The Great Western Sprint at castle combe - 21 March
Discussion
tqadam said:
hi
is anyone going to, or competing in this sprint?
i've never been to this one but went to my first two last year and enjoyed them quite a bit all be it i was taking pictures most of the time (hobby).
Yep, I'm entered in Sports Libre (check my thread for details on the car). It's normally a good day out. What car are you running?is anyone going to, or competing in this sprint?
i've never been to this one but went to my first two last year and enjoyed them quite a bit all be it i was taking pictures most of the time (hobby).
tqadam said:
hi
is anyone going to, or competing in this sprint?
i've never been to this one but went to my first two last year and enjoyed them quite a bit all be it i was taking pictures most of the time (hobby).
Yep, I'm entered in Sports Libre (check my thread for details on the car). It's normally a good day out. What car are you running?is anyone going to, or competing in this sprint?
i've never been to this one but went to my first two last year and enjoyed them quite a bit all be it i was taking pictures most of the time (hobby).
thanks for the reply magicaltrevor
i've just been reading that. wow! looks an amazing piece of kit!
sadly i dont really have the money to run a seperate car, certainly not one like you have! besides i doubt i would fit (i'm quite tall) and i definately have no skill lol.
i just like seeing cars like yours and the 'classic' cars actually getting used rather than seeing them sat around at shows. photography is a bit of a hobby of mine as well (im not a pro, more a keen amateur) so i take my camera and get pics to make a day of it...
if im there i will do my best to get a photo of yours but im not brilliant with the quick stuff just yet lol.
i've just been reading that. wow! looks an amazing piece of kit!
sadly i dont really have the money to run a seperate car, certainly not one like you have! besides i doubt i would fit (i'm quite tall) and i definately have no skill lol.
i just like seeing cars like yours and the 'classic' cars actually getting used rather than seeing them sat around at shows. photography is a bit of a hobby of mine as well (im not a pro, more a keen amateur) so i take my camera and get pics to make a day of it...
if im there i will do my best to get a photo of yours but im not brilliant with the quick stuff just yet lol.
Edited by tqadam on Sunday 15th February 22:30
The great thing about Sprinting is that there is something to suit everyone. Bristol Motor Club have just started an MX5 championship where you can run something as cheap as a Mk1 MX5 in Sprints and Autosolo. Now that's cheap! We worked it out to be cheaper than paying for the Sky subscription to watch F1 for a year.
Look forward to seeing you there, say hello if you do go.
Look forward to seeing you there, say hello if you do go.
I'll be there (hopefully) a little bit faster than MagicalTrevor in Sports Libre! [Banter starts here....] It's a round of the British Sprint Championship, so some properly impressive machinery there - V8 F1 engines and 180mph over Avon Rise. If you really want the best experience, you need to be trackside. There's two ways to do that; sign on as an official photographer or volunteer as a marshal. Personally, I'd choose the latter as you get a free lunch in the cafe.
On the subject of cars, physical size and cost, I'm over 6'3" and it's a little restrictive on picking cars. I fit just fine in mine and I gave a ride to a chap who was about 6'5" a few years ago. Motorsport doesn't have to be expensive although with most people only ever exposed to F1, BTCC and "club" motorsport, it usually seems expensive. The most expensive part about getting into sprinting for me was buying the tow car and trailer. Sprinting is really cheap compared to other disciplines and you'll find that the top cars at the Great Western run on a budget similar to Caterhams in circuit racing and if you believe everything you read on Pistonheads, they're cheap. Of course, standard road cars are eligible so you could turn up in anything with an MOT and start competing. If you want it even cheaper, then try AutoSolo, where the car's practically irrelevant provided you drove it there and entry fees are under £35 for a whole day of motorsport. I won my class and came 2nd overall in an event in my wife's Clio. We re-fitted the child seats and she did the school run the following day.
On the subject of cars, physical size and cost, I'm over 6'3" and it's a little restrictive on picking cars. I fit just fine in mine and I gave a ride to a chap who was about 6'5" a few years ago. Motorsport doesn't have to be expensive although with most people only ever exposed to F1, BTCC and "club" motorsport, it usually seems expensive. The most expensive part about getting into sprinting for me was buying the tow car and trailer. Sprinting is really cheap compared to other disciplines and you'll find that the top cars at the Great Western run on a budget similar to Caterhams in circuit racing and if you believe everything you read on Pistonheads, they're cheap. Of course, standard road cars are eligible so you could turn up in anything with an MOT and start competing. If you want it even cheaper, then try AutoSolo, where the car's practically irrelevant provided you drove it there and entry fees are under £35 for a whole day of motorsport. I won my class and came 2nd overall in an event in my wife's Clio. We re-fitted the child seats and she did the school run the following day.
thanks Trevor.
sounds good but i think the mx5 would prove to be a problem with my legs/in particular my knees by the steering wheel.
the few jap car ive been in i've been hemmed in
my 3 series on the other hand... oh the lovely leg and head room! lol.
i will probably avoid getting in people's way as no one wants lurkers in the way
but i do sometimes have a wonder of the 'pits'
hopefully see your car screaming round
hi Andy (good luck with the banter, to the both of you)
that sounds really fast! is there a list of entrants with cars that i could see or not yet? sorry, but im already getting a smidge excited.
i asked the circuit people by email about official/press photographer and they only really do it for businesses with PI insurance etc which i dont have. Marshaling would appeal except i would have to be up so early as its a 2.25 - 2.5 hour drive just to get there for me and i would imagine marshals are expected to be paying attention, not taking photos haha.
hopefully see you screaming round as well. if i get good photos at least i know to post them here
sounds good but i think the mx5 would prove to be a problem with my legs/in particular my knees by the steering wheel.
the few jap car ive been in i've been hemmed in
my 3 series on the other hand... oh the lovely leg and head room! lol.i will probably avoid getting in people's way as no one wants lurkers in the way
but i do sometimes have a wonder of the 'pits' hopefully see your car screaming round
hi Andy (good luck with the banter, to the both of you
)that sounds really fast! is there a list of entrants with cars that i could see or not yet? sorry, but im already getting a smidge excited.
i asked the circuit people by email about official/press photographer and they only really do it for businesses with PI insurance etc which i dont have. Marshaling would appeal except i would have to be up so early as its a 2.25 - 2.5 hour drive just to get there for me
and i would imagine marshals are expected to be paying attention, not taking photos haha.hopefully see you screaming round as well. if i get good photos at least i know to post them here
Not sure where my other post went? I certainly didn't delete it! Maybe Andy did because he's feeling threatened by the mighty Van Diemen 
You won't get in the way in the pits. Plenty of people walk round, you'll quickly realise when people are busy and when they're killing time. In my experience talking to other people is fine so don't be shy!
But as Andy said, Motorsport is cheaper than you'd expect. I've seen autosolos where most cars were <£1000 and every driver (and passenger) had a grin. That's what you want, competition and a grin
You won't get in the way in the pits. Plenty of people walk round, you'll quickly realise when people are busy and when they're killing time. In my experience talking to other people is fine so don't be shy!
But as Andy said, Motorsport is cheaper than you'd expect. I've seen autosolos where most cars were <£1000 and every driver (and passenger) had a grin. That's what you want, competition and a grin
uh oh banter has started...
thanks Trevor. im quite a shy person so dont really tend to talk to people in person, but i do like seeing the mechanicals of cars so tend to 'snoop' around up close where i think i can. So if you see a shifty looking person with a camera, chances are its me lol. I usually get there for around 10am and am there until 4-5pm or until the heavens open up.
I hope its a dry sunny day though so a) i can go and enjoy it and b) so you two can make it enjoyable to watch!
Im keeping an eye on Castle Combe's site and links on there for entrants and cars as i like to tag names etc for any pictures i put on the net but if you know of a link to a pdf list or something let me know. that way i can be sure who's who with the car numbers
Andy i forgot to say in my last post your car on the supercar day looked proper exciting to ride in! dying splitter or not.
Do you know what was the donation amount for a few laps for your car? I'm planning on going again this year (30th Oct i think it is... im excited already haha) but going to take some cash for a couple rides maybe
thanks Trevor. im quite a shy person so dont really tend to talk to people in person, but i do like seeing the mechanicals of cars so tend to 'snoop' around up close where i think i can. So if you see a shifty looking person with a camera, chances are its me lol. I usually get there for around 10am and am there until 4-5pm or until the heavens open up.
I hope its a dry sunny day though so a) i can go and enjoy it and b) so you two can make it enjoyable to watch!
Im keeping an eye on Castle Combe's site and links on there for entrants and cars as i like to tag names etc for any pictures i put on the net but if you know of a link to a pdf list or something let me know. that way i can be sure who's who with the car numbers
Andy i forgot to say in my last post your car on the supercar day looked proper exciting to ride in! dying splitter or not.
Do you know what was the donation amount for a few laps for your car? I'm planning on going again this year (30th Oct i think it is... im excited already
haha) but going to take some cash for a couple rides maybe Don't get in touch with the circuit for media passes, marshalling or entry lists - they just rent the track to Bristol Motor Club for the day. The club's website has all the details of the event, including who to contact for marshalling and the contact details for the event secretary (Ady Taylor) for media passes. The entry list will be up there before the event, but it'll be nearly a month as entries are still open and they have a meeting to pick the entry list after the entries close. I expect it'll be the second week of March before an entry list appears, but it'll certainly have some V8 single seaters (and a bunch of 2 litre and bike engined ones), some quick sports racers (and me & Trev), a few exciting modified production cars, a bunch of kit cars, some road cars and several MX5s...
thanks dave g i will keep a look out and do my best to get a picture!
thanks again andy laurence!!!
i might think about messaging him if they do a sprint later in the year but i think i will leave it for this one as i am waiting on a new camera body which is a upgrade so chances are i will spend most of the day pressing the wrong buttons
plus i usually end up out by hamerdown and old paddock so i am no worse off being 'peasant spectator' than 'super posh media guy' lol. it would be nice to be other side of the fence at quarry but i want to get use to the newer camera so i dont look a total chump first
if i can i will get a few short vids, but i have no idea how to do that on main camera so will prob be on phone as usual lol.
really excited about this now. better be decent weather!
thanks again andy laurence!!!
i might think about messaging him if they do a sprint later in the year but i think i will leave it for this one as i am waiting on a new camera body which is a upgrade so chances are i will spend most of the day pressing the wrong buttons
plus i usually end up out by hamerdown and old paddock so i am no worse off being 'peasant spectator' than 'super posh media guy' lol. it would be nice to be other side of the fence at quarry but i want to get use to the newer camera so i dont look a total chump first
if i can i will get a few short vids, but i have no idea how to do that on main camera so will prob be on phone as usual lol.
really excited about this now. better be decent weather!
What events are you doing that need the full race licence?
The entry list hasn't been published yet, so you won't know if you're competing or not until it is. I believe there were less than 100 entries though, so given the number of withdrawls normally seen, I expect you'll get in no matter when you entered.
The entry list hasn't been published yet, so you won't know if you're competing or not until it is. I believe there were less than 100 entries though, so given the number of withdrawls normally seen, I expect you'll get in no matter when you entered.
so there are a fair few of you from on here having a go. while you are playing with your toys i will be playing with mine at the side of the track. getting used to the different layout of the thing now
when i finish my pics and put the better ones on the net i will add a link to them in here.
fingers crossed i get one of everyone
im so keen i might actually leave home a hour earlier than normal and get there for 9 ish rather than 10. means being up for about 6 ish to get stuff ready tho
when i finish my pics and put the better ones on the net i will add a link to them in here.
fingers crossed i get one of everyone
im so keen i might actually leave home a hour earlier than normal and get there for 9 ish rather than 10. means being up for about 6 ish to get stuff ready tho
I had an email from the Chief Marshal outlining what resources they need. If you fancy being track side or in a fast response vehicle, then best you volunteer your services.
Thank you to those of you who have already responded to the Call for Marshals to support the 2015 Great Western Sprint at Castle Combe on Saturday 21st March. For those of you who haven't yet responded we are still in need of a few more people to help the event take place. As you may be aware we have been working with the MSA to agree an alternative method of Marshalling the event other than asking volunteers to stand on a post all day.
I am therefore looking to fill the following positions:
1. Observers - situated around the outside of the circuit with radio communication to Course Control. From our initial inspections these locations will be suitable to park up in a car and view the event from the comfort (and warmth) of the front seats.
2. Mobile Unit Drivers - we need a couple of people to drive two mobile units that will respond to incidents as required.
3. Mobile Radio Operators - we need a couple of people to ride in the mobile units and act as radio operators as well as dealing with any incident that you are called to.
4. Paddock / Assembly Marshals - as always we need a willing team to corale the competitors into the Pit Lane and then line them up at the startline to ensure the event runs smoothly.
If any of these roles take you fancy I will do my best to accomodate your requests (obviously we can't all drive the mobile units!). If you know of anyone that may be interested in helping out then please ask them to contact me.
many thanks
Mike Cole
Lead Marshal - Bristol Motor Club
Chief Marshal - Great Western Sprint
Mobile: 07980 416075
Twitter: @mcole7617
Thank you to those of you who have already responded to the Call for Marshals to support the 2015 Great Western Sprint at Castle Combe on Saturday 21st March. For those of you who haven't yet responded we are still in need of a few more people to help the event take place. As you may be aware we have been working with the MSA to agree an alternative method of Marshalling the event other than asking volunteers to stand on a post all day.
I am therefore looking to fill the following positions:
1. Observers - situated around the outside of the circuit with radio communication to Course Control. From our initial inspections these locations will be suitable to park up in a car and view the event from the comfort (and warmth) of the front seats.
2. Mobile Unit Drivers - we need a couple of people to drive two mobile units that will respond to incidents as required.
3. Mobile Radio Operators - we need a couple of people to ride in the mobile units and act as radio operators as well as dealing with any incident that you are called to.
4. Paddock / Assembly Marshals - as always we need a willing team to corale the competitors into the Pit Lane and then line them up at the startline to ensure the event runs smoothly.
If any of these roles take you fancy I will do my best to accomodate your requests (obviously we can't all drive the mobile units!). If you know of anyone that may be interested in helping out then please ask them to contact me.
many thanks
Mike Cole
Lead Marshal - Bristol Motor Club
Chief Marshal - Great Western Sprint
Mobile: 07980 416075
Twitter: @mcole7617
tqadam said:
Its surprising so many places needed with it being only a week away :O
It's not surprising to the organisers. It's normal to still have space for more marshals a week in advance. The reason so many roles are available is because a lot of people say they'll help and are not fussy about the role they take on, so those that do prefer a certain role can choose. Getting marshals is the hardest part of organising an event, despite the obvious benefits of a better viewing spot from the posts, the chance to get on track in a safety car, the free lunch, the radio (which is always entertaining), the marshals' prize draw...Gassing Station | South West | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff