Thruxton TVR Challenge, Epic duel brewing?????????

[Tuscan 29]

27

Right, time to stop all this rubbish It's getting far to silly all this yap about stuffed monkies, cakes, who's going to beat who, etc,etc, that's it, the talk is over. time for the "walk"

Fact.......... we need all the support we can get, banners with

"Save the Tuscan Challenge", and

" Want the car sales, then keep the challenge" or

"16 years of great racing, Nick, lets not RUSH IN to any hasty decisions"

I'm getting some stickers for the cars, but could do with some suggestions that will impact on TVR, nothing nasty or rude, something that reflects the love we all have for the series

The truth is that TVR are very likely to drop the series at the end of the season, the new owner thinks that the world market for TVR warrants supporting International Motorsport, and in effect dropping any national involvement. I think that this would be a mistake, and would suggest an old Russian proverb,( that I just made up) " If you want to be the biggest beetroot farmer in Russia, then learn to grow them in your garden first!!!!!" do it well, and you could take on "Borsche"

[daydreamer]

Well said that man. I think that the racers have done enough. If, as has been said on the other thread, there are 16 cars there this weekend, with a potential for more in the future, then SRO will once again warm to the Challenge and allow another year on the GT/F3 bill (still needs a bit of work to get it right back up there though). I don't think that the same can be said for the Caterhams however. With eight of them pootling round - reduced to four after the first corner, it is more of a glorified exclusive track day than a race. As I have said before, the challenge may not be at its strongest, but there are many other series out there that are doing a lot worse.

However, in the new era of TVR, the racing is done for the benefit of the customers (i.e. make them buy more cars), than for the chairman to show off his trainset. Therefore, it is up to the customers to show that they want it. It really is up to the fans to save the series now.

Must also admit, that in my chemically altered state, I did laugh at the Rushin and Borche jokes too

Rich

[ratpit]

Well, there was me stalking in the mist around the quiet outer limits of the paddock at dawn this morning, looking for the secret duel between Ex29 and griff2be.
I was hoping to be there in time to see them choose from the matched pair of fairy cakes, especially baked for the occassion, walk 10 paces, turn and hurl for all they were worth.
All that I found was half a dozen crows, a lame rabbit and the remains of yesterdays bacon butty lobbed behind a transporter.
Did see some suspicous looking crumbs and an elastoplast wrapper, must study Andy and Rod for cake wounds later.
Bloody handy things these laptops. Oh well, 12-12 and the truth will start to unfold eh boys ?

[jamesc]

The CARLUBE TVR Tuscan Challenge - RACE CLASSIFICATION - RACE 13
POS NO CL NAME NAT TEAM TIME LAPS GAP MPH BEST
1 38 Lee CAROLINE Chelsea Football Club 15:59.624 12 106.06 1:17.970
2 2 David MASON Kerridges 16:05.131 12 5.507 105.45 1:18.718
3 77 Richard HAY TVR Engineering 16:09.651 12 10.027 104.96 1:19.935
4 41 Philip KEEN Keen Motorsport/ Racing 16:14.783 12 15.159 104.41 1:18.844
5 58 Giles COOPER TVR Engineering 16:19.465 12 19.841 103.91 1:20.072
6 10 Tim HOOD Rachmann Europe/JBM 16:20.182 12 20.558 103.83 1:20.142
7 6 Andy HOLDEN IMR/Insane Racing 16:29.284 12 29.660 102.88 1:20.514
8 27 Rod BARRETT Hawthorns M'Sport 16:35.114 12 35.490 102.27 1:20.086
9 7 David HORNSEY 16:47.363 12 47.739 101.03 1:20.960
10 3 Hugh MARSHALL 16:51.090 12 51.466 100.66 1:23.129
11 16 Robert STANTON Racesport 16:37.951 11 1 LAP 93.48 1:26.442
Not Classified
8 Peter WHEELER TVR Engineering 0 D.N.F. N/A

Fastest Lap
38 Lee CAROLINE Chelsea Football Club 1:17.970 3 175.06kph 108.78

[Tuscan 29]

27

Ah Ha, first back home gets to explain how the race really went, and although no:6 did finish in front of 27, it was a very very close run thing. Firstly, congrats to Andy baby, he's improved no end and now has a fair turn of speed, he finished 6th and I finished 7th, he won fair and square.

BUT............... He did start 7th on the grid, and moved up to 6th, I had to start at the back, 12th, and moved up to 7th having overtaken 4 cars, we both moved up a place because they disqualified poor old swampy for repeated "what black flag " infringements , good lad!!!!!I'd have done the same, keep going no matter what ALSO.......!! there was a smash up just after the start, jammy no:6 sails straight through it, muggins, 27 has to jump on the anchors big time to avoid piling into the carnage, so I'm well behind at this stage. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I wheel the bugger in lap by lap, making up some 15/18 secs, ( 2 seconds a lap) and get up his chuff, 1 second and closing, hooning around Church at plus 150mph, I go for the inside pass, he holds his line, but I'm quicker....opppps wheel on the grass, and BIG SPIN, complete 360, much noise and smoke, stayed on track, dropped a gear or two, and carried on, BUT lost a vital 4/5 secs on the whippersnapper, "Bugger"

So there you have it, the real story, which undoubtedly has a hero, and a lucky bastard, in it I'll leave you to decide which is which.

On a more serious note, Jan didn't get to race on Sunday, as we blew the engine in the Qualy session and we ran out of time on the engine change, but the help we had from all the boys at Insane was exceptional. thanks lads, and No:7, Darren, straight in there working like a gooden, cheers mate

GOD, HOW I LOVE TUSCAN RACING

[Big_M]

27

How cool was that wave you gave us flag wavers standing on the grassy knoll just after the club chicane. You are so the King of Cool.

Hope No 7 didn't get a telling off for his donut at the end - it got a good reception from the crowd.

Thanks to everyone at Insane racing for their hospitality and providing some excellent entertainment on the track. It was a really enjoyable weekend. My first visit to Thruxton and one I hope to repeat - just need to persuade Mr Big to do the camping thing. Only downside was my digital camera broke so I was unable to add to my 'Me and Peter Wheeler' photo collection.

>> Edited by Big_M on Monday 30th August 22:09

[yellow peril]

Yes....it was a really good weekend.

Our thanks also to the Insane Racing peeps and Andy No6 for making us so welcome on Sunday evening.

The racing was good all weekend. The views from the red grandstand were excellent and I have to admit that I never realised how close the Ginetta and Caterham racing is.

Excellent stuff....but all credit to our Tuscan lads........exciting stuff as usual.....especially having half the field on wets and the other half on slicks!!!!

Course....it was nice that DM got a second in each race.....

Congratulations to Andy....you said you'd whip his rear and you did just that.....

But...I have to say....it's not too many drivers that could give the crowd a wave on exiting the Chicane

....nice one Rodders..........had the crowd in fits..

...//P//

[griff2be]

Great to have Uncle Rodney and the Smurf back on board - a great pity that the engine change just couldn't be finished in time to get Jan out for the first race.

I finished that one in 9th - went out on slicks on a wet but drying track - unfortunately it didn't dry nearly quick enough for me and the other three nutters on slicks.

Peter got one of his best finishes - 6th, ahead of Richard Hay - and Swampy got a well overdue third place.

Today Uncle R was able to join the fray with the new engine fitted and ready. I got a good drag up the inside off the start just as the ex Chairman sailed into the back of poor old Swampy - I think maybe Lee had moved across slightly - but it was just an unfortunate racing incident. Swampy managed to keep going with half his rear hanging off and I ended up behind him, Richard and Giles. Sadly it was race over for the ex Chairman. As Rod says, Tim missed the black flags as he was battling away with Richard and Giles - he was then disqualified and was understandably very p1ssed off afterwards.

I took a bit too much kerb which jolted both my mirrors out of alignment - I'm afraid I can't comment on Uncle R's claims, as I didn't see a thing! Lets hope the TV cameras caught it though

The old bugger put in a quicker faster lap than me today, which was very good darts indeed considering he's had a year off And the lap charts had him as close as 1.3 seconds. Well done sir We are of course sending my engine back now, as there is clearly something wrong with it)

By the way guys - thanks for the fantastic support - I see the flags as I approached the chicane and then they'd start waving like mad as I went through. I've no idea whether you gave us all the same treatment, but does spur you on - so big thanks to you all.

I hope you all enjoyed the BBQ on Sunday evening - it was great to see so many of you there


>> Edited by griff2be on Monday 30th August 22:55

[Tuscan 29]

Big_M said:

27 How cool was that wave you gave us flag wavers standing on the grassy knoll just after the club chicane. You are so the King of Cool.

27

You are soooo right, when you've got it, you've got it

In all honesty, you guy's deserve the "cool" waves, for without your support, what's the point, a big "THANK YOU" to all that spurred us on, even those who are misguided enough to cheer for that lucky bugger no:6

I can't lie anymore, I wasn't waving, well sort of, I was trying to get the silver foil off the wonderful friutcake that you gave me unfortunatly, it shorted out on my exposed ECU unit and started a small fire

Funny thing that, when I came in after the race they pulled me over shouting that I was on fire, I didn't notice anything but apparently the commentry chappies were telling all that I had been driving a fireball, I know I'm shit hot, but real flames!!!! noooooooooo

Did no:6 manage a wave??, no, thought not, to busy trying to ignor the fast closing Master, " I couldn't see anything in my mirrors", yeah right, the mirrors were fine, it was the tears of blind panic that streamed over his "fake" porsche sunglasses that were the problem," Uncle Rodders is going to get me. please make him spin God, and I'll be a good boy for a whole year", and for once GOD WAS LISTERNING. Jammy choccy fairy cake eating Monk-ee killer

[V8 Archie]

Top entertainment chaps! How can a twelve car grid finishing 40 seconds apart top to bottom provide such excellent racing?

I want more! More races, more cars, more BBQs and more beer!

Anyone got £150k to spare?

[DustyC]

griff2be said:

The old bugger put in a quicker faster lap than me today, which was very good darts indeed considering he's had a year off And the lap charts had him as close as 1.3 seconds. Well done sir We are of course sending my engine back now, as there is clearly something wrong with it)

and then griff2be said:

I hope you all enjoyed the BBQ on Sunday evening - it was great to see so many of you there

Andy, The engines probably fine, I think that your real problem may have been the extra weight. All those burgers!

Good to meet you, thanks for the BBQ and an excellent weekend.

Adam.

[dhmotorsport]

Big_M said:

27 Hope No 7 didn't get a telling off for his donut at the end - it got a good reception from the crowd.

No I didn't, being a local I know the chief observer and he gave permission as long as I didn't get in the way and did it at the chicane for everyone in the stands.

On a personal note, I really enjoyed the weekend, Pace improved each time I got in the car and my first 5 laps or so in Mondays race I was pleased with, especially as I havent raced for 3 years and didn't test or drive at all before qualifying and was on old tyres all weekend (excuses, excuses). Unfortunately I wasn't prepared for just how hard work the steering was, I've never done something so hard on my arms in my life! After the 6th lap I was spent and just trying to get home without falling off through lack of strength. Must get some bigger weights to train with (or in fact SOME weights!)

It was a bit of a baptism of fire choosing slicks for sundays race. I was convinced it would dry enough for dry tyres, then some smart arse decided to move the race forwards 10 mins! Slicks were great for the last 2 laps which was about when the race should have started. Oh well, live and learn...

A big thanks to Darren for the loan of the car and his support through the weekend and to Insane for the hospitality and the use of their awning. And finally a big thanks to all the teams, drivers, organisers and supporters who made me feel very welcome.

>> Edited by dhmotorsport on Tuesday 31st August 14:10

[daydreamer]

yellow peril said:

The racing was good all weekend. The views from the red grandstand were excellent and I have to admit that I never realised how close the Ginetta and Caterham racing is.

We like to give each other a bit more room in the rain though


Unfortunately I'm (blue car, white lights) passing the wrong people here as we're recovering from spin number 5 of the weekend .

I will come and say hello to the Tuscan fan club at Brands. Glad everyone had a good time.

[yellow peril]

daydreamer said:

yellow peril said: The racing was good all weekend. The views from the red grandstand were excellent and I have to admit that I never realised how close the Ginetta and Caterham racing is. Unfortunately I'm (blue car, white lights) I will come and say hello to the Tuscan fan club at Brands. Glad everyone had a good time.

....Excellent stuff.........

Was really disappointed about the hoo haa in the second race that kept everyone behind the pace car for the majority of the race. We had all been really looking forward to seeing you all dice away again.

Please do come and find us.......

Debs makes great cake and will save you some.
but don't tell the Tuscan lads or they'll get upset


Oh...by the way Rodders...I have it on the very best authority that No 6 ALSO managed a Mid Essex wave after the chicane....

You really do have competition here you know........
must be very heart warming to know your protege is imitating your excellent skills....



...//P//

[V8 Archie]

yellow peril said:

the hoo haa in the second race that kept everyone behind the pace car for the majority of the race

Definitely unfortunate, but the chap (I can't remember his name ) did appear to have his rear suspension fail before hitting the wall at full tilt. What made it worse was that I'd been chatting to him about the costs of the championship before the race. I think they may have just risen a bit more steeply than he was hoping for.

Last I heard he was being whisked off to hospital for a check-up, but was apparently in rather better shape than his car.

[yellow peril]

V8 Archie said:

Definitely unfortunate, but the chap (I can't remember his name ) did appear to have his rear suspension fail before hitting the wall at full tilt. Last I heard he was being whisked off to hospital for a check-up, but was apparently in rather better shape than his car.

Yes....thankfully both drivers involved were okay and got into the ambulance vehicle without assistance.

...//P//