surprisingly well matched. After being disappointed with his times in practice, not having raced at the circuit for 15 years, Iain got faster with every lap and by end of the second race was just shy of where he expected to be, finishing P9 o/a. Races were only 20 minutes and several of those in first were under full course yellows after an oil trail was left round half the circuit, wisely finishing behind SC. Apparantly even the BMW M6 had a moment.....

Altogether a very enjoyable weekend with a great crowd of racers. Not even the Calais delays Sunday night and more rain all way home could spoil it! For those that have thought about racing at Zandvoort, but not taken the plunge, do it. And talking of taking the plunge, Iain found time for his traditional North Sea swim- but as none of us witnessed the event we have only his word......

[henk4]

We are working on the report now and as promised, 3 days of sun...

[FISCracer]

A great weekend....and two class wins always helps :-)

[henk4]

Originally Posted by FISCracer

A great weekend....and two class wins always helps :-)

knowing your identity will help in showing some shots of your activities here....

[henk4]

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/event...Zandvoort.html

Report is online now.

[Chris Todd]

Certainly a great weekend, with some excellent spectator viewing of the outbraking into Tarzan!

The Sunday crowd was crazy with access to the track across the dunes free to those with local knowledge!

In some ways very different to home racing with "wreckers" appearing on track during a race and a Porsche "demo" that lacked control.

But all in a wonderful weekend, with excellent racing, lovely sunshine, friendly hosts and affordable track food.

Well worth the journey despite the Gold Cup being a little nearer!

[Will Nuthall]

Apologies for the lack of cycle Iain!! I never even got around to straightening by bars out after turning them around to transport....

Great report and pictures as always from Henk!

[Mike Bell]

Thanks for the link, Pieter, and great pics!

Zandvoort- Any town that has a supermarket named 'Dirk' has to be cool......

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Thanks for the link, Pieter, and great pics!

Zandvoort- Any town that has a supermarket named 'Dirk' has to be cool......

Mike, Dirk (van den Broek) is the cheapest supermarket chain in Holland, they can usually be found in the poorest quarters of a city/village. I am sure in Zandvroot it thrieves on tourists, as the Zandvoortians are far too wealthy...

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by henk4

Mike, Dirk (van den Broek) is the cheapest supermarket chain in Holland, they can usually be found in the poorest quarters of a city/village. I am sure in Zandvoort it thrives on tourists, as the Zandvoortians are far too wealthy...

Cheapest supermarket chain?- that'll be why I went there then! Certainly was a queue outside Sunday morn waiting for it to open, the advertised opening hours had changed since day before!