RE: PistonHeads Sporting Tour South now open!

RE: PistonHeads Sporting Tour South now open!

Friday 22nd March 2019

PistonHeads Sporting Tour South: Update!

Join PH as we tour along 170 miles of Kent's stunning countryside in the spring sunshine (we hope)



UPDATE - 22/03/19

There's just over three weeks to go until the first PH Sporting Tour of the year in Kent on April 13th. The sun is starting to shine again, the days are getting longer, the Tulip route book is ready and our autotests are all set for Brands Hatch!

To celebrate the new additions to our calendar, we're launching PH Points, which will be earned at each Sporting Tour this year. And points mean prizes for you and your co-driver. For each event you attend in 2019 you'll be awarded 10 PH Points, which will get you the following:

10 PH Points - two mugs
20 PH Points - two t-shirts
30 PH Points - two hoodies

Trophies will also be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd fastest times on the autotests, being run at Brands Hatch circuit, including the tarmac rally stage (avoiding the gravel section).

Check out the entrants' Wiki to see who's already booked on and get signed up today! If you're not able to make the first event, register your interest with GT Motorsports Club here to keep up to date with our next two events later in the year.


____________________________________________________________________________

We're excited to announce that the PistonHeads Sporting Tour South is now open for booking, taking place in Kent on the 13th April.

The one-day event will tour 170 miles of beautiful country roads, with lunch and two timed tests at Brands Hatch circuit. Each competitor will have a start time, but as most of the driving takes place on public roads, there will be no other timing involved other than the tests. You'll make your way to check points, where marshals will stamp your route book before setting off on the next stage of the rally.

Your co-driver will need to brush up on their map reading skills, as you'll navigate the route with a Tulip Road Book with no satnav in sight. The book plots out the distances, directions and junctions you need to navigate throughout the route, making for a refreshing change from the need for technology. Seasoned motorsport competitors are welcome but this event is perfect for novices who want to take their first step onto the ladder.


For those of you who joined us in October, we've listened to your requests; the road sections are longer with less smaller roads, and excitingly we're laying on some bigger auto tests at MSV circuits. This has resulted in a slightly higher entry cost of £180 per car, but we're confident it'll be worth it.

Our base for the start and finish will be the Mercure Great Danes Hotel (Maidstone), with the auto tests using a section of the GP circuit and the tarmac rally stage at Brands Hatch. The event is authorised and permitted by Motorsport UK.

Entries for PistonHeads Sporting Tour South are now open and are available on a first come first served basis here.

Once you've signed up, add yourself to the entrants Wiki here.


Author
Discussion

Norbury90

Original Poster:

6,897 posts

205 months

Friday 8th February 2019
quotequote all
Just making a mental note to pack my mankini for the hotel pool hehe

blue al

922 posts

158 months

Friday 8th February 2019
quotequote all
Apologies if this sounds slightly cynical

Be good to see if the timed events at Brands hatch is genuine track time ?
Or just handbrake turns in between impossibly narrow cones at the equivalent of the local Tescos car park.

Otherwise looks like 180 quid to drive down some leafy roads where your far more likely to see a horse or tractor up close and personal, irrespective of what speed you approach a blind corner

Edited by blue al on Friday 8th February 19:52

B'stard Child

28,321 posts

245 months

Friday 8th February 2019
quotequote all
blue al said:
Apologies if this sounds slightly cynical

Be good to see if the timed events at Brands hatch is genuine track time ?
Or just handbrake turns in between impossibly narrow cones at the equivalent of the local Tescos car park.

Otherwise looks like 180 quid to drive down some leafy roads where your far more likely to see a horse or tractor up close and personal, irrespective of what speed you approach a blind corner

Edited by blue al on Friday 8th February 19:52
I did the first one and the feedback during and after the event was very positive in the main

The route chosen was fun and full of variety, the tulip maps added a new dimension to a drive out for the navigator.

The midday tests on the first one were just a trial to see what could work and if people liked it - I would hope they are developed to be a bit more challenging (which I understood was the plan) as it would add more competition to the event as the road sections are not timed.

As far as cost goes - for a day out (with costs shared at £75 each) I viewed it as better value than a track day for all round fun - without the wear and tear on car and tyres

It won’t appeal to everyone but I would say it something worth trying just for the experience.

I’m just trying to make space in the house calendar to attend this one but it will be as navigator this time as it won’t be my turn to drive on the next one. It’s nice to share the roles with a good mate on a day out but classic insurance on my car meant a driver swap on the day wasn’t possible.

Hammond1073

109 posts

110 months

Saturday 9th February 2019
quotequote all
What about one in the North??

wolfie28

686 posts

143 months

Saturday 9th February 2019
quotequote all
Hammond1073 said:
What about one in the North??
6th July. I'm guessing details of that one will be nearer the event.

BenLowden

5,968 posts

176 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Saturday 9th February 2019
quotequote all
blue al said:
Be good to see if the timed events at Brands hatch is genuine track time ?
We're running two timed tests at Brands Hatch. The first is on a section of the GP circuit, but it is an auto test, not a lap of the circuit. Auto tests are all about car control, so this first test will be navigating a route through a set of cones with your co-driver. The second test will be a full run of the tarmac rally stage; I'm hoping we'll be able to go and shoot a quick video on this soon to give people a better idea of what to expect.

But the tests are definitely going to be longer and more challenging than last year. Going to be a huge amount of fun! biggrin

Hammond1073 said:
What about one in the North??
We'll be opening booking for the North event in April.

Gallons Per Mile

1,868 posts

106 months

Saturday 9th February 2019
quotequote all
I've no idea what to expect really, but it sounds like fun so I'm in!

speech

387 posts

155 months

Sunday 10th February 2019
quotequote all
Sounds a great idea... I learned to drive at Brands Hatch so always good to return. Plus it's just after my birthday wink

My only concern is do I need to get any additional insurance for the track stage? I have a leased car so not sure if that's possible.

Norbury90

Original Poster:

6,897 posts

205 months

Sunday 10th February 2019
quotequote all
speech said:
Sounds a great idea... I learned to drive at Brands Hatch so always good to return. Plus it's just after my birthday wink

My only concern is do I need to get any additional insurance for the track stage? I have a leased car so not sure if that's possible.
There is an option to get insurance when you book, I think it was 25 or 30 quid. Not sure of the small print though.

speech

387 posts

155 months

Sunday 10th February 2019
quotequote all
Norbury90 said:
There is an option to get insurance when you book, I think it was 25 or 30 quid. Not sure of the small print though.
Ah thanks, will check

BenLowden

5,968 posts

176 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Sunday 10th February 2019
quotequote all
Norbury90 said:
speech said:
Sounds a great idea... I learned to drive at Brands Hatch so always good to return. Plus it's just after my birthday wink

My only concern is do I need to get any additional insurance for the track stage? I have a leased car so not sure if that's possible.
There is an option to get insurance when you book, I think it was 25 or 30 quid. Not sure of the small print though.
The Jelf insurance you can bolt on through the entry form is just third party cover for road driving and does not cover you for the auto tests. They do offer motorsport insurance but you would need to contact them directly for a quote as this will vary widely depending on the car you're competing in.

I'll add that there's quite a lot of room for error at Brands and it's up to you how hard you push. Personally I won't be taking out any additional insurance so I'll be staying well within my comfort zone!

Edited by BenLowden on Sunday 10th February 13:40

Norbury90

Original Poster:

6,897 posts

205 months

Sunday 10th February 2019
quotequote all
Ah sorry! I thought that it was for the tests last time out, didn't realise it was set up differently this time.

Audi-Ben

44 posts

87 months

Tuesday 12th February 2019
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A full lap of the rally track sounds great. I might get out of first gear this time!

Lemmy Exige Rus

6 posts

61 months

Thursday 14th February 2019
quotequote all
Be good to see one in the South West too (Devon & Cornwall).

B'stard Child

28,321 posts

245 months

Thursday 14th February 2019
quotequote all
Oh this is going to cause some issues

I rib Paul my co pilot at the last event about being a member for over 14 years and still lurking rather than posting

So he pings me an email to see signed up car 42 so I thought I'd better do the wiki bit and I see it's already done



Just wondering if he realises.........

jeremyc

23,335 posts

283 months

Thursday 21st February 2019
quotequote all
Has anyone else managed to book a room at the hotel?

Their booking site is showing as having no availabiilty for either the night before or the day of the event. frown

Is there a magic booking code that the organisers have to get rooms?


jeremyc

23,335 posts

283 months

Thursday 21st February 2019
quotequote all
Entry number 54 checking in. biggrin

driving


thunter

5 posts

61 months

Friday 22nd February 2019
quotequote all
I had the same problem yesterday, the £87 pound rooms excluding breakfast were not available, however, I went on to a site called AMOMA.COM and booked a twin room for two with breakfast for £113, it was all they had available. I hope this helps in some way.

Cheers, Tod

jeremyc

23,335 posts

283 months

Friday 22nd February 2019
quotequote all
thunter said:
I had the same problem yesterday, the £87 pound rooms excluding breakfast were not available, however, I went on to a site called AMOMA.COM and booked a twin room for two with breakfast for £113, it was all they had available. I hope this helps in some way.

Cheers, Tod
thumbup Brilliant - thank you. All sorted now. smile

Gewy

118 posts

156 months

Friday 22nd February 2019
quotequote all
We're all booked and paid, including hotel this time.
Couple of quick questions, as track activity is at Brands will there be any noise limit and will we need skid lids?