FLAT OUT AT 50 FESTIVAL – BRANDS HATCH, KENT – SUNDAY 31st JULY 2005
Brands Hatch celebrated its 50th year of motor sport with a festival
weekend of motoring activities.
Sponsored and organised by ‘Motorsport News’ who, through their magazine, invited anyone
with a noteworthy vehicle to join in the activities and display their cars on
the Sunday. Naturally we were delighted to have our application accepted.
The format for the day would include an area set aside in the paddock to display the
classic sports cars which included ourselves. The area was expected to be busy
as they were also planning to have autograph signing by the guest racing
drivers in the nearby Hailwoods, and the rally school would be operational for
white knuckle rides. At lunchtime, we were to take part in a track
demonstration followed by refreshments in the Motorsport News hospitality
suite.
There were four MK1s present on the day. Ken Salmon his white supercharger, Gordon Salmon
and his friend Dick in Gordon’s mica blue restored coupe, Ian Royal in his red
coupe with modified engine and NOS. Myself and
Mark in our red T Bar (and Linda in the Omega) so we had a good variety of MK1s
to display.
We’d arranged to arrive early on the day to ensure we had a prime
position. Upon arrival though we found the area set aside for the display cars
had already been occupied by the race teams support cars, trailers, trucks etc.
However, we managed to find an area nearby and were able to park together. We
were shortly joined by some other individual cars, mainly with some kind of
racing pedigree. An Escort Mk1 ex rally car, Vauxhall Firenza which used to
complete in the early touring car championship and most notably an old Formula Ford
single seater racing car once driven by Nigel Mansell. We were the only club
present on the day.
Whilst waiting for the lunchtime demonstration laps, Mark had a ride in
the rally school car which he thoroughly enjoyed. The driver asked how fast he
should drive. “Pedal to the metal please” came the answer and that is excactly
what he did.
With the last race in progress before the lunchtime break, the display
cars proceeded to the pit area. Mark went with Ken in his SC so Linda had the
opportunity to be my passenger on the track which she got quite excited about.
It seemed that we were accompanied by a multitude of other sporting cars for
the demonstration laps, approximately twenty in all. As we were awaiting to go
on the track some dark clouds began to appear above us and it began to rain.
Most unfortunate because I had removed the roof! I told Linda to be prepared to
get wet and by the expression on her face I don’t think she was very impressed.
Finally the cars were ushered onto the track. There was a pace car in
front but thankfully it didn’t hang around. The pace was varied allowing
everyone to do short sprints upto 70mph in places. The rain didn’t last long,
we didn’t even get wet and Linda was enjoying herself, even waving back to the
spectators as we went around the circuit.
The hospitality afterwards comprised of tea or coffee so we didn’t hang around for
very long and went to watch the racing for the rest of the day.
A very enjoyable day and we thank Motorsport News for allowing us to take part in
their celebration festival.
ALAN CAYZER
MARK CAYZER'S REPORT
I had a really good time that Sunday at Brands Hatch. I did not know that I was going
to get a ride in a rally car.
I think we went around all the corners sideways at 100mph!
I went in Ken Salmon's supercharger during the parade. My thanks to Ken for the ride.
We watched the cars racing in the afternoon.
In the Paddock
Wondering where all the other car clubs are
Pedal to the metal or else!
Entering the pits
Oh look Linda, it’s starting to rain
On the track
