Britcar 24hr 2012... the good bits
Discussion
Ok so there has been much discussion about what we didn’t like
So what did we like, I will kick this off with a quick list.
1: The weather was great up to Sunday at 1PM, even then it mixed it up a little.
2: The general (and usual) friendly but competitive atmosphere in the paddock.
3: The Radio LeMans radio coverage
4: The live video stream both at the circuit and on the internet.
5: The excellent racing
6: The team work and the fun we had in the pits.
7: The excellent marshalling (as usual)
8: The mercifully quick drivers briefing (15 mins no waffle)
9: The sheer enjoyment of trying to get a car to last for 24 hours when it was finished on the Thursday before the race and hadn’t turned a wheel since the 2011 24hr
10: The spectators, this year there seemed to be more and they were a friendly bunch.
11: The team replacing a broken oil cooler and getting the car back out in under 30 mins
12: Completing the race with only 5th gear and no clutch for the last 2 hours
There must be more but my brain has failed.
Please add to the listas you see fit(no gripes this is for positives only, we have done the negatives)
So what did we like, I will kick this off with a quick list.
1: The weather was great up to Sunday at 1PM, even then it mixed it up a little.
2: The general (and usual) friendly but competitive atmosphere in the paddock.
3: The Radio LeMans radio coverage
4: The live video stream both at the circuit and on the internet.
5: The excellent racing
6: The team work and the fun we had in the pits.
7: The excellent marshalling (as usual)
8: The mercifully quick drivers briefing (15 mins no waffle)
9: The sheer enjoyment of trying to get a car to last for 24 hours when it was finished on the Thursday before the race and hadn’t turned a wheel since the 2011 24hr
10: The spectators, this year there seemed to be more and they were a friendly bunch.
11: The team replacing a broken oil cooler and getting the car back out in under 30 mins
12: Completing the race with only 5th gear and no clutch for the last 2 hours
There must be more but my brain has failed.
Please add to the listas you see fit(no gripes this is for positives only, we have done the negatives)
The reason for this great event is exactly that , the good bits .
It was very relaxed this year and JT did a great job under difficult circunstances , and best regards to Claire
As for us .....
Broken starter motor on the grid to start from the pit lane.
After an hour and broken exhaust manifold , so no turbo pressure .
Before in to repair the geabox selector broke.
so in for new gearbox
after another hours running the cluch went , so box out again
Then a heavy crash at 1 am , so in for a nose rebuild out of ally and tape
after that a clean run barring only 80% throtttle opening , hence reduced power.
Was it fun yes all were exhausted and had great memories.
It was very relaxed this year and JT did a great job under difficult circunstances , and best regards to Claire
As for us .....
Broken starter motor on the grid to start from the pit lane.
After an hour and broken exhaust manifold , so no turbo pressure .
Before in to repair the geabox selector broke.
so in for new gearbox
after another hours running the cluch went , so box out again
Then a heavy crash at 1 am , so in for a nose rebuild out of ally and tape
after that a clean run barring only 80% throtttle opening , hence reduced power.
Was it fun yes all were exhausted and had great memories.
For the first time as a spectator after having been part of a team for all the others, I'd say that camping and access was much improved and the visitor numbers seemed to be slowley getting bigger, and the guys i spoke to who did the road car parade laps enjoyed them.
Getting RLM to do the commentary was a real plus point and made it feel much more part of the 24hr race family.
live streaming was great for when i got home sat morning through to the end..
Getting RLM to do the commentary was a real plus point and made it feel much more part of the 24hr race family.
live streaming was great for when i got home sat morning through to the end..
From a spectator point of view it seemed to be a much more professional affair in regards to camping and hospitality. We came in 2010 and there was about 1/4 of the people there compaired to this year, although the weather must have played a part.
Only gripe was the price creep of food etc but then thats to be expected.
Would love to experience it from the other side of the garage....I make good coffee lol
Only gripe was the price creep of food etc but then thats to be expected.
Would love to experience it from the other side of the garage....I make good coffee lol
It was my first time at Brit car and I was pleasantly surprised
Good access to the cars on the grid before the race
Reasonable quality food at prices I would expect
great cars
The racing in the dark is great at times it almost felt like le mans
easy to see/get access to the garages
Thanks to Rogue for their invitation and the access to their garage
I really enjoyed it and will be back
Good access to the cars on the grid before the race
Reasonable quality food at prices I would expect
great cars
The racing in the dark is great at times it almost felt like le mans
easy to see/get access to the garages
Thanks to Rogue for their invitation and the access to their garage
I really enjoyed it and will be back
It's getting better all the time for spectators (although 2011 did just pip 2012, in my opinion)...
1. Pit/garage access is incredible, ask nicely, be sensible and keep your wits about you and there is very very little off-limits to the average joe.
2. In-field parking, words cannot express how useful this is at a place like Silverstone
3. Decent 'side-shows', such as Pop Bang Colour, the Forza set up etc.
4. The weather, every year seems to deliver a lovely sunset.
5. Still using the old pit straight, an absolute godsend, using the Wing would kill the event instantly for spectators
6. It feels like my own little secret, I'm in two minds about it becoming a huge event, as that would obviously require restrictions on pit access etc, as it is it's a great balance between a nice friendly atmosphere and good access for the average motorsport fan.
I really can't stress enough how good in-field parking is, it's literally the difference between me attending or not, it's that useful.
1. Pit/garage access is incredible, ask nicely, be sensible and keep your wits about you and there is very very little off-limits to the average joe.
2. In-field parking, words cannot express how useful this is at a place like Silverstone
3. Decent 'side-shows', such as Pop Bang Colour, the Forza set up etc.
4. The weather, every year seems to deliver a lovely sunset.
5. Still using the old pit straight, an absolute godsend, using the Wing would kill the event instantly for spectators
6. It feels like my own little secret, I'm in two minds about it becoming a huge event, as that would obviously require restrictions on pit access etc, as it is it's a great balance between a nice friendly atmosphere and good access for the average motorsport fan.
I really can't stress enough how good in-field parking is, it's literally the difference between me attending or not, it's that useful.
Graham said:
blackiepaul said:
The lads at Topcats for changing a complete engine and having the car back on track in one hour twenty five minutes. Amazing job.
Just a shame it was out of the race a while later.
I saw that you disappeared from the lap chart, what happened.Just a shame it was out of the race a while later.
After such a great race from all involved - shame it had to end like this.
Just hope both drivers are OK.
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