This weekend at Knockhill (1st June)

[norm]

I started typing this under the "XR2 away round" thread, but decided to start a new one.....

I know I don't fully understand all the machinations, politics and finances of circuits and clubs, but can't the SMRC simply run a meeting at Croft and pay the circuit fee in the same way that they pay Knockhill? Is Croft really so overrun with events that it can knock back the SMRC and have something bigger and better in their place? (The answer to this question may well be yes, but I find it hard to believe. According to the circuit's fixture list on the web, approx every 2nd weekend is empty).

All this and then (caution - rant about to start!) I see a provisional schedule for this weekend at Knockhill and all I see is:

- it is an "Anglo Irish" meeting. Fair enough, good to get some visiting series along, nice for them to get the chance to race somewhere different at an "away round"

- as the visiting series are racing on the Saturday I have to take at least a half day off work (Friday) to go testing (1-4 and 5-8 on Friday)

- XR2 qualifying is 9.50am (from memory), but we are not racing till the second last race of the day (race 18?). Appreciate that this is something that can't be avoided, someone's race will be late in the day, but why do I reckon it will never be the minis?

- and the race is only 12 laps, rather than the usual 15, presumably because the schedule is so cramped.

I have been reading all the posts about corner cutting, race stoppages, mini vs XR2 promotion etc, and generally I have a lot of sympathy for the SMRC, but really do feel that we are getting short changed this weekend.

See everyone on Sunday. Despite all the above I'm really looking forward to it! Noticed the Team Findlay spare car sitting in the paddock in the standard team livery (though not sure about the yellow interior John!), and also wonder whether we'll see Alan K's fiesta out again, but not with Ross Marshall at the wheel? (You're more up on the gossip Nick, is Peter going to be running in it?).

Norm

[jfin]

Hi Norm,

Not that I know much more than you, but taking your points in order :

1) There is a lot of politics which go on but there is nothing in theory stopping the smrc hiring croft or any other circuit for a weekend. The away circuit would want a large crowd to boost their money and therefore like to know what will be racing as they think they know what their public wants. Not sure how popular XR2 racing is with other circuits ? Other circuits will also charge a lot more than knockhill does and some of the drivers in the smrc series are not willing to pay it. (The one weekend I race at Croft only 16 XR2's went down for example when home races were getting full grids)How much would you be willing to pay to race at antoher circuit is a question I may well ask of other XR2 drivers if I ever get a questionnaire I am working on finished.

2) You seem to know more about this weekend than I do but I would be annoyed if the race distance is cut. If the rest of what you say about the schedule etc turns out to be correct, I will take it up the the smrc.

3) The ex-AK car will be raced by someone from within the ICR stable but it would spoil the fun if I said now.

4) My new car (came with the yellow interior and in an effort to keep costs down, didn't ask for it to be repainted) should be ready. Trouble is I might not have any time in it before Sunday if I can't rearrange my work diary for Friday. May therefore have a last hurrah in the old car.....

John

[jfin]

Testing programme for this weekend is that we will be out for 25 minutes at the following times :

1 pm

2.30

5

6.30

The first two sessions will cost £35. The second two £45 with all four costing £70.

The sessions will be mixed and the XR2's will be out with the Legends, the Alfas, the Minis and one other I can't remember.

The circuit don't seem to think there is any need to book. Sounds to me like it will be hectic on track.

[NS-R]

John,

I'll probably be down for the second two if you want to go out together (on track that is!). Don't think I'll be able to get away from work earlier than that, if at all...

Nick
www.ns-r.co.uk

[jfin]

Nick,

I have managed to rearrange my diary and intend being there for all 4 so by the 5 oclock session will probably start looking to push on so sounds good

See you then

John

[Racemania]

Where do you get all the info on testing from?
When I phoned Knockhill Yesterday afternoon they told me Saturday morning 8.30- 12 Pre book cost £ 30.00 for 2 sessions. Couldn't tell me when Legends out and whether they would be on their own til later in the week. If the sessions are on Friday its a waste of time me travelling down from Orkney on Friday night for NO testing on Saturday!!!

[NS-R]

Racemania,

Since John's not online - I spoke to Iain Cowie yesterday and he said that there is no official testing on Saturday at present, however, Ian Forrest was trying to organize a couple of sessions.

I am struggling to get down on Friday myself but I'm going to have to as I've changed the suspension on my car. I cannot afford to bank on Knockhill sorting out a session on Saturday.

Your best bet is to phone the office on Friday morning to see if anythings been sorted out...

Cheers,
Nick
www.ns-r.co.uk

[jfin]

Hi Racemania,

I spoke to Debbie at Knockhill who told me the times of the testing on Friday. From what I can see of the programme for the weekend I can't see how testing on Saturday will be fitted in but as Nick says, best call the circuit to get the word from the horses mouth.

John

[Big Bad Wedgie]

jfin,

not sure what info you have regarding the program for Saturday.

I know that this weekend was supposed to be a full two days but at the Rallycross meeting last weekend the marshals were told that signon for this Saturday is 12:15.

This would appear to leave the morning "free" for "testing".

KJR

[jfin]

Wedgie,

Having looked again at the timetable, you could well be right but most weekends K'hill usually run race schools. So as Nick says, the best way to find out is to check with the circuit, I will certainly be doing that on Friday when I get there.

John

[NS-R]

Wedgie,

Were you marshalling at the Rallycross then? If so, put up a post and let us know what it was like. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to spectate last weekend.

Nick
www.ns-r.co.uk

[Big Bad Wedgie]

Nick,

I was marshalling on the second post in on the Rallycross section of the circuit and have to say that the whole event was spoiled by the fact that for 90% of races we could not see anything, and I do mean anything, because of the dust.

In one race the field went through on lap one and once the dust cleared, which was almost just as they came round for the second lap, we spotted a car on its roof in the middle of the circuit.

About two races from the end Duncan (zetecdunc) came round the rallycross circuit with a water bowser to try and damp the dust down. No criticism of Duncans efforts but the leak in the bowser was doing a better job than the power washer attachment and the wind/sun and couple of delays in the program meant that the track dried out. Imagine that, Knockhill to dry ;D. Knockhill will have to sort the dust problem out if the Rallycross comes back.

Also seemed to be a communication problem as one of the supercar races was started while we still had marshals trying to clear a car from the circuit.

Wedgie.

[DuncVincent]

Just a wee note about the water bowser,,,it wasnt a leak,it was a tap that was ment to drop water.
helped a wee bit,,i thought!! My idea!?!?