What happened with the parade lap?

[MisterX]

Whilst I was talking with Lee this morning about how good the Noble parade participation was (twice as many cars as Porsche), a BRDC steward came up to us and said that it was cocked up by three Nobles who started to drive the wrong way round the circuit as soon as they came on. The steward said he had to stop others going out for a while, and that's why the proposed photo shoot in pit lane went up the creek. Ok, who went the wrong way...????

[DanH]

MisterX said:

Whilst I was talking with Lee this morning about how good the Noble parade participation was (twice as many cars as Porsche), a BRDC steward came up to us and said that it was cocked up by three Nobles who started to drive the wrong way round the circuit as soon as they came on. The steward said he had to stop others going out for a while, and that's why the proposed photo shoot in pit lane went up the creek. Ok, who went the wrong way...????

I watched it happen. Couldn't believe it.

Some older chap who was driving excessively slowly left a massive gap to the car in front. So large in fact, that the car in front had already joined the track before he rounded the corner. He then didn't know to drive through the cones and turned left at them rather than drive onto the track. The people behind dutifully followed.

I have no idea why this chap left such a large gap or drove so slowly?

[obes]

He was stopped by a marshall as he pulled out. Not really his fault.

[MisterX]

DanH said:

Some older chap who was driving excessively slowly left a massive gap to the car in front.

Maybe he thought Simon said we had to drive at 5mph the whole time, instead of just across the finish line. Can't think of any other excuse apart from Altzheimers.

[paulcundy]

MisterX said:

[quote=DanH] Can't think of any other excuse apart from Altzheimers.

Or even Alzheimers.

[noble lyn]

DanH said:

MisterX said: Whilst I was talking with Lee this morning about how good the Noble parade participation was (twice as many cars as Porsche), a BRDC steward came up to us and said that it was cocked up by three Nobles who started to drive the wrong way round the circuit as soon as they came on. The steward said he had to stop others going out for a while, and that's why the proposed photo shoot in pit lane went up the creek. Ok, who went the wrong way...???? I watched it happen. Couldn't believe it. Some older chap who was driving excessively slowly left a massive gap to the car in front. So large in fact, that the car in front had already joined the track before he rounded the corner. He then didn't know to drive through the cones and turned left at them rather than drive onto the track. The people behind dutifully followed. I have no idea why this chap left such a large gap or drove so slowly?

I was the unfortunate person to be behind that car. The marshall under the bridge for some reason stopped him so by the time the car in front of us set off the first group had already gone and were completely out of sight.

The marshall waved him left, he went left and as I had not seen which way the rest of the group went, I followed! Why did the marshall not stop me from following having already seen one car going wrong?

Luckily my other half said immediately it was the wrong way we turned round and I had the track to myself.Did not enjoy it at all as I was embarrassed and cross that it had been allowed to happen through the imcompetence of the marshall.


>> Edited by noble lyn on Sunday 11th September 18:26

[pistnbroke]

Ok fellers - I put my hand up

The reason was, we were told we were all following in convoy. But the stewards deliberately halted the group after about 25 cars went out. They then waved us on. No cars to follow, and a line of cones seeming to say turn left.

Turned left and realised going in wrong direction - so after about 3 bends u turned and caught the end of the cars that had been let out.

For whatever reason the stewards were not letting the group out as one convoy.

Now please can I suffer the embarresment quietly.

Thanks for at least not saying the old git!

[paulcundy]

No worries, its an old Noble tradition. Does no one remember at the Owners Day at Rockingham someone led the field of cars after the breifing behind the stands, missed the turn and just kept going until it became obvious we weren't heading for the infield as the tramac was turning to gravel. Eventually we cut down an access track and found our way in.

At least you have the mitigation of the marshall, whoever took us off road behind the scenes at Rockingham did it all on their own!
Regards
Paul C


>> Edited by paulcundy on Sunday 11th September 18:32

[DanH]

pistnbroke said:

Ok fellers - I put my hand up The reason was, we were told we were all following in convoy. But the stewards deliberately halted the group after about 25 cars went out. They then waved us on. No cars to follow, and a line of cones seeming to say turn left. Turned left and realised going in wrong direction - so after about 3 bends u turned and caught the end of the cars that had been let out. For whatever reason the stewards were not letting the group out as one convoy. Now please can I suffer the embarresment quietly. Thanks for at least not saying the old git!

Ah well not your fault then

Frankly I'd be a lot more embarrased were I the one who lost it and spun 360 on a parade lap!

[micknall]

It's nice to get the full picture, now. Thanks for owning up, Maurice - I must apologise for the embarrasment you suffered.

This incident epitomised the general poor organisation offered by the EERC prior to, and during, the parade. I rarely lose my temper, but these guys pushed me to the limit. If they decide to allow parades which include this many vehicles, then their communications standards need raising.

Please let me take this opportunity to pass on a very big thank you to all 140 members of the Nobility who made the effort to support the factory by attending the parade and who took such an interest in our race team's progress. I know that Lee Noble was especially touched that so many people had taken the time to appear at Silverstone this weekend.

I'll make sure that a full report with pics is posted on our PH news section within the next 24hrs.

Best regards to you all!

Simon

Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.

[DanH]

micknall said:

It's nice to get the full picture, now. Thanks for owning up, Maurice - I must apologise for the embarrasment you suffered. This incident epitomised the general poor organisation offered by the EERC prior to, and during, the parade. I rarely lose my temper, but these guys pushed me to the limit. If they decide to allow parades which include this many vehicles, then their communications standards need raising. Please let me take this opportunity to pass on a very big thank you to all 140 members of the Nobility who made the effort to support the factory by attending the parade and who took such an interest in our race team's progress. I know that Lee Noble was especially touched that so many people had taken the time to appear at Silverstone this weekend. I'll make sure that a full report with pics is posted on our PH news section within the next 24hrs. Best regards to you all! Simon Simon Hucknall Press Officer Noble Automotive Ltd.

Thanks to you all for making us all so welcome and letting us clutter up your pit!

p.s. Those race car mods are awesome, you should sell one that looks like that (and the 120 litre fuel tank would be handy too!).

[joust]

micknall said:

Please let me take this opportunity to pass on a very big thank you to all 140 members of the Nobility who made the effort to support the factory by attending the parade and who took such an interest in our race team's progress.

Simon,

Speaking for one of those 140 can I thank you for the effort you put in, especially at times as I could clearly see the marshalls were putting you at straining point.

I also should say a thank you to yourself, Lee, Carol, Dave, Stuart, Simon and many more for making me feel so welcome and keeping me so well informed with what was going on. I've had many a time had a pit pass, and have spent time with the Renault F1 team, but the sheer openess of everyone there was just amazing.

I was planning on leaving a good hour before I did, but with the excitement of the pitstops and seeing the team carve their way up through the pack I just got so involved! I arrived home a knackered but very happy person just before midnight.

I'm sure there were somethings that could have been better, but overall I think a clear 10 out of 10 for pure entertainment.

J

>> Edited by joust on Sunday 11th September 21:59

[computamedic]

Just a quick view from an outsider. I was in the Porsche group (the yellow 964) and was thoroughly impressed with the Noble turn out. Getting commitment from people to turn up at events such as this is no mean feat - especially considering the weather - and to get 80 or 90 (relatively rare) cars together like that deserves warm congratulations.

Well done!!

Regards

Dave