Britcar 24 Hr 2008

[PieMan]

Originally Posted by Miss Pebbles

Adrian was shouting at us to get back in

Yes, I expect he was. The Safety Car (out for a different incident) had already got its lights off ready to come in.

[Flag Monkey]

Well what a good weekend. Only downer was the start line incident. Thoughts are with Sara and the rest of the Neate family and wishing Andy the best on his recovery. Also well done to guys at Pedestrian Bridge and the rescue units for doing a good job.

Managed to stay awake all of the way through the race and when I wasn’t on post was having a mooch about the pits. Slightly regretted not taking a rest when I was shivering and the advertising hoardings seemed to be moving into the distance during the dawn stint at Abbey. Caffeine overload or what?

We had a good bunch on Abbey In/Out. Also a big thanks to Dave, Elaine, Alan and the rest of the guys on Farrruuumm who generally looked out for us and specifically did a food drop to post 17 on Friday afternoon after a cough, cough, ahem supply chain logistical issue with our lunches. As Douglas Adams (nearly) wrote “So long and thanks for all the cake”

Funniest moment of the weekend for me was the security guard at the main entrance crossroads suggesting to one of my flag marshalling colleagues that the perimeter road around the circuit was operating a strict clockwise one way system and insisting that he would have to go all the way round the perimeter road to Abbey in a clockwise direction because of the risk of lights dazzling the drivers. It was somewhat unlikely that Fraser’s push bike lamp was really going to blind the drivers? The car park was only 10 yards beyond his checkpoint and it would rather have knackered our rota system if Fraser had to cycle four miles in the dark to get to us. I guess the guy was only trying to do his job and it was about 1am but…..

Also well done to Gary for blagging some ice cream at the end of the race (thanks to the Beechdean guys) and then Paul and Fraser did their Mr Whippy impersonation in a Vectra by distributing it round what was left of the marshal’s campsite.

Thanks to Alan Tyson and Shelagh’s team for looking after us with pies and to Paul Wilson for encouraging so many of us to go down. Only three hundred and sixty days till next year.

PS Captain Slow beat me back North of the border but I did have to go via Oxfordshire on Monday/Tuesday and North Wales on Wednesday for work.

[The Fat Clerk]

Glad the Scots enjoyed themselves @ Farm/Abbey.
Hope to see you there again next year.

[PieMan]

Thank you to everybody who came, however far and in whatever capacity. It wouldn't have been the same without you. I hope the post allocation worked out OK and sorry that signing on was so slow.

Thanks also for all the feedback, which has been very positive apart from a couple of good points that will be followed up by either the BRSCC or Silverstone as appropriate.

I'm really glad you all enjoyed it (I was a bit worried that it had been over-hyped). It was a great weekend bar one incident - but I am feeling a lot better about that after reading the latest news.

I'm glad you appreciated the work that was done behind the scenes to support all the marshals. I'm sorry about the delays on Friday and that those off duty missed the pie run. Perhaps the 'free' boxes that contained the cakes went some way to making up for it. My team was recruited from your families and friends, including some young people who will no doubt be out on post in future years. Now that more people are coming to the event then this area can be further expanded, although there's still some way to go to match the 'Road Kill Cafe' at the Daytona 24 Hours (but that event has been going for much longer).

The full team was Shelagh & Bill, James, Pam & Rhiannon, Paul (the snapper) and Phil & Vykki (who came along, and camped, despite being temporarily confined to a wheelchair). I'd also like to thank MrsT, left at home, and Matt & Sally at Croft Stores in Silverstone village (opposite the White Horse PH), who advised, obtained, sorted and stored most of the supplies - do return their support next time you are in the area.

[gachjoel]

Pieman,
This was my 1st of what will be many yearly visits to Britcar.

A Big Big thanks to all behind the scene`s for doing there bit of us guys in Orange.
Was at copse and had a really good bunch of peeps to spend the weekend with.
Thanks to Britcar,BRSCC & Silverstone.

[Gravel slag]

Just like to say BIG thanks to all the team at copse last weekend. Special thanks to those who took control of the radio whilst I had a break and those involved on the pit straight incident.
You were a great bunch and it was a privelige to marshal with you all and for those not normally at Silverstone you are welcome back anytime.
Clive ( I.O. Copse Outside)
P.S. Thanks also to our Observer Arthur for the lighthouse effects!! Awesome!
And all those behind the scenes making/delivering butties etc.

[Shelagh]

Hey, PieMan,

You forgot Bill and Stephanie delivering what lunches they could round the track on Friday.

Bill is made up that he has now added Silverstone to "circuits wot he has driven around" - even if he got abuse post Stowe when he'd run out of the first tranche of butties!

[Miss Pebbles]

Originally Posted by PieMan

I'm really glad you all enjoyed it (I was a bit worried that it had been over-hyped). It was a great weekend bar one incident - but I am feeling a lot better about that after reading the latest news.

Definitely not over-hyped, having done just the Sunday in my first year, and the whole 24 last year, this was even better than I thought it was going to be.
I am also feeling a lot better after hearing the improvement in Andy Neate's condition, great news, let's hope his speedy recovery continues.

Thanks again to everyone who looked after us, and Alan for coming round the campsite when we were still packing up after a lot of people had already left, I was still buzzing but getting desperate to go at that point, and it was lovely to see you and to get your thanks again

[gachjoel]

Originally Posted by Gravel slag

Just like to say BIG thanks to all the team at copse last weekend. Special thanks to those who took control of the radio whilst I had a break and those involved on the pit straight incident.
You were a great bunch and it was a privelige to marshal with you all and for those not normally at Silverstone you are welcome back anytime.
Clive ( I.O. Copse Outside)
P.S. Thanks also to our Observer Arthur for the lighthouse effects!! Awesome!
And all those behind the scenes making/delivering butties etc.

Was a pleasure to work with you,it`s been my 3rd visit to silverstone and the memoriable.
Just a pity you picked the wrong shift rota and missed the all night " on-post " cafe and the 5am bacon butties.
like i said,you`ll see us both back sooner rather than later.

[Gravel slag]

Originally Posted by gachjoel

Was a pleasure to work with you,it`s been my 3rd visit to silverstone and the memoriable.
Just a pity you picked the wrong shift rota and missed the all night " on-post " cafe and the 5am bacon butties.
like i said,you`ll see us both back sooner rather than later.

Just have to make sure I`m on the right shift next time then!!

[Adam28]

Originally Posted by norma_maan

a few pictures from the weekend

http://www.ybrik.co.uk

Aww, so no pictures of you almost dislocating your shoulder then?

[Adam28]

Just jokin, how is the shoulder?

Some nice pics there, tho you could have just asked for the pit lane rather than jumping off a six foot wall!!!(man)

[Robin_D]

Originally Posted by Adam28

Just jokin, how is the shoulder?

Some nice pics there, tho you could have just asked for the pit lane rather than jumping off a six foot wall!!!(man)

The thing's people do eh


PS you can marshal in a sling. If you want any details please PM me.

[Shelagh]

Originally Posted by gachjoel

Just a pity you picked the wrong shift rota and missed the all night " on-post " cafe and the 5am bacon butties.

Don't give PieMan any more ideas !!!!

PieLady

[Stack]

Priory had bacon butties! I converted the observers box into a kitchen for the night shift (much to the constination of ChrisA!), hot filter coffee all night and the butties around 7am.......

[JovialJooles]

Originally Posted by Stack

Priory had bacon butties! I converted the observers box into a kitchen for the night shift (much to the constination of ChrisA!), hot filter coffee all night and the butties around 7am.......

And very welcome it was too!

Not sure what the drivers thought when they saw Dave cleaning his frying pan though.

[PieMan]

Originally Posted by JovialJooles

Not sure what the drivers thought when they saw Dave cleaning his frying pan though.

Why, was he wiping it on one of the flags?

I'm sure RoyS sometimes wonders how they get in such a state.

[Sticker Rub]

Originally Posted by JovialJooles

And very welcome it was too!

Not sure what the drivers thought when they saw Dave cleaning his frying pan though.

And the excessive steam rising from the tyre wall may have caused a bit of consternation as they peeled off to refuel

Excellent butties Dave & the regular supply of coffee was very welcome too. A better class of coffee, none of your instant muck.

I'm sure Julian & I more than repaid the favour with our comedy Jacques Villeneuve impressions.

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by Stack

Priory had bacon butties! I converted the observers box into a kitchen for the night shift (much to the constination of ChrisA!), hot filter coffee all night and the butties around 7am.......

When I got back on post, I thought they'd renamed Priory....'' The Greasy Spoon''

[Grandslammer]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

When I got back on post, I thought they'd renamed Priory....'' The Greasy Spoon''

Thought I heard "Control from Friory" at one stage
...and I,m sure the smell of bacon butties were wafting across Luffield

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by Grandslammer

Thought I heard "Control from Friory" at one stage
...and I,m sure the smell of bacon butties were wafting across Luffield

You probably did. But give Dave his due, he cleaned up the kitchen, sorry Obs box. Unfortunately the butties had gone by the time I arrived.

[The STIG]

Ah, so that explains the whiff of gas I got at Woodcote then - and which worried the refueling bay guys by the sounds of it.

[PieMan]

Originally Posted by Shelagh

Don't give PieMan any more ideas !!!!

PieLady

Too late - major plans being drawn up for next time and I'm sure we can get enough helpers to pull them off.

[PieMan]

Originally Posted by Shelagh

You forgot Bill and Stephanie delivering what lunches they could round the track on Friday.

Did mention Bill but forgot Stephanie - sorry - a true all-rounder doing assembly, food runs and flagging during the main race

[gravel_monkey]

i would just like to add a massive thanks to all involved this year, all the bods in orange (and black), as usual to james tucker and his crew for first of all, lookin out for us all and 2nd for putting on another crackin weekend.

i would also like to pass my thanks on to pie man for keeping as many of the oulton boys together on post. many of the guys were first timers to the 24hrs and were very sceptal about britcar after past experiences at oulton. i know due to the racing and havin mates around they all loved it so thanks again alan.