Gurston Down - 10-Tenths Motorsport Forum

The Fat Clerk · 13 Sep 2010, 08:30

For as long as anyone can remember, Mallory Park has been known as 'The Friendly Circuit', well yesterday I discovered it has a strong rival.
I hadn't been to Gurston for well over 20 years, and so wasn't really expecting to see too many people I knew. How wrong I was. From the minute Elaine and I arrived in the car park we were greeted with happy smiling faces, not just from the people we did know but also from those we didn't. Elaine went off to Race Control for her day 'shadowing' the amiable Clerk of the Course - Andrew Hext, whilst I signed on and was told I could spend the day having a guided tour of the circuit with 2 'First Timers'. This was led by Dave Lucas and 'Midget GIT', we spent the morning making our way down the hill in between seesions from the Top Paddock down to the Start Line. Spending a session on each post, whilst having it's foibles pointed out to us.
After a lunch break in the new and very well appointed Marshals facility, we spent the afternoon marshalling at the Karousel with Mike Devines friendly crew.
What a day, heartfelt thanks to you all, it wont be 20 years before I go again, it'll be less than one you can bet on that.
I would strongly reccomend Gurston to you all.

m1fcf · 13 Sep 2010, 12:26

Gosh darn it - our secret is out!

Glad you enjoyed the track and look forward to seeing you there next year.

I always look forward to weekends at Gurston - just wish I could have fitted a few more in this year.

Steve Tarrant · 13 Sep 2010, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1fcf

Gosh darn it - our secret is out!

Glad you enjoyed the track and look forward to seeing you there next year.

I always look forward to weekends at Gurston - just wish I could have fitted a few more in this year.

I was going to say the same!!!!!! Now everyone will want to come down and see us!

tigerpoo · 13 Sep 2010, 14:01

Yo, Fat Clerk, it was good to meet you....

theracegypsy · 14 Sep 2010, 20:38

I love Gurston, a real friendly atmosphere, and everyone helps everyone else to find their way round. Like my second meeting there decades ? ago when I was told i wa on Shepards Hut, and spent the whole morning on the wrong post before anyone realised

.

I try and get back there at least once a year, sometimes a hard job round my N. American commitments, but well worth it.

For those who have a spare weekend appear unexpectedly, give the Old Git a ring, or just turn up. Ii have never been turned away even without passes.

**Woolley** · 14 Sep 2010, 22:19

I too love Gurston, I'm just not too keen on the drive. We generally try to get down there roughly bi-annually for one of the British Championship meetings on the grounds they usefully take place on the Bank Holiday Sundays, giving us the Monday to get back.

I'm not too sure Gurston love me going, however, as usually someone ends up on his lid at Stanleys when I'm there.

sputnik421 · 27 Sep 2010, 07:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woolley

I too love Gurston, I'm just not too keen on the drive. We generally try to get down there roughly bi-annually for one of the British Championship meetings on the grounds they usefully take place on the Bank Holiday Sundays, giving us the Monday to get back.

I'm not too sure Gurston love me going, however, as usually someone ends up on his lid at Stanleys when I'm there.

Stanley's is just a fire point now Woolley. As when I was waiting at startline for Ron Fields - Midget Git to take me on my walkabout, the post was taken out. Two marshals got flatpacked by the post, one had a broken pelvice so they got GIT names that day they are Ian Harrison (Harry) - MFI Git and Steve Davis - Elvis Git. Ron was call on to close the entry road for ambulance to exit the site and left me with the startline crew. I think Mary O'Brien - Mouthy Git was the IO there that day although I did not know she was a GIT at the time as she doesn't were her badge. I could understand why she got that name.

I love the place and the Git's I'm even getting called catwhesle by David Wickham - Anorak Git and Alan Osgood - Grumpy Old Git now. I have not managed to do anthing daft enough, to get a GIT after of it though. Unlike Brands Hatch's chief marshal Roger Allnutt - Legless Git, who came to the nationals this year and got his name.

**Woolley** · 27 Sep 2010, 22:01

Haven't got a GIT name myself. When we were first there as a group we did think of introducing ourselves as the Shelsley Incident Team. However, we realized we represented Shelsley and Prescott , so we settled on Worcestershire and North Cotswolds Emergency Rescue Service.

Greem · 27 Sep 2010, 22:33

Now I've recovered from an attack of laughter-filled coughing can I just say: gotta love self-deprecation. Not self-flagellation, that's another thing entirely

ALANGRUMPY · 28 Sep 2010, 19:32

[QUOTE=Woolley;2765789]Haven't got a GIT name myself.QUOTE]

YET!!!!

With your track record your next visit could earn you the GiT name of "Jinx" or "Pork Pie" or similiar

**Woolley** · 28 Sep 2010, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALANGRUMPY

YET!!!!

I live in hope... Next year should be our bi-annualish visit, althought someone's getting married at August BH and we may be away for May. Unfortunately the distance means it's only practical to visit for one of the holiday week-ends. Maybe we'll have to do twice in 2012.

M Greenslade · 30 Sep 2010, 22:29

Spectated there for the first time in 37 years of marshalling, should have gone there sooner, damm nice folk, good track, great day out, will come back!!!!!!

Bladders........

sputnik421 · 1 Oct 2010, 02:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Greenslade

Spectated there for the first time in 37 years of marshalling, should have gone there sooner, damm nice folk, good track, great day out, will come back!!!!!!

Bladders........

I'm sure we would all like to see you there in your orange suit, having signed your name on a sheet in Grumpy's hut. I'm sure you know how to find the BARC website, at the start of next year to see what the dates are.

welshgal_2006 · 3 Oct 2010, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woolley

I live in hope... Next year should be our bi-annualish visit, althought someone's getting married at August BH and we may be away for May. Unfortunately the distance means it's only practical to visit for one of the holiday week-ends. Maybe we'll have to do twice in 2012.

I wonder whos that could be?
I really enjoy marshalling Gurston too, although start line is my fave place to be. Only been the once this year and didn't marshal due to other commitments but should be there for May next year at least, August may be a slight struggle.