For some time now, a few staff here at RD have been talking about getting together, having a few beers and going to a race meet. Well, this weekend just passed, thats exactly what happened. Mr De Wildt, Stephenson, Vickers and myself attended the Historic Gold Cup Races at Oulton Park......As usual it was a cold, wet and windy summers day here in good old England, we had just parked the car and were walking towards the paddock (open to the public as is customary for historic events) when we were greeted by the distinctive growl of a big V8, a fine omen of what was to come.
The sights, sounds and smell of a historic race meet are emotive and unique, the heady sweet scent of Castrol R, the induction sounds of side draught Webber and Dellorto carbs, the bark of 'real' engines all build to make a very special setting! Some of the cars may well be 30-40 years old, but they are still very impressive today. Lola's, Astons, March's and many more are still driven in a very competitve set of races, often driven by well known names from the past.
The sight and sound of a Repco V8 powered Lola 332 Formula 5000 car being hurled through Knickerbroock's chicane and then powering up Clayhill, loosing grip and spinning its wheels as it crests the peak under the footbridge is as spectacular today as it was in 1973!
The list of classic racing cars was endless, from very tightly contested Formula Ford events and wonderful Historic touring cars boasting huge fields Cortina's, Jags, Alfa's, Mini's, Mustangs, Falcons and Imp's to Formula 5000 monsters and some of the most beuatiful GT cars made. For my old eyes, this was the heyday and golden era of motorsport.
Rally fans were not to be dissapointed either, an impressive range of classics ran the tarmac rally course all day. Escorts, Minis, Quatros, 6R4 Metros and more slid and slew thier way around the slippery track.
In all, if you ever have the chance to attend such a race meet, grab it! Its not just the cars and the spectacular racing, its the whole atmosphere, being able to freely walk about the pits and paddock area's, talking to the drivers and car owners.
And yes, GT Legends will be out tonight also!
The sights, sounds and smell of a historic race meet are emotive and unique, the heady sweet scent of Castrol R, the induction sounds of side draught Webber and Dellorto carbs, the bark of 'real' engines all build to make a very special setting! Some of the cars may well be 30-40 years old, but they are still very impressive today. Lola's, Astons, March's and many more are still driven in a very competitve set of races, often driven by well known names from the past.
The sight and sound of a Repco V8 powered Lola 332 Formula 5000 car being hurled through Knickerbroock's chicane and then powering up Clayhill, loosing grip and spinning its wheels as it crests the peak under the footbridge is as spectacular today as it was in 1973!
The list of classic racing cars was endless, from very tightly contested Formula Ford events and wonderful Historic touring cars boasting huge fields Cortina's, Jags, Alfa's, Mini's, Mustangs, Falcons and Imp's to Formula 5000 monsters and some of the most beuatiful GT cars made. For my old eyes, this was the heyday and golden era of motorsport.
Rally fans were not to be dissapointed either, an impressive range of classics ran the tarmac rally course all day. Escorts, Minis, Quatros, 6R4 Metros and more slid and slew thier way around the slippery track.
In all, if you ever have the chance to attend such a race meet, grab it! Its not just the cars and the spectacular racing, its the whole atmosphere, being able to freely walk about the pits and paddock area's, talking to the drivers and car owners.
And yes, GT Legends will be out tonight also!
Great read Brian 
