Formula Palmer Audi at Snetterton VIP!!

Post by **Stuart** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 10:36 pm

DJH Mini Motorsport wrote:I'm there this weekend, but no vip though

wonder if i could sneak my way over and park in the vip bit? :whistle:

Tut tut, young Jedi...............not the BigPower way that........I'm sure you'll catch up with us but the parking area will be designated as VIP paying guests only.

Pete and I will be along for around 10.30am I guess. Just after our fry up

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 10:42 pm

Yeah, i thought i wouldn't get away with that :P i'll park up around my ususal spot on the crest of the hill opposite the big tree

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:37 pm

Well that was a right catastrophy :x

my engine went at the gate house, just as i bought the ticket :x my digital readout showed that the mini engine temperature was at 136 degrees Celcius :x i put my mat over the rad cap, unscrewed it, and there was nothing but steam that came out, i'm really really shocked that the engine didn't seize up totaly.

So a few hours later, i was recovered by the RAC, and tomorrow i'll have to strip the engine down again to see what the hell happened.

Post by **Stuart** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:57 pm

Sorry to hear about that Dan......bloody typical that you had bought the ticket too :roll: I hope the results of your investigative work are positive or at least as good as they can be............

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 3:08 pm

Cheers Stuart, hopefully it won't be too bad. But i am still shocked at how strong the engine really is, it still turned over eventhough the temperature went skyhigh, but it wasn't firing. :?

Well i'll get that bugger stripped down tomorrow and see what was the weak link

Nik · Post by **Nik** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 9:03 pm

A great day again.

Full write up and pics to follow tomorrow.

Post by **Stuart** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 9:17 pm

Agreed

A great days racing with some mega close battles. Personal highlights were the reactions of the passengers after their high speed lapping with the instructors at lunch, the new GT Cup racing featuring highly modified 360's and 911's throughout the field and that Mini......rear engined R1 power in a 60's design. What a huge amount of fun that was

Thanks for the support of all of the attendees. You guys backing me up on events like this is a huge compliment. It certainly helps when I'm sitting down trying to sort out events etc with the management of the circuit. Ta :notworthy:

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 9:38 pm

stuartstaples wrote:Agreed

A great days racing with some mega close battles. Personal highlights were the reactions of the passengers after their high speed lapping with the instructors at lunch, the new GT Cup racing featuring highly modified 360's and 911's throughout the field and that Mini......rear engined R1 power in a 60's design. What a huge amount of fun that was
Thanks for the support of all of the attendees. You guys backing me up on events like this is a huge compliment. It certainly helps when I'm sitting down trying to sort out events etc with the management of the circuit. Ta :notworthy:

I missed that

Andy916 · Post by **Andy916** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:04 pm

Gotta love that mini

I chatted to the driver and one of the mechanics. It's based on a Z-cars kit, with some original bodywork remaining. From Z-cars website it looks like there's a full spaceframe/grp-shell version too, which just looks like an old mini.

cheers
Andy

Nik · Post by **Nik** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:46 pm

Sorry for the delay but here goes.

The day started with Lauren (My daughter) and I arriving at Snetterton around 9 am and being directed to the grass parking just behind the fuel pumps. We then walked over to the VIP room to see Jason, Andrea and the young'un Sideways Fletch and family) parked right at the bottom of the stairs. I had a word with the chap who was manning the gate to the parking area and he said that my name was not on the list. As you can imagine I was not a happy bunny. Off I marched to the office to have a word with Deb and she sorted it for me straight away.

So, parking issue sorted and car moved to the VIP parking area, we proceeded to climb the stairs to the VIP room.

Coffee and danish pastries consumed we watched a bit of the qualifying for the open saloons only to see Del Shelton stuff his BMW M3 into the pit wall inthe very early laps. (sorry no pics of it)

We had our first glimpse of the wonderful mini.

Then the first race of the Formula Palmer Audi races. With a fastest lap of 1:04.8 it was a pretty close run thing for the victory.

Soon enough Mr Staples and Pete turned up, shortly followed by Andy and his good lady.

Followed later in the morning by Mr Grimsey and Karen. As you can imagine the laughter shortly started as James commenced with the witty comments which at one point led to Jason spouting coffee out of his nose

Then came the 1st GT race of the day. With entries ranging from highly modded 360's and 911's to oldschool GT2 and a 944, also in the pack was a couple of TVR's and a lovely Marcos.

Again some close racing and some gorgeous sounding cars.

Then the second of the FPA races and a new fastest lap of 1:04.4. Even closer battles ensued during this race as the drivers got used to the track and each other.

Then came lunch. Ordinarily the quiet part of the day but the few of us VIP's that wanted to there were pax laps with the instructors in the Vauxhall VX220's.

As some of you know, until now I have been a complete coward about getting in the pax seat of anyone elses car on track.

Well I thought that as these pax laps were included in the price of the VIP ticket that it would be rude not to partake

.

I must say that even though the instructor decided to get a bit leary when he heard that I did track days, It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, so beware now chaps, I will be pestering for some pax laps with you guys next time I am at a track day.

So, the racing resumed after lunch with another GT race which saw the odd spin etc as the racing was getting tighter.

Then came the Last FPA race of the day which again was very exciting as the close run finish came.

The Female driver of the series, Emma Selway.

The overall winner of the day Nick Tandy

And the last race of the day was the open sallons again. The mini was battling for the lead for most of the race with the BMW and a rather raucous Escort with a 4.2ltr 500 odd bhp engine under the bonnet. to say they were quick was an understatement.

After the racing had finished, a nice cup of coffee and a sausage roll and slice of caramel shortcake and we were on our way home.

As I said before it was a great day with great company and well and truely worth the fee for the VIP treatment. I would highly recomend that anyone who is into this type of thing should try the VIP days as they are superb value for money.

It is also good to show support for Stuart and the club by proving to the circuit that these things are worth doing.