HSCC at Croft 7/8th Aug 2010

[gary396]

I've just noticed on the HSCC site that there is a provisional date set for a meeting at my local circuit Croft on 7th/8th Aug. I don't know if the HSCC have been to Croft before, certainly not in the last few years I think, but they will be a very, very welcome addition to the Croft calendar - and a big shot in the arm for the circuit.

I just hope that enough competitors 'make the journey north' - you'll be sure of a warm welcome here. In my diary already!

Gary

[delta]

Me and Alan Morgan and our Historic FF2000 boys will be up with you Gary ,very much looking foward to going.

[apriliadriver]

I raced my Alfa at the last HSCC Croft meeting : overall it was pretty well supported.
The HSCC programme notes on entrants normally list home town. I did a quick count and more than two-thirds came from south of Oxford. When HSCC goes to Croft or Oulton it always hopes, amongst other things, that it will get support from its northern racer members who might be deterred by the long journey south to Brands or Castle Combe or etc.

I thought that the northern support that day was a little thin at what is a wonderful and very friendly track : at least there were a fair number of knowledgeable spectators.

I strongly recommend going there if you have not already - and maybe convince the HSCC to make it a regular fixture.
Nick Savage

[morninggents]

Originally Posted by apriliadriver

I raced my Alfa at the last HSCC Croft meeting : overall it was pretty well supported.
The HSCC programme notes on entrants normally list home town. I did a quick count and more than two-thirds came from south of Oxford. When HSCC goes to Croft or Oulton it always hopes, amongst other things, that it will get support from its northern racer members who might be deterred by the long journey south to Brands or Castle Combe or etc.

I thought that the northern support that day was a little thin at what is a wonderful and very friendly track : at least there were a fair number of knowledgeable spectators.

I strongly recommend going there if you have not already - and maybe convince the HSCC to make it a regular fixture.
Nick Savage

I will be at Croft if the car is ready and we have done this meeting each time HSCC has been there except the last time.
I don't dispute Nick's figures but it would be interesting to know what percentage of HSCC members live south of Oxford.
Having raced at Croft since the mid-60s my opinion is that the 'new' section of the track, from Sunny out (Sunny 2 ?) to just before the chicane is very 'mickey mouse', particularly the complex section behind the pits. None of this new section is as challenging as the bends at the end of the old main straight used to be though the sections through the Esses, Barcroft, Sunny in and Tower remain the stiff challenge they always were.

[The Flagman]

The difficulty with Croft is that it takes commitment all round - largely because of location but also due to planning restrictions.

Might be best viewed as a long weekend - journey north on Friday from the South east is horrible and likewise Sunday south on the A1/M1. Stretch it out to come early and stay over on Sunday night it starts to make sense.

Croft then becomes a relaxed venue. Full day on Saturday and a late start on Sunday (no track activity before noon).

Concern is that the leading contenders agree amongst themselves not to go to Croft and we end up with a depleted entry. Might be some cheap points to be gained but the club loses money. Given the difficulty in securing dates it would be short sighted not to support the HSCC in this venture.

Anyone new to Croft might want to ask advice from a local or enlist for some tuition. The are some secrets to tackling the corners that come as a surprise but work in practice and gain seconds over those that don't know.

Agree the complex can seem mickey mouse but having flagged there regularly I can see where time is won and lost and it should not be dismissed. Its much more of a challenge than it looks.

Given the nature of the meeting its one where we really should organise a social gathering on Saturday evening. Snow might have cleared by August..... Anybody be up for that?

[Derwent Motorsp]

Some wise words in this thread. Most clubs seem to be southern based which makes things difficult for those of us in more civilised areas. Thus many of us up North and in Scotland don't register for championships or join the likes of HSCC/CSCC. A few of us have been badgering our own MGCC about the lack of races and sprints north of Silverstone to no avail.
If the HSCC accept non registered drivers I might turn out as I like Croft.

The idea that leading drivers may agree to miss a round is not new. Many years ago there was a round of the then production salong championship scheduled and I went to Croft especially to see Marshall and Lanfranchini etc but they and about half the regualr in the series did not enter.

[PTRACER]

Are there decent B&Bs in the vicinity of Croft?

[gary396]

Originally Posted by PTRACER

Are there decent B&Bs in the vicinity of Croft?

Lots - we're in the centre of the North Yorkshire tourist area here so fairly wide-ranging choice. For starters if you check out the Croft Circuit website - www.croftcircuit.co.uk - click on Circuit Info and they list a number of small hotels & B&Bs. Some of those listed are in nearby villages and surrounding countryside. If you want somewhere with better night-time facilities then the surrounding towns of Darlington (large-ish) or the nearby North Yorkshire market towns of Richmond and Northallerton. They're all within easy reach, e.g. I live in Northallerton which is about 12-miles to Croft and that's about the furthest (and best!!!) of the three listed above. Hope this helps.

Gary

[Yimkin]

Until 2007 I was an ARDS instructor at croft, and I can seriously recommend that people make the trip! It's the closest circuit to me (still takes nearly 2 hours to get there). It is beautifully flowing, the only problem (as morning gents noted) is that the 'complex' lives up to its name and rather interrupts the flow. I'm rather cash strapped at the moment and I can confirm to an earlier poster that the HSCC does do a 'one race' membership - 20 quid if I remember rightly.

Do make the effort to go - you may remember Croft has suffered from a rather dubious legal case recently, and it needs all the support it can get - a friendly place, and a lot more like club racing used to be!

[GrahamH]

I raced my Alfa there in 70s Roadsports the last time that the HSCC held a meeting there. It's a lovely circuit, worth the trip. Yes, the complex is quite tight, but there's a couple of decent overtaking spots in there so it's not all bad.

I think the HSCC lost money on the last occasion though as not enough entered.

If I were still racing with the HSCC I'd definitely go again. The highlight of the meeting had to be the marshal wearing a huge afro wig in tribute to us 70s racers.....

[Elan732]

Well I live in Surrey and Croft is the first date in my diary, between us we are going to bring 3 cars.
I have rung around all my other racing friend from the North / Scotland to encourage them to get it in the diary NOW.
There is a lot of nostalga for me- When you come from Whitehaven there are not many chances to racing so Croft was the place and then read about it in the As and MN. Pity it not the old track to see how we compare.
Special Saloon lap record 1 min 10.2 for what seemed like for ever before the Skoda (and Beetle ) came along it would have been good to compare times now

[Alan Morgan]

At the last count we had 16 Historic FF2000s. I hear there may be 30 cars for the Guards Trophy. I'm sure the entry list will be up on the HSCC site before too long.

[gary396]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

At the last count we had 16 Historic FF2000s. I hear there may be 30 cars for the Guards Trophy. I'm sure the entry list will be up on the HSCC site before too long.

Thanks Alan - sounds promising, our fear locally was that not many would turn up being in between the Silverstone Classic and the Gold Cup etc.

[Alan Morgan]

Entry list now on the HSCC site here...

http://www.hscc.org.uk/resources/Pro...oft%202010.pdf

It looks quite respectable in most races. I'm really looking forward to the weekend.

[gary396]

Just noticed it as well - pleasantly surprised at the number entries. Should be a good weekend.