Nigel 628 Posted August 21, 2011 Report Share Posted August 21, 2011 http://www.oultonpark.co.uk/calendar/2011/aug/gold-cup.aspx Bank Holiday weekend, Sunday/Monday August 28th/29th A really good historic race meeting in itself, but what isn't mentioned in the website info is that as well as the Group B rally supercars giving demo runs on the rally school tarmac track inside the main circuit, the HRCR is holding demonstration runs on both days with a selection of about 25 current historic stage rally cars. Inevitably this means lots of Escorts but also Porsches, Minis, Chevette, Sunbeam, Midget, SAAB and the mighty V8 Firenza Can Am. Oh, and not forgetting Martin Knapp's TR7 Sprint and my own TR4! Take note, no racing before 12 noon Sunday because of local by-laws but the tracks will be open all day on Monday. One interesting feature is the drivers are allowed to take any passengers during the runs if they want to. You will need a helmet but most drivers will be bringing spares. Fancy a ride in an awesome, flame-spitting GpB Quattro? There may be a big queue, but probably hardly any for a certain little white TR4! See you there? Nigel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted August 21, 2011 Report Share Posted August 21, 2011 Any other time, Nigel, but this bank holiday Monday is THE Triumph race of the year, at Mallory.# The Jigsaw Invitation will include more Triumphs racing together that anyone has seen - Oh! Since the last Invitation, last year! See: http://www.jigsawracingservices.co.uk/jigracemallory11.htm John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nigel 628 Posted August 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 No rally cars then, John? Nigel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted August 22, 2011 Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 If they want! John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nigel 628 Posted August 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 (edited) A Grand (two) Days Out, despite the poor weather. It didn't rain too hard but never gave in, with alternate sun and showers much as if it were April.... plus Monday saw a bit of a cold wind develop. Oh well, August Bank Holiday again! I had various friends and family coming on Monday, got them all free tickets, and - they all cried off because of the weather! Call themselves rally enthusiasts?? However, fellow TR4 stalwart 4Mal and his friend came over from the TR Register display (3 cars??) to bag a couple of laps in the hot seat and I was pleased to take them round, glad you enjoyed it Mal! The rally stage was made for the Oulton Rally School so consisted of tarmac with glass beads mixed in...very slippery even when bone dry and treacherous in the wet. Much spinning was going on amid much leg-pulling from the other drivers, but mainly lots of fast and lurid sideways motoring to the entertainment of the spectators and various passengers. My TR4 doesn't do sideways in the extreme way that the five-linked axled Escorts and Chevettes can, let alone Mick Strafford's spectacular CanAm Firenza V8 (yes, I did get a couple of laps ride in it and he came for a run in the TR too), but everyone seemed to appreciate that the TR4 is a generation away in suspension design so was still an enjoyable ride in it's own right. I soon stopped trying to slide it deliberately and kept to proper racing lines which suited the car better - it was still sliding but more in control. I only had one spin on each day, although the second one was at speed with the chairman of the HRCR on board...Richard then took me out in his Mk1 RS2000 to show me what really sideways meant!! Jealous, moi? Although some drivers were often seen running solo, I had people asking for runs all weekend and was never without a volunteer for the passenger seat - around half of whom were ladies, the car seemed very popular with the girls, mental note, must work on this effect more in the future........!! Apart from other drivers there were some people who maybe had owned TR's in their younger days; the older chap I took round was one such and enjoyed his trip down memory lane so much he couldn't thank me enough at the end of the run; that really made my weekend! I took Martin Knapp around but we ran out of time before he could give me a reciprocal ride in his TR7 Sprint - next time. Oh, there was also some sort of very noisy roundy-round stuff going on on the main circuit during the weekend; I saw one dark green TR4 back on the trailer on my Sunday evening stroll round the paddock seeing how the other half live, apparently it had retired with gearbox trouble. There were one or two TR3's as well. The temporary front suspension chassis repair held out no problem; perhaps I can get another event or two in whilst the new chassis is being prepared....... Nigel Edited August 31, 2011 by Nigel 628 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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