Ramblings from Oulton park

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peter rafter
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Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:37 pm

Ramblings from Oulton park

Post by peter rafter »

Oulton Park, Anno Domini 2019. Secreted in the heartlands of Cheshire, a County ostensibly infested with overpaid premiership footballers from an adjacent Metropolis, lies a gem of a race circuit. It is hidden a short distance from the Cheshire Polo Ground should one prefer equine pursuits as opposed to the alluring aroma of Castrol R.

During the Second World War, Oulton Park's grounds were used as one of the staging camps for US Army units under the command of General Patton prior to the Normandy landings in 1944. American World Heavyweight Champion boxer Joe Louis put on several exhibition bouts for the troops garrisoned at Oulton Park. The fights were staged within the vicinity of the Deer Leap section of the modern circuit

Good that the enduring and absorbing tussle of the contestants in the Morgan classes is held in such a respectful and amiable way, or with scowls instead of fisticuffs.

Gracious hosts for an exotic meeting were the VSCC. In attendance were a wonderful array of voitures, past and present (Delahye,Bugatti,Invicta, Alvis, etc.“Patina” being the order of the day, embellished with lavish coatings of oil and tar. It was encouraging to see multiple Morgan 3 wheelers in the VSCC ranks with youthful aspirant drivers. Tony Lees, who has form in the Morgan series, was observed struggling to explain to a bewildered observer the canine nature of the gear arrangements in his charming Cognac The VSCC Lady President even provided a nose-bag for waifs and strays (Jack you were spotted).

The programme dictated Morgans first in practice, first race and then an interval of only some 6 hours or so for before the second round, clearly so that incumbents could explore the delights of the paddock, catchup on lost sleep, socialise, exchange pleasantries, recount tales of journey delays, or just wander zombie fashion throughout the complex. I encountered many zombies throughout the day.

As a consequence of multiple supplications, incantations and other tions the weather remained mercifully dry. Paul and Brenda Bryan displayed a shiny new trailer, a replacement as their previous had been stolen (beware).

I had forgotten how technical the circuit is with rapidly changing gradients, blind crests and several tight corners. It flows, albeit with numerous alternative lines. It can be a tad bumpy and difficult in the wet. There were patches and trails of a white dust liberally applied to conceal recalcitrant engine droppings.

There were some absentees who were otherwise engaged at HSCC Silverstone (Orebi Gann/House/Sebba?). Kath Sherry was spotted in another race. Our series paparazi/scribe and scruitineer may still be locked in the horrendous traffic jams on the M6. Dr. Laidlaw was fresh from an outing at Zaandvort the previous weekend. Obviously scoping it out prior to its inclusion in the F! calendar. We had a super race there some seasons ago.

It is best to pass briefly over Qualifying other than to report that James Sumner, who has shown pace this year, regrettably buried himself in the tyre wall at turn 1 after failing to correct a repetitive oversteer/understeeer sequence. Big Ouch! The Hurst/Hamilton Smith club sports were astonishlngly quick. A swarm of Wolverhamton University students ,sustained by Mels burgers, appeared to totally dismantle and rebuild the factory club sports at every opportunity, perhaps in anticipation of a visit later in the day by the Morgan Motor Company MD. Elsewhere Andrew Thompson suffered brake and body hindrances.

Race !. The front of the grid (Ahlers/Goddard/Whiteside) disappeared into the distance chased optimistically by Andrew Thompson and Simon Baines, with the rest of the field in play.(that is as far as I could discern from my remote position at the rear of the grid). Such is the design of the circuit that one can see how far one trails behind the leaders. Unfortunately, Chris Springall who travels from France to participate in the series and who over the winter surreptitiously changed the colour of his car from green to cream, was forced to take a racing line other than he would have preferred and ended up in the armco and a disappointed retirement. Ouch! Craig and Tony continue to impress with the closeness of their racing and, with the intervention of a jump start penalty from the local boy, Craig secured the class win.The ensuing train highlighted many individual duels with impressive best lap times to be relished. Steve Lockett secured Driver of the race.
Class Winners were Ahlers/Thompson/Hamilton Smith/Thomas/Bellinger/Lockett/Laidlaw/and Richards.

Race 2. The usual suspects at the front blasted away. Multiple duels and close racing in the pack kept the spectators entertained, who at this late stage were embalmed in swathes of warm attire/fleeces. Phil Thomas/Jack Bellinger/Brett Syndercombe followed by Kelvin Laidlaw/Peter Sargent, then Young Richards /Peter Cole with Paul Bryant not far behind.. A pretty red car and Richard Fearn bringing up the rear. SteveLockett suffered brake damage and Sharlie Goddard failed to start despite a strong showing in race 1. Young Richards (to differentiate him from Pater Richards) deservedly won driver of the race. Class wins as per race 1 with Tony Hurst reversing Craigs win.

Many attended the post race award ceremony held normally against the intrusive backcloth of a cacophony of asthmatic unsilenced engines. Nevertheless there was generous applause for the respective winners. I had thought of proposing that the liquid rewards for Driver of the day should be shared amongst the accompanying throng of happily clappers attending the awards ceremony. Do you agree?
peter
peter rafter
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Re: Ramblings from Oulton park

Post by peter rafter »

ps
Also absent was Greg Parnell who was reportedly searching his garage at home for a lost 5th gear ( he could go straight from 4th to 6th no! )
Oh, and Young Alex Laidlaw put in an appearance to support Pater.
A lovely Plus 4 entered in another race stood forlorn, pitifully abandoned , for the whole day.
As entrants rushed away at close of play, Messrs Sargent and the intrepid owner of the pretty red car were left stranded in an empty paddock with flalt batteries. Note to self, must pack jump leads next time.
peter
peter rafter
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Re: Ramblings from Oulton park

Post by peter rafter »

Am i correct that there were new Class lap records set for Classes G, J, S?
Messrs Thompson, Thomas & Hamilton Smith?
ppps
it wuz flat batteries not salt (I blame blooming predictive script
peter
Leigh Sebba
Morgan Class C
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Re: Ramblings from Oulton park

Post by Leigh Sebba »

Thanks Peter for the update and I was watching the results come through. Haven’t forgotten you but been concentrating on my (even) older cars with the pre war car at Donington Festival followed by Montlhery so cant do everything !

Looking at the HSCC results I see there was a very, very close finish between the two father / son teams of Pearce and Plants
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TonyLees
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Re: Ramblings from Oulton park

Post by TonyLees »

A great report! Suggest sending it to vscc.editor@gmail.com
Lovely to see you all there enjoying yourselves and sorry to hear of accidents.
Must get a two car trailer...
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Bob Bull
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Re: Ramblings from Oulton park

Post by Bob Bull »

Leigh Sebba wrote:Thanks Peter for the update and I was watching the results come through. Haven’t forgotten you but been concentrating on my (even) older cars with the pre war car at Donington Festival followed by Montlhery so cant do everything !

Looking at the HSCC results I see there was a very, very close finish between the two father / son teams of Pearce and Plants


Indeed, Leigh, a Morgan 1, 2, 3. with Phillip Tisdall third, and Peter Garland 9th. Will Plant had built a commanding lead when a safety car was deployed dropping the Rolls Royce Royal Red V8 into the clutches of the white one. Driver changes did not always go as well as hoped, so the net result was Richard and Robin running together as the full course yellow ended. There was nothing to choose between the two cars over a lap, Robin quick in a straight line, and Richard quicker in some parts of the track. Plenty of place swapping and the 0.20 gap at the flag demonstrated just how close it was. Phillip handed his car over to Simon King who proceed to drive it like a celeb driver at the Revival. You can do that in someone else's car he opined after the race. Peter Garland obviously does not have any friends, or at least none he would trust his Morgan too, and drove single handed to ninth spot, while Alan House acted as rear gunner in a slightly asthmatic sounding white version of the Malvern marque.

The S O G SLR was outclassed in some other race vying with all sorts of high powered machinery.
Ace Photograp…… you know!
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peter rafter
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Re: Ramblings from Oulton park

Post by peter rafter »

Mary mercifully allowed some additions and corrections to my ramblings before posting it on the website under Race reports. I missed Simon King but as it was the HSCC which showed Tisdell/King assumed it was BB King. I had noted the plurals Plant & Pearce.
I would have been impressed if the driver of the 1921 GN Vitesse GP car was as young as his car.
peter
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Phill Thomas
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Re: Ramblings from Oulton park

Post by Phill Thomas »

Not sure about Mel's burgers, but Neil's were superb.

Phill
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