Donington Historic Festival 2023

[GCCheddaris]

The sizes of the grids at Donington were far larger than the grids which graced Thruxton and Snetterton last year, although the low grids at Thruxton last year were partially blamed on it's proximity to the Le Mans Classic. The HRDC appear to be on to a winner with the Gerry Marshall Trophy which attracted well over thirty entries to Donington. Are the GT&SCC running their Group One series this year ?

The HSCC's Historic Formula Two series ran at the early April Masters meeting rather than this one, but it is noticeable that relatively few single seater races are held these days in comparison to the plethora of saloon and GT series.

Happily my local circuits, Thruxton and Castle Combe, are still relatively free of fencing and the sight and sound of the Jochen Rindt Trophy field approaching the Complex is well worth the entrance fee.

[rbs]

[QUOTE=GCCheddaris;4153982]


The HSCC's Historic Formula Two series ran at the early April Masters meeting rather than this one, but it is noticeable that relatively few single seater races are held these days in comparison to the plethora of saloon and GT series.



It must be a lot easier to make Lotus cortinas, Mini's Chevron B8-B16, T70, GT 40, Elan 26R etc. than it is to make an F2 car. An F2 for example would need to have a good history as well.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I built and used to rebuild my only pushrod engine which probably did something like 80 to 100 races over a 5 year period. After each race, I would take the head off and replace the head, inlet and exhaust gaskets, whilst after each 2nd race, I would remove the whole engine and completely rebuild it including, sometimes, new pistons - or at least new rings.

Methanol, NOS, Bourbon fed? Coca Cola?

[GCCheddaris]

[QUOTE=rbs;4153985]

Originally Posted by GCCheddaris

The HSCC's Historic Formula Two series ran at the early April Masters meeting rather than this one, but it is noticeable that relatively few single seater races are held these days in comparison to the plethora of saloon and GT series.



It must be a lot easier to make Lotus cortinas, Mini's Chevron B8-B16, T70, GT 40, Elan 26R etc. than it is to make an F2 car. An F2 for example would need to have a good history as well.

If, as mentioned in the VSCC Spring Start thread, Jim Stokes could create an Alfa Romeo 158 (his second 158) and Cameron Millar could build several Maserati 250Fs, it shouldn't be too difficult to recreate more modern spaceframe and aluminium monocoque single seaters.

ISTR Van Diemen building a batch of their RF82 Formula Ford 2000s in later years and if Lola could produce their iconic T70 model why not some Formula 5000 T332s ? Building a one off may be prohibitively expensive but building a batch of cars would possibly make more sense if buyers could be found of course.

[Thundersports]

Originally Posted by GCCheddaris

The sizes of the grids at Donington were far larger than the grids which graced Thruxton and Snetterton last year, although the low grids at Thruxton last year were partially blamed on it's proximity to the Le Mans Classic. The HRDC appear to be on to a winner with the Gerry Marshall Trophy which attracted well over thirty entries to Donington. Are the GT&SCC running their Group One series this year ?

The HSCC's Historic Formula Two series ran at the early April Masters meeting rather than this one, but it is noticeable that relatively few single seater races are held these days in comparison to the plethora of saloon and GT series. Happily my local circuits, Thruxton and Castle Combe, are still relatively free of fencing and the sight and sound of the Jochwn Rindt Trophy field

HSCC F2 hasn't run yet this season first round is Hockenheim this weekend.

[GCCheddaris]

Originally Posted by Thundersports

HSCC F2 hasn't run yet this season first round is Hockenheim this weekend.

In period Hockenheim's Jim Clark Trophy Formula Two race was held either just before or just after Thruxton depending on when Easter fell that year, but usually early in April.

[brands]

Really enjoyed the racing on Sunday, the Gerry Marshall trophy being the highlight. Good to see a full paddock as well.

[Gerard C]

[QUOTE=GCCheddaris;4153998]

Originally Posted by rbs

Jim Stokes could create an Alfa Romeo 158 (his second 158) and Cameron Millar could build several Maserati 250Fs, it shouldn't be too difficult to recreate more modern spaceframe and aluminium monocoque single seaters.

https://tipo184.com/

[delta]

Originally Posted by Thundersports

HSCC F2 hasn't run yet this season first round is Hockenheim this weekend.

Next weekend ?

[delta]

Ah sorry it’s Monday . Your right this weekend .We leave tomorrow ?

[percy]

A few from Sunday's races...

[GCCheddaris]

[QUOTE=Gerard C;4154021]

Originally Posted by GCCheddaris

https://tipo184.com/

That car is the epitome of many a between the wars Brooklands (or Montlhery) special Gerard.

[Thundersports]

Originally Posted by delta

Ah sorry it’s Monday . Your right this weekend .We leave tomorrow ?

I'm off to the wonderful Cadwell Park this weekend you can keep modern Hockemheim.

[kartman24]

Did anyone get any pictures or video of my Grey Fairthorpe Zeta reg number 777 PPD during Sundays club track parade laps? Just finished an 11 year rebuild and had my first drive Friday evening before loading on the trailer to take to Donington. Loads of people taking pics of it as we went out and came back from the circuit run, hope someone on here caught it on camera.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by kartman24

Did anyone get any pictures or video of my Grey Fairthorpe Zeta reg number 777 PPD during Sundays club track parade laps? Just finished an 11 year rebuild and had my first drive Friday evening before loading on the trailer to take to Donington. Loads of people taking pics of it as we went out and came back from the circuit run, hope someone on here caught it on camera.

I am sure you might have this already in your history of the car, but I did find an ad for the actual car in an ancient Motorsport Magazine which I will post here in case it is of interest. The reg # 777PPD is visible.

"Motorway Sports Cars" who offered the car for sale, at the time of the ad were on the A2 at Boughton nr. Faversham "1 mile from the end of the Motorway towards Canterbury." Phone Boughton 223 !

Not sure if the image will show or enlarge the ad details on the forum clearly enough to read, (I expanded it as much as I could before posting) but it is described as:

"1960 Fairthorpe Zeta An immaculate example with the tuned Zodiac engine (Raymond Mays Head, 6 Amals etc.) giving a staggering 'E'-Type performance and a surprising economy. Very roomy inside, detachable hard top....... £355"

[coppice]

Originally Posted by Thundersports

I'm off to the wonderful Cadwell Park this weekend you can keep modern Hockemheim.

Snap - the best meeting of the year at the best circuit in the UK at the best time of year .

[drbob]

I like Donington track as well. The facilities are pretty good too. I can never get Redgate right though.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by drbob

I like Donington track as well. The facilities are pretty good too. I can never get Redgate right though.

I truly know what you mean, Dr Bob. Despite many, many hours pounding around, both racing and open public testing sessions, the Brands Hatch Indy circuit over 5 years up to 1970, I never, ever managed to find the right way to get around what was then called Bottom Bend, now renamed Surtees I believe.

Those of a certain age might remember that it was a double apex bend which meant turning in coming down from Druids and then tightening a bit more about 10 metres further on but on the flat. But to complicate it further, about half way through it became off camber!

I think that it was a combination of my poor driving abilities and how I built and set up my car, but having followed some of the best drivers of the day, guys like Gerry Marshall and even a future F1 WDC who was testing a F2 one Saturday afternoon, and trying to copy them, I failed miserably.

[justracing]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Despite many, many hours pounding around, both racing and open public testing sessions, the Brands Hatch Indy circuit over 5 years up to 1970, I never, ever managed to find the right way to get around what was then called Bottom Bend, now renamed Surtees I believe.

Bottom bend was altered and a huge soakaway dug on the inside necessitating the track to be reprofiled which has never met the approval of those who raced the old layout. At the same time another huge soakaway was dug on the inside at the bottom of paddock hill, prior to these alterations the circuit would regularly flood at the first sign of rain. Bottom bend was renamed Graham Hill bend, Surtees being the next left flick at the other end of South Bank leading directly into McLaren on the Indy circuit, during 2 separate circuit days some years ago I never could get the right line!

[delta]

How on earth have we switched from Donington to Brands Hatch . Anyway I’m under the channel and on my to Hockenheim . ?. Happy days

[justracing]

Originally Posted by delta

How on earth have we switched from Donington to Brands Hatch .

Sorry got carried away! Safe journey and go well

[delta]

Had to laugh . Parked up for the night near Bethune . All good so far .?

[Gerard C]

Bethune, centuries ago, was well known by his executioner, le Bourreau de Bethune. I've been told that he has been replaced by a certain Johnny Elwinn, hence le bourreau des coeurs!

[delta]

Yes also the place where I ran out of diesel last year . Happy days

[Gerard C]

Ho yes, now you mention it I do remember. Have a look around, may be there's a street or place named after you in this medieval city. You're famous, Iain!