DMN Road Trip to Spa 2009

Totally off thread,it would be expensive,it would be a total weekend meet,it would be more noisy than anyone has ever heard,(no noise restrictions-straight through pipes),when are we going to do Spa.Just returned and it is definately the most fantastic circuit ever,got left standing by one Gordon Streeter in his Anglia.
Back on thread,keeping fingers crossed that we have cured the misfire,cutting out and handling problems,not been a good season with the Fiesta,see you all saturday.

DMN does Spa? I can only wish! I'd be there to take shots. Reckon I'd sell 42 pictures of each individual coming through Eau Rouge ;)

i would buy them........whens it on ...tell me tell me...:rotate:


barc sec road trip and it is south east of london ....i think

Spa sounds good to me!

I'm sure it won't be cheap... And that's just my fuel bill to get out there!

stick a tow bar on the ASBO and i'll come with you jon ....

Count me in!

Im Not going back to SPA I dont get on with their beer!!!!!!!! but what a wicked place to race, its just a bit boreing for the people standing on the pit wall waiting ages for their cars to come round;)

Andy my car doesn't work with a tow bar. The exhaust muffler goes across the full width and can't get anything under it!

I'll be your passenger ;)

Spa is being considered, but everyone must have a minimum National A licence. Also the circuit demands full FIA approved clothing (including socks, balaclava, underwear). The other criteria is the cost of getting there, I think Eddy has explained the problems he is having at present. If a deal can be reached with the circuit then who knows.

I may be taking a sabatical next year but if spa was on the cards i would come. Would just need to know before i renewed my liscence to upgrade

Sabatical Andy? Pinto power?

what are the petrol tank regs should we go to spa?

http://gallery.mac.com/chimpusmaximus#100042/KW9I0419&bgcolor=black

Spa - June this year - starting grid - shared drive 140 kms each
entry fee - approx £140 each
Ferry £185.00 - (£92 each)
Accommodation - ****e
I have no problems with Belgian Beer
Car and Kit all legal for europe - I hope the Tintops are invited !


Alan

p.s. see most of you tomorrow !

what are the petrol tank regs should we go to spa?

Depends on who is running race/meeting - Rod could probably advise on the BARC series.
I run in a German series (besides Tintops) so we had the usual german scrutineers for Spa. FIA Bag tanks (in date) or original standard tank is fine for this series.
My foam filled ,baffled alloy Brise tank in the Astra would be no good for the series. If we have to run to foreign rules, the differences I have found are
(None too expensive)
Over and above MSA regs
In Date FIA seat from about £180
In date Extinguisher ????
Larger size towing eyes/straps for Spa and the Nurburgring - about £10
FIA Fireproof underwear From about £90
Fireproof helmet if BS, red label
Glass windows must have safety film on (except screen) £30 from mothercare
The series that I run in wants window nets - not expensive.

If running to UK rules, none of the above will apply- and the rules above are for a German series visiting, and the German rules still appplied.

Trouble is ( I've only done Spa once so far ) I think you'll want to go back - the chance to drive on one of the truly great circuits in the world is just too tempting. I'm hooked on the 'ring too !


Alan

edit: crap spelling

See what you mean about the accommodation Alan! I'll sleep in the car ;)

Sabatical Andy? Pinto power?

Cash im afraid. I am in the process of talking to a few sponsors for next year

Weather for tomorrow afternoon

http://uk.weather.com/weather/hourByHour-Canterbury-UKXX0029?dayNum=1&flag=1

The people I have spoken to say even if you bring a British scrutineer you still need all the FIA approved clothing etc.. John Willcocks is there at the moment so I should get more feed back next week.

The LMA were discussing it last year, and I think the CSCC are off there in a few weeks - someone there might be able to help.

I thought I had read that meetings abroad could be run to the MSA rules if the whole meeting was booked and run by a British club. How did it work when DMN went to Croix a few years back?

The LMA were discussing it last year, and I think the CSCC are off there in a few weeks - someone there might be able to help.

I thought I had read that meetings abroad could be run to the MSA rules if the whole meeting was booked and run by a British club. How did it work when DMN went to Croix a few years back?

I am guessing here,but When we went to Croix (great weekend - crap toilets) the whole event was run by BARC I believe - effectively a UK meeting, just run in a different country.
I suspect that at Spa, BARC SE would just be buying a slot within a foreign organised meeting - hence having to run to Belgian national rules.


Alan

I'll be at Spa tomorrow and Sunday as I can't get to Lydden because of Eurotunnel being sold out at the moment (but it is my fault, I left it one day too late to book). So I'll have a chat with John W. But I already told him a while before about the FIA thing for clothing and seats.

A date could easily be arranged within a meeting.

* Maybe a mod could make this a separate thread? *



<goes away swearing and cursing about not being able to be at Lydden>

:banghead: :hair: :bmood: :rant: :thpt: :mad: :doh: :hammer: :whip: :gfight: :flog:

Scrutineering for Spa isn't that difficult. They are only really interested in safety equipment. You need full FIA race suit and either a Snell or red BSI stickered helmet (stop giggling at the back Eric), they have never asked to see my underwear yet, not that it is a pleasant sight, foam filled tank, you can buy the little blocks to put in. The biggest pain is that the extinguisher must have a sticker with a service date of less than 2 years old. Tyres may have to be E marked but you need to check that out as the series already runs slicks. All other scrutineering relates to the series you run in.

The people I have spoken to say even if you bring a British scrutineer you still need all the FIA approved clothing etc.. John Willcocks is there at the moment so I should get more feed back next week.

They are very strict on the clothing thing,I arrived on the grid without balaclava,poor Tim gave me his and had to run back from the pits to get his spare one.The helmet and ALL underwear must be full FIA,dont know about Tims foam filled underwear but it is bloody expensive out there now if you want to eat out ,hotel or bed and breakfast it.
Should imagin that as it is our series the tyre issue would not arise and I know of one person who organised a meet earlier this year and didnt even have half a grid show up,wonder if he would he have sold some slots to us!
Still,can talk this over in the restaurant at Lydden tomorrow.

It may be hassle and involve additional expense, but Spa is definitely one of the tracks that is worth the extra effort. With the right people, it's also a great social weekend (We'll take you some cider over Big Dave)

I am seriously thinking about racing in DMN next year, Spa would seal it for me

CSCC Tin tops and Future Classics are due to race there next year, many of the DMN cars would be eligible to run in TT or FC.. Tin Tops are up to 2 litre and FC are pre 85 or something and include Porsches, Supra Turbo, TR7 V8s and other such exotica.

How long have the clothing rules been in place? Our lads in the BMW Championship didn't have any of that last year. Would be nice to make Spa a championship round if the costs could be kept reasonable.

The problem with Spa is that they insist on FIA rules about safety, whatever races there. I wanted to have a chat with John W today, but I guess he went site seeing early.

oh oh cider im there dont like their beer stuff

It wont be just the clothing is ther some rule about fuel tanks,
Gerald Dale might be up to date on this having just run a race team at SPAR.

i know towing eyes have to be BIG too

It wont be just the clothing is ther some rule about fuel tanks,
Gerald Dale might be up to date on this having just run a race team at SPAR.
do they run a series at morrisons and tesco as well rob ? ;) :rofl:

ha ha well spotted

sorry try asda:rofl:

Aha humour, can we get back on topic now please :rolleyes:

So, having read all of the above, can anyone tell me if need an FIA seat and foam filled tank or not? I have a baffled firewalled jobby, but not foam filled.

How would the applications for entry work? I can't decide whether I think it would be masively over subscribed or people would drop out due to the buggeration factor and expense. Would preference be given to any particular entrants or would it be first come first served? Or would preference be given to Hondas*?



*Just a suggestion

Well, I tried to find John W as he was there this weekend with his gang. So he should have the very latest info. Unfortunately he seemed to be very hard to find (probably gone to warmer and much drier places ;) ). John can give us the latest wishes from the people at Spa, as they tend to change their minds often. Sometimes they can't be bothered to check tanks and so, but racewear is their hot item.
Seats, belts and racewear should be FIA norm. I saw many Caterham guys buying expensive gloves at the track.

Jamie, with a grid size of 74 cars I doubt it would get over subscribed. You will need a foam filled tank, not that difficult, but not sure about the seat although don't you need an FIA seat for next year anyway?
As for expense, it aint cheap but when I go I treat it a my holiday and go for the social factor as much as the race.

Jamie, with a grid size of 74 cars I doubt it would get over subscribed. You will need a foam filled tank, not that difficult, but not sure about the seat although don't you need an FIA seat for next year anyway?
As for expense, it aint cheap but when I go I treat it a my holiday and go for the social factor as much as the race.

WE probably need to wait a while and see what Rod/Eddy come up with. I was racing there in June,(In a German series) and little alloy foam filled tanks were a no no. It was either in date FIA Bag Tank, or standard tank (originale)
Scrutineers were the usual German ones, with no Belgians in sight!. Co driver did get his race suit thrown out though, and you do need FIA underwear.

Don't know what the entry fee will be. Fuel probably not a lot worse than Castle Combe etc - More for Richard Brent, less for Eddy!
Van, Trailer and Race car - eurotunnel was £250 rtn for the weekend. - Raced at the ring in August - used Norfolk line - Motorcaravan, trailer and race car was £185 return - note Motorcaravan - they have a different charging rate for vans which works out at about £430 - ouch! - put those windows in now !. If anyone knows any cheaper please advise.
wasnt too bad, as the rounds were two driver rounds, so the costs were halved. e.g for - my share of channel crossing £92.50 my share of entry fee for 200 mile race at the Nurburgring - less than I paid to enter Lydden last weekend ( although I did get 2 races at Lydden ).

Alan

Treat the whole thing as an experience because its one of those tracks you "must do". You can do it on the cheap if you shop around , as last week cost me £155 00 return on Seafrance (van+ racebox+6 passengers) I can get to Spa quicker than Oulton Park once across the channel as its motorway just about all the way. Large paddocks with hook ups and water, and as Tim said with over 70 cars allowed on the grid you will get a start !
GO FOR IT

Treat the whole thing as an experience because its one of those tracks you "must do". You can do it on the cheap if you shop around , as last week cost me £155 00 return on Seafrance (van+ racebox+6 passengers) I can get to Spa quicker than Oulton Park once across the channel as its motorway just about all the way. Large paddocks with hook ups and water, and as Tim said with over 70 cars allowed on the grid you will get a start !
GO FOR ITI am in:cool:

Hi Chaps
Gordon is spot on, Spa is definitely a must do :)

I'll call Rod and chat through the costs and other useful stuff gleaned from our first foray.

Sorry not to met Eddy for a beer, but there was much to do and he was posted in the country.
Managed a couple of waves on the way past though.

We took our own CoC and Scrutineer. The former made life much easier for us and enabled one of our guys to practice out of session due to car maladies. This would not have happened if we had been dealing with the Belgian authorities ourselves.

The lattter made it possible to run the cars exactly as they as they are in UK, MSA trim. (Though there was one exception, a car fitted with a Kirkey(?) type seat. This had to be changed. Luckily we had a spare out of date FIA spec seat which was acceptable, even though way inferior to the one removed from the car.)

However, despite much correspondence and many telephone calls to the RACB it was made clear that the racewear had to be FIA compliant. That meant 8856-2000 labels on underwear, socks, 'clava, gloves, shoes and overalls. Also a current FIA spec helmet.

We tried hard to avoid it as it wiped out 15 of our drivers unable or unwilling to find the extra £1200 for a complete outfit. Many of us borrowed stuff from friends and rivals, others bought the minimum required for a full set of gear.

There was a report from a couple of weeks back that a driver's racewear was inspected in parc ferme and found to be not that which he had scrutineered. This is obviously a good ploy to help prevent one set of underwear being presented mutiple times :) He was fined 300 Euros.

The organisation and atmosphere at Spa is brilliant - Rock music playing in the assembly area :) - No nimbys in the vicinity I guess - award winners transported from parc ferme to the GP podium by minibus - flowers and pop for spraying provided - paddock marshals to ensure trailers are removed and everyone has space - separate motorhome paddock enabling space for our tents behind the cars - electrical hook ups and water all around the paddock - decent snack bar with real food, beer and wine.

Then there's the track!

We could have started 65, so presumably the bigger grids are for endurance races?

Only fault we found was that the grid is tightly packed in two rows. Nose to tail there is just 2.1 metres between the cars. It's slightly unnerving and hard to fathom as there is plenty of width to offset the rows. However, it's what the track licence specifies, so we were unable to get it changed.

One of our guys forged a deal on Seafrance which meant a car, trailer and 2 peeps was £119. An easy 3.5 hour tow from Calais to the Circuit on motorways.

We'll be going back. See you there?

Johnw did you get allocated a garge if you didn't what did you do with your spares tools etc. As we have ours kitted out inour covered trailer.

Dont worry Rob they would not let you lot into their country anyhow!

Mobile workshops were kept in the paddock Robert.
I just had a bag of spanners in my tow car and spare wheels were kindly hosted by my rich mate with covered trailer :)

My foam filled ,baffled alloy Brise tank in the Astra would be no good for the series.

I just ran at the FIA six hours witha foam filled alloy tank, which was inspected and passed by the Scrutes.


In Date FIA seat from about £180
In date Extinguisher ????
Larger size towing eyes/straps for Spa and the Nurburgring - about £10
FIA Fireproof underwear From about £90
Fireproof helmet if BS, red label

Okaaaaaaaaay, although towing eyes are the same in the UK.

Glass windows must have safety film on (except screen) £30 from mothercare

Not true as far as Spa is concerned.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan Cherry

My foam filled ,baffled alloy Brise tank in the Astra would be no good for the series.


I just ran at the FIA six hours witha foam filled alloy tank, which was inspected and passed by the Scrutes.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan Cherry

In Date FIA seat from about £180
In date Extinguisher ????
Larger size towing eyes/straps for Spa and the Nurburgring - about £10
FIA Fireproof underwear From about £90
Fireproof helmet if BS, red label


Okaaaaaaaaay, although towing eyes are the same in the UK.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan Cherry
Glass windows must have safety film on (except screen) £30 from mothercare


Not true as far as Spa is concerned.



Pete, If you read the whole quote, You'll see that I said I was running in a German series - The series runs mainly at the Ring, but has an away weekend at Spa. These are the rules from the germans, not Spa.
But it's a great place though! - I'd like to go back and have another go!
My Co-driver fell foul of the FIA rules (race suit) - as he'd come all the way from Korea for the race, I lent him mine, which meant I had a sweaty second stint, but at least I had the FIA underwear as a barrier:s

Alan

p.s there is a bungalow park quite near - bungalow park des chodes or something - definitely not reccomended. Anyone know any decent/reasonable places ?

edit:crap spelling

Alan,

Spotted that which is why I said the glass thing was not applicable for Spa. But you do back up JohnW in that you can run to your national regs, with the exception of the FIA safety gear.

Only if you take a UK scrutineer Peter, otherwise it would have been entirely FIA at this meeting.

Agreed. This is what Barry Sideways does for his race at the 6hrs. The Masters races use the FIA scrutes and so does the 6hrs itself of course.

personally i think in the current eco climate a trip to spa would be madness when we already have drivers saying they cant afford to go to lydden or a weekend at some other uk circuit,

lets not forget we would have to take everyone DMN, intermarque and tin tops to make it viable, although if your all prepared to cough up a non refundable the entry fee here and now......................

Come on Graham, for once that I would not have to travel far for a DMN event. :rotate:

DMN could always buy a slot in an existing event, like John did. There are enough events to choose from. There would even be chances at smaller events, doesn't matter spectator wise, nobody ever shows up anyhow at Spa.

If you guys (and girls) wanted to try somthing a little different how about a trip north o the border to Knockhill?
I know its not as glam as Spa, but of all the UK circuits its sure one of the best, and it wouldnt be as expensive surely, you could even probably tack yourselves onto an existing club meeting there?
Its always been one of my favourite tracks, though i have never been to see a race there live (i live in Folkestone and i'm not a camping person.....) but the idea of Birley's Escort of Richards Mini taking duffers dip does sound mighty cool.............
Just an idea
Simon

I think you should have posted that in the jokes thread of parc ferme !
Also if you live on the south coast I would dispute as to whether it would be cheaper as its a hell of a lot further regardless of the price of the channel crossing . I have raced at Knockhill a few times, and I know where I would prefer !!!

My guess is that people will always find the money if they want to part take espicially if its an attractive package at a different venue.

But if the cost was an extra £1000 say on another event it is likely that we would lose entries for other events as people save or recoup the money and I don't think we would want to do that to the championship.

But if the cost was an extra £1000 say on another event it is likely that we would lose entries for other events as people save or recoup the money and I don't think we would want to do that to the championship.

mm - Is that an extra £1000 on the event, or per team - If it's on the event, you can have 70+ starters at Spa, that's about fourteen pounds per entry ( If Intersaloons,Tintops and DMN are combined in 1 race ) - If it's per team - where do I park my helicopter ?
I can see the two sides - added unwanted expense if someone is trying to do the DMN on a budget - which is in fact a regional club series, not an international one.
On the other side, it is a fantastic opportunity to race at one of the worlds truly great circuits. Only the individual circumstances dictate if you are for or against. Possibly a big factor would be - how much would a slot cost ?
Apart from the unknown on the entry fees, the only additional cost is really the ferry. If you camp when you go to Combe or Snetterton, you can camp at Spa, If you stay in a hotel likewise.
Budget somewhere between £150-£250 for a channel crossing - Car/Van + trailer with race car etc etc. If your'e looking to save on that, you could always load the car/motorhome up with spectators/snappers etc etc who may be willing to share the cost - 5 in a car at £150 inc trailer is only £30 each !

Alan

p.s. It's not that far - In June, we drove over on the saturday, stayed saturday night, raced on sunday, and drove back sunday evening ( although I live in Kent - may not be easy for those further inland ! )

I guess the extra cost incurred to the championship is the outpocket expenses for the officals? but that could be put on the spa entry fee, rather than spread over the complete series.I see the only extra cost that you have will be the ferry. Would it be possible to have a guestimate of race entry fee at the last Brands race in november this would give us a chance to have a think.

Entry for a one-hour race at Spa two weeks ago was £450.00. On top there was ferry, travel fuel, accommodation - 4 nights plus meals/drinks (Let's say £1100). I spent an awful lot more than that because we were also entered in the 6hrs and another one-hour race, but I've had so many people (including SWMBO) telling me that it was a great weekend that it was worth every penny.

As peter has just shown it would be easy to reach a cost of £1000 or more for a trip to spa.

Our championship is a regional one and one that prides itself on keeping costs for its competitors low. Personally I don't think that these fits in with our ethos.

Yep, and there's nothing to stop interested racers joining in with other series for a "libre" type of race.

Entry for a one-hour race at Spa two weeks ago was £450.00. .
For an hour race plus half hour qualifying that's good (compare it to UK big tracks) fuel you have to buy anyway and its cheaper, Stopping at the track and taking your own food you can do it on a much lower budget. Also none of us know whats happening in the future money wise but if anything I would think that certain tracks will reduce their hire fees to survive.
A lot of people kid themselves that they are racing on the cheap, but if you do a complete championship and kept a list on how much you "realy" spend on everything and I mean EVERYTHING over the year you would be in for a big surprise !

I don't know much about how the DMN championship is managed or the promotional requirements so the following may not be at all practical.
The DMN championship this year has a total of 18 races, some being double headers. Could the championship be based on fewer races, say 14, plus one round at SPA. The cost saved by the competitor on four races should cover the entry fees and expenses of a race at SPA. If DMN competitors do not wish to travel to SPA they could use it as a dropped score round. Just a thought!

Travel time from Spa to home(Orpington),Tim and I left Spa at 2.30,waited an hour for the ferry and arrived home at 9.30,plus an hour for continental time,distance approx 300 miles.
Ferry under £200-00, fuel is cheaper in France and about the same in Belgium,no road tolls,your UK insurance covers you on the continent,just the race entry fee but then you get to race on an absolutely fantastic circuit.
Just treat it as part of your annual holiday.
May be we can as Peter says tag onto one of the other series,I am sure some one would like twenty or so DMN cars alongside them,any ideas Peter!
The other thing is lets take a head count now and see how many have that urge and lttle extra cash to do Spa,I'm number one willing to put money up front if need be.

Earlier in the year a group of us spoke to Norfolkline and arranged a preferential group booking for Le Mans. Might be doable aswell. Wasn't at a set time either.

I don't know much about how the DMN championship is managed or the promotional requirements so the following may not be at all practical.
The DMN championship this year has a total of 18 races, some being double headers

ALL dmn rounds are double headers, with two races per round

I think DMN's great attraction is that the races are locally based in the South East, I think if you did go you should make it a non-championship round and just a fun trip. I know the club I race with went to France a few times and I dont want to go as I have a shop and cannot take the time off (and its not just about money before anyone comments, its also commitment to your customers) just to do a race so why should I be penalised missing possible championship points. Also lets face it, it does cost about twice as much what ever way you look at it.

I guess I'm the devil's advocate here. ;)
For officials you'd only need 1 clerk and 1 scrute, the rest you would have from the organising club, or your usual staff.
Money wise, all you need extra for Spa is the ferry or train and some fuel. Entryfee, tyres, parts are all the same you'd need for a normal event. Like Alan and Gordon say: B&B and hotels are the same or sometimes even cheaper.
Oh, and it very likely would be a 3 day event, with one practice on the Friday.

This sounds a great idea.

Interesting comments about safety. I've been racing in Rallycross in Holland for a few years now. They are very lapse with their scrutineering, whereas when we raced in Belgium last year, that was a different story.

I remember they didn't like our Nomex overalls or any of the race seats. My car has a FIA seat, but the scrutineer even had a piece of paper from the FIA to prove my seat was now out of date. I seem to remember there was also an issue with all the harnesses. In the end it was all sorted, as we were a visiting formulee they allowed us to race.

Never had these issues in Holland though. Could always race at Zolder !!

We know how to get there dont we scott!

The ring is a couple of hours down the road,apparently always have a track day the day after a race at Spa,just a thought,two birds with one stone!

I think DMN's great attraction is that the races are locally based in the South East, I think if you did go you should make it a non-championship round and just a fun trip. I know the club I race with went to France a few times and I dont want to go as I have a shop and cannot take the time off (and its not just about money before anyone comments, its also commitment to your customers) just to do a race so why should I be penalised missing possible championship points. Also lets face it, it does cost about twice as much what ever way you look at it.

Why not leave it a Championship round but drop one extra round from the overall Championship. (ie 8 from 10 to count or whatever) That way anyone not wishing to do Spa would not be penalised.

Thats up to you DMN guys of course its just I have raced in several championships that had these away days one to Ireland and one to France and almost a third to the Isle of Man but that was ridiculously expensive and that for various reasons I could not do and I remember thinking it was very unfair at the time, just my opinion of course.

I agree with the Camaro man, Except in my case i took part in the away days only to have my points halved because there was not enough entries. Everyone is enthusiastic to start with but as the season rolls on, situatuions change. As Al says though, the choice is yours.

Thats up to you DMN guys of course its just I have raced in several championships that had these away days one to Ireland and one to France and almost a third to the Isle of Man but that was ridiculously expensive and that for various reasons I could not do and I remember thinking it was very unfair at the time, just my opinion of course.

Al, besides doing some rounds in the TinTops that run alonside the DMN this year, I've done some rounds of the RCN series - Based at the Nurburgring, but have an 'away' race at Spa. Admittedly these are two Driver jobbies, so the costs are halved.

The Nurburgring round in august - taking into account fuel, ferry and entry fees, compared to doing silverstone earlier in the year in Tintops was about £80 dearer ( admit I shared the costs with another driver - 2 hr races )

Re time - Spa was only a two day affair out on the saturday, race on the sunday, drive back sunday evening.

Eric- Nurburgring just up the road - when it's not being used as a race track, and it's open to the public ( I think 2009 dates are out in february ) you need a road legal vehicle for lappery. The day following the race this year, one of the team had never been to the ring before, so we took him out for a lap in the transit !( the only road legal vehicle we had there ). He timed it car park to car park ( should be bridge to gantry ) 17 minutes, but we didn't break any crockery in the back, and the compressor and generator were still upright when we got back !

So my Citroen C5 will fly,and Al,is it an age thing with you.:nyah:

So my Citroen C5 will fly,and Al,is it an age thing with you.:nyah:
No not at all infact when I was younger it was three kids to think of now I have (or had before this mob started) more dosh but still with work commitments and could do it but my point is they may be guys doing the championship who may not be able to do it for any of the above reasons so why should they be penalised if they were going for points especially in what is essentially a local based championship. I think as has been suggested a joint foray between DMN and TinTops and invites and non-championship sounds a much better plan and I personaly think would be very sucessful.

Al,your a miserable b####r and if you have plenty of dosh now then your grandkids havent started yet.
Spa has realy impressed me,if it is or isnt tied to the championship that is for the organisers to say.I maintain that if we can get enough interest in it then lets do it,everyone I have spoken to would do it if the cost can be kept down.
Lets face it,it isnt much further than Croix and I think we all enjoyed that trip.

We could always try and make it a free for all race, everything that would fit the DMN regs. So no space frame thingies (even do I like them), no wings with a car somewhere in between or no GTs.

Having been out there with John and the TTRS group last weekend, I'd definitely recommend looking hard at it if you have the interest. It is a beautiful circuit.

Far be it for me to offer you guys any advice regarding your very successful championship, but you've nothing to lose by making the necessary enquiries at the very least. There seems to be a healthy Brit contingent heading out there on a regular basis, so its well trodden territory and they'll surely be an appropriate 'in' somewhere.

I'd estimate that over 90% of our lot run the year on a budget comparable to the most modest club racers out there, and the clothing thing is really an investment for the future, rather than a direct cost. I do find the whole 'bring your own scrutineer and then we're happy' approach confusing though... how does that make the cars safer? - Or is it so that we're covered by MSA insurance instead?

But anyway. Ok, you're running a competitive championship, but is that really a priority over the opportunity for amateur drivers to race on arguably the greatest, most satisfying race circuit in the world?

I do find the whole 'bring your own scrutineer and then we're happy' approach confusing though... how does that make the cars safer?

That is a typical Spa decision, never expect them to make a lot of sense. But your idea is very close to the truth. But there are other hidden agendas as well.
Shame I did not know you were there, could have said hello.

Shame I did not know you were there, could have said hello.

Well, like wise Eddy!

But not to worry.... I will definitely be back one day soon :)

Had a bit of dosh Eric, not so sure now after news from the City, such is life eh! :-(

Tom, were you driving the green Astra?

I think we sooner meet somewhere in the UK to be honest.

Yes... its difficult to miss I admit.

If you're around the uk circuits regularly then I agree its more likely that we'd bump into eachother sometime over here. I'll look forward to it mate :beer:

I'm sure it won't be cheap... And that's just my fuel bill to get out there!

I'd be happy to pay for the fuel Jon if you gave me a lift!

Come on Jon, it is not that bad. I do it all the time remember (UK wise), it doesn't add that much to the average bill. But I do leave other things a bit. There are lots of things you can do where you do not need your car for, at least where I live.


Tom: well driven that car, you were really flying through Blanchimont 1.

As I said previously, BARC south east are looking into it, along with a possible race at Thruxton, Silverstone International and GP circuit Brands. Like everything it comes down to cost and where things fit into our calender.

Be nice to have another go on Brands GP as last time we were there it was not the best conditions

Be nice to have another go on Brands GP as last time we were there it was not the best conditions

Brands GP - possibly my favourite circuit in the UK - make sure the Tintops get invited :woot:

OK Alan, but make sure you drum up more support for November 9th. Get the rest of your clan to enter please.

Rod,
I think Phils Fiesta is dead for the rest of the year, but Brothers Rover may be up and running - I'll encourage him to test the thing and enter - he doesn't have a tow car at present, but I've offered to do a shuttle with the van as he only lives a couple of miles up the road !