Round 4 - 2014 - Winton Festival of Speed

For those who were present at the drivers meeting you will be aware of the reason we are not on the entry forms. BUT! we have the chance to be on the grid with a strong field of cars, it is pleasing to say after a lot of ringing around we have the minimum of 25 entries tonight... but that isn't where we want to stop, we want more! This will be be the best and biggest race and it will be fun on and off track so if you want to be in it make sure you let Phil or myself know ASAP!

It will be an interstate challenge, NSW vs Vic vs SA and hopefully the start of something bigger!!!

The 1st NSWelshman has sent his entry and deposit to Phil. I'm looking forward to having another go.

For discussion boys & girls, At the Wakie Park meeting coming up they are selling a race communicator to be worn by all drivers so the tower can talk to the driver whist racing. It is one way only and if you want to race you have to have one. They will be mandatory at Wakie and Winton from later in the year.

I don't know if this is an attempt to mitigate a low number of flaggies but I would prefer to have someone with eyes at the flag point looking after only that sector not the whole track. That and they also has a fire extinguisher on hand and are close to you if something very bad happens. I may well be totally wrong with this reasoning but I am willing to be corrected.

The units are $110 each to buy and I asked about hire, they said it is $50 so you may as well buy it.

Something to file away as another expenditure for some time in the near future. The end of the year will be expensive with a new helmet and Hans device needed for next year. I might have to take up hill climbing instead. Not as much track time but...

Jonesy

Very interesting Jonesy. I know at national level all cars have to have car to pit radios and Race Control can tune in to listen and talk to you. Looks like it could be on the way down to state level.

A lot of work has gone into this event behind the scenes lately and it is starting to come together.

We had over 40 EOI's which meant we were over grid capacity and then asked for deposits to secure a spot, we have had a few people who haven't sent forms/paid yet so if you haven't please get onto it or you may not get a spot if we fill up.

The Trophies for the interstate challenge have been selected, remember these are on top of the normal series trophies.

We have secured the brand new garages which are quite large, each spot holds two vehicles and is 9m long x 4.5m wide. If you book 1x car space it is half this space and you will be sharing. If you booked a whole spot at $150 it is the full size.
Make sure you let Phil know if you want a spot as they are filling up very fast.

We will look like being the biggest grid on the EOI's so let's make this a great event and show how good MG Racing is!   

Hi guys and Gals,

From my earlier post about 'race communicators' being used at Wakie Park recently, I can confirm that we ran the whole meeting without any flaggies.

It was blowing a gale raining (would have been snow apparently except for the wind) and golly gosh freezing. No Flaggy in their right mind would have gone out in that weather. The first sign was there when they installed light post at all the flag points. It is sad but this may be the way of getting around increasing events and static or decreasing officials numbers.

How it works:
At the drivers briefing you are given a frequency to tune in to. On the dummy grid we were given a code word over the comms and we were then asked my the dummy grid official what it was. A correct answer allowed you to go out on the track. I didn't find it distracting at all and you were only spoken to when there was some sort of incident (eg "corner 5 car off drivers right.... corner 5 all clear"). I didn't mind it but...

Supposidly it will be mandetory by the end of the year at Winton, Wakie and one of the Queensland tracks. I haven't heard anything about them being needed at FOS so maybe next year.

SJ

Do we have a list of confirmed names yet?

griffinracing wrote:Hi guys and Gals,

From my earlier post about 'race communicators' being used at Wakie Park recently, I can confirm that we ran the whole meeting without any flaggies.

It was blowing a gale raining (would have been snow apparently except for the wind) and golly gosh freezing. No Flaggy in their right mind would have gone out in that weather. The first sign was there when they installed light post at all the flag points. It is sad but this may be the way of getting around increasing events and static or decreasing officials numbers.

How it works:
At the drivers briefing you are given a frequency to tune in to. On the dummy grid we were given a code word over the comms and we were then asked my the dummy grid official what it was. A correct answer allowed you to go out on the track. I didn't find it distracting at all and you were only spoken to when there was some sort of incident (eg "corner 5 car off drivers right.... corner 5 all clear"). I didn't mind it but...

Supposidly it will be mandetory by the end of the year at Winton, Wakie and one of the Queensland tracks. I haven't heard anything about them being needed at FOS so maybe next year.

SJ

.

Any idea if the Winton FOS is using this system Steve?

It would have been in the supp regs if they were going to use them so I assume not.

I have asked around and they aren't using them at the FoS

Quick update, 33 entries and a couple of last minutes may join the grid. Great effort with 7 NSW entries, 4x SA cars and the rest Vics.

A few new names and returning cars, Full list soon, schedule looks better than last year but only by a few laps.

Had a few pull out unfortunately  

One plus has been for those who area ware of the games played by some and we were replaced by HQ's who have since been dropped for low numbers     

Got my regs today but no timetable, is this the same for everyone else?

Yeh, no maps or time tables in mine either and 'coming soon' on their web site.

A question for those that know, if I cant start my engine till 8am, how do I get to scrutineering at 7.45? It's up hill. Is that how you warm up in the morning, push the car to scrutineering and back. Lucky I only have a Midget.

Jonesy

It's always a problem and most people end up having to tow a car up there or they drop back and go after 8 (which compounds the issue).

Mind you we are talking about a track where we still have to do scrutineering both days as well....   

As far as I am aware the issues surrounding program stem from a category or 2 being dropped fairly late on which will mean we should get a couple of extra racing laps. (Ironically the class that was brought in to replace us apparently)

For those of us that are travelling, is there a catch up dinner on Saturday evening. Hobson's Stores is a bit to far (and Bev and I were the only ones to turn up... even Andrew was too tired).

Bev and I are staying at the Benalla Leasure Park. Anyone else?

Jonesy

No idea re Dinner, I am sure something will be organised once an idea of where people are headed etc.

When you driving down Steve?

A great field of cars with possibly one of the fastest fields in MG Racing for a long time, 3x V8's, 3x quick Midgets, a couple of quick modern MG's. Will be a great event and we are sure to put on a great show throughout the field. It is great to have the Bennett GT V8 coming down and having been talking to both Peter and Barry they have basically rebuilt the car just for this weekend so hopefully they have a lot of fun and come back again  

It's great to see Greg Hewson back, Bruin Beasley, etc.   

A big thank you must also go to the sponsors who have dug deeper than required for this weekend, Wolfchester, Hobson Stores, Coopers and Shannons Insurance. Phil and myself have spent a lot of time on the phone trying to get extra cars on the grid and it will be great to see such a quality field. Phil has spent a lot of his own time coming up with a points system for the interstate trophy and numerous other things.

And of course all the interstaters like you Steve, hopefully we can make this a yearly thing   

Anyway see you all there!

P,

BJ & I are heading off Thursday and staying that night with friend in Can'tberra. That should mean a leisurely drive Friday and drop the car off at the track.

If anyone needs them, I have 2 spare tickets (for the gate, not the drivers seat).

Is the 'Coopers' that are sponsors the beer? If so I'll have to make sure I drink my share of the Pale Ale.

You mentioned 3 quick Midgets but forgot about the slow one   though I do have a new set of tyres... I don't think that's enough to move me many places.

S

Hey Steve, I had a couple of other NSW guys ask about extra tickets so if you still have them I might have some people in need   

And providing Beer sponsorship wouldn't be very responsible would it   

Paul,

Ill be at the track Friday arvo. See me then and I'll hand them over if they'll promise to stay behind me on the track  

We always have to celebrate after the racing is done so a Pale Ale (or 2... or 3...) would go down nicely if that's what I have to do to support a sponsor.

S

thanks for a great weekend. Had a ball and the car is still going.  

griffinracing wrote:thanks for a great weekend. Had a ball and the car is still going.  

Thanks for coming down Steve. Great effort from everyone interstate to make it. The feedback from some is very encouraging   

You have emailed me for pics in the past so if you want any there are a couple of gallery's here that you can view without joining...
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10202836440094980.1073741853.1320730559&type=1

I am putting another album up shortly.

Hopefully we will see you at another round soon as your car seems to be running well!

P,

Unfortunately that is it for this season. The Australian Hillclimb championships are up here this year so I thought I'd have a run at that. Entry is $260 for a practice day (probably 1/2 doz runs) and 6 competition runs (about 40 sec each). Hows that for value for money. If it wasn't in my back yard I wouldn't be doing it.

A few other hillclimbs while I have the high ratio diff in will see my budget spent.

Next year you have the National Meeting and it would be great to see a pile of the motorsport guys & gals competing. Once that's over I'll have to see what's left in the kitty. My sponsor (my daughters wedding fund) is closing up shop with another wedding later 2015 so who knows.

I'll see what pics I have to add to the collection. If you need video's for an end of year wrap I have 2 on youtube (mentioned elsewhere in the forum). I can supply camera original if needed.

S&B

Yes no worries re vids,

Re Nat Meet, only problem is there are no competition events (except hillclimb at Rob Roy). This may deter some as a sprint/regularity might of brought a few more out. So expect to see the odd car at the hillclimb but possibly not too many. Also will depend where the calendar for racing falls, if we end up with rounds nearby in date we may get even less. Unfortunately our calendar is largely not up to ourselves but we have to choose from existing events.

I know what you mean about dates. So much is in the hands of others.

I chatted to Troy Ryan from Sth Oz about Historic Mallala. They have been on at Easter but there was talk about moving to Anzac day weekend to make it more attractive.

There is always the Motorkhana at the Nat Meet   That's always fun in a race car. Yes I know it is a lot of money for very little track time but that's the nature of the beast. Bev and I haven't been to many lately and since I've never done Rob Roy and we now know quite a few of you now we thought we might come on down. It would be just nice to see some of you there is some can make it.

It is strange that rarely do the racing fraternity from any club seem to attend Nat Meets. We must have other things to spend our money on.

I might not be at any more events this year but I'll keep annoying you all on the forum.

Steve

griffinracing wrote:I know what you mean about dates. So much is in the hands of others.

I chatted to Troy Ryan from Sth Oz about Historic Mallala. They have been on at Easter but there was talk about moving to Anzac day weekend to make it more attractive.

There is always the Motorkhana at the Nat Meet   That's always fun in a race car. Yes I know it is a lot of money for very little track time but that's the nature of the beast. Bev and I haven't been to many lately and since I've never done Rob Roy and we now know quite a few of you now we thought we might come on down. It would be just nice to see some of you there is some can make it.

It is strange that rarely do the racing fraternity from any club seem to attend Nat Meets. We must have other things to spend our money on.

I might not be at any more events this year but I'll keep annoying you all on the forum.

Steve

Rob Roy is a fun layout, it is fast and you make or lose time with each small decision. Just ask Andrew Howell (he still holds record there).

Your right the Sydney guys were telling me that the MGCC Sydney isn't really interested in the racing side and they arent' really interested in the normal club stuff, just like down here in Vic it would appear. Hence why Sydney need and MG Racing as well   

Hopefully we will see you back next year Steve   

Pauly wrote:

griffinracing wrote:I know what you mean about dates. So much is in the hands of others.

I chatted to Troy Ryan from Sth Oz about Historic Mallala. They have been on at Easter but there was talk about moving to Anzac day weekend to make it more attractive.

There is always the Motorkhana at the Nat Meet   That's always fun in a race car. Yes I know it is a lot of money for very little track time but that's the nature of the beast. Bev and I haven't been to many lately and since I've never done Rob Roy and we now know quite a few of you now we thought we might come on down. It would be just nice to see some of you there is some can make it.

It is strange that rarely do the racing fraternity from any club seem to attend Nat Meets. We must have other things to spend our money on.

I might not be at any more events this year but I'll keep annoying you all on the forum.

Steve

Rob Roy is a fun layout, it is fast and you make or lose time with each small decision. Just ask Andrew Howell (he still holds record there).

Your right the Sydney guys were telling me that the MGCC Sydney isn't really interested in the racing side and they arent' really interested in the normal club stuff, just like down here in Vic it would appear. Hence why Sydney need and MG Racing as well   

Hopefully we will see you back next year Steve   

Did anyone tell you that your 3rd in class currently? Another round might secure you a top 3 in class