Easter Weekend...

[Craig]

'twas good, wasn't it mate

Suffolk, eh ? How do you know ? Thought we were lost ? Didn't realise it was just a ploy to make me miss the majority of the Powertour! Never mind though, it wouldn't have been the same without the detour! What a chuckle!

I've just been out and looked... i've managed over 700 miles... i'm not going to work out the total cost of the weekend, cos it would scare me, but it was worth every penny! See y'all next time!

[Lorna]

My card didn't get refused when I got petrol outside Brands so I must be okay

Forgot to mention Les. Nice to see you again this weekend Les.

Another moment of today - in the pit lane..... minding our own business..... Eggy Bennetts banner and airhorns from across the track.... We know those guys!

[Craig]

Another thought from pitlane...

MULLER!!!

oooh... bloody hell!

Heard the Eggy Bennetts getting a mention on Radio TOCA (great to have you back boys!) for their banner... wait til we get the 'Barmy B&Q's' one up... if we don't get an equal mention, i'll be disappointed!

Right... i'm off to me nice warm bed for the first time since Thursday! Woohoo!

[SL]

Don't forget the mntion on the PA after the race when Bennett was handed his trophy.

I managed to run up about 460 miles this weekend. 370 to Donny and back plus 90 Brands and back.

Still it was a good weekend, but I'm glad I was in my warm bed every evening. A tent in April in England is not a good idea.


Simon

[Lorna]

Twas nice to see you as well on the weekend, SL. (Sorry! I'm sooo tired!)

Right, before I go to bed, to add to Carrie's collection already posted here, I've added the pictures she kindly (or not so kindly ) took on Saturday at ALMS. click here

Many thanks to Carrie for the pictures.

There were a few cameras clicking away this weekend so don't forget to send them to me once you have them on your 'pooter. As usual, email them to gallery@ten-tenths.com with them attached or the specific url I can get them from. Please (I'm begging you!) don't send them to my private email addy if you have it

[Chris Y]

Great long weekend! Meeting everyone again, and some new faces, was fantastic. Really knackered now, so I'm not going to post a novel.

We probably racked up about 1,000 miles over the 4 days, including visits to Wales , Oulton in Cheshire, Donny in Derbyshire, Snett in Norfluck, and Brands in Godknowswhere.

I had a brilliant time, and there are going to be some fantastic piccies. The ones i've seen already were excellent!

Special thanks to Mr. B&Q for being such a nice chap in the face of adversity (Invader ) and for giving us the caps

Special thanks also to Forte Travelodges for providing an alternative to camping in soggy fields, and to Mr. Frosty the Cavalier for being a good car over the weekend. I do hope Lorny and Craig enjoyed the roundabout-escape-velocity incident in Cambridge

To the rest of you that couldn't make it - sorry you missed out Better be there next time!

Best racing - Gotta be the BTC Prods. They were almost better than the Clios! Two of them rolling in the first race - the Clios were tame in comparison! Worst racing - sorry - it had to be the ELMS.

Let's do it again soon.

[Lorna]

I have to agree, Chris. The ELMS was a bit boring but the worse bit was we couldn't sit there and chat like we do on boring races - COS THEY WERE SO LOUD!

Productions were extremely entertaining. The Tourers Spring Race was, I hate to say a tad uneventful but Plato and Thompson certainly kept us entertained!

[Peter Mallett]

Originally posted by TimD
A terrific first part of the weekend at Donington. And I can't imagine why people were maintaining that it was cold...

...the persistent drizzle must have been at least 5 degrees above freezing.

Positively balmy if you ask me.

Originally posted by TimD


Now for a quiet, relaxing afternoon in front of the telly for the GP, and then apparently the weather starts to look promising for the CSCC at Thruxton.

Should be good. Thruxton's flat but fast, and so it really needs a dry day in order to appreciate the spectacle better.

Well. How was it? Looking at the Silverstone resilts Ian Drew, Malc Best and me usually run together. I beat Malc every time out last year. Bugger I could have won!!!!

[Tony Harman]

Wow - sounds like everyone had a great time - nice to meet Liz, TimD & Bluebottle down at Thruxton, thanks for coming over, it was hectic in the paddock - all these people just kept turning up. Hope you all enjoyed the racing, I didn't get to see to much of the other races after my Classic Clubmans event. Hope to see more of everyone in the future
Pete - the bits of CSCC racing I did see (very little from inside the Thruxton paddock !) - were as entertaining as ever.

[Danielsun]

Well, what a faaaaaaaantastic (to quote Murray) weekend that was. The most fun Easter I've had in a while - surely my parents won't read this thread...

Thanks to all for a great time and I really can't wait for Le Mans this time around; great to see you again, Liz and to all the new faces (with the exception of the Eggy Bennetts - howcome they got a mention and the B&Q Army didn't?

BTCC 2001 is certainly as good as Richard West and Co made it out to be, although it would have been nice to have had more Touring class cars out there. But as has been said, Plato and Thommo gave us more than enough battling there. Oh, and let's not forget that John B&Q beat Muller in the Feature Race!!

As for the TV viewing on Sunday, Imola was also a great race - for once the other Schumacher got up and Williams is well and truly back!!

When can we do all that again?

[josvandeperre]

bah - noone came up to say hello to me at Thruxton

signed unloved of battersea

[Marshal]

I would have done Jos, but I was at Castle Combe instead. I'm looking forward to catching up with all you CSCC chaps (and Tony too) at Mallory in June.

Also at Combe, Lee Purnell had the opportunity to confirm the existance of a lesser spotted Friel, I believe he even has a photo of this mythical beast. I would be supprised if the film mysteriously fogged though

[TimD]

Sorry to have missed you, Jos. We looked and looked in the paddock for you, but apart from seeing the Golf disappearing into the scrute bay first thing in the morning, the only other times you were spotted, you were somewhat preoccupied...

...either qualifying or racing. We had to sprint from Thruxton to get Liz to Heathrow on time, so had to content ourselves with waving at you from trackside. If you saw some animated loons trying to attract your attention at the chicane exit on your cooling-off lap, that was us....


Slowcoach, thanks for the passes. Unfortunately, they arrived safe and sound in this morning's post, but thank you for thinking of us when choosing who to offer them to.


And to Tony with your wild Haggispeed car, your race was a terrific advert for clubman formula. Definitely a blast back to the good old days. Looking forward to more of those later in the season.


Best race of the day for me? The Post-Historic touring cars, with the battle for the lead between the Jaguar Mk2 and the '64 Ford Mustang, culminating in a near photo-finish as the Jaguar attempted a Senna-type manouvre on the Yank along the pit wall, as Mr. Starter peeped gingerly over wondering how he was going to deploy the chequered flag without being swept away. Awesome!

[WoodyTJ]

I just can't stop smiling!!!!!!!!!!

[Dan Friel]

We passed numerous cars going to Thruxton (Morris Minors, Porsches) whilst we were heading the other way.. what was the crowd like?? I reckon there was perhaps 20,000 at Combe, all car parking full after lunch.

Marshal, no-one will believe it's me in the photo, an unbelieveable sight of me checking the track I do believe, a great rarity.... but good to meet Lee.

[MichaelC]

Originally posted by Lorna
And now for MY side of the story...

Michael C - THANKS FOR THE REDBULL. You're my best friend now

Woohoo!!!

Pleasure my dear. Like I said, never let it be said I don't listen to what people tell me. Had I realised so many others drink it, I'd habe brought a crate of the stuff from Majestic Wine Cellars. Next time out...

Originally posted by Lorna
And Craig, I know I'm a mad woman but who was tutoring me into driving recklessly around a muddy field doing hand-brake turns? Hmmm? There was mud on the roof of my car! I haven't laughed that much in ages.

Perfectly acceptable. This kind of thing just has to be done in safe open areas where fun can be had! I was giving it the full sideways bit out of the carpark myself as it happens. The guy behind in the S Class Merc (unlucky, pal) wasn't too impressed when I plastered his car with half of Warwickshire though...

[Carrie]

Great weekend wasn't it I've just got back having decided that driving home from Brands the same night was not on (more profits to Travelodge!). The worrying thing is I never even attempted to get anywhere near to Snetterton and I still managed to clock up over 700 miles. Why the start of the BTCC season had to take place so far away I really don't know Still not near my record though which was about 2000 miles over 3 days and strangely enough didn't involve any motorsport, just a lot of archaeology instead.
Just got my race photos back from Brands, so shall get those scanned soon and once I find whereabouts in the car the digital camera is hidden there will surely be some more photos appearing online
I've not calmed down yet

[Lee Purnell]

OH WOW!
Best weekend of my life!
I had to take the day off of work today in order to recover from the head ache I have had since Saturday!
It was worth every painfull moment though!
I was impressed with the ELMS, even though the result was expected.
It was a good crowd again, I always enjoy meeting up with the gang!
AND, to top off the weekend, HE LIVES!!!!! DAN FRIEL IS REAL!!!!!!!!!!! Nice to meet you bloke!

[Liz]

I'm back in Canada - the land that time forgot - arrived at 11:00 p.m. and it was 2:00 a.m. before I made it home. Some guff from customs and immigration about my going away for four days with only a backpack just to watch car racing. I kid you not. Also the only bus still running was at another terminal and there were no signs - a passing limo driver clued me or I might have ended up sleeping at the airport!

Anyway, when I wake up enough to know if I am afoot or on horseback, I will remember all the people I met this weekend (and re-met) - and for anyone who didn't go with us to Speedway and meet the Incredibly Gorgeous Robbie Kessler - I will be posting a pic of Andy, me and Robbie as soon as I get it developed, provided Craig remembered to aim the camera at us ...

[Craig: YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.]

But you guys who missed Speedway missed a lot of fun. You even missed the aliens. (Well, everyone missed those but Robbie.) Although I emerged with cinders in my hair, I found it wonderful fun!

I liked the ELMS, even if it was cold and drizzly and noisy; I love the old Panoz and do not care much for the new one, love the Saleen and like the new BMW even when it has its wheels in the dirt ... also enjoyed Thruxton and meeting Tony Harmon and Slowcoach and cheering for them and AP Guy and Julian and the guy in the red Mustang and that poor bloke in the F2000s who had the turbo fire (didn't you hear us yelling "Run away!"?) and all the Porsches that went into the weeds and that sad Escort that tried to start the race without a windscreen after having gently rolled on his top in qualifying ... and the John Player car with the engine that probably should not have sounded like a Panoz but did.

Thanks most especially to Bluebottle and Tim and Hurricane for all the transport and the good food and for taking me to church on Easter Sunday (you should hear them make music!) and for the best line of the weekend - having seen a sign at Donington advising us to watch out for counterfeits, Bluebottle looked wildly around, and gasped, "This isn't the real Donington Park!"

So that's that, then - and we'll meet again at F1 Testing in June and off to Le Mans to do it all over again.

You know what? THESE are the good old days!

P.S. Daniel: Loved your hat.

P.S. to Craig: [YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.]

[SPOONERBORO]

It went a little something like this

The Eggy Bennetts on Tour Round 1

Arrived Brands at 1945ish saturday after being at work for 6 in morning.
Set the tents/gazebos just as heavens opened everthing thrown into tents etc.
Turned up the gas for a well earned cupper and pasta bite!!
Then the beers started to roll - and then the vodka - Olly mate did we really polish off that 3lt bottle in 2 hours
Yes then Big Olly was rather ill, knocked me flying into the gazebo which sent contents flying all at 2am in the morning
Watched a stunning days qualifying and a crappy GP in the bar to clear away the hangover
Let Alan Hyde know the Eggy Bennetts were here!!!!
Watched more qualifying and then back to the camp for a dirty curry.
Went for a walk round the track
Met the redshoes and then the gazebo filled 9 in all i think at one stage
We then picked an airhorn fight with some yobs in campsite, then came up with 2001 best ever excuse as to why it was not the eggy bennetts blowing the airhorns - thanks lorna for backing me up
Then had the biggest drunken arse revving his y reg rover in a pool of mud at 1 in morning
Telling the rover driver at 7 in morning where to stick my help of getting him out the field
Had the coldest shower in history
Let Phil Bennett and the whole of brands hatch know who the eggy bennetts were during pit lane walkabout - did ya hear us
Watched a great days racing - with phil 3rd giving him the biggest and loudest cheer on earth
Got home and had a bloody bath and a good nights sleep

Great start to 2001 thanks to Redshoes for the minature heroes and lamp, nottingham guys for dropping us in the ****e with security marshals, lorna for putting a lovely smell in my tent, craig antill nice to meet u at last and hope to meet up with anyone who i havent seen yet or forgot to mention

Remember head for the nutters with airhorns, banner and guys most likely to be decking anyone who says something we dont like!!!! - see you all at thruxton and apologies for the longest post in history!1

[SJ Spode]

Glad you guys survived the weekend's motorsport tour. It was good to meet some of you @ Donington, although next time it'd probably be better if it's possible to talk longer than in 10 second soundbites between howling Audi, Panoz, Porsche engines.

We managed the complete circumnavigation of the DP circuit over the course of the meeting, and were at Macleans to see the Panoz syncronised spinning team. (A quick note to Don Panoz - your 2nd car has to allow the tow tractor time to get back to it's start position after pulling out car 1 before it chucks itself off, otherwise you lose even more time)

See you sometime soon

SJ

[Slowcoach]

TimD - I cant believe it - I sent those passes first class post Wednesday lunchtime - thats disgraceful that they only arrived on Tuesday regardless of the Bank Holidays . What a waste.
Thanks anyway to you and Liz and anyone else who cheered for me - sorry I didnt have more time for a chat when you came over.
Qualifying was a little disappointing , only 12th and 3 secs a lap slower than my best lap last year but there were at least 4 off-track excursions by people who either passing me or had just passed me which spoilt some of my laps-I never worry too much about where I am on the grid ,so long as I make it !......and then the race....well what can I say that might mask my huge disappointment , from 12th on the grid I had gained 3 places in two laps and had taken a whole 4 secs off my qualifying time and really felt I had cracked it and was shaping up to take that pair of Lotus Cortinas infront of me when the revs dropped to 4thou and that was that cruised to a halt and the engine died - turned out that 3 of the 4 connecters which combine the pairs of fuel lines into the carbs were loose and the petrol had been pumping all over the engine (more than four gallons!) - A miracle that the car didnt just go straight up in flames with me aswell! All that fuel and hot metal etc... anyway needless to say I am now involved in legal action against the *!*&^%$ who installed the engine for that and a catalogue of smaller disasters which have befallen me over the last 8 months.

I will be out next at the AMOC meeting at Brands Hatch (28th+29th April), racing both Saturday and Sunday in the Sports vs Saloons Challenge races !

[Lorna]

Before the rumours start, Spoonerboro let me get changed in his tent and I sprayed perfume! lol!

[Danielsun]

Thanks Liz!! Just a shame you didn't see us in our B&Q fashion statement...

[Les]

Heh Eggies - you met me - can't have forgotten that already!

Lovely to meet the rest of you - you look very good in the hats and I shall keep an eye open for those all year now!