RallyCross 2018

CDM wrote:Motorsport is like a drug, the more you do it the more you want to...take one large funnel and pour your savings into it. What you have left at the end is ....... well nothing!!!

Chris

True, Chris, very true. You're left with some memories, a load of invoices, programmes with your name in them and some photos/ video of the action....

I was truly astounded when my usually very sensible better-half made the suggestion but, and it's a big but I have poured as much time and effort into my model collection (and still do) that to sell it is not something I would realistically consider. Over the years, some forum members have sold precious models that they have later regretted selling. Given mine are, generally one-offs, I really couldn't bear that.

Thanks for your cautionary words, Chris and Chris.

Cheers, Steve

Many years (early 80s I think) ago a friend of mine Colin W decided to do some night road rallies.

Colin's choosen chariot was a Hilllman Avenger Tiger - a quick car in its day. His standard road car was a hatchback Talbot Sunbeam 1.6. If you know your cars both have the same similar floor pan, transmission, engine etc..

They did a section near to home on a road Colin knew backwards and was 2nd fastest much to the surprise of the rest

So he had a good navigator, they were leading the championship and then blew up the engine. What do you do - I know put the engine in from the Sunbeam and carry on. It was going well until they crashed the Avenger and wrote it off.

So two cars, one written off, one with no engine. So what do you do yes get a bog standard FIAT 127 nail on a few spotlights and carry on!!

In those days you could start a selective on the same time as another car. Not allowed today. They started on a selective at the same time as a very hot Ford Escort RS2000 Mk2. They couldnt keep up on the straights but round the wiggly bits, that join all the straights together, they were all over this RS. At the end of the section the RS driver enquired to what Fing engine was in the FIAT - its bog standard mate!!!

I cant remember if they won the championship or not but at the end of the season he was £1500 in the red (a lot of money back then). This basically stopped me from having a go. Its why I went the spectator/marshalling/timekeeper route to enjoy our sport, I could not afford top be that far in the red if it all went wrong.

In later years I have done some navigating in various historics, on the Historic Circuit of Ireland finished with a first in class and on a few HRCR rounds in a Lotus Sunbeam - two finishes, a blown engine and a roll!!! I wasnt paying this bill!!! Fantastic to be asked to do this, something I will never forget.

There are many more on this forum who have competed at a very high level and they will all say its a fantastic experience if you ever get the chance.

BUT be aware if you are paying the bills....

Chris

Yes Chris, wise words.

I well remember watching the Brands Hatch race school cars running round the Indy circuit in the late 80s. They were using Chrysler Sunbeam 1.6 Ti's and dad was so impressed he bought a Sunbeam himself. Sadly only a 1.0 LS model in white with orangey brown vinyl seats.

When did you last see one of those?!

I'm determined to enjoy my one day of rallycross competition knowing it will most likely be my only one.

Cheers, Steve

Great to hear that Miggins has now got backing for a full campaign. Pug looks great in Stobart livery!

It's now Monday lunchtime and I have now thawed out after a very shivery Silverstone on Saturday.

This was the first round of the 2018 British Rallycross Championship and the first ever Rallycross event held there, on an all-new course tucked inside of Stowe corner behind the new(ish) winged F1 paddock. I have very mixed feelings about the venue. Here goes:

1) The circuit seems too short. There are no fast corners, they're all slow and tight, meaning that the field of cars gets strung out quite quickly. Not something we're used to in Rallycross where often half the field will be sharing the lead on the first lap! It also reduces the opportunities to overtake, as the car in front is already accelerating away whilst the cars behind are still negotiating the bend. Tristan Ovenden confirmed to me afterwards he was in first and second the whole way around in his V6 Renault Clio!

2) The mud used is incredibly claggy. Cars were covered in thick, gloopy clay, making it difficult to identify the runners and riders sometimes. The paddock was awash with clay, resembling a pre-school classroom after 'art and craft' lessons!

3) Spectating is compromised: the banks built up between the paddock and circuit are not tall enough for spectators to stand and watch much of what's going on. The combination of sub-zero temperatures, snow and winds stopped me from trying out the grandstand. Standing in front of the grandstand meant it was difficult to hear the commentary, which had been set up for the grandstand, not us nutters huddling together on the scalpings like a multi-coloured flock/ herd of penguins. (What is the collective noun for a group of penguins? A packet, I suppose ) Ahem, back to the review!!

4) The tyre barrier adjacent to the grid area was so high you couldn't see much of the cars as they drove past the joker lap merge area, which was a shame.

5) The gaps between races were too long. The designers have cleverly identified that on the continent, the grid for one race can be formed whilst the previous race is still running. However, the British version, attacked by raging Health and Safety, meant the cars were kept back on the pre-grid before forming up on the grid proper. This meant some drivers' cameras, which were turned on before venturing on to the pre grid area, had gone flat by the time the drivers' races started, leading to at least one exclusion I know of and probably several more I don't!

6) Recovery of cars stranded on track took an age, with the telelift trundling around at tractor speeds to recover the vehicles. Sometimes this took even longer when the exit gate between the first two corners wasn't operating! Very odd and just as frustrating. Some of the recovery 'missions' were for tyre stacks disturbed by passing cars. This happened a lot. Perhaps some concrete kerbs would be better or maybe the tyres were too close to the track edge?

7) Finding the circuit once on the Silverstone grounds was tricky, as was finding an exit at the end. There was no signposting, just the occasional frozen marshal in the morning. They'd been defrosted by the evening and I saw no-one helping the escape process, but I did leave quite late after the prize-giving.

A positive: The jump was good. As the circuit dried off and speeds improved into the afternoon, there was some airborne action which made for some superb photographs, but only for the professional snappers inside the circuit itself.

Much like my school reports Silverstone, you must try harder! Learn from the various niggles I and others have, perhaps get a longer straight and a touch more tarmac to increase speeds and build up the spectating areas, more catering facilities and toilets and it will be great. Lots to do before the World RX championship descends in May. I'll be there with a bigger display then! And well done to Chris (CDM) for finding me there.

Please don't get me wrong. I enjoyed myself very much this weekend and look forward to returning there in future. It's just that Rallycross is such a superb sport for drivers and spectators alike and what I witnessed at Silverstone doesn't live up to the high standard I expect for my sport. Not yet, anyway! Next round, Lydden Hill Easter Monday 2nd April with yours truly taking to the circuit in a Suzuki Swift for the first and last time. Can't wait!

Cheers, Steve

Silverstone RallyX March 2018

Right now I am snowed in again for the second time….but before I managed to get along to watch the first round of the Toyo British RallyX at Silverstone, basically to check it out before the big one in May

Well apart from it being bitterly cold ahead of the second dose of the Beast From the East, what was it like?  Steve N (Hampton Caught) has been to many more RallyX events than I have, so I will let him have his say on how he saw it.

We arrived at the main gate and parked as directed. The ticket booth was empty and young girl was outside this booth in the bitter cold, selling the tickets with a card machine in her hand. I saw nobody anywhere selling programmes

The queue for the shuttle bus was just inside. Having queued for 10 mins no shuttle bus appeared then a 12 seater mini bus. We would be waiting for two more to get on! So we walked around the best part of half way around the outside of the GP circuit to eventually find as bridge into the infield. There was no signage, no toilet blocks open. There appeared to be 3 shuttle mini buses, that was until one got stuck in the mud. Three buses was nowhere near enough, two months to fix that.

Over the bridge and we were alongside the much vaunted new RallyX track. It looked very flat, not much elevation, very very muddy on the corners, one big jump right in front of us, no spectator embankment on this side, over the other side one grandstand and a slight embankment in front of it, high debris fencing all along here so absolutely no chance for the amateur photographer, one toilet block, one burger stand, the paddock was open to all to see everything, Backerud, Loeb & T Hansen were there along with a very understated Prodrive Renault Megane. The spectators can only spectate on half the length of the track. The track was featureless and a bit too short

The highlight (that will be a single highlight!!) were clearly the supercars. Off the start they are awesome,


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Ben Llewellin, David’s son


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Anders Backerud Audi

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Timmy Hansen & Anders Backerud

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The very understated Prodrive Renault

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I promised to post these photos of the very excellent model RallyX display from Steve N – we found him eventually!!

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I have only ever been to RallyX at Lydden Hill and I have enjoyed everyone. All I heard all day were people muttering all day about how bad this was at Silverstone. Steve N can fill in some more details from his view point.

I was 100% up for the World RallyX at Silverstone in May. Now I think I am less than 30% for going

Chris

Steve

Brilliant we posted the report 2 minutes apart!!

For Ben Llewellin read Tom

Yes I forgot about the lack of commentary with the speakers pointing to the windswept grandstands and to no where else.

We forgot to also mention the problems with scrutineering, the very slow recovery of broken down cars, the general lack of any facilities we could go on, but I think everyone will have got the gist by now!!??

Silverstone completely failed to deliver on many fronts. They have a lot to do in 2 months to be able to cope with 10,000+ spectators for the World Series.

Chris

Glad I didn't go. Was toying with the idea but weather put me off. So Silverstone failed, they should of left it where it was.

On a positive note, cracking display Steve.

Why thank you, Chris.

Steve

Getting butterflies yet?!

All the best

Chris

Chris, I can't describe how excited I am!!

Had my race number confirmed as 101 last week, so I will be 'laughing out loud' around Lydden Hill and on the grid die to 'lots of love' from my family.

I'll be doing my very best throughout the day but not so much that I test Chris 'CDM's' suggestion of 101 being the same when the car's upside down!

Received a photo this morning of the Swift with my name on the rear side window. Got the goose-bumps going, I can tell you!! Chris might be able to post the pic on here, perhaps?

In other news, there will be two 6R4s competing in Retros and a healthy spread of supercars, supernationals, BMW BINIs, RX150 buggies and a fair few of us in Swifts. If I can get to a semi-final, I'll be delighted. Anything else will be bonus!!

Roll on Monday!...... Cheers, Steve

Great write ups gents. Seems a long way short of perfection. Super RS200E Steve!

Here we go, it must be happening now

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Lyden Hill weather for Monday does not look good, rain all day, which at least will make it very slippery for all.

Check wipers, screen wash filled up, windscreen/side windows demister full on, dont worry about the rear view mirror!!!!

Have no regrets put it all out on the track

Headlines in Motorsport News next week might be .....Suzuki Steve slides to victory, after a sensational victory in his first race. Suzuki Steve was asked what next.... WRX Champion before I am 60.....


Chris

Thought you'd notice that one, Paul!

Thanks for posting Chris!

Good luck Steve but most importantly have an enjoyable day.

That's weird, I'd put longer responses to my last two posts via my phone, but for reasons unknown, only the first lines are here! Very weird!

One thing I'd written was that my Mark Rennison RS200E is courtesy of Vitor. I'd looked to build the car with an earlier, simpler style of rear spolier, then Vitor had this one built and for sale!

How long before there's a Suzuki Swift model in the display? Hmm! Place your bets now!

Cheers, Steve

Suzuki Steve

I guess you have one in paint as I write this and I will put money on that one will be ready by Tuesday evening

Chris

Sorry to disappoint, Chris, but I've been working on Tony Proctor's awesome Ford Capri mk2 (detail there for Paul, seeing as he likes the blue oval!), Tristan Ovenden's Clio V6 supernational 2017 championship winner and Graham Strugnell's Ford Transit transporter and Mini rallycross racer combo circa 1985.

I can assure you that a donor car is 'in da house' and will be attended to once I have the details of 'my' car inside and out!! I'm looking to have it in the display for Croft, round three on 6th May.

Cheers, Suzuki Steve 101

PS: I would NEVER have considered calling myself that! I'm an Austin/ MG/ Triumph/ Rover and associated BL marques man... but needs must!!

Good luck Steve.

Cheers David.

You can be sure there will be an online debrief after the event!

Just sorting out my bits and pieces, so to speak. Such a lot to organise. Thank goodness the car is taken care of by others!

Apparently, Shirley Gibson has put an article on Facebook about my special day, within the retro rallycross part of Facebook. I don't know quite where as this is the nearest I get to social media!! It would be fair to say that a lot of the retro rallycross family are willing me on and wishing me an enjoyable experience, as you guys are too. It's very much appreciated, I can assure you.

Roll on Monday.....

Cheers, 101. I mean, Steve!

Steve

I am not on FB either but its on this link

https://b-m.facebook.com/RetroRallycross If it works as the actual link comes up with lines of text?

If not type in Retro Rallycross Facebook and you will find it

Chris

Steve

This is the text from the Retro RallyX FB page + the photo

STEVE'S RACE DAY
Steve Nottage, Model Maker and valued member of the Retro Rallycross family, will be fulfilling his long held dream to get behind the wheel of a rallycross car this Easter weekend at Lydden Hill. (2nd April)

Steve, who turned 50 in January says that he is only on the grid in the first place due to lots of love from his parents, sister Jen and wife Elspeth.

''It's time to get excited'' said Nottage adding ''my rallycross car is being prepared ready for Easter Monday, when I'll be hooning around the Lydden Hill rallycross circuit with race number 101 which I chose as I'll be laughing out loud as I drive the 1.6 Suzuki Swift around and taking on the mixture of tarmac and loose surfaces. It's made turning 50 worthwhile''

Retro Rallycross Manager Shirley Gibson said '' Our Steve will not be out in that car on his own everyone in the Retro family will be supporting and spurring him on. This has been a dream that Steve has had for years and we wish him the best of luck, but most of all hope that he enjoys the experience''
Retro Rallycross will be at Lydden competing in round 2 of the 2018 Retro Rallycross Championship. #RetroRX

Well boys! That was a day to remember!

Lashing rain all night (so no dust problems!), drivers briefing, signing on and scrutineering all sorted. All fine.

Off I go for some sighting laps to get accustomed to the track, watched by my wife, Elspeth and David Lewellin, who commented how committed I looked as I sped down the hill into Paddock Hill Bend........ and bomp! Didn't keep my right foot on the throttle so the car swapped ends and kissed the inside barrier with the front bumper. The rear carried on round and I styled it out by taking the chequered flag having completed a near 360 spin! Ooops!

Out a short while later, with a replacement front bumper, for three laps of practice. In the rain. Streaking around the first corner then on to the tarmac for The Devil's Elbow before honing up the hill to North Bend, everything working well, good lines, gear changes, heeling and toeing into second for the hill before opening up the steering and gears for the downward hurl to my previous 'moment'. Tentatively round Paddock Hill before bouncing through the mud and puddles towards the infamous chicane. Oh dear - more swapping ends as I spun, backwards to lightly kiss the barrier on the outside of the circuit with the rear bumper. First gear and off again, a good lap, safely through the chicane and around the joker lap. Not much grip on the loose surface (funny that, eh?) and car and driver thrown about over the bumps with the car squirrelling under power, trying to make up its own mind about where to go. Up and back down the hill again, around Paddock Bend towards the chicane, nice and careful but not careful enough. Spin time again, right under the noses of the commentary box but still on the tarmac. Grrrr! Back over the finish line and off to the paddock.

After a debrief with Peter Gwynne, we decided that perhaps I ought not go out on track again as surrounded by a grid full of racers in those greasy conditions, I could end up causing all sorts of damage to the car, myself and other racers. The last thing I wanted was to spoil other drivers' days (or go home with a possible four-figure repair bill) so took the brave/ bold/ difficult decision to park up for the day and watch the heats, semis and finals as a spectator. My rallycross experience was at and end!

Shortly afterwards, my parents and kids arrived at Lydden, to the news that they wouldn't see me out on track Good news was my daughter (19), who had never been to a Rallycross meeting before, said how much she enjoyed the racing, which she hadn't anticipated! Neither had I!

Well, I was in good company spinning and loosing it around the circuit. Right through the day there were cars being recovered to the paddock on the flatbed with various bits squished, crunched, moved or missing. Several people had VERY expensive days and I was not the only one who didn't make it to first qualifying heats!

I wanted a Rallycross day to remember, which I shall, though not for the reasons I expected!!

I shall continue my love affair with the sport from the paddock and making models but with an increased respect for the drivers who commit themselves and their machinery 10/10ths in ever-changing and often dangerous conditions. Who knows, maybe I might pop out on track again whilst I have the competition licence, the race suit and boots but with a better balance of enthusiasm and skill!

Cheers, Steve

Least you had a go Steve and in my mind you made the sensible decision by not going out. If the track was dry and a sunny day it might of been a totally different experience for you. As you said it saved you a lot of money and you still had a good day out and by the looks of it your daughter might be going with you to more meetings. Here's to another time and happy model making.