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Post by NS-R on Jan 24, 2004 9:19:09 GMT
The provisional calendar has once again been amended but this time it is definately for the better - the new XR2 dates are as follows:- 11/04/04 25/04/04 15-16/05/04 - Supporting F3 !!! 27/06/04 18/07/04 - Double Header 14-15/08/04 04-05/09/04 17/10/04 - Double Header If these dates stay as-is, then there will be some fairly happy XR2 racers out there... It is also excellent news for our sponsors as we will be supportiing the Formula 3 meeting if the dates are to be believed... Visit www.smrc-uk.com for the full SMRC classes... Cheers, Nick www.ns-r.co.ukPS FYI, there are also some new photos of the NS-R car in the gallery on the NS-R website...
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Post by Catriona on Jan 24, 2004 18:45:52 GMT
Looking good there - that has to be by far the best calendar I've seen in the time I've been following the club racing! :up: Looks like all the main series will be getting eight or more rounds, plus double-headers, which is great to see. And I like seeing so many of the club series supporting the F3s, as well - that'll get everyone some notice from the people who only normally turn out to the big meetings, so maybe the club series might gain a few more fans from it
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Post by Blair on Jan 25, 2004 9:24:07 GMT
Never thought F3 was visiting this year, but having checked a calendar they are Maybe it's just the GT cars that aren't visiting ? Looks a nice spread out calendar that, another point to note is that SCV8 was I think down for the 4/5 september so that could be another support race for the XR2's (ps - not that i expect this SCV8 to ever happen...been overhyped too early and too many promises made to people that haven't then happened)
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Post by Mike Hogg on Jan 25, 2004 12:47:58 GMT
You BTCC fans are always quick to try and put the boot into the SCV8s aren't you? I'm sitting on the fence until something happens. Anyway, yup it's just the F3s that are coming up - the GTs aren't coming as it's "close to Le Mans test day" - How many of the GT runners in the domestic series are going to LM? Next to none you say? Hmmm. Anyway - it's good for the club stuff that they get to support the F3s cos they'll easily outshine Piquet Jnr and Co for on track action in front of a bigger than usual crowd.
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Post by Blair on Jan 25, 2004 13:59:07 GMT
I would love to see SCV8 happen, but there just seems to be too much hype about it - ie they guaranteed teams they'd have a better TV deal than the BTCC but from reading other forums all they seem to be managing is some early hour slot on Channel 4.
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Post by davefiddes on Jan 25, 2004 14:22:51 GMT
The GTs are not coming this year because of the proximity of the KH round to Le Mans. A few other rounds at about that time were affected as well.
As for SCV8s. If they happen then I'm sure they'll be spectacular (not something you could ever accuse the BTCC of since the RS500s left). If not then we've not lost anything... I've got enormous respect for anyone who tries to bootstrap any new race series. It's tougher now than it has ever been.
According to Wheelspin there's still some uncertainty over the BTCC/Superbike dates. It's not down to the series organisers or KH but Fife/Edinburgh council (or whoever looks after the bridge). They may or may not be cooperative about when they can get the big roadworks that start in May finished.... Wouldn't put it past them to be bloody minded about it.
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Post by Blair on Jan 25, 2004 17:52:09 GMT
What roadworks ? Something over the Forth Bridge or Kincardine Bridge route
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Post by davefiddes on Jan 25, 2004 23:31:48 GMT
They're digging up large parts of the Forth Bridge for 16 weeks starting in May I believe. Network Rail had actually planned to do a serious shutdown of the rail bridge in the summer as well but were persuaded that it might be a good idea to postpone it till next year...
This is likely to make life interesting for anyone trying to get to KH for the BTCC or Superbikes...or T-in-the-park for that matter...
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Post by norm on Jan 26, 2004 17:52:11 GMT
Just to say am still here!!
Latest "provisional" schedule looks very good, with the F3 meeting being very welcome as it is clearly a high profile meeting, but also fills the 2 month gap that was originally in the schedule.
My Fiesta is currently floating 2 feet above the garage floor, with no engine in it, but am hopeful of all being ready for one of the March test days (think these are the 7th and the 20th?).
Disappointing amount of gossip on the board about who is doing what next year! How many minis coming back? What have the Ecurie Ecosse boys decided? New/returning/leaving XR2 entrants? Anyone got any idle rumours?
Cheers Norm
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Post by Catriona on Jan 26, 2004 22:41:02 GMT
the March test days (think these are the 7th and the 20th?). Thanks for those dates! Myself and KF were just thinking of going to visit my parents in March, and were provisionally going to leave on the 6th... think we'll make that the 8th now We missed all the testing last year, so we'll definitely make an effort to get there this time; it's been way too long since October!
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Post by TheRealDC on Jan 27, 2004 0:46:06 GMT
Disappointing amount of gossip on the board about who is doing what next year! How many minis coming back? What have the Ecurie Ecosse boys decided? New/returning/leaving XR2 entrants? Anyone got any idle rumours? Well - since you ask .... Not idle rumour, but Colin Robertson and I have both placed our deposits for MG ZR's. I haven't even driven one yet, but Colin assures me its just like a faster XR2 - about 5 seconds a lap round Knockhill judging by their times last year. We'll be trying to do half of the MG Mayflower Trophy events this year (our learning year!!). We'll certainly be doing the Spa round - yes, that Spa! We should get the cars during February and hope to be ready for the tests in March. We're also trying to buy a transporter to accomodate the cars and us (we've got to save some cash somewhere i.e. on accomodation as all of the rounds are well South, apparently no Knockhill round as yet, which is a pity as we'd be hoping for some local advantage). I'm still hanging on to my XR2 for the time being. Currently it looks like there are no date clashes apart from the first round which is Silverstone on the 11th, but it is conceivable that we could get back up (driving overnight) to make it back for the hill on the 12th. I'm pretty undecided as to whether to try and make this round - if I don't then I'll either sell my car, do a handful of rounds or have Sue do some rounds in my car. It mostly depends upon finances as I'm sure we could overcome the logistics somehow. We could also perhaps enter the Sports and Saloons, but we'd have to try and figure out which of the many classes we'd be entering! I was actually seriously considering the Mini series, but frankly paying £5.5k up front for entry fees doesn't sit well with me . The MG Car Club seem to have a genuine interest in looking after their competitors and even pay start money for rounds like Spa!! Colin and I also both considered Caterhams. Anyhoo, hope you're all well (I know I am - especially as I've now got the cast off - broke my ankle on a team building day in December, but pretty much fully fit again) and look forward to catching up with you all at the test session(s) in March. I might even know by then if I can afford to do the MG's and the XR's by then. Cheers .. DC
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Post by Mike Hogg on Jan 27, 2004 1:48:10 GMT
Hopefully we'll make at least one of the test-days anyway... should stave off the winter boredom and would give me something to write about for the website!
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Post by Blair on Jan 27, 2004 21:30:21 GMT
Good luck with that Dave, sounds like a busy year. And in an MG...mmmmmmm I'll give test days a miss to be honest. Planning on BTCC, BSB, F3 and as many club meetings as I can manage this year so am saving up for that. Perhaps also an excursion to Croft BTCC and Silverstone in July...
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Post by XR2 Baz on Jan 28, 2004 13:12:45 GMT
Again not idle rumour here. I'm working on a new XR2 for this season since trashing the last one. Managed to save pretty much all of the race bits from the old car so just working on a new body to fit them into. To cut costs the car will be red, not blue as last year, because that's the colour it came in and a paint job doesn't make it go any faster. Besides, red is the fastest colour.
Doubt I'll make it to any of the pre-season tests but with some effort will see you all in April.
Baz
PS, I'm looking for an exhaust manifold and air intake plastic bits as the previous ones were wrecked and they ain't easy to find in the scrappys. If anyone's got some spares drop me a line.
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Post by NS-R on Jan 28, 2004 13:42:22 GMT
Quote from Barry: -"To cut costs the car will be red, not blue as last year, because that's the colour it came in and a paint job doesn't make it go any faster. Besides, red is the fastest colour" I beg to differ - wait 'til I've tried out my all new "Go Faster" orange paint job!! Good luck to Barry with the new car and glad to hear DC's ankle is on the mend - that'll teach him to fall over! Nick www.ns-r.co.uk
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