Spa Classic Touring cars

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by terence bower

Its OK Mike,weather is sorted,pupils like sunshine so had to pre-book it anyway.

There is a video clip posted on Trackside about plans for increasing tourism in Spa area. Don't understand what they are talking about BUT it is raining in all the shots!!!! May even be you driving round, Terence?

[terence]

Me? No,never
Been a slow but sure investment there Mike,possibly kick started by the realisation the GP could be taken away from them,BE strikes again. There was of course the initial investment of the 17 million euros for La Source Hotel [one reason the intended restoration of the original was blocked!]
There have been plans in place for a couple of years to do a similar thing to the Silverstone project,plus a Race School,as the original Driving School [run by Peugeot] was mainly just for young driver training. Big things are planned,RSR being at the fore of the race thing were only too pleased to be invited to set it up. Besides,where nicer a place to get in the line for your race license? Seems like there is an awful lot more planned yet.

[GORDON STREETER]

If anyone wants a free lift to and from this meeting I have spare seats (paid for) on the tunnel out on the 23rd at 8.20 back on the 26th at 19.50 .
PM me if interested.

[zefarelly]

After 2 weeks of phone calls we've finally managed to get through to HP and buy some tyres. appalling.

[MartinH]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

After 2 weeks of phone calls we've finally managed to get through to HP and buy some tyres. appalling.

Zef, if you want some CR6ZZ's on rims for a Cortina, pm me. I have 4 brand new (just scrubbed in for N'ring last year). They are in the UK, near Huntingdon, so could be picked up by Mike (for example) & taken to Spa for you.

PM me for more info if you are interested.

[zefarelly]

Thanks Martin, but I run Dunlop M's . . . .

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

After 2 weeks of phone calls we've finally managed to get through to HP and buy some tyres. appalling.

They don't deserve to be in business !

[zefarelly]

having taken my money, and yours, hopefully they will remaim in business until the boots actually arrive!

On a lighter note . . .are there any more entries yet, our grids looking sparse.

At least we're in with a chance of a top 20 finish!

[terence]

I REALLY wanted for this to be the Capris first "Anger Outing" but its looking more and more unlikely,pressure of work and some niggling issues with the car. Mechanically ready to go but silly sodding things are taking up too much time.
Will be in the area though,so might get a chance to come say hallo.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

On a lighter note . . .are there any more entries yet, our grids looking sparse.

At least we're in with a chance of a top 20 finish!

You could be first Ford home in your race, Joe!

[zefarelly]

Anyone would think there's been a factory recall for Lowtit Cortinas

given they where all built last year it is feasible

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

Anyone would think there's been a factory recall for Lowtit Cortinas

given they where all built last year it is feasible

I know the conflict with Masters at Brands has caused bit of a quandary for some racers, and U2TC are at Monza following weekend so that could have something to do with it. Or they don't want to be beaten by a GT........

[Al Weyman]

I think entries are taking a bigger hit in most disciplines this year than even last year, trouble is once you slip out of it for a few months and see how much better off you suddenly become its hard to get the incentive to start paying out these ridiculous sums of money for a few laps of a tarmaced surface. This is going to be make or break for many clubs and race series/championships this year I fear. Someone, be it track owners or major clubs really need to start offering some bargain races to get the interest back and quick.

[MartinH]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

I know the conflict with Masters at Brands has caused bit of a quandary for some racers, and U2TC are at Monza following weekend so that could have something to do with it. Or they don't want to be beaten by a GT........

Think Mike's quote hits it bang on ...... with entries having to be paid up front & the risk of not being able to get ready for Monza the following w/e is a risk, even for the big teams in U2TC. The only real possibility would be to leave Spa & head straight to Monza, doing repairs etc en route, like they do in NASCAR !!!!!

Pity, cos the chance to race at Spa in the darkness does not come around too often .....

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

I think entries are taking a bigger hit in most disciplines this year than even last year, trouble is once you slip out of it for a few months and see how much better off you suddenly become its hard to get the incentive to start paying out these ridiculous sums of money for a few laps of a tarmaced surface. This is going to be make or break for many clubs and race series/championships this year I fear. Someone, be it track owners or major clubs really need to start offering some bargain races to get the interest back and quick.

All been said before Al. And indeed when great value offers are on the table many people have decided not to accept. I give you the baby 360. But that is all off topic. More relevant is the calendar congestion that makes this event a great addition to the season but at exactly the wrong time in the calendar.

Last week there was Pau, end of the month there's Brands. This weekend is the HSCC. Unless you are a big team (should they really exist in club motorsport?), individuals won't have time to enter them all.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Last week there was Pau, end of the month there's Brands. This weekend is the HSCC. Unless you are a big team (should they really exist in club motorsport?), individuals won't have time to enter them all.

Exactly! For example- This w/end we are at Silverstone 60 minute GT&SCC plus if all works out Simon is nipping up to Donington sunday PM for the MSCC race in his other Morgan. Next w/end should have been at Brands in GD 90 minute race then at Monza following w/end for GT&SCC 90 minute again... Fortunately, from the point of view of re-preparing car between events, Brands clashes with Spa and I had already decided to do that. If we had entered GD at Donington that would be 4 out of 5 w/ends away this month with same car!

[zefarelly]

When I looked into what it may cost us to go to a football match as a family, racing aint so expensive. Its rarely as disappointing . .even if the car breaks.

and we'll get a nice week in the Ardennes and surrounding areas thrown in, with a stop over on the way back.

[Al Weyman]

Who wants to go to a football match? Off topic but its my hometown against yours this weekend for the big prize isnt it?

[zefarelly]

Would have been, but we didn't show up on Monday against Crapstal Palarse

Watford should cruise into the premiershyte.

Entertainment of all sorts, and holidays of all sorts are increasingly expensive . . . I don't think racings got any more expensive than everything else. external prep costs have . . .but that doesn't affect you and I Al.

[GORDON STREETER]

I note that the weather at Spa isn't forecast to be very good next weekend, also have we got to get something in writing from "the powers that be" to be able to race when using a Nat A licence at this meeting ?

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

I note that the weather at Spa isn't forecast to be very good next weekend, also have we got to get something in writing from "the powers that be" to be able to race when using a Nat A licence at this meeting ?

Hope weather is all wet or all dry! New wheels delayed so will be juggling rims and tyres. How are you with tyre levers, Gordon?

The visa required is printed on back of 2013 licences. It is the bit that starts 'Valid as a Visa etc'. Apparently that was missing last year and reason we all had to have letter from MSA. Worked at Barcelona, anyway.......

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

New wheels delayed so will be juggling rims and tyres. How are you with tyre levers, Gordon?

Actually I am very good at fitting tyres with levers as that's all we had pre fitting machines, also used to breaking the bead with a bit of wood and a heavy van !

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

Actually I am very good at fitting tyres with levers as that's all we had pre fitting machines, also used to breaking the bead with a bit of wood and a heavy van !

It used to be quite interesting to see some of the 'unusual' methods adopted for bead breaking!

I'll bring me tyre levers, then.....

[GORDON STREETER]

That's ok as long as I don't have too much of the falling down water on Sue's birthday on the 24th !

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

That's ok as long as I don't have too much of the falling down water on Sue's birthday on the 24th !

Mmmm, lucky not on track Saturday until evening Gordon!

Weather! One forecast site showing sun and 18 degrees all Saturday, BUT Friday testing and qualifying, it's sleet or snow and 6 degrees max. Almost down to freezing that night! Sunday as we come home up to 24 degrees.

The joys of Spa.......