Masters Racing

[The Flagman]

Like Gary I have a concern.

Fed up with flagging 30/40 min races with around 10 cars so made a rule that if I can't see an entry list I don't go. Broke it for this meeting because its been too long since the WHT last year.

HSCC always publish their list, and it always seems to overflow. Masters destined to lose out later in year. CSCC - Bob will always give me no's and this has affected decisions. Be interesting to see what AMOC deliver this year.

Cannot see much in modern racing that looks like a proper meeting so looks like being a very good year for historic movement even if there are significant date clashes.

Looking forward to next Sat.

[Ben Shuckburgh]

Drivers are frustrated by it too. We like to see who's in and out. I'd just say Flagman, that even if there isn't a huge grid, the marshals work is very much appreciated by those who are there!

[kipper]

Originally Posted by gary396

I know that organisers will have very valid reasons for not wanting to do so and get problems of late entries as mentioned above and that drivers / teams have similarly valid reasons for late entries but from a spectators point of view it is always disappointing. Having said that, maybe a lot of events aren't run for the benefit of spectators and that as attendance can be relatively low their needs / views are a lower priority?

To be fair, the bulk of clubs do publish some sort of list in advance of their meetings (I think its only BARC that don't as a matter of course; MSVR - which includes Saturday's meeting - usually publish lists for Masters meetings in which they are the permit holding club); however, I suspect that for many the final lists are only available after the time in which a decision to attend has to be made. I guess the problems lie in the fact that club's gain little from spectators attending the meeting (although they need marshals as evidenced by The Flagman's post) and that publishing a list at an early stage may do more harm than good if it is wholly unrepresentative of the final entry.

[gary396]

I see 'light snow' is pedicted on the Metcheck.com site for OP on race day! Deep joy.

Not on other sites though - just light rain. Never trust the forecast even a week so hopefully things will improve nearer the day.

[delta]

Finally just spoke to Jim and I'm afraid we are not racing . Sorry.

[Christian Devereux]

Mini finished this afternoon!
So off to Oulton we will go.

Thanks to Gerald and Phil Dale, who have been drinking much midnight tea during its bare shell rebuild.

Who's this Roberta Moreno sheila then?

Is it Rons girlfriend?

[Yorkie 'S']

Who's this Roberta Moreno sheila then?

I dunno Christian but I don't expect to be seeing her or you in my rear view mirror !!!

So a Nut and Bolt rebuild of the Green ****** (as described by Rupert !) Am I expecting it to disappear at a fair rate of knots ;-)

Good luck with testing and see you at 07:00ish Saturday Morning - Snowstorm permitting !!!

I hope you have purchased your flat cap and have your southern passport coming this far upt North !!!

[Ben Shuckburgh]

Heading home from Oulton. What a lovely meeting and a lovely track. Weather stayed fair and (mostly) dry. La Contessa ran faultlessly first time out and my mate lloyd picked up a class win in his first ever race. What could be finer Thanks to all who helped make it work.

[kickstart]

Enjoyed the day ogling Chevrons but the number of entries in all events except WSM was dire plus so many of the cars seem to be up for sale.
I suspect that it will be a pretty thin season except for the big events, roll on Goodwood

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by kickstart

Enjoyed the day ogling Chevrons but the number of entries in all events except WSM was dire plus so many of the cars seem to be up for sale.
I suspect that it will be a pretty thin season except for the big events, roll on Goodwood

The pre-66 touring cars had 20+, which wasn't too bad, but I agree that the 70s Celebration with 9 (IIRC), the 8 Formula Fords, and the 10 in the "Gentleman Drivers" was a bit thin.......and when I saw that the latter race was to be 80 minutes, my marshalling heart sank......but in fact it was quite interesting to watch, not least watching the Griffith lap all but second and third place, until relaxing towards the end and letting an E-type unlap himself.

Also interesting to watch the difference between first and second drivers....for example the Elan of Michael Schryver and Simon Hadfield - the first driver was incredible - turned into Cascades with conviction, the car settled into its stance with the nearside front wheel well clear of the deck, and it maintained that stance all the way round the corner and for about a hundred yards down Lakeside - lap after lap After the driver change it was completely different - not necessarily any slower, but a smoother turn-in, with all four wheels pretty much staying on the Tarmac. It couldn't keep up with the Griffith, but after 40 laps was only half a lap down........the last lap had us twitching, though, as a momentary lapse had the car all locked up and teetering on the edge of the track....fortunately a lift off the brakes let it turn in and skate around.....we didn't want the last action of the day to be brushing up an Elan

Anyway - overall enjoyed the day marshalling and watching (and being deafened by) some very desirable motor cars!

[The Flagman]

Broke my rule of not going to events without seeing Entry Lists. Sure enough 10 cars or fewer in 3 of 5 races. Heavy attrition in the two more numerous races. Add to that the length of the circuit and the event was DULL. Waste of a hotel room and 220miles.

Least engaging flag day in 3 years. Masters is definitely off the list.

Some great cars, good driving but there simply wasn't enough. Good crowd but were they entertained. I think not.

Next weekend HSCC do it properly. See you at Donny.

[delta]

Anyone know why Marcus Mussa was a DNF in the World Sports Car race.

[gary396]

Originally Posted by delta

Anyone know why Marcus Mussa was a DNF in the World Sports Car race.

I think he was running about 6th for a good few laps, to about half distance. I'm not sure what happened after that - I did hear his name mentioned on the loudspeaker system at about that time but I was around Clay Hill by then and the speaker system was cutting in and out there so I couldn't hear the exact reason for him stopping.

Good day out even though some grids were a bit thin as suspected, but what was there was good to see (and hear). Also good to finally meet John and Claire in race control and to put faces to names.

Will post a few pics later. Gary

[OU812]

I thought it was a good race meeting. Oulton was the perfect setting for this kind of racing. Granted the small grids didn't help but what they lacked in numbers they made up for in BIG sounds The spectators seemed suitably entertained where I was.
Hopefully MSVR will bring the Masters series back next year, mid season would be ideal. It would be the perfect antidote to the BTCC!
Thanks to all the drivers for bringing their magnificent machines

[G.Walker]

I echo the above, although not best grids and very long races, there was certainly some interesting cars, the Corvette was my highlight and left the ears ringing. A Good way to kick the season off.

[Marcus Mussa]

Originally Posted by delta

Anyone know why Marcus Mussa was a DNF in the World Sports Car race.

So you thought I spun did you?
Actually I never spun all day. Oil pressure was a bit low at the end of qualifying but we thought maybe the oil was too thin and put in some Millers that Robin Longdon went home to fetch. Did not make any difference really, after a few laps of the race it was low again, but as the warning light did not come on I hoped it was just the gauge being pessimistic, and took it gently - when the light finally came on I shut off and coasted to a stop. Something wrong with the oil pump or pick up - same thing more or less when I went testing the car at Silverstone 2 weeks ago but we thought we fixed it. Obviously not. Hope to be ready for Barcelona in 3 weeks time.
Apart from that it was great fun, Oulton not being particularly 520 bhp for 700 kgs friendly. As Simon Hadfield (driving a Genie, similar period/type) said "we can use full throttle three times a lap!". As for the rolling start - I was the only one who did not accelerate before the starting line - the last time I do what Mr. Gee says!

[gary396]

A few photos from the first race:

[gary396]

Selection from the second race:

[gary396]

Some from race 4 (sorry, missed race 3 FFord due to 'refreshment break'):

[gary396]

Few more from World Sportscar Masters:

[gary396]

Just a few from the final race of the day:

[Peter Mallett]

Was that Holman Blackburn out in the UFO Capri? How did it go?

[Mike Bell]

#42 is Pochciol Capri. Results here

Schhhh- don't tell Al but there was a Camaro out.

[Peter Mallett]

It does look similar to the one Holman was selling.

Thanks I could have looked it up myself.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

It does look similar to the one Holman was selling.

Thanks I could have looked it up myself.

Looks exactly like the one....

No problem- link for the benefit of all.