British Rallycross - Lydden - 5th April

[Steve_PPP]

The first round of the British Rallycross Championship is held over the Easter weekend at Lydden Hill circuit in Kent.

I'm going on the Monday (the main day of racing) and thought i'd see if any other SES folks want to make a day of it. Several members on here have been before and have said its a great day out I've not been to Lydden before but this is one of their biggest events of the year!

Details are here: http://www.rallycrossuk.com/rd1.php

Postcode for the track is CT4 6RX.

Who fancies it?

[BIG"E"]

Count me in

[666subaru]

Brighton racecourse for us that day.

[Hongkongfooi]

might be interested as I've never been!

[BIG"E"]

I have been many times.

It is a nice drive from here too.

Some of the cars are quicker 0-60 than a F1

I went last year and they had a RS 200 still competing.

In my opinion its certainly better than Brands for spectating, you can also go walk about in the pits and talk to the drivers if you wish.

Its motor racing as it should be with a great atmosphere.

[Steve_PPP]

Originally Posted by Hongkongphooey

might be interested as I've never been!

It'll be another chance to get that big lens out

[2-jaffacake-tone]

I should be going, providing there's room in Big E car Hint hint

[BIG"E"]

Originally Posted by 2-jaffacake-tone

I should be going, providing there's room in Big E car Hint hint

No problem Tone.

[Steve_PPP]

bump - anyone else fancy this?

[DukeBoy]

Sorry guys....BSB @ Brands for me

[Steve_PPP]

just noticed that theres a small group on Surrey going as well

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

just noticed that theres a small group on Surrey going as well

Yes indeed! Not sure how many of us there will be yet, but I will definately be going - rain or shine! If anyone is unsure as to whether its worth the drive or not I can pretty much guarantee you'll have a good day out; I've been going there for a number of years and the rallycross never fails to entertain.

No RS200 running this year But the entry list for the first round includes a 6R4 and a number of drivers from Belgium. It looking to be the biggest entry list they've ever had for a rallycross event at Lydden.

Provision entry list should be published tomorrow, so I'll stick it up when I see it.

[Steve_PPP]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Provision entry list should be published tomorrow, so I'll stick it up when I see it.

cheers

if you guys end up having a little convoy over from surrey, let me know - could meet you at Clacket Lane?

[BIG"E"]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

cheers

if you guys end up having a little convoy over from surrey, let me know - could meet you at Clacket Lane?

Clacket Lane to Lydden via Hastings??

tbtstt It will be good to meet up with you guys.

I introduced myself to you last year if Im not mistaken.

I do hope the Belguim that drove the Big Volvo turns up again this year he was awesome.

[Steve_PPP]

Originally Posted by BIG"E"

Clacket Lane to Lydden via Hastings??

Not likely, just a little bit of a detour

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

if you guys end up having a little convoy over from surrey, let me know - could meet you at Clacket Lane?

We come from different sides of Surrey so we normally just meet there! I join the M25 at Junction 6 though, so if you want to meet up and trundle down together then that sounds like a plan!

Originally Posted by BIG"E"

I introduced myself to you last year if Im not mistaken.

Ah! I think you spoke to some of the other folks in our little group? I was wandering with my camera at the time!

Originally Posted by BIG"E"

I do hope the Belguim that drove the Big Volvo turns up again this year he was awesome.

If I'm not mistaken there will be more then one old-school Volvo on the entry list

Just to get you in the mood, here's a couple of videos to give you an idea of the cars in use in the Supercar class:





And here's a slightly older race from Lydden, just to give you an idea of the track layout:

[Steve_PPP]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

We come from different sides of Surrey so we normally just meet there! I join the M25 at Junction 6 though, so if you want to meet up and trundle down together then that sounds like a plan!

I'll be going M23/M25 so will pass through J6 - what time do you think is best to get there? i've never been to lydden before so don't know how crowded it gets.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

I'll be going M23/M25 so will pass through J6 - what time do you think is best to get there? i've never been to lydden before so don't know how crowded it gets.

The first round doesn't tend to be that busy, but if we want to get there early enough to be parked trackside we need to be there by half 9 really. I would think meet at Clackets Lane at half 8/quarter to 9 (if thats not to early for you?).

[BIG"E"]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

The first round doesn't tend to be that busy, but if we want to get there early enough to be parked trackside we need to be there by half 9 really. I would think meet at Clackets Lane at half 8/quarter to 9 (if thats not to early for you?).

Was it your group that parked up next to the Chesson drift ?

I normally spectate from the top hair pin, you can see the whole circuit from there and not get covered in dust.

You can also keep an eye on the scoobs in the parking feild..

[Steve_PPP]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

The first round doesn't tend to be that busy, but if we want to get there early enough to be parked trackside we need to be there by half 9 really. I would think meet at Clackets Lane at half 8/quarter to 9 (if thats not to early for you?).

Half 8 at Clackets is fine with me

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

Half 8 at Clackets is fine with me

Excellent! I've got to double check that time with my passengers, but that should be cool. We have one definate yes on Surrey and he'll be getting there around 9, so he can save us some spots.

Originally Posted by BIG"E"

Was it your group that parked up next to the Chesson drift ?

Yep, thats was us! We normally try and park quite far round so we're closer to Pilgrims then Chessons Drift.



Its a great view from Chessons but, as you say, if its a dry day the dirt from the circuit drifts over and ends up all over your car! Pilgrims is far enough round to avoid the dirt though!

Its also worth mentioning that they will be using the "Joker" lap for this round, so if we're parked on Pilgrims then the cars will be passing right under our noses.

Originally Posted by BIG"E"

I normally spectate from the top hair pin, you can see the whole circuit from there and not get covered in dust.

Thats one of the great things about Lydden, there isn't many points on the circuit where you can't see the whole track. I like to wander, but my fave spot is the start/finish straight - can't beat the noise of those supercars launching!

[tbtstt]

Sorry for the double post but...

Originally Posted by BIG"E"

I do hope the Belguim that drove the Big Volvo turns up again this year he was awesome.

...in correction to my earlier response to this statement I have seen the confirmed entry list for the Belgium contigent of drivers and there will be three Volvo 242's and a Volvo 244!

I'm not actually convinced there will be enough room on track for them all to race at once!

(For anyone a little confused as to why we're so excited about some Volvo's click here: for some slightly shaky enlightenment!)

[BIG"E"]

The driver of the white volvo is always up for a doughnut demonstration.

Normally in the middle of the North bend (the hair pin ) he is an awesome driver.

You should see him handle that tank of a car.

[alfa male]

Well up for this, best racing i've seen by far! Bring on the normal rally x mayhem! For those who have never seen alot of motorsport this is a must see, the drivers are the nuts and theyre not scared of a few bumps and scrapes to their VERY quick cars! Bugsy front passenger seat Tone!

[666subaru]

Originally Posted by alfa male

Well up for this, best racing i've seen by far! Bring on the normal rally x mayhem! For those who have never seen alot of motorsport this is a must see, the drivers are the nuts and theyre not scared of a few bumps and scrapes to their VERY quick cars! Bugsy front passenger seat Tone!

Wait until you see touring cars then, or V8 muscle racing cars thats a non contact sport too............................................... .....sort of

[alfa male]

Seen Touring Cars too many times live, imo its like watching a fast processional lap with some scrapes and spins, much better on tv as you cant see most of the track whilst spectating. What you get with the rally cross boys is a full on scrap through most of the rounds as they are such short heats, and then come the finals! Seeing 95% of the track is also a bonus.

Bathurst 500 was a good weekend tho in 2003

[Scott.T]

One of the best crashes of all time at Lydden, if you were not a fan of Mr Grumpy Will Gollop


More Thrills and Spills (love the bike crash where he ends up sat on the tyres, quite casual)



Some from last year....can you spot my car in the car park ?

[Steve_PPP]

Originally Posted by SilverSurfer

More Thrills and Spills (love the bike crash where he ends up sat on the tyres, quite casual)

Genius

good vids!

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by SilverSurfer

Some from last year....can you spot my car in the car park ?

Thats a good video; I've never met the guy, but I reckon whoever filmed that is an awesome bloke...

I enjoy watching the touring cars, but theres just something about rallycross. I guess it helps that I love rallying, and its really the best bits of rallying without all the negatives. I would love to see a V8 Supercar race live (particularly Bathurst), I would also like to see a JGTC round live and (guilty pleasure) I'd really like to see NASCAR live as well.

Anyway, back on topic! Without further ado, the entry list:

http://www.rallycrossuk.com/rd1_entry.php

20 Supercars (which I think is the best supercar turnout at Lydden yet), loads of cars (10+) in Div 2 and Div 3, even the new Suzuki Swift class has got a few entries.

Its going to be a good one - just hope the weather holds out!

[Scott.T]

Look Out for Car 97 (BMW) in the Super Modifieds.
That'll be Mr Vince Bristow our local Scooby spanner man doing his thing.

[bandit]

steve(tbtstt) i will be doing my best to meet you at clackets mate

if i remember rightly i wasn`t the dust cumming up off the track that was the problem last year

i think it was someones bbq smoke covering the hole track

graham

[Steve_PPP]

weathers looking dry for Sunday and Monday as well

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by bandit

steve(tbtstt) i will be doing my best to meet you at clackets mate

Excellent! Do you want to lead the way? That way you won't have to watch me take any scenic routes round the roundabouts...

Originally Posted by bandit

if i remember rightly i wasn`t the dust cumming up off the track that was the problem last year

i think it was someones bbq smoke covering the hole track

Haha! That looked great on the TV coverage; the whole area behind Pilgrims was shrouded in smoke!

[tbtstt]

Sorry for the double post mods (again!), but I just read that there is an additional Fiesta added to the Division 1/Supercar line up; the driver is reckoned to be either Tanner Foust or Mats Lysen!

[bandit]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Excellent! Do you want to lead the way? That way you won't have to watch me take any scenic routes round the roundabouts...


Haha! That looked great on the TV coverage; the whole area behind Pilgrims was shrouded in smoke!

i will try and get hold of dave , see if hes going and we can all take turns leading. you can do the sraight bits

graham

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by bandit

i will try and get hold of dave , see if hes going and we can all take turns leading. you can do the sraight bits

graham

Haha! Thanks! Dave is definately going, said he'd be there about 9! Whoever gets there first is responsible for grabbing as many spots round Pilgrims as possible.

I PM'd you on Surrey as well - don't seem to be able to send you a PM on here?

[Steve_PPP]

well what a great day out

weather stayed dry too, although it got a bit chilly towards the end. nice to meet yet another Subaru-owning Steve (tbtstt)

will get some pics up later.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

weather stayed dry too, although it got a bit chilly towards the end. nice to meet yet another Subaru-owning Steve (tbtstt)

Damn right - we've got the best cars and the best names! Good to put some SES faces to names, and to add to the number of Subaru owners who actually go to rally events!

I might have one or two OK pictures, but I definately need a bigger lens for circuits!

Dunno which idiot picked the parking spot though, my car is covered in dust...

[BIG"E"]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Damn right - we've got the best cars and the best names! Good to put some SES faces to names, and to add to the number of Subaru owners who actually go to rally events!

I might have one or two OK pictures, but I definately need a bigger lens for circuits!

Dunno which idiot picked the parking spot though, my car is covered in dust...

Yes who was that idiot ?

It was good to meet the Surrey guys.

[Hongkongfooi]

watched some of it on Motors tv.....without the dust!

[Steve_PPP]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Good to put some SES faces to names, and to add to the number of Subaru owners who actually go to rally events!

You a general rally fan then? I get to as many as possible - been going to Wales Rally GB for over 10 years, plus Sunseeker and Tempest more recently as well

[Steve_PPP]

Photo thread is here:
http://www.southeastscoobies.co.uk/v...ead.php?t=4161

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

You a general rally fan then? I get to as many as possible - been going to Wales Rally GB for over 10 years, plus Sunseeker and Tempest more recently as well

Absolutely! I've never actually been to Rally GB though, which is annoying as it was watching the RAC rally on TV many years ago that first got me interested in the sport in the first place.

I only got my driving licence a couple of years ago, so it was only then that travelling to Wales for the rally became an option. Problem is I'm not that interested in the cars that are competing now, so I'm not that inclined to make the journey. I'd much rather go to events like the Sunseeker and Tempest as you get to see a huge range of ex-WRC machinery, lots of classics and you don't pay through the nose to spectate.

I'd love to make the journey to Finland for the WRC (perhaps in a couple of years when the S2000 cars get up to speed) but, in the meantime, I'm hoping to get out to Ireland to check out a tarmac event out there. The range of WRC cars in Ireland in unbelievable!