Mallory Park Changes

[Adam43]

I see work has started on Mallory Park.

It also seems that the current layout will be kept for cars and tbe chicanes will oly be used for bikes (the ACU have demanded the changes). Well at least the choice will be there to use both. The MSA are having a look later in the week.

I hope that the car races will stay on the current track as I really enjoy the Esses and the new chicane, shall we say, doesn't look that good.

Oh, while I'm at this, I think I'll start a poll. Do you think the changes to Mallory will be good for racers?

[Chartman]

I'd like to vote as I'll be testing and racing there, but I don't know for definate what the change is going to be. From the MP website I got the impression that the change was a lot more than simply a bike chicane. From their description I envisage something more like the Esses at Snetterton. Do you have any images of what it is going to look like?

[Tony_Simpson]

the latest autosport magazine has an image of it.

At least car orgainisers have a choice of which track to run on, possibly making things a bit more interesting once in a while.

The changes mean that with the chicane it is more of a handling circuit than it was before.

[Adam43]

Hello Chartman, welcome to ten-tenths. And I see your from a great place! What do you race?

Anyway. I don't have access to a scanner at this exact moment, but I'm sure that someone may oblige.

From the map I have seen the Esses at Snetterton do seem very similar. It is a left then right, but I suppose much depends on how much track is between the left and the right. One thing is certain it will be a lot slower than before. Whether it flows will be the key. This is something I think the current layout does.

I have tested at Mallory, but, strangely, never raced there so I can't comment too much on the suitability for racing. I suppose slower corners are better for overtaking (debatable), however I current corner looked like a good place to have a go.

[Chris Y]

I'm not sure they will have a choice. My understanding of it was that they couldn't move the barriers back at the Esses, so they had to move the track forwards, and make the extra corner.

Given that The Esses was where Alfa Romeo racer Kevin Griffiths was killed, I'd have thought they'd make everyone use the new section, and slow the cars down through the Esses.

We'll see what the MSA say, I guess.

They'll keep the old layout anyway for the Mallory Mile, if nothing else but the times they run the circuit anti-clockwise.

[Adam43]

Tony, I think you are right. Handling will be more important.

Work started in the new year. Here is the press release from Mallory Park http://www.mallorypark.co.uk

Work started today (2 January) on changes to the layout of Mallory Park race circuit.

The new section of track will be located between Stebbe Straight and the Esses corner and will feature a sharp left hand bend followed by a right hander then a short straight rejoining the current circuit at the Esses.

Circuit director David Overend commented "The £250,000 scheme has been designed to slow competitors through the Esses and to add a couple of seconds to the lap times. However, because we are removing a great deal of earth, we are taking the opportunity of creating a new spectator viewing area around the new section and through the Esses. This can only add to Mallory's reputation as one of the best spectator viewing circuits in the country"

Mallory Park's 2003 race season kicks off on Sunday 2 March, followed by at least one race meeting every weekend until the end of October. General practice and track days re-commence early February.

I'm there in February, I wonder which layout it'll be?

[Ian Sowman]

The original layout will be useable from everything I've heard, which is good news. The chicane will be a left followed almost immediately by a right - unlike the Snetterton Esses where there is a fair few yards of track before the right-hander.

I'm not sure whether the Esses do need to be slowed down for car racing. Admittedly there have been a few big accidents there in the last couple of years, sadly including the one that claimed Griffiths. I'm not sure that it is any more dangerous than many other corners around the country though.

I note that the Alfas (the series in which Griffiths raced) are not due to be at Mallory in 2003, the first time I can remember them not visiting the track. It's a great shame because the Alfas can usually be relied upon to provide good grids and close racing. I suspect I know why they won't be at Mallory in 2003, but I do hope that they will be back in 2004.

[JR Ewing]

The Esses is a hard corner to get right. Even in an FF1600 it is a very quick and committed top gear corner but run-offs are limited.
How can they have two layouts? What about Wednesday testing? Which would they use?
Like the existing chicane after Shaws, it must eaither be purely for bikes or for everything I think...

[Tony Harman]

I have heard on fairly good authority that the new layout will be for all races, cars and bikes. The issue is really one of available run off at the Esses and the only way to make it safer is to slow down the approach.

[Chris Y]

You have obviously heard from the same 'authority' as me then, Tony

[Andrew Kitson]

With a little bit of computer graphics trickery and the map from Autosport, I reckon it will probably look something like this.

[JR Ewing]

No one likes a smart arse!

[Dave Brand]

Originally posted by JR Ewing
How can they have two layouts? What about Wednesday testing? Which would they use?

Using two layouts is no problem. It's already done at the Bus Stop. They use big Recticell blocks which are just moved into the required positon -only takes a couple of minutes.

[Tony Harman]

Interesting how the aerial view looks nothing like the impression you get from behind the wheel. The existing entry to the Esses looks so long, it sure don't feel like that at 100+ mph !
Do you think your enhanced pic is about the right scale Andrew ?, I haven't seen the Autosport pic yet.

[Smokey 6 litre]

as long as they dont change the fact that most of the track can be seen from the start-finish line it doesn't matter that much.

[Peter Mallett]

I agree with you Tony but looking at that configuration its going to make the second part of the Esses quite interesting. I can see some close running under acelleration due to bunching up at the chicane.

[Andrew Kitson]

How will it affect the hairpin guys? Will the bunching up as Peter suggests make any difference to overtaking into the hairpin? The entry speed at Shaw's, how will that differ?
I can't be exactly sure if the scale on the aerial shot is 100% - I'm working from another artists graphic from Autosport,which would appear to put the new chicane entry roughly at the area between the two lakes.It will make a good viewing spot from the back of the paddock though,to pass the time waiting for your race - unless you have dramas in practice of course to keep you busy!

[Tony Harman]

Peter's right about altering the approach to the chicane. I think right now, from my experience, you don't get too much spectator drama at the approach (apart from tyre smoke) because it's so tight, the drama is more on the exit. As Peter says the second part of the Esses and the pull up the hill could get very interesting, if the corner is a tight as suggested could be quite busy on the gearbox.

[JR Ewing]

The hairpin would be even easier than now where it is impossible to overtake without the guy in front allowing it.
I spose for spectators it would be better but Mallory's saving graces for driving are Gerrards (flattish), Lake Esses (bluddy quick) and Devil's Elbow (sh*t inducing in the wet!)

[Tony Harman]

Originally posted by JR Ewing
...but Mallory's saving graces for driving are Gerrards (flattish), oh how I wish - one day maybe...

Lake Esses (bluddy quick) and Devil's Elbow (sh*t inducing in the wet!) and the dry - max power in top and aiming straight for the wall and the marshalls - scary !!!

[Chris Y]

One other good thing for the spectators is that all the earth that's being moved for the new chicane will create a nice big banking, similar I think to the one at Devil's Elbow - again, should be a place where you can see the whole track from..

[Lee Janotta]

Well, it'll create a passing opportunity, but the flow through the esses is ruined with that chicane ahead of them.

[Peter Mallett]

I don't think it will affect Shaws because the speed isn't the problem there, its the configuration. Mind you Shaws is tremendous fun wet or dry, I tend to forget about racing and spend my time trying to see how far out of shape I can get whilst coming through it.

[Andrew Kitson]

Peter, are you sure you are not really Whizzo Williams!!??
I've never seen anyone get so out of shape lap after lap - and get it back as Whizzo did in his old Group 1 Firenza.'72 I think.

[Peter Mallett]

Whizzo is a bit of a hero of mine.