A great weekend racing and a new circuit for Mostyn
Learning the circuit in qualifying, an epic battle in race 1 (see below video) and driver of the race for recovery drive in race 2 after spin in greasy conditions.
Watch from 3.00 minutes in and see Mostyn's Firenza verses Ford Escort Mk1 at Silverstone during Pre 83 touring car race in October (filmed from a rapid Alfa) Gary Fletcher silver Firenza also joins in the fun later in the race.
A couple of pints in the Kentagon and then the painful exercise of putting the tents up in the dark on Friday night ensured we were ready for a weekend of action at Brands Hatch.
Mostyn was the only Firenza entered as Alan Greenhalgh was running his new USA imported Ford Falcon V8 whilst David Hall and Gary Fletcher had chosen to race their pretty Ford Lotus Cortinas.
Mostyn captured between the mighty Falcon and nimble Fiesta through Paddock Hill Bend.
Tough competition was present with a range of cars from the glorious group 1 era including a Jaguar XJ12, Ford Escorts, Ford Falcon, Truimph Dolomites, Ford Capri, Mazda RX7, Alfa Suds, Volkswagen Golfs and Ford Fiesta.
The Firenza firing up in the paddock area
Qualifying
This took place on a dry track, although dark skies meant it would be sensible to get a quick time in early during the 15 minute session to get a respectable grid position. Mostyn posted a 58.3 on lap 3 of 15 which was good enough for 5th overall out of a field of 27 cars.
Race 1 - Saturday PM
A heavy downpour at lunch time meant we were braced for a damp slippery track, but thankfully the sun came out the circuit dried out with only damp patches off the raising line to cause concern.
A reasonable start meant Mostyn was dicing with the Bray Fiesta and Greenhalgh Falcon in the early stages, before catching and challenging the Dolomite and Capri. The race was extremely enjoyable and resulted in a 5th place just behind the Dolly and ahead of the Capri.
Result - 5th place overall Fastest Lap 0.58.3
Stuart Caie Ford Capri 3100 takes on the Firenza
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WFjz24h7piw&a=&feature=youtu.be
Race 2 - Sunday AM
Race 2 was again dry which suited us fine, the target was the Dolomite and to stay ahead of the Capri Unfortunately the scrap we anticipated did not materialise as the Dolomite was now in the hands of another less experienced driver and Stuart's Capri retired on the 1st lap. Mostyn drove well to bring the Firenza home in 4th overall which I believe is his highest finish in the ctcrc.
The Droopsnoot stands out against the competition
Result - 4th Overall Fastest Lap - 0.58.2
(Disappointed not to beat last years best lap time of 0.57.5)
Plans have already started for 2017 with bigger brakes and weight reduction (not Mostyn but the Droopsnot).
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See you next year
Thanks to the following photographers - Sarah Atkinson Images, Paddock 42, Rod Tiejen, AE Photogarphy
(Simon Arron Photo)
Thruxton and the HP Firenza have a long history, it was 1974 when Vauxhall launched the HP Firenza in a blaze of publicity with a one off race at the fast & flat Hampshire circuit, a grid of stars such as Gerry Marshall, Barrie Williams, Tony Lanfrachi, Roger Bell, Stuart Graham and 15 other top drivers took to the track to showcase the car talent - Firenza Thruxton race 1974
41 years on it was time for the final two rounds of the Classic Touring Car Club Pre 83 Championship at the same circuit and three Droopsnoots were on the grid set to do battle with a range of cars from the Group One era..
Mostyn Rutter #0
Alan Greenhalgh #77
David Hall #57
Mostyn raced in the Brscc Super Road Saloons during the 1980s and 90s and not once did they ever visit Thruxton! Baptism of fire, steep learning curve and other clichés to numerous to mention sprang to mind as the race weekend approached ..
Discussions were had 2 x weeks prior to Thruxton whether a race at Brands Hatch in the HSCC would be more suitable way to end the season, a circuit where both car and driver would be more comfortable in well trodden surroundings! Yet we arrived on a beautifully sunny October day at the Thruxton Aerodrome contemplating how the Firenza would handle through 'Church' the notorious and quickest corner in the UK and whether the kerbs were safe to play on!
The timetable for the weekend had been kind, qualifying late on Saturday afternoon and 2 x races both on Sunday meant avoiding Friday motorway hell and enjoying a lazy relaxed Saturday morning drive to the circuit. However we decided to travel on Friday afternoon anyway, it was a bloody good job we did too..
Friday 2nd October Having pitched up in a grassy spot in the paddock (close to the bar), one of the Thruxton Circuit Instructors must have spotted Mostyn looking sheepish as moments later our driver was strapped in the passenger seat of a Porsche and being shown the circuit by a chap who clearly knew his way around it. Valuable track time and instruction was gained albeit from the passenger seat. Saturday 3rd October - Qualifying
Out Mostyn went for qualifying, running in a new set of Toyo's and learning the circuit, his brain working overtime trying to recall all the snippets of information given to him..left turn, right turn, breaking points, turn in points, apexes,did I leave the oven on..
Those familiar with the circuit layout were not hanging about and were already setting eye watering times. With the familiar Capri's we had enjoyed races against this year at Castle Combe, Donington Park and Brands Hatch all absent and gone into hiding or hibernation for the winter we realised our race would be with the 2 x other Firenzas and John Wright's pretty Escort mk1.
Whilst Mostyn learnt the circuit David Hall had a rotor arm issue causing a misfire but managed to secure 5th of grid, whilst Alan Greenhalgh had a clutch issue and only managed a couple of laps and lined up 12th
Mostyn's Grid Position: 8th out of 19 Fastest Lap: 1.37.8
A good evening was had in the bar watching despite the England Rugby team crashing out of the World Cup whilst too much wine/lager/beer was consumed as the race chat flowed. The overnight accommodation for most of team was a couple of caravan, whilst I used a single man tent resuscitated after its Brands Hatch ordeal. It was cold, but the two sleeping bags and plenty of clothing I packed would have been adequate warmth..if utilised, but having woken up at 4.00am shivering with a dry mouth I realised I'd ignored all the keep warm essentials and reasoned that just making it back to the correct tent had to be considered a success. I lay waiting uncomfortably for the hand of the grim reaper, instead, I drifted back into a uncomfortable sleep .
Sunday 4th October - Race 1
A good hard fought race with Greenhalgh Firenza and the Escort of Wright for 5th, 6th and 7th place was enjoyed, a blanket could have been thrown over the three of them..but all this scrapping allowed David Hall to scamper away in his original Thruxton raced Firenza and finish an impressive 8 seconds clear. Mostyn finished 7th, improved his lap times and was determined to put challenge the other Vauxhalls in Race 2.
Firenza pride was at stake here! A good start ensured Mostyn was in the mix, we counted the cars through on lap 1, he was back in 8th postion, however the next 3 laps were spent harassing the Gold/Red Ford Escort, finally passing Escort on lap 4.
Ahead were the two Firenzas and Mostyn was visibly gaining, This was getting exciting as the three now circulated together, then on lap 6 Mostyn passed Hall for 6th position, then set his fastest lap chasing down Greenhalgh's bright yellow snoot. On lap 8 Greenhalgh out braked himself and both Mostyn and Hall sailed pass, the crowd at the chicane were commenting that the three Firenzas were putting on a great show.
On the last lap Hall closed on Mostyn and made a last ditch move into the chicane which ultimately resulted in him losing 6th place back to Greenhalgh.
A fantastic clean race and a great way to end the season as the thre Firenzas came home 5th,6th and 7th overall Mostyn's Finishing Position: 5th Fastest Lap: 1.34.2 (some 3.6 seconds quicker then qualifying)
The Pre 83 series coordinators are working hard to grow the grid in 2016, great strides have been made during the 2015 season especially with the introduction of the entry discount scheme. We will be back for more..
An horrendous 7 x hour journey in heavy rain did not dampen our enthusiasm as we arrived at Brands Hatch on Friday evening. Refuge was found in the Kentagon Pub as the blustery weather made getting the tent up late on Friday night a task no one was willing to take on, however a couple of pints and some hot food soon gave us a sense of false optimism, how wrong we were..
A challenging nights sleep was had by all, however we were greeted with a nice dry Saturday morning and a healthy entry of 20 x cars for the Pre 83 Classic Touring Cars. A £75 discount was in place if a grid of 20 x cars could be achieved, the dangle of the carrot worked.
It was great to be joined at Brands Hatch by 2 x other Droopsnoots-
Gary Fletcher (ex Pete Halford car)
David Hall (ex Peter Blincow car)
Qualifying
If you get under a 1 x minute lap around Brands indy circuit you are not hanging about, last year a 58.3 was achieved in qualifying and Mostyn matched that swift lap this time around, chucking the car about and getting plenty sideways out of Druids, feedback was that the car felt great and the cornering grip/handling was spot on.
Position Overall - 7th Out Of 28
Class Position - 3rd
Time - 58.362
We had gotten ourselves into a Ford Capri sandwich on the grid between Mark Fowler Esso liveried example and Stuart Caie Triplex version, with David Hall just behind with his Droopsnoot in 10th spot. This was shaping up to be a great battle.. Vauxhall v Ford...Gerry Marshall v Mick Hill...Cleland v Radisich...Rutter v Caie ha ha
The Droopsnoot ready for action in the collecting area pre race -
Race 1 - Saturday
The Pre 83 Touring Cars - There are some seriously well prepared cars in this championship ...
It remained dry for the 1st race, our prayers last night had been answered. As Mostyn lined up on the grid memories of last year sluggish start clouded our already foggy minds, the Firenza had previously bogged down and lost hard earned qualifying places, however Mostyn was determined not to let this happen again.
He gave the Firenza revs, infact alot of revs, post race he confirmed it took a good 6000 revs to get her off the line, thankfully a good start was achieved and the mad dash into paddock hill bend was underway!
Capri Hunting...
In hot pursuit
However the Capri's drove a strong race and could not be caught..
But Wait! The safety car appeared at about 75% race distance to ensure a stricken Jag could be removed from Paddock Hill, this bunched up the field and all of a sudden the Capri was back in Mostyn's grasp.
As the safety car pulled into the pits the race was back underway and Mostyn pounced on the Caie Capri, however as they stormed into 1st corner a rear tap (or two) from a Renault Clio into the rear of the Firenza unsettled the car, it fish tailed down Paddock Hill as Mostyn prevented a spin in front of the whole pack (well held sir). Thankfully 1 or 2 approaching cars took evading action but 2 x places were lost in the drama.
Whilst ground was made up across the last 2 x laps we finished the race door handle to door handle with Neil Bray rapid Ford Fiesta, separated by the narrowest of margins across the line, 0.022 to be precise! Mostyn was in the grove and must of had the bit between his teeth as his fastest lap was on the final lap, taking nearly a whole second out of his best qualifying time
Position Overall - 7th Overall Position In Class - 2nd Fastest Lap - 57.5 (our quickest ever lap around BH since Graham Hill bend was re profiled and slowed which for the record spoils the flow of the circuit in Mostyn humble opinion)
David finished a strong 9th and Gary climbed to 18th after starting from back of the grid 28th having thankfully resolved his morning issues
A job well done...
Race 2 - Sunday
Very Wet...Old Dunlop Tyres On...Lets See If They Work...Shit, No They Don't!...A Spin On Warm Up Lap... Safer To Start From The Back Of The Grid...Should Have Left The Toyos On...Retire...Our 1st DNF on the Season...Lets Go Home
David Hall drove a great race in the wet and got a 7th overall whilst Gary also had tyre issues I understand and retired.
Video Check out the Capri rear video footage, good first few laps Then forward to 13.30 to see the wild fish tail moment around paddock hill!
Thanks to the excellent photographers who have captured the images used in this blog -
Ambrose Motorsport Photography
Darren Hurrell Photography
Big Hairpin Photography
We are hoping to do 1 x more race before the close of the 2015 season, the final round of Pre83 championship is at Thruxton (Hampshire), Mostyn has not raced there but the car did attend the DSG 25th anniversary parade back in 1999 -
If Gary, David, Alan and Gregor were to all have their cars ready it would be rude not to..
