Friday 22nd March 2019

PH Competes: Motorsport at the Palace

Proper competition, on a historic track, in actual London town? Sounds like a job for the EnduroKa!

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Many will be aware of the history of Crystal Palace, despite the track having now been moribund since 1972. Having played host to races on two wheels and four, featuring drivers and riders like James Hunt, Sitrling Moss, Jochen Rindt and John Surtees, the Palace's reputation was assured during the glory years of the 1950s and 60s.

Gerry Marshall won the last race held at Crystal Palace, held on September 23rd 1972, driving a Lister-Jaguar - quite an appropriate way to bow out. It wasn't until 1997 that sprint racing returned, only to be stopped again in 2001 thanks to millennium redevelopment plans for the park. Undeterred, the Sevenoaks and District Motor Club continued their campaigning, and the Motorsport at the Palace sprint weekend has run successfully every year since its 2010 reintroduction.

And now PH is involved! Taking place this Bank Holiday on Sunday and Monday, the MATP weekend comprises a car show and bike display as well as the competitive element. It's a proper event, too, dozens of cars across a variety of classes. The entry list is full of cool stuff: E-Type Jaguars, Lotus Cortinas, Fraser Nashes, Morgans, Caterhams, Cobras... and a Ford Ka. Uh oh.

The mighty little Ford is entered into Class 7 (2000-date) for Road Going Series Production Cars. There's also a category for Road Going Specialist Production Cars, Sports Libre Cars, and then racers up to 1,600cc. At the time of writing the Ka is up against cars including a Clio V6, an Impreza, three Elises, a JCW Mini and even a Mitsubishi Airtek. The Ka is not returning with a podium again, put simply, especially as it needs to be tip-top for Snetterton in June, though it still promises to be good fun.

The Ka and I will be at Crystal Palace both Sunday and Monday this weekend, so do come and say hello if you're around. And if you're not yet but would like to be - and who wouldn't? - then tickets are available here. See you then!

[Pics: Crystal Palace by Brian John Clarke, via Facebook, EnduroKa by Andrew Cliffe, also via Facebook]

 

 

[griffdude]

Don’t forget your timing strut and as you’re in a roadgoing class, you might be asked to provide evidence of tax, MOT & insurance. Is the interior in place?

[Hrimfaxi]

Great event and glad to see it back this year.

Good luck PH! I'll be down there Monday.