Race Retro Stoneleigh 2015

[kipper]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

we were just directed to park on the roadways, with no directions as to where the show actually was - fortunately some sort of genetic memory kicked in and we successfully navigated our way there.

I resorted to following the herd; fortunately someone, somewhere knew the way in.

Originally Posted by chunder

great to see a huge queue waiting to see Ari, rally stage was superb as usual, seeing guys like McRae, Gwynne, Llewellin in all sorts of things was awesome.....

....And there were two actual hens teeth there, an RS1700 and an Astra 4S, running and looking quick,

I'd agree that the presence of Vatanen, McRae, Llewellyn and Gwynne in addition to the Astra 4S were definite highlights.

[chunder]

Not sure I saw Ari actually driving anything? But I may have missed it. Dai and Jimmy were certainly driving just about everything!

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Cliff Ryan

.......consensus seemed to be that the show that celebrates the sport of trying to recreate historic motor racing wasn't as good as it was in the past

Disagree, I thought it was a good show. Maybe a little samey but I guess that's the nature of the beast. There are always some gems though and I particularly liked the F5000 on the HSCC stand, the 935K3 on the CSCC stand and the Chevrons. I was so busy I didn't get to see the rally cars in action this year.

My one disappointment was that there was no celebration of the 50 years of the Clubmans Register/ Formula, not even on the HSCC stand, and they run Classic Clubmans series!

[kipper]

Originally Posted by chunder

Not sure I saw Ari actually driving anything? But I may have missed it

This might be here say, but I heard that Vatanen has some sort of ambassadorial/development role with BMW at the moment. Apparently, BMW refused permission for him to drive any cars not manufactured by them.

[chunder]

Strange, he has absolutely no history wth BMW apart from driving an M3 on the 1000 Lakes in the 80's!

Shame

[midgetman]

Friday we were rushed off our feet just keeping up with old friends so you may not have seen me Lancashire. ..at one stage we had 150+ years of Midget racing experience on the stand! Busy again this arvo, sorry to Cliff and Colin I couldn't chat for longer. Came back to where I'm staying and zonked until now!

Nothing to report, haven't looked round the show yet! Will do tomorrow now Mrs MM is there.

[geordiecriag101]

Had a canny day out there yesterday, first time to the event and definitely will go back again next year.

I'll agree with Chunder about the Firenza, first few times it was out it was good fun then after that it started to get a tad annoying realy. Also big credit to who ever was driving the Octavia WRC as he was putting on a great show.

Anyway here's my vid from the live stage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9KA7EB9PWo

[chunder]

I think Bill Gwynne was driving the Skoda, also saw Llewellin and McRae in it later too.

[Heightswitch]

Has this forum turned into some old womans guild??

Someone Brings a very rare Firenza Can Am out for your entertainment and slides it around in an entertaining manner and you think its annoying??? maybe some of you men should be spending Sundays out with the wives shopping!! Stroll on!

N

[Alex Langheck]

Saw pictures on Twitter of the RS1700 and the Astra/Kadett 4S. A case of 'what if'.

[chunder]

I am sorry Mr switch, but how many times have you seen that car?

I have probably seen it 5 or 6 times now it it's the same party trick every time, lots of noise, wrong tyres, and just a pain in the arse, when it's on the stage you can't hear anything else.

It's a bit like watching Terry Grant, seen it once, very clever no go away.

And it is totally unslienced, rather out of touch with the modern way of doing motorsport, I am sure it would be just as quick and sound just as nice with a reasonable bit of silencer on there.

[Heightswitch]

Originally Posted by chunder

I am sorry Mr switch, but how many times have you seen that car?

I have probably seen it 5 or 6 times now it it's the same party trick every time, lots of noise, wrong tyres, and just a pain in the arse, when it's on the stage you can't hear anything else.

It's a bit like watching Terry Grant, seen it once, very clever no go away.

And it is totally unslienced, rather out of touch with the modern way of doing motorsport, I am sure it would be just as quick and sound just as nice with a reasonable bit of silencer on there.

Don't all the stage cars go round and round in the same direction every year??
Perhaps he will read this and just not bother next year!

N.

[geordiecriag101]

Heightswitch, i think the comment in my previous post about it being a tad annoying did not come out as i wanted. Its great to see these older cars be used for what they were meant for and not just sitting in sum collection never to move again, especially as most of these were competing in period well before i was even born!
But sometimes, a bit less is more and this is one of these cases, it would be no less entertaining or competitive if it had a little bit silencing.

[chunder]

Lol mr switch, I would be more than happy if he didnt bother! But he seems quite happy as do all the goons who cheer and clap as if they have never seen a loud car before!

Anyway, more to the point, how on earth did they get that 4S anywhere near running, that is a hens tooth right there

[dwh43scale]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dwh38/...7648607102854/

Left the DSLR in the hands of younger son at Race Retro on Friday and used newly inherited iPhone 4 instead.

Following a little judicious editing in iPhoto, a few snaps can be found above. Given the lighting and general clutter in the background at shows, I'm reasonably pleased with the flavour of the show they give.

As to RR itself, as first timers, my Dad (BRM V16 era), my son (loves the B8) and I (I'll take the CSL please) all thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Mike Bell]

geordie, thanks for posting the vid! Great for those not there, like me. I didn't see the RS1700T, or did I miss it? Saw the Astra though.

Love the Fiat 131 although not going very quickly in your shots, but could not make same observation about the Octavia! Well done the driver(s).

I understand what you are saying about the Fiz, saw it at Oulton few years ago- but is an interesting car and good to see it out.

Anyone know what's underneath the 'Esprit', BTW?

[chunder]

The Esprit is a former rallycross car, used to be run by a chap called Brain Betteridge, has been chopped back somewhat. Then it ran the proper engine.

not sure why Terry uses a Rover motor now.

But he might be out next year in a recently bought ex rallycross RS200!!

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by chunder

The Esprit is a former rallycross car, used to be run by a chap called Brain Betteridge, has been chopped back somewhat. Then it ran the proper engine.

not sure why Terry uses a Rover motor now.

But he might be out next year in a recently bought ex rallycross RS200!!

Thanks, thought it sounded like a V8.

[straff99]

Hmmm; it's a long time since I've been described as a cretin! We couldn't take the Firenza last year because the engine was getting a refresh and new cam. Bill Gwynne asked me if I was running the side exhaust because he liked it so much so we packed it in the van (Bill's one of my hero's and the nicest guy you could wish to meet). The first four people I bumped into in the space of ten minutes (media types and rally fans) all asked about the side exit so we decided to fit it before the start rather than wait for the lunch halt. I lost count of the number of people that came over to say how much they love the car and the noise it makes; I'd say 90% of the public that were there loved it. I can only apologise to those that don't like it. This is the fifth time we've taken the car. Maybe it's time to move on. Please don't get abusive though; if you don't like something just say so and leave out the name calling.

[andy97]

I didn't see any of the Rally action this year as I was too busy talking before I realised the time, but I have seen it before, inc the Firenza. Agree there should be no name calling and can't understand why anyone would moan about the car anyway. I thought we were all enthusiasts and I, for one, am glad that people are willing and able to bring out interesting cars whether it's a quattro, a Fiat 131, a Stratos, a 6R4, a VW Beetle or the Firenza. I'm just jealous that I don't have a car like any of those. Please keep displaying the Firenza.

[chunder]

Straff

Just my opinion fella. Just too loud in such a close arena. Am not criticising you or what you are doing, and of course it's great to see all sorts of cars. I would be the lone voice here and as you say plenty of people enjoy it.

Just for me, and one or two others, the thing just makes a bit of a racket I am afraid. And not a nice one in my ears, constantly hitting a limiter is not a nice noise for me lol! Think you could do with some grip.

Luckily there were enough cars out there to mean you could enjoy everything else aswell, that thing is a little overbearing that's all.

But let that not detract from the whole thing, apologies for the calling.

[Heightswitch]

Originally Posted by straff99

Hmmm; it's a long time since I've been described as a cretin! We couldn't take the Firenza last year because the engine was getting a refresh and new cam. Bill Gwynne asked me if I was running the side exhaust because he liked it so much so we packed it in the van (Bill's one of my hero's and the nicest guy you could wish to meet). The first four people I bumped into in the space of ten minutes (media types and rally fans) all asked about the side exit so we decided to fit it before the start rather than wait for the lunch halt. I lost count of the number of people that came over to say how much they love the car and the noise it makes; I'd say 90% of the public that were there loved it. I can only apologise to those that don't like it. This is the fifth time we've taken the car. Maybe it's time to move on. Please don't get abusive though; if you don't like something just say so and leave out the name calling.

I suppose some people out there in talk talk land just don't understand that cars of this period generally weren't silenced in the day and ran side pipes and shortened systems etc.. I would dearly love an unsilenced blast in your car and would hope that the typewriting minority find other ways of spending their weekends…Perhaps at some electric hybrid event or even a relaxing flower show or maybe canal boating... I wasn't there this year but have seen your car before and love it. in all my years I have never heard a petrol head say a car was too loud…Very sad but please don't let it put you off. As you say I am sure that it is just a very very small minority…I wonder if he lives next to a racing circuit?
N.

[Alan Brown]

Originally Posted by kipper

This might be here say, but I heard that Vatanen has some sort of ambassadorial/development role with BMW at the moment. Apparently, BMW refused permission for him to drive any cars not manufactured by them.

I believe he did the stage opening drive on Saturday in Adrian Kermode's newly acquired M3 (E30). This BMW role would explain why I did not see him in one of the Escorts or the 205 T16 that we had been led to believe he would be driving. Mind you, the lack of sufficient loudspeakers meant that any details of drivers could not be heard, not that much was given I was told.

[Moosehead]

Heightswitch - we really must get together over a few beers to put the world to rights - your thinking on 'noisy' cars parallels mine.

You coming out to play in the 'Swinging Sixties' this year?

[Heightswitch]

Originally Posted by Moosehead

Heightswitch - we really must get together over a few beers to put the world to rights - your thinking on 'noisy' cars parallels mine.

You coming out to play in the 'Swinging Sixties' this year?

Most definitely..Booked in at Snet for the test day so everyone can have a crawl around the car and pick faults for me to mend before its first outing
N.