Historic 'Tenthers' at Snetterton Friday 4th March

[Al Weyman]

Thanks Paula, me too! I have now entered this car in the 360 support race, just gotta put the straight cut Rock Crusher Muncie M22 gearbox in her for the event I can then repair this one in my own time.

[Paulaweybridge]

You are welcome Al.

My love for V8's goes back to my BGT V8 which I bought new in 1973.

Just after taking delivery of her, I flew to the States and one day I popped into a gas station in my hired AMC Ambassador and spotted an MGC. I told the owner that I had just taken delivery of a V8 and he said in a broad drawl " A V8 - when are they coming over here? " I said I don't know and, of course, officially they never did ...

All down to a supply problem of the Buick inspired Rover V8 apparently.

You can just imagine how many V8 B's would have been sold in the States if the engines had been more readily available.

I am hoping to get up to Snett at the end of April for the races and if I do, I'll come over and say "Hi".

Good luck with the gearbox change.

Take care

Paula

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

Thanks Paula, me too! I have now entered this car in the 360 support race, just gotta put the straight cut Rock Crusher Muncie M22 gearbox in her for the event I can then repair this one in my own time.

[Al Weyman]

Thanks Paula, wow you really are a V8 fan! Yep if they had also stuck the unit in the Stag that would have been a very nice high speed cruiser as well but no.

[Paulaweybridge]

You betcha Al....

I am usually in the USA for around 6 weeks each year and love going to all the car meets with cars like your's on display.

It's surprising now many classic muscle cars are used on a regular basis over there.

The sound of a V8 is music to my ears....

I also had a Costello V8 'B' roadster for a while and that thing really flew. I remember seeing off a Porsche on the way back from Brands circa 1983....

I once drove a friend's Stag and it was a really nice car. Just a shame that they had that unreliable Triumph V8 under the hood.

PS. Bill Shepherd Mustang is down the road from me in Byfleet and I pop in there occasionally to get my fix ...

http://www.billshepherdmustang.com/

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

Thanks Paula, wow you really are a V8 fan! Yep if they had also stuck the unit in the Stag that would have been a very nice high speed cruiser as well but no.

[Paulaweybridge]

John, thanks for sharing your fotos.

The first time I went to Snett was to watch the original BTCC night race in 1999.

It was fantastic.

[John Turner]

I will put some pics of the cars on track in due course, but here are a few more of the 'works'. The first 3 were taken 'blind' as I simply pointed the camera over the top of bridge parapet as I walked across! You will see the substantially raised area (for spectator viewing?) and just to its right, in the distance, you can see cars coming off the new infield part of the track onto the Revett Straight. The last two are of the work being carried out adjacent to the current paddock area, close to the refuelling station:-

[restyles]

John, sorry I missed you and Kev last Friday. I was there for a little while. Yes the large earth bank in your photo will be for spectating. There is another one on what used to be the marshalls camp site between the start and Riches, which is equally as big. These will be great for viewing but in my opinion not so good for pictures as you will be fairly high up. The spectator fencing was going up yesterday and is quite a bit above track level. On the plus side there are no plans to put two mile high debris fencing all around like Brands and Silverstone so it will be one of the choice tracks for the amature snapper. Good news I think ! I will pop a few shots on from the testing yesterday to give an idea of the photo possibilities when I have a minute. Unfortunately some of the new angles will not be accessible to spectators, but that has always been the case of course. There will be numerous advantages over the old Snett for pictures, plus all the old favoirite spots are still there. Russell looks better in my opinion as you can now include Coram in the background. Roll on the 19th & 20th I say !

[gt917]

I had to take the 917 over to Nick Paravani today for a new quiet silencer system to made (that,ll bugger up the rear end looks and add weight where i don,t need it) and thought i would call into Snetterton for lunch at the cafe and see what was happening. Well apart from the weather being dry and the sunshine bringing out the worlds stock of radicals it is amazing how lots of things are being done day by day.

Kerbing is now painted red and white.

Tarmac pavements are laid around lots of the new track and up Everest and Mont Blanc (the two great viewing mounds) for ease of access and the disabled.

The new paddock areas are nearing completion with surfaces like a billiard table.

I watched a man carefully hand grass seeding on one of the mountains.

As for the contractors .. they really do care and have done a superb job.

As the circuit is on my doorstep this makes the fourth time in two weeks of going there and each time i rave more about it.

I reckon that in a very short time some of the best races and the best racing will be held at Snetterton and that for spectators it will provide the closest and best viewing anywhere.

As for the drivers i,ve yet to hear an adverse comment.

GT

[MGDavid]

this all sounds so positive I really do hope it's not the precursor to the closure and redevelopment of Brands.... for housing

[Al Weyman]

wHY SHOULD THAT HAPPEN?

[restyles]

As promised a few shots from the new sections of Snett. Most angles will be accessible to spectators but obviously the spectator fence will be slightly further back. None of the shots have been cropped. I will list the lens focal length used.

#1: Turn 2 (Sear) this is from the inside and will unfortunately not be accessible for spectators. However eventually it will be possible to view the corner from the banking on the outside of the corner. This was with 80mm focal length.



#2: Turn 3. this will be accessible from the new spectator bank but with a slightly higher viewpoint. This was with 300mm focal length.



#3: Turn 3 again.The same angle but with 600mm focal length.



#4: Exiting Turn 4 with the spectator bank visible behind. The plan is to allow spectator access down to the grass section adjacent to turns 5,6,7&8 in due course. This was with 300mm focal length.



#5: This is turn 5 but is a long way from the barriers. This was taken with 600mm lens.



I will continue on next post.

[restyles]

A few more pictures from the new sections of Snett.

#6: This is the entry of turn 8 where new joins old onto the Revett straight. This should be accessible if the proposed plan for spectator access goes ahead. This was 100mm focal length.



#7: This is the revised Coram and leads into the left hander of the revised Russell. Spectator access will be possible to this point within a little. This was 300mm lens.



#8: Looking across Russell with Coram now visible. Will be nice for groups of cars I think. 300mm focal lenth.



#9: Finally new Russell which actually looks quite similar to old Russell on a picture. Will look great when the grass has grown, as will all photo angles on the new sections.



I hope this will be of some help to the spectators who enjoy picture taking as well as watching the action.

[Paulaweybridge]

Wonderful fotos....

What equipment are you using as I am considering buying a Nikon D300S which I have already tested with all my Sigma EX telephoto lenses that I used with my old 35mm Nikon F90X and they are compatible.

http://www.europe-nikon.com/en_GB/pr...essional/d300s

You can get one (body only) for around a grand at discount shops.

[restyles]

Hi Paula, they were taken using Canon kit. 1Dmk4 + 300 f2.8 or 70-200 f2.8. The ones at 600mm were with a 2X extender. I have never used Nikon but equally good I am sure.

[Paulaweybridge]

Aha !!! That explains it.

Now we are talking - Nikon D3X-D3S territory ...

Remember having discussions with Jeff Bloxham(Nikon) and Gary Hawkins(Canon) about which is the best camera for Motorsport Photography.

Opinion is generally divided.

Of course all my lenses are Nikon compatible so it's a no brainer for me..

Take care and happy clacking ...

Paula

PS. Those extender shots are great, fortunately I have one at 2X.

Originally Posted by restyles

Hi Paula, they were taken using Canon kit. 1Dmk4 + 300 f2.8 or 70-200 f2.8. The ones at 600mm were with a 2X extender. I have never used Nikon but equally good I am sure.

[John Turner]

Ok, I'm not sure I want to do this in view of all of Richard's great pics but here are a few more from the testday, including a couple of Mike's Porsche which got into this weeks' Autosport. A few more will follow later, including one of Al's Camaro if I can find a halfway decent one:-

[John Turner]

A few more:-

[restyles]

Originally Posted by John Turner

Ok, I'm not sure I want to do this in view of all of Richard's great pics but here are a few more from the testday, including a couple of Mike's Porsche which got into this weeks' Autosport. A few more will follow later, including one of Al's Camaro if I can find a halfway decent one:-

John Turner don't be daft .. you take great pictures. Anyway, its nothing to do with my abilities, its the stupid amounts of money I have spent on kit !! Just carry on the good work

[John Turner]

You are too kind, Richard .... and too modest!

[Peter Mallett]

Oh, get a room you two.

[Al Weyman]

Thanks for posting John, nice one of the 'maro!