Grand Prix de l'Age d'Or 2023 by Peter Auto

[Gerard C]

GPAO, to be held at Dijon-Prenois, France, 1/4 June 2023.

Time table: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hqybn5h099...-timetable.pdf
Entry lists from here:https://www.peterauto.fr/evenements/...x-de-lage-dor/

DrBob and delta will challenge the Stephens family, both entered the Fifties Legends grid (already 34 cars https://www.dropbox.com/s/mnjyei1ksd...entry.pdf?dl=0).


Your mission, Will, should you decide to accept it, is to be faster than in 2019, 1'43"7 and 189 kph (found an Elite in 1'49"4 and 179 kph but the track has been resurfaced since). Be warned, they seriously police the track limits there…

[delta]

We went last year but not a P A event. Think we might of been in the 48's.Still very much forward to having some fellow competitors to race against.

[Gerard C]

Iain, 48" with an Elite at Dijon is aint slow you know that. As to meet fellows playing in the same league, in French we say boxing in the same category, I understand and find your move from 60's to 50's very wise. IMO. You'll have more fun and will be less driving "in the rear view mirror" if this is clear.

[delta]

Thank you Gilbert for those kind words .

[Gerard C]

My pleasure, Dave…

[drbob]

Good memory delta
1”48.3
Dijon Motors Cup in the NKHTGT race

[356sc]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Your mission, Will, should you decide to accept it, is to be faster than in 2019, 1'43"7 and 189 kph ……

We need to get the engine running first!!

[Gerard C]

Ha yes, why? You've already pedals on the floor! Did you find what stopped it? As to the Elite electrical issues I've always wondered how you can find a proper ground on this type of machine.

[delta]

It’s about time you showed up Gerrard .I can take you for a pizza ?

[Gerard C]

Would love it, Iain, really would love it. Do you remember it a was a joke between Mike and me?

Try to come and buy a beer, my old mate Jean-Marc is supposed to enjoy his E Type. Quite a chellenge for him because the new aluminium engine disturbs the weight distribution…

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Try to come and buy a beer, my old mate Jean-Marc is supposed to enjoy his E Type. Quite a chellenge for him because the new aluminium engine disturbs the weight distribution…

Sounds like a great opportunity to "add ballast" to somewhere where the handling may benefit.

Or take some off somewhere else.

Would moving (or removing?) the driver be a possibility?

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by grantp

Would moving (or removing?) the driver be a possibility?

But of course, we do that very often, from right to left and vice versa, depending on the steering wheel location…

Seriously, it seems its a big improvement (aluminium bloc I mean) to handling, he reports a far more agile car despite some instability in the straights.

[Gerard C]

The 50's grid will host several races in the race, for instance four Elites (Bob and delta #149), four Lotuses XI, too many Minis and four 356's the Stephens (#49) will love to kick! Did you find the answer to "gentlemen start your engine" phrase?

[356sc]

Race weekend currently not going as planned! Can’t get the engine to run clean. Swapped engines and still same problem…..the investigation continues!

[Gerard C]

Ooops, sorry for you Will. Inspector Clouseau wont help…

[356sc]

It is definitely not the coil!

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by 356sc

It is definitely not the coil!

Nooo, you dare! But in fact this is no good news because if its an electrical issue you're not sorted yet I fear. Next usual suspect is the main switch, also called ignition killer!
But 1'44" is really fast enough. Iain and Bob are OK?

[Gerard C]

Best of all your sector analysis. Sector 1 you're 9th, Sector 2 you're 13 th, Sector 3 you're 15 th and best speed 192. Good drivers, good engine and fantastic chassis.

I had a look to some lap times achieved in the '60s grid and find that blokes in 1'42" driving SLW E Types are not that fast…

[delta]

We are good thanks Gerrard . Car not as fast as yesterday . Exhaust tail pipe fell off. Blooming mechanics .Walked the track but could not find . Is there a chief Marshal here I can ask to see if it’s been handed in . Big shunt in FJ race . Delta drivers OK . One driver cracked ribs and broken finger but in good spirits .

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by delta

We are good thanks Gerrard . Car not as fast as yesterday . Exhaust tail pipe fell off. Blooming mechanics .Walked the track but could not find . Is there a chief Marshal here I can ask to see if it’s been handed in . Big shunt in FJ race . Delta drivers OK . One driver cracked ribs and broken finger but in good spirits .

Oh dear, must be my fault. Put the mockers on it by looking at it last week ( I didn't touch it, honest) and saying it needed replacing. Sorry.

[delta]

Yes yes . I have put a new silencer on . It’s the tail pipe that has come off .

[Gerard C]

For the missing part you can go and ask any official, they will help. Thre is a Chief Marshal but he must be on the track. When something comes of any car they are trained to wear thick gloves before moving/picking up the said part… Did you look for a guy driving a white Nissan Patrol?

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Did you look for a guy driving a white Nissan Patrol?

Lorenzo, he's the boss where you are. Lorenzo Cristofoli. He knows the place inside out, inch by inch. Your tail pipe must be somewhere. Did you look at the windscreen of your competitors? No hole?

[delta]

All good and the Marshall’s handed the tail pipe in to race controls . ?. Very great full

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by delta

All good and the Marshall’s handed the tail pipe in to race controls.

May be he thought it's part of the crown jewels or a trumpet! Have fun Iain and others.