Friday 31 July 2015

RALLY ROUND NEWS - July 2015 Rally Round Driving Adventures

RALLY ROUND NEWS - July 2015
Welcome to Rally Round's Summer Newsletter. We hope it finds you well and happy, wherever you are in the world.

Here in the Rally Round office we have been busy sending out event brochures to our most valued customers and friends. You should have received yours by now, and we hope you enjoy them. If they haven't arrived, or if you would like more copies, please
email us and we will happily post them to you. Please also let us know of any change of address, so we can keep our records up to date.

Have you visited the
Rally Round website recently? As well as the latest news about our forthcoming events, the site continues to expand with a wealth of advice about car and event preparation and a beginners' guide to rallying. Another great new feature allows you to buy copies of any of the photographs in our picture galleries, where hundreds of images from past events include competitors and cars, spectacular scenery and striking compositions, all taken by professional photographers. We've linked up with leading online photo-printing site PhotoBox, so with a just few clicks you can choose almost any size and format, from large framed or unframed pictures on canvas to desk photos, coasters and more - the range is quite amazing, and they make wonderful gifts or personal mementos of past adventures.

Now as we head into to high summer, please be aware that the Rally Round office will be operating on reduced hours during August, although we will of course respond to any enquiries as soon as possible. We will be back to full-time operations from September, when amongst other things we'll be gearing up for November's Thunder Dragon Rally to Bhutan. 
Hawker Restorations
For those who share our interest in all things mechanical, and as we mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, we'd like to recommend the new website of Suffolk-based Hawker Restorations, the world's leading restorer of the Hawker Hurricane and other vintage aircraft.

Hawker will have a marquee at the
Silverstone Classic race meeting on 24-26 July, and will be displaying a part-restored Mk1 Hurricane, one of only two survivors, alongside a 27-litre Rolls-Royce Merlin aero engine. The Hawker stand will be located on the Jet Village Green, where visitors are very welcome to examine the aircraft in detail and admire the amazing engineering involved in its restoration. It's often said that the Hurricane was 'simpler' than the Spitfire, but that's far from the truth. Perhaps even more amazing is the fact that a restored, fully airworthy Hurricane costs less than some sports cars! Speaking of cars, we are also happy to recommend the equally new website of sister company Hawker Racing, where the same top-flight engineering skills are applied to historic road and racing machines.
Rally Round Roadshow
Rally Round will be attending some major events in the coming months, including this weekend's Silverstone Classic, where the Wenman boys will be racing a Jaguar C-Type and a Cooper Bristol. Do please come and see us, whether to discuss forthcoming rallies such as the 2016 Haka Classic, for which we've found some spectacular roads and circuits (see below), or to catch up with our Rally Co-ordinator Heidi Winterbourne, who will be delighted to see old friends as she returns to the forefront of the rally world.

We will also have a stand at the
Goodwood Revival on 11-13 September, where you will be welcome to join us for light refreshments throughout the weekend. Looking further ahead, we'll be returning to the London Classic Car Show in February 2016. If you would like a complimentary ticket, drop us an email and we will put you on the guest list.
Haka Classic Rally 2016
We are delighted to report that we have completed the detailed route planning for next year's Haka Classic Rally in New Zealand. It includes some of the best driving roads anywhere in the world and the landscape is simply breathtaking.

The rally starts from Auckland on 30 October 2016 and winds its way from the North to the South Island, finishing in Christchurch on 25 November 2016. Highlights include the Forgotten World Highway, the Black Birch Range and several famous race circuits. Our man on the ground in NZ is Rhys Nolan, who not only has a vast knowledge of the country but is a top-class rallyist, so knows how to find roads that offer both spectacular scenery and an unforgettable driving challenge.
Paris-Vienna Rally 2016
With entries already flying in from near and far, the Paris-Vienna Rally is shaping up be an unmissable event on the 2016 calendar. Celebrating the epic Paris-Vienna race of 1902, the rally will run from 13-18 June 2016 on fabulous roads, starting from the Royal Palace at Fontainebleau and traversing the Alps to finish with a gala dinner at the exquisite, imperial-style Hotel Schloss Wilhelminenberg in Vienna. Although a competitive rally, the schedule has been planned to offer comfortable daily distances for even the oldest cars, while also allowing you to spend time in two of Europe's most romantic cities if you wish.

Click on the photo above for the latest list of entries.
Rally Round Race Team Update
Thank you very much to everyone who sponsored the Rally Round ladies to run the Race for Life in May. We are pleased to announce that with your support, we smashed our fundraising target and raised a grand total of £1,220 for Cancer Research UK. So thanks again, and don't worry - we won't be doing it again for at least another year!
And finally....!
We love a good book, and it's always nice to recommend the best of them.

We were privileged to attend the launch of Christian J Jenny's 'The Jaguar Sports Car Collection, A Personal Endeavour'. This is a must-have volume for enthusiasts, beautifully designed and presented with a huge amount of technical detail on one of the world’s foremost collections of sporting Jaguars, plus reviews of key models that defined the marque's history. It may be purchased at
Paul Skilleter Books.

On a more adventurous note, we are very pleased to let you know that a friend and fellow petrol head, Kate Tojeiro (daughter-in-law of the late great racing engineer John Tojeiro), has written 'The Art of Possible'. A few years ago, Kate found herself completely alone and slightly terrified astride an off-road motorbike in the foothills of the Pyrenees, facing a slippery, 45-degree ascent. This experience turned out to be the catalyst to writing a book, which involved a two-year journey meeting and interviewing extraordinary people who have overcome incredible hardships and difficulties to reach their potential. They include individuals from many different walks of life including business, sport and the charitable sector, and their stories make a great and inspirational read.

You may watch a video of the launch
here and the book is now available to order from Amazon. Kate herself will soon be returning to the track with a fabulous Ford Mustang, and we very much hope she will be joining us on next year's Paris-Vienna Rally

That's about all for now. We'll be back in September with some particularly exciting news, and hope to see you at Silverstone or Goodwood. In the meantime, we wish you a serene and sunny summer.

Thursday 30 July 2015

CASTLE COMBE CIRCUIT NEWS

Circuit Summer Sale!
All tickets £10
Until Monday 3rd August save £5 on adult tickets for the Summer Race Meeting on Saturday 8th August, featuring the Castle Combe Championships, Sports Racing Series a variety of MG races & the VAGOC Trophy
USE PROMO CODE: SUMMER15
Buy Tickets
Hurry! Racing School offers END THIS FRIDAY 31st JULY
Driving Experience Advance
3hrs - 9 driving laps. With instruction from real race drivers and indepth driving analysis
Drive the Ford Focus ST2 & Lotus Elise
was £255, NOW £215
Use code julydrive15
Buy Now
Lotus Driving Experience
5hrs - 19 driving laps. All the cars - all the fun!
Drive the Ford Fiesta Zetec S, Focus ST2, FFord1600 & Lotus Elise
was £355, NOW £300
Use code julylotus15
Buy Now

Less than 2 months 'til Rallyday 2015!

8 weeks to go!

Make sure you buy your tickets & show guide in advance to save money & time on the day
Adults - £15 NOW, £20 on the day
Seniors - £12 NOW, £15 on the day
Show Guide - £3 NOW, £5 on the day
Buy Admission Tickets
Rally Car Rides
We are pleased to announce we will once again be working with Gwynne Speed Rally Team to provide visitors with on-track passenger rides 
Buy a standard 2 lap on track ride for £25 in advance or £30 on the day
Buy Passenger Rides
Rallyday invites you to dinner with Ari Vatanen
Celebrate the show's 15th Anniversary & look back at some of the show's many highlights! 
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Enjoy a 3 course dinner and meet rallying legend Ari Vatanen
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Friday 18th September, Bailbrook House Hotel, Bath
£49 per person
Book Dinner Tickets
Under 16s Rally Rides
We don't want anyone to miss out on the thrills of Rallying this Rallyday so this year we will be running passenger rides for under 16s down on the circuit's Rally field*. 

Adults can of course also participate in a white knuckle thrill down on the rally course! 
*height restrictions apply

Trade Sites

The Paddock Trade Area is filling fast! Still planning on exhibiting? Available pitch sizes include:
  • 6mx5m tarmac - £165
  • 8mx8m grass - £185
  • 8mx8m grass - £215
Pitches at Quarry corner and in the 4x4 zone also available as are 4x4 Autojumble sites for just £25
 
Download & return a booking form

Rallyday Merchandise

You can now buy Rallyday caps, beanies, t-shirts & polo shirts in advance of this year's show.
Visit 
rallyday.linkupltd.com to view the range. 

Please note this site is run by a third party company. Any queries or requests should go through them

Clubman's Packages

The Clubman's area is filling fast! We can only take a limited number so be sure to book soon to avoid disappointment.

If you have an MSA registered Rally Car and plan to attend return a booking form or buy online as soon as you can


Sunday 26 July 2015

Silverstone Classic News

Silverstone Classic
Media release for immediate distribution: 26/07/15
 
SILVER STATUS
 
• Curtain comes down on record-breaking 25th Silverstone Classic
• Three-day festival welcomes its first ever 100,000 strong crowd 
• Stunning air display and Status Quo entertain thousands on Saturday night
• 
Silver car parade one of Silver Sunday's many highlights
• A huge programme of action-packed races provides spectacular sight
 
The return of the rain failed to wipe the smiles off fans’ faces as the 25th anniversary of the Silverstone Classic came to a close with a riot of racing on a distinctly unseasonal summer’s day.

This followed a glorious Saturday, which had seen the sun bask down on the circuit as unprecedented numbers enjoyed stunning racing, sparkling aerial displays and spectacular entertainment, topped by a memorable set from rock legends Status Quo into the evening.
 
In celebration of the event’s momentous milestone, a special Silver Sunday Parade brought together more than 200 silver cars from Land Rovers to Lexus’, MGs to Mercedes and Saabs to Ssangyongs – the Classic’s official car partner – on the hallowed Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit.
 
In addition to the Retro Run and other anniversary parades over the course of the weekend, that meant almost 1,500 privately-owned road cars took to the track, whilst fittingly at the legendary ‘Home of British Motor Sport’, the packed programme of racing delivered victories for iconic British marques Jaguar, Lotus and Aston Martin.

“All in all it has been another fantastic weekend!” enthused Event Director Nick Wigley. “On the Silverstone Classic’s 25th birthday there was entertainment right the way from first lights-out to the final chequered flag, while a staggering 120 car clubs all joined in the fun.
 
“Come rain and shine the racing was superb, and enjoyed by a record-breaking crowd – the first time ever that we have passed through the 100,000 barrier – and we completed the full programme safely. For that, I must say a big ‘thank you’ to our brilliant marshals, who dealt with everything the British summer could throw at the circuit with stoicism and a smile. We’re already counting down the days to next year’s Classic!”

Here’s how the final day unfolded...
 
RAC Woodcote Trophy for Pre ‘56 Sports Cars 
 
Chris Ward began the race in one car, took the chequered flag in another, mastered the treacherous conditions and set fastest lap for good measure in a superb curtain-raiser.
 
The former chief Silverstone instructor grabbed the initial advantage in the Cooper-Jaguar T33, but oil smoke on the second lap precipitated an unscheduled pit visit and a significant delay. A subsequent stop-go penalty for speeding in the pit-lane rubbed salt into the wounds and ruled the car out of reasonable contention.
 
That promoted the scrap for second – waged between Frederic Wakeman’s Cooper-Jaguar T38, Gary Pearson’s Jaguar D-type and John Young’s C-type – into a tussle for the top spot that continued right the way through to the driver changes.
 
Once the order had shaken out, Pearson led Ward – who had now switched across to the ex-Fangio C-type he was sharing with Young – and Wakeman’s team-mate Patrick Blakeney-Edwards. Ward swiftly got the hammer down, and it was always a question of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ he would overhaul Pearson for the lead, which he duly accomplished.
 
Pearson hung on to claim a very solid second, but behind, Blakeney-Edwards fell prey to a charging Simon Hadfield, whose Aston Martin DB3S had languished outside the top 20 when he took over at the wheel. Setting a searing pace, he scythed his way through the spray and snatched the final podium position from the Cooper T38 almost within sight of the chequered flag.
 
1) John Young / Chris Ward (Jaguar C-type): 21 Laps
2) Gary Pearson (Jaguar D-type): +12.541
3) Wolfgang Friedrichs / Simon Hadfield (Aston Martin DB3S): +30.192
  
Peter Arundell Trophy for Historic Formula Junior
 
Following an aborted first start – caused by a multi-car midfield accident – the action got underway at the second time of asking behind the safety car. From the front row of the grid, Sam Wilson stormed into an immediate lead in his Lotus 20/22 and would never again be headed, although he was put under serious pressure by Jonathan Hughes’ Brabham BT6.
 
Replicating the previous day’s podium trio – albeit in rather different climatic conditions – Callum Grant finished third in his Merlyn Mk5/7, with modern-day single-seater racer Harrison Scott a very worthy fourth in a Cooper T56.
 
1) Sam Wilson (Lotus 20/22): 5 Laps
2) Jonathan Hughes (Brabham BT6): +0.801
3) Callum Grant (Merlyn Mk5/7): +21.915 
 
RAC Tourist Trophy for Historic Cars (Pre ’63 GT)
 
Simon Hadfield was again the star of the show, with a judiciously timed pit-stop and supreme wet weather prowess paving the way to a commanding victory.
 
As conditions and visibility deteriorated, the opening half of the race took place behind the safety car, and when the track went ‘green’, there was a Jaguar E-type duel at the front of the field between Rob Hall and James Cottingham.
 
Further back in the pack, Wolfgang Friedrichs’ Aston Martin DB4 GT and Martin Hunt in the AC Cobra had pitted under the safety car – whereas a number of others hadn’t – with the upshot that their respective team-mates Hadfield and Patrick Blakeney-Edwards returned to the track in first and second positions.
 
While Hadfield thereafter made good his escape, Blakeney-Edwards consistently happened upon traffic at precisely the wrong moment, allowing the pursuing Jaguars of Hall and Cottingham to close in and – ultimately – overtake him before the chequered flag.
 
1) Wolfgang Friedrichs / Simon Hadfield (Aston Martin DB4 GT): 14 Laps
2) Rob Hall (Jaguar E-type): +14.924
3) James Cottingham (Jaguar E-type): +24.014
 
FIA Masters Historic Formula One
 
Saturday winner Martin Stretton led throughout in his Tyrrell 012 – making it cause for a double weekend success, albeit in considerably more inclement conditions – but he was kept honest throughout by Sam Hancock’s Fittipaldi F5A.
 
Whilst Stretton made a mid-race break, Hancock closed in dramatically on the final lap when Stretton was inadvertently held up while lapping a midfielder in the Becketts complex.
 
Behind, there was a superb duel between Loic Deman’s Tyrrell 010 and Andy Wolfe’s Tyrrell 011 – ultimately resolved in favour of the latter – although by the end of the race, Nick Padmore had latched right onto their tail in the considerably older Lotus 77. Padmore pulled off a number of spectacular overtakes along the way as he worked his way up the order.
 
1) Martin Stretton (Tyrrell 012): 10 Laps
2) Sam Hancock (Fittipaldi F5A): +0.652
3) Andy Wolfe (Tyrrell 011): +19.988
 
HSCC Guards Trophy
 
A largely shuffled order on the first proper lap of racing, owed to a number of cars pitting for their mandatory stops, meant the picture in this particular contest would take some time to clear.
 
Pole-sitter Martin O’Connell was left down in 20th position after his own early stop, but he would eventually go on to produce an utterly dominant drive.
 
The Chevron B8s of James Schryver and Hugh Colman traded blows in the opening exchanges but it was a silver Jaguar E-type wowing the crowds with a surging drive from 19th on the grid. Making the most of the treacherous conditions, its driver Julian Thomas grabbed the lead after weaving his way past the more powerful Chevrons, but any dreams of victory were dashed when he missed the pit window.
 
When the dust and drizzle settled it was O’Connell back in front as he produced a series of fastest laps on his way to winning the race by more than a minute. It was a fitting victory for O’Connell – his third of the weekend – and particularly with Chevron celebrating its 50th anniversary year. His success earned him the coveted Motor Sport magazine Driver of the Weekend Award.
 
Dion Kremer claimed a lonely second with Michael Schryver’s Chevron B6 completing the podium.
 
1) Martin O’Connell (Chevron B8): 13 Laps
2) Dion Kremer (Elva Mk8): +1:03.423
3) Michael Schryver / Simon Hadfield (Chevron B6): +1:37.179
 
Super Touring Car Trophy
 
Worsening weather later in the afternoon made for shortened races, and from pole position, the Honda Accord of Stewart Whyte led from lights-to-flag– although he had to stave off a fired-up Patrick Watts over the course of the final lap.
 
Behind the wheel of his Peugeot 406, the former historic rally champion clearly revelled in the grip-less conditions and had reduced Whyte’s advantage to less than a third-of-a-second at the finish line, posting the fastest lap of the race along the way.
 
Dutchman Jan Bot wound up a commendable third in a BMW E30 M3, and a spin into the barriers on the final lap for Neil Smith’s Alfa Romeo 156 elevated the colourful BMW 3.0CSL driven by Sam Hancock to fourth.
 
1) Stewart Whyte (Honda Accord): 5 Laps
2) Patrick Watts (Peugeot 406): +0.327
3) Jan Bot (BMW E30 M3): +10.785 
 
Group C
 
Spice machinery scored an impressive 1-2-3 although the duel for victory was far from straightforward. Steve Tandy and David Methley enjoyed a race-long battle with the latter’s C2 car initially flying from fourth on the grid into the lead.

Tandy remained hot on his heels and as the race entered its final stages he used the greater performance of his 6.5-litre Chevrolet-powered Spice SE90 GTP to blast back past into Copse corner.
 
The race had been led off the line by Tommy Dreelan’s striking Leyton House Porsche 962 before Tandy and Methley took over. Spice’s podium clean sweep was complete when Aaron Smith took third late on.
 
1) Steve Tandy (Spice SE90 GTP): 6 Laps
2) David Methley (Spice SE89): +4.319
3) Aaron Scott (Spice SE86): +18.630
 
Maserati Trophy for HGPCA Pre ’66 Grand Prix Cars 
 
The second HGPCA race produced a second win for the impressive Tim Harvey in the ex-Bruce McLaren Grand Prix-winning Cooper T51. Jon Fairley led as the pace car released the field but former British Touring Car Champion Harvey wasted no time grabbing an advantage he was never to relinquish.

Behind, it was the front-engined Scarab of Julian Bronson that flourished in the conditions, slithering its way though from eighth on the grid to take an impressive second place. Will Nuthall claimed the final podium position with Fairley falling back to cross the finish line in fourth.
 
1) Tim Harvey (Cooper T51): 5 Laps
2) Julian Bronson (Scarab Offenhauser): +9.133
3) Will Nuthall (Cooper T53): +21.873
 
JET Battle of Britain Trophy
 
As the harder rain returned, the second Battle of Britain race had the honour of bringing down the curtain on the 25th anniversary 2015 Silverstone Classic. Mike Whitaker had won Saturday's race in his TVR Griffith and he started from the front with Matt Nicoll-Jones' Jaguar E-type lining up close behind in second. This time, though, the TVR had to play second fiddle as Nicoll-Jones snared the spoils. Behind, it was the mighty Mini Coopers of Jonathan Lewis and Italian Andrea Stortoni that revelled in the tricky conditions to finish third and fourth.
 
1) Matt Nicoll-Jones (Jaguar E-type): 4 Laps
2) Mike Whitaker (TVR Griffith): +11.735
3) Jonathan Lewis (Austin Mini Cooper S): +13.263 

Main: A huge collection of silver cars took part in a celebratory 25th anniversary parade 
Main Below: Aston Martin DB4GT and Jaguar E-type scrap for RAC Trophy honours
Below First Left: Martin Stretton claimed a FIA Masters F1 double
Below First Right: Group C in the sunset brought Saturday night's action to a close 
Below Second Left: The FIA Masters Historic Sports Cars proved hugely popular
Below Second Right: Status Quo rocked tens of thousands of fans into Saturday night
Below Third Row: A spectacular aerial display lights the Silverstone skies
Bottom Fourth Left: A view from above the stunning Silverstone Classic
Bottom Fourth Right: Motor Sport magazine's Driver of the Weekend Martin O'Connell




Silverstone Classic Media Office

'Mr Le Mans' to race at Revival

Goodwood Revival 2015

TOM KRISTENSEN
Tom Kristensen and six more Le Mans winners confirm attendance
It is now less than two months until the Goodwood Revival and we are delighted to reveal some of the star drivers in attendance and the marques being celebrated. Among the big names are Tom Kristensen and six other Le Mans 24 Hours winners, whilst it is Ferrari that takes centre-stage at the Earls Court Motor Show as well as featuring prominently on track.

Please note that Sunday tickets are on the verge of selling out and Friday will likely follow in the next few weeks, so we urge you to secure your tickets now. Remember that we may have hospitality options available for days where general admission has sold out.

More on both of these news stories below, as well as some superb galleries that celebrate both the motor racing and period style of the Revival - we hope they get you in the mood to join us in September.

BUY TICKETS
LATEST NEWS
'Mr Le Mans' returns to Goodwood for RAC Tourist Trophy
'Mr Le Mans' returns to Goodwood for TT Celebration race
The most successful driver in Le Mans history, Tom Kristensen, returns to the Goodwood Revival for the first time since 2013, driving the unique Lister Coupe in the RAC TT Celebration race.

READ MORE
More Ferraris than ever before at the Revival
More Ferraris than ever before at the Revival
Goodwood will host the largest-ever presence of Ferraris in the history of the Revival in September, with a special display of road cars and a race dedicated to Ferrari's most successful sports cars.
READ MORE
Gallery: We love summer dresses at the Revival
Gallery: We love summer dresses at the Revival
We know that many of you spend huge amounts of time picking out a sensational combination of period garments, but sometimes a simple summer dress works beautifully. Take a look at our gallery.
VIEW HERE
Enjoy a helicopter view of the Revival
Enjoy a helicopter view of the Revival
Make your weekend at Goodwood even more special with a helicopter pleasure flight. It is a unique view of a one-of-a-kind event. Simply unforgettable.
READ MORE
Competition: Do you own a pre-1975 car?
Competition: Do you own a pre-1975 car?
Book complimentary Revival Car Show parking for your pre-1975 vehicle and it qualifies to enter a contest judged by Sir Stirling Moss. The deadline for entry is 26 July.
ENTER HERE
Only Sunday tables in Goodwood Mess
Goodwood Mess: only Sunday tables left
The popularity of the Goodwood Mess this year means that hospitality tables are only available on Sunday. Book yours now to avoid disappointment.
BOOK NOW
Who will receive the coveted Best Dressed awards in September?
Who will receive the coveted Best-Dressed awards in September?
The most prestigious wins at the Revival will be on the Motor Circuit, but competition will certainly be fierce in the battle to be awarded 'Best Dressed' too. Good luck, one and all... 
READ MORE
Gallery: Goodwood Greats - 1965 Corvette Stingray
Gallery: Goodwood Greats - 1965 Corvette Stingray 
The latest in our Goodwood Greats gallery series is the beautiful Corvette Stingray, photographed in loving detail by our Goodwood Road & Racing team. Enjoy every snap by clicking below.
VIEW HERE
Richard Burns Foundation
Discover the Goodwood Shop
Overalls - adult khaki
Overalls - adult khaki
Whether working on an aeroplane or a favourite car, these overalls continue to be a favorite with tinkering enthusiasts.