Algarve Historic Festival Oct 2009

[delta]

Hang on last time i was at Knockhill there was swimming pool. Trouble was it was on the circuit.Sure can rain up there.

[delta]

Herewith my report on Delta trip to Portimao.Set of with 6 cars 5 in the Delta truck with Jim towing the Galaxie a bit later. Met up with HFJ Drifter to collect and fit Duncan's tail section on the M3 and made our way to Portsmouth.With plenty of time to spare headed to the "Hook and Tackle" pub for a slap up dinner and a couple of pints.This is always a special occasion for me as it was this meeting place Me and Alan Morgan along with Duncan came up with the idea of Historic FF2000.Quiet crossing apart from a few rum and cokes with George Fowles and Wally Walford,Tom Hanks Film that i did not understand anyway arrived in Bilbao Monday morning.No probs on the way down just got stopped by the Portugal Police at the last Toll they wanted all the paper's Documents ect ect. A couple of Delta caps issued and all was forgotten and we were on our way again.Turned up at the track Tuesday morning with nothing to do so we set of to the beech for the day. "hard life this motor racing".Finally got into the paddock Wednesday evening and set up camp. Thursday morning collected hire car and spent the rest of the day thrashing around learning the track.During the day got all cars scrutineer ed which was a delight the Scrutineers just wanted to sit in the Galaxie and have pic's taken and make sure the brake lights worked. Very nice people.Friday we were out in the Lotus 17 which just ran like clockwork all weekend and we finished 2nd and 3rd in class with the little 1098 engine 8th overall in Legend's race which i was well chuffed about.Jim had John Fitzpatric driving Galaxie with him and i was pleased and encouraged that John said the car was handling very well since the last time he drove. Not a track for the old girl and we had clutch and brake probs but they finished 13th after a long pit stop and Jim getting tapped on the last lap putting him into a spin down the straight and a visit up to John Gee as he finnished pointing in the right direction but stalled in middle of the track with the starter U/S.I ran down the pit to see him being towed away with people in the grandstand standing and clapping him for the entertainment.Missed collecting my pot of Sir Stirling as we were getting the car ready for the next race which was very disappointing for me.Sunday night loaded up and set of for Porto Monday as we had decided we would stop there for fish supper. Weather was aw full so we only stayed for Monday night and set off to Santander as Mrs Delta had organised an earlier ferry for us which turned out ok as the weather was naff all the way back up to Spain.Ive told you about the crossing home so thats it.I had the most wonderful time and recommend that if you get the chance to go as a racer, spectator or what then GO.!!!!. Fantastic track lovely friendly people that just can't do enough for you. Roll on next year. Off to build the MK1 Escort now with Mr Bell's help and then the next challenge .The full Nurburgring circuit.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by delta

Off to build the MK1 Escort now with Mr Bell's help

Did I give you a copy of the consultancy fees

Apparantly you even had time to do a bit of this..... If I had known would have borrowed it to get all the grass out of the car after first race!

[rogerwills]

Iain, I still can't believe I didn't see you down there at all. Did they have you chained to a workbench in your truck?

[delta]

We were parked up the far end of the paddock Rog.Me and Mick did not get finished much before 9pm each night. We arrived at the BBQ Friday night 2 hours late and covered in oil probably did not smell too good either but the people at the BBQ just set too and found some food and drink for us as well.Just so nice.Then me and Mick were scoffing and drinking sangria like it was going out of fashion and this very attractive woman turned up and sat down with us. Trouble was she was selling real estate.After realising we did not have any money she made some excuse about having to go to the loo. Never saw her again.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by delta

Then me and Mick were scoffing and drinking sangria like it was going out of fashion and this very attractive woman turned up and sat down with us. Trouble was she was selling real estate.After realising we did not have any money she made some excuse about having to go to the loo. Never saw her again.

She didn't even bother to talk to us, so think yourself lucky! That was some well organised barbecue for goodness know how many people. Lacked the 'warmth' of the Silverstone Delta event, though!

[delta]

I think we have still got the kids paddling pool in a shed somewhere.I will bring it to the Classic next year.Think i was the only one that went for a swim.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by delta

I think we have still got the kids paddling pool in a shed somewhere.I will bring it to the Classic next year.Think i was the only one that went for a swim.

Did see a few others taking the plunge, but the hotel pools were better.....

OK, now have sorted malfunctioning keyboard out, my perspective on AIA weekend-

On arrival Wednesday noon all transporters were parked up outside so walked through tunnel and immediately bumped into Delta. Retired to bar (thanks Iain!) only for someone to walk in and tell us the trucks were going in. Legged it back and got inside paddock to find garages locked up. Eventually someone found the keys…….
Next morning booked track day for hire car, James P drove and I observed layout from right seat. Some circuit, some hills! In afternoon everyone went back to hotel but I took Escort out to learn the sequence and see how it handled the heat. (There was a free practice the next morning at 0730, but cool then and was intending to celebrate that evening!)

Having missed free practice got car ready for pm qualifying. After a few laps a proto 70 deposited an oil trail in the braking area for downhill hairpin. Fortunately I was right behind him and saw it so moved over! Then after another lap or two someone else started laying a trail on left hand bends (on line of course!) so the whole exercise became a waste of time. Came in to find others had made same decision!

First race Saturday found me on the grid beside Steve Tandy’s beautiful Daytona and just behind Vince Woodman’s Capri.


As usual one or two cars behind us mis-interpreted Masters rolling start regulations and it was a bit fraught at first corners. Vince’s windscreen bore the evidence after. When starting 3rd lap just behind the Daytona, I braked hard at end of straight only to have the car snap sideways to the right and leave the track sideways. It went across pit lane exit and onto dry grass infield. As the same time the rear screen blew out, and the car filled with dust and dry grass. Eventually, without ever spinning, it finished up on the tarmac again where the alternative corner layout was, so I slotted into first and regained the circuit having lost less than 4 seconds. The track data shows my speed on the straight that lap as 222kph, the closest I ever want to be to a big accident….. (And testament to the circuit safety.)

The skid marks-


2 laps later I posted my fastest lap of w/end, then got past a few cars- including the Daytona- to finish 14th and first under 2 litre saloon. After the race we found both left hand rims jammed with grass which required letting the air out to remove. Then realised the left front was almost showing canvas in one place so fitted new for Sunday. Rear screen and rubber recovered from marshal’s depot, but very worse for wear!
Sunday got to watch some other races and climb to the top of the main stand. Brilliant view, and took photo of my skid marks to try and understand what had happened. Car had not shown tendency to repeat the exercise, and couldn’t find anything wrong mechanically.

Waiting for 2nd race. CSLs lurking in their cave somewhere.....


Race grid based on first results, so to left of Vince’s Capri, and wishing I had ear plugs! Managed to keep in front of cars starting behind and make way for Bobby Rahal and a couple of other protos which had started from the back. Had great race chasing Vince and a local RSR, which eventually I got past, but couldn’t catch the Capri and finished 2.2 seconds behind. Think Roger W must have had a problem as he finished behind in his CSL? Importantly the Escort was first 2 litre saloon home again so I got another class win to add to the Gilbern’s from Spa!

As Roger W has already mentioned, on the slowing down lap the Marshals come onto the track with their flags which makes you feel as if you have just won a GP- and makes it easier to thank them!

I didn’t read a the tall racing journo’s column in Octane before leaving UK so didn’t realise that a hero of mine, Ralph Broad, lived near the circuit. As it happened he came to watch the racing as a guest of Vince, and had time for a chat and photo opportunity after the prize giving. Made my day!



My thanks to everyone concerned in making the event happen- it was superbly organised and run in a fabulous location. As ever the Masters team worked extremely hard to make everything run smoothly for their competitors, so of course thanks to them also!
The best way ever to celebrate a birthday. I’ll be back!