BMW Compact Cup @ Snetterton

Post by **Stuart** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 3:23 pm

After the Berg Cup in May and Civic Cup a few weeks ago, I have been spending time (a bit too time if I'm honest) researching various entry club level race series with a view to saving up and taking part. As much as I liked the Civic Cup, I wanted to have a look at these as they are;

Cheap
Abundant
Rear wheel drive

I got a message mid-week to remind me about the event, and contacted a few of the guys on their race forum to check who was going and whether it was a double header over two days or just one. As it worked out, it was testing today with 15 minutes qualifying tomorrow and two races (1 x 15 mins and 1 x 20 mins). With that in mind, I got the camera loaded, got some cash for the tea and arrived at the track before 10am to see the guys starting to come back in after first practice.

With grids between 20-28 cars this year, the racing is closely fought and entertaining ( putting it mildly ) and this weekend looks to be no different. The cars are all around 150 bhp and weigh in at around a tonne with fuel, so not rocket ships but fast enough to be fun and due to ruling regulations they are cheap to build, buy and run.

My main reason for going was to get out of the housework and watch some racing

This was the first day out and the first day's racing ever for a guy called PJ Daver. His car was freshly built by Dave @ M-Tech in Essex, and PJ was loving every minute of the whole thing

I should add that PJ's brother also competes in the same series, so expect sibling sparks to fly tomorrow

PJ's car was nice and tidy, but not an over the top spec in any way

Simple door cards and a hefty bolt in Safety Devices cage

His first time out in the car was wet, but the next session was bone dry and he was having a great time.
Another new guy to racing this year was Steve Brown

Steve built his own car from scratch and until two months ago it was his daily drive

Again, a nice simple spec with the addition of the M3 kit and older E34 front wheels being the only visible differences between this and PJ's car. he's selling this one at the end of the season, and building himself a new car from the ground up over winter

I got speaking to a guy called Stuart Place from Suffolk who was helping with the prep and support of his uncle who was another first season racer

With a M3 kit, Schnitzer wheels and some posh stickers, the car looked pretty damned sweet to me. It had front and rear braces to stiffen things up although not many of the racers used these. This particular car also had a two day old untested engine

More pics

Post by **Stuart** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 3:30 pm

With race weekend fees reckoned to be

Bart · Post by **Bart** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 3:50 pm

great write up mate, think something like that would suit you down to the
ground mate.

is it just the small butt 3 series they use our do they use the full fat version
that you used to have lol?

Rob S · Post by **Rob S** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 3:54 pm

I think its specifically for the Compacts. I like these little cars, and just look how far back that engine sits!

Post by **Stuart** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 3:55 pm

Compact Cup is for 'small butts' only

It was one way of getting a cheap, one make/style series together I guess, and according to grip size it seems to be very popular. These cars can also compete in several other race series with no further mods (Toyo Project 8, Deutsche Marques etc) so there is stacks of scope if and when it happens.

It was interesting morning out, but the fun will really begin if I get off my arse and commit to something like this.

Bart · Post by **Bart** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 4:07 pm

having read your reports of late mate i thing you are really bitting at the bit
to get back out there and do something.
wether that be just trackdays or a race series.

i think for people like us who are real petrol heads we NEED to be out
on track doing something, well its my drug anyway:D

Post by **Stuart** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 4:19 pm

And if I'm 'this' bad now, what the hell will I be like after a total motorsports lay off over winter? Probably for the best that I just put all of this to the back of my mind, do some work, save some money and put some of that money where my mouth is next year

Bart · Post by **Bart** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 4:34 pm

when the time is write mate ull know what to do.

winter does suck when there is no motorsport on.

are you sure you can keep it to the back of your mind or will it pop forward
every now and again

Post by **Stuart** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 4:45 pm

Bart wrote: are you sure you can keep it to the back of your mind or will it pop forward
every now and again

If you keep bumping this bloody thread, you'll make it worse

:chop:

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 5:08 pm

Looked like a proper awesome venture out Stu

Having seen these photos (and video) it does look rather fun.

Especially with such an equal field!