Rockingham

[chassis 33]

...my brother's credit card has been one of my biggest sponsors this year, he really shouldn't leave it lying around so much...

Regards
Iain

[trackcar]

hmm. interesting development in the thread here.
The Tuscans used to be a high profile media event. No longer.
The Tasmins used to be an entry level club motorsport opportunity. No longer.

However there are elements of both factions still in evidence at teh meets, makes for a great spectacle of old v new, rich v poor, talented v well you get the idea.

Please can't we all just get along? drawn by the common good that is TVR racing?
Accept what we've got : a mixed up series where we all need each other to survive right now so don't go pissing anybody off! Though may i remind the honourable Tuscan racers of their relatively poor strike rate on entry levels compared to the "other" guys lmao

[griff2be]

Joolz - I don't see anyone not getting on, nor do I see suggestions there is a 'them and us' culture in the paddock, your post excepted.

There are a bunch of guys doing the best they can with whatever means they have at their disposal. The vast majority of us work incredibly hard to be there at all. Those of us who depend on a level of sponsorship to run more expensive cars are understandably keen to deliver the best possible return/experience for our sponsors. Certain things are therefore more important to us than others. Image being one of them.

Its not right or wrong, it is just a difference in what we need from a series.

[trackcar]

I think you may have missed the point of my post , which is that although the centre part of the grid is filled with people of similar inputs (talent/money/performance) there *is* a gulf between say a sagaris body car and a 2.8 tasmin for example. You can't expect people who are sleeping under the stars to not talk about it because it harms your image .. that's how the tasmin challenge was for the most part because it was entry level budget(ish) racing. It's unfair to brush the little lads under the carpet because it harms your image .. we try too!! and we talk about what life is like for us (well I say us, I've only been to two races this year i think )

I also think you didn't see the lighthearted tilt i was trying to put on my post with my laughing smileys, I see the humour in the tent-in-paddock scenarios.
I don't think anyone is going (for example) to tell you not to put pot plants out for your guests because it's harming our grass-roots image .. I think it's great you take a pride in your car/racing/image/sponsors .. and when we have sponsors at meetings next year we'll do all we can within the budget to make life good for them too.

But this year we sleep under the stars, so that's the life we have to talk about here and i wouldn't dream of telling anyone to not chat about life in a tent for fear of upsetting our sponsors. people talk about what they think is important to them .. I for one think the paddock is a greater place *because* of the struggle for money/cars on the grid not despite it. There's a real team spirit among those guys coming out round after round on student loans and cheap parts off ebay

I can imagine there much higher profile series with lots of money that aren't anywhere near as friendly .. the two aren't mutually exclusive, but can be.

[griff2be]

trackcar said:

I think you may have missed the point of my post , which is that although the centre part of the grid is filled with people of similar inputs (talent/money/performance) there *is* a gulf between say a sagaris body car and a 2.8 tasmin for example. You can't expect people who are sleeping under the stars to not talk about it because it harms your image .. that's how the tasmin challenge was for the most part because it was entry level budget(ish) racing. It's unfair to brush the little lads under the carpet because it harms your image .. we try too!! and we talk about what life is like for us (well I say us, I've only been to two races this year i think )

I also think you didn't see the lighthearted tilt i was trying to put on my post with my laughing smileys, I see the humour in the tent-in-paddock scenarios.
I don't think anyone is going (for example) to tell you not to put pot plants out for your guests because it's harming our grass-roots image .. I think it's great you take a pride in your car/racing/image/sponsors .. and when we have sponsors at meetings next year we'll do all we can within the budget to make life good for them too.

But this year we sleep under the stars, so that's the life we have to talk about here and i wouldn't dream of telling anyone to not chat about life in a tent for fear of upsetting our sponsors. people talk about what they think is important to them .. I for one think the paddock is a greater place *because* of the struggle for money/cars on the grid not despite it. There's a real team spirit among those guys coming out round after round on student loans and cheap parts off ebay

I can imagine there much higher profile series with lots of money that aren't anywhere near as friendly .. the two aren't mutually exclusive, but can be.

I think this is getting blown out of all proportion. On Saturday I will be sleeping either in the garage or the back of the truck, just as I did at Snetterton. In 2003 and part of 2004 it was a tent, until I realised the money I was saving was insignificant compared with being too tired to concentrate properly.

No25 has a spiel on his Blog about the very high profile of the series. It does employ a fair chunk 'New Labour' spin. I am not advocating making the series out to be something its not, but I guess I would like some middle ground where we try to retain a small element of the 'awe factor' about racing that people have who are not directly involved in it. That is all. Nothing disparaging about the 'little lads' - we are just as 'little' as everyone else.

I don't buy the argument about the struggle making the paddock a better place. Personally I think it is about the people, not the struggle. The Tuscan paddock when it existed, was incredibly supportive, and I'm told the TVRCC one was too. The combined paddock also seems to be and long may it continue.

[toymota33]

[quote=griff2be
I think this is getting blown out of all proportion.
[/quote]

I agree with this sentiment.

Play nicely children or no sherbets at Glug Broughton's canvas cathedral Friday night. All are welcome but no s, ers or mentative people, at least not until you've some.

See you all at the weekend. No prams or toys.
Rgds Tim.

[Graham]

This is almost as entertaining as the racing

see what happens when these guys dont have a race car to play with...


I think the mix we have in the paddock is great, from the highly prepped teams with trucks and awnings and full teams, to the chap working off the back of an open trailer ( tie down straps optional)

to those of us in the middle hiring awning space and working out of the back of the van..


It shows that all levels can compete and have fun.


its a real pity there have been no proper double headers this year so we can all get together, but I think we've all got on really well. It was funny watching JR order all the Tuscan team mechs about sorting Iains Chim out in the holding area at Oulton.


Anyway I shall be looking down on you all from my lofty Penthouse On saturday night... Provided were not bolting still bolting the suspension back together!!!!

G

now play nicely as I say to my 4yo daughter

[Blipi]

Sorry, not really read the thread here but I beleive accommodation is required? (got a link from the Northamptonshire section)

If that is the case I live in a village off Kettering, about 20 mins from the track.

Small place but happy to provide space for people and have a save driveway.

Just PM me if anyone is interested.

Cheers and good luck to all the racers!

[trackcar]

lmao. yup it's maybe getting blown out of proportion, but not by me (you stirriers ).. i was just giving my point of view .. that there's all sorts in the paddock and it's not good form to tell people how to act on a public forum because one person's sponsors may not like it, that was the bit that irked. (it's not like it wasn't friendly banter, hardly the kind of stuff to put of a sponsor unless they were hyper sensitive in which case they maybe should consider sponsoring ballet or something )

My toys are firmly in my pram and intend to stay there, unless a fellow racer wishes to borrow them in which case I'm very pleased to lend , just as long as i get my HP Sauce back this time

Anyway, enough of the in-fighting, accept someone might just have a different view to yours

[No.25]

griff2be said:

No25 has a spiel on his Blog about the very high profile of the series. It does employ a fair chunk 'New Labour' spin.

Andy, I'm now hurt and deeply offended , that spiel took some putting together . Could you please re-phrase "No.25 has a most impressive blog which highlights to all the wonderful world in which we compete" .

Seriously tho, I understand the point you are making and agree with it to a greater extent. I may not have made a good impression with my comments but assure you I am taking the challenge very seriously.

I think part of the problem here is that we as drivers/teams don't get the chance to ask our questions/share our views of/with eachother other than on a forum such as this, which unfortunately holds our conversation open to all - although there is the yahoo group which would better serve for chatting of this nature, shame it's rarely used.

I have many questions all of which can only be answered by you guys - trouble is once every month at a meeting is already too late. That said I have been badgering Graham Walden on many occasions as he was foolish enough to give me his mobile! Graham has been a fatastic help but I am concious of pestering him. At least the questions asked here are not directed at anyone and it's the respondant's choice to offer help..or not.

[Griff2be]

Joolz, all the race drivers seem to be getting on just fine but feel free to give the pot another quick stir if you feel the urge.

Mark - look forward to meeting you, assuming this afternoon we overcome the last remaining hurdle that stands in our way. Hectic day for your first race meeting!

[No.25]

Griff2be said:

Mark - look forward to meeting you, assuming this afternoon we overcome the last remaining hurdle that stands in our way. Hectic day for your first race meeting!

Yeah right! Bit of a rush frrom 8.15 to go through registration, scrutineering, driver's brief then on to qualifying at 10.00, and we're not even allowed to start our engines before 09.30! Then there's not much time post qual to first race!

A great introduction - I might need some help tho to get the car through scrutineering. The car is in good shape mechanically but we've been working on things like plumbing an extinguisher system and picking up on little things like an out of date harness etc.... I'm sure there'll be something simple that we'll overlook that fails scrutineering!

I even took the gamble at the end of last week to go to the expense of some nice new slicks, and now the weather's shockig so I've got to sort some wets or try to run the worn tyres on the car already!

[skippyf1]

I have noticed from attending various Tuscan Challenge meetings that some of the drivers are territorial outside of the track and dont mix much. It is a pity cos I for one love to hear how they get on in qualifying and of course in the races. I feel that I am crossing their territorial line by asking questions or pestering them. I think the Challenge is a great advert for TVRs, of all models and years. Having asked numerous Marshalls what their favourite race car is, they all say Tuscans. I do feel there are not enough cars in the Challenge and when one or two are out with mechanical problems this leaves the remaining cars looking somewhat dejected. It would be nice if Reidy got all the drivers to have a pre-race meet to get an all round feel of how everyone is, how the cars are and express opinions etc. Finally, have any of you got any thoughts on attracting other TVR racing drivers to come and along and join in the fun.
I welcome the thoughts of those clever chappies that actually race - after all I am just one of the many spectators!

[trackcar]

Griff2be said:

Joolz, all the race drivers seem to be getting on just fine but feel free to give the pot another quick stir if you feel the urge.

Mark - look forward to meeting you, assuming this afternoon we overcome the last remaining hurdle that stands in our way. Hectic day for your first race meeting!

I'm not stirring, I just don't agree with you on this. lol

[chassis 33]

skippyf1 said:

I have noticed from attending various Tuscan Challenge meetings that some of the drivers are territorial outside of the track and dont mix much. It is a pity cos I for one love to hear how they get on in qualifying and of course in the races. I feel that I am crossing their territorial line by asking questions or pestering them.

Come say hello anytime, just be warned (if recent experience is anything to go by) that I may put a spanner in your hand and ask you to tighten/losen a bolt!

Regards
Iain

[ceejay]

So who's racing at the Rock then?

Ceejay
Graham
Ian (chassis33)
Tim B
GeorgeC
Howard (wedgeman)
Andy (griff2be) hopefully!!!
Mark (No25)
Darren Dowling
Marc Hockin

Any more to add?????

I'm really looking forward to racing on the sports car circuit, looks much faster than any previous layout I've raced on. Wooohooo!!!!

Ceejay

P.S. I know the Kettering crew are gonna be there cheering us on. All TVR supporters are most welcome in the Taz27 garage, pop by if you can.

[chassis 33]

Just called the BRSCC, there's 15 cars entered. Didn't ask for details though.

Regards
Iain

[skippyf1]

Darren Dowling wont be there - he is off to Le Mans - that is what he said at Snetterton anyway.

[griff2be]

Add Steve Glynn and Tim Hood. Darren is at Le Mans and his name shouldn't be on the list

John Reid and a Regal Mauve car or two were supposed to be coming out

[newby]

skippyf1 said:

I have noticed from attending various Tuscan Challenge meetings that some of the drivers are territorial outside of the track and dont mix much. It is a pity cos I for one love to hear how they get on in qualifying and of course in the races. I feel that I am crossing their territorial line by asking questions or pestering them. I think the Challenge is a great advert for TVRs, of all models and years. Having asked numerous Marshalls what their favourite race car is, they all say Tuscans. I do feel there are not enough cars in the Challenge and when one or two are out with mechanical problems this leaves the remaining cars looking somewhat dejected. It would be nice if Reidy got all the drivers to have a pre-race meet to get an all round feel of how everyone is, how the cars are and express opinions etc. Finally, have any of you got any thoughts on attracting other TVR racing drivers to come and along and join in the fun.
I welcome the thoughts of those clever chappies that actually race - after all I am just one of the many spectators!

You'll be very welcome if you'd like to come and say hello to us (car no 11). It's great to have your and indeed all the other spectators' support at the meetings, so a big thanks to you all for coming. I'm still fairly new to the Tuscan Challenge myself, this is only my second season ever in any form of motorsport but as a big fan of TVR's, it just had to be a Tuscan for my baptism! I don't know all the drivers that well myself but have to say that the majority I've met during the course of the last year have been very welcoming and very supportative of me as a new driver. In fact, if it wasn't for Tim Hood (car no 10) and his Team, I would have struggled to complete the season last year. They've been fantastic in their support and encouragement and I think that captures the spirit of the TVR racers.

We'd all love to have bigger grids for our races and we'll all trying to encourage more entrants to join us. The fact that there is still a series (despite any support from TVR themselves) is testomony to the fact that the Series is viable. Big thanks to Reidy though for his committment in keeping it going. Also, as it's Nat B status now, there's no reason why newbies like me can't join in and in the current format, the series can accomodate most levels of budget.

Why don't you join us out there on the grid, there are a number of cars available for rent? If you're interested in having a look, my website [url] www.glynnsport.co.uk [/url] tracks my experiences to date of racing in the Tuscan challenge!

Look forward to seeing you at Rockingham.
Steve