Mania 2003 at Bruntingthorpe

[neilmac]

Great day, fantastic weather, very helpful marshals - a really good day out - But, not a lot there to make a full day and judging by the amount of cars leaving early I was not alone in thinking this.

Always good to see a lot of TVRS, always good to look around at a few specialists stands, great to have a blast down the runway but when that's done what next.

Admittedly didn't go cart or drive an HGV so I suppose that might have filled up a bit more of the day.

I appreciate the effort put in by the oeganisers though and I presume their time is given voluntarily, so a big thanks to all those concerned.

Just came away from the day thinking that apart from a chance to see what the Griff can do down the runway a couple of times (165, by the way), £30 was a lot to pay to park up and wander round.

Mind you, the drive to and from the event was great though especially in company with other TVRs along the way.

[HarryW]

Enjoyed the day myself, as you say not a great deal to do. Good to catch up with old faces though, certain not as busy as Duxford last year. Two abreast at least would have made the run up the runway a bit more interesting. Saying that my last run was very interesting, just about to change up to 5th at about 120mph when I duely noted the windscreen being sprayed with liquid , quick check of the instuments needed me thinks , Oh no battery voltage very low , worse still temp in the red and still rising quickly .
This was about half way along the straight, quick switch off me thinks, no, the other half of my brain thinks you'll need the servo when you come to brake at the end .
The decision took about 5 seconds (on video btw), I shut down and coasted all the way back to the 'pits', about 1.5 miles in all.
Turns out it threw the auxillary belt hence no alternator and more importantly no drive to the water pump . After a respectable cooling off period checked it out all seems well, luckily I pulled up outside V8 Developements tent for advice .
Oh boy could have been expensive, spent the 2.5 hr drive back glued to the temp gauge .

Harry

PS is that a record for coasting , or have I found a way of improving the fuel consumption.

[mikes3]

Got back a wee while ago after driving back to Portsmouth, rather like spending a couple of hours with your face in a hair dryer set to HOT and full force!

Still, great day out and a big THANKS to those that put it together and suffered in the heat and sun so we could have a bit of fun on the runway!

Can't say agree with the comment that 15£ was OTT for what was there, try to go to any public event/amenety and a combination of Messers Brown and Blair and the general 'Rip off Briton' malaise will mean its more than 15 notes that leaves your wallet!

125(ish) in the S3 with the worlds most uncomfortable crash helmet on was a highlight, as was the array of Tivs and owners to chat to...

All in all, one to remember, Harry, do you think the MOD would 'lend' us Deadelus next year (if theres not a sqillion houses on it by then?)

[HarryW]

mikes3 said:

......... Harry, do you think the MOD would 'lend' us Deadelus next year (if theres not a sqillion houses on it by then?)

Keep meaning to make enquires about loaning that for the day, even just for a Hants TVRCC day.

Re speeds - I think S's need a lot of power to go much beyond 140 over that distance (well thats all mine would do and has pretty much what it says on the tin under the bonnet ), it has been fster on my private test track which is obviously a bit longer .
As an example I could get over 120 on the sprint down to the first corner and on the main straight I was in top by half way.
It may be the aero dynamics of the S, saying that, the racing Tuscans are not that dis-similar(sp?) shaped and one hit a calculated 206 today before lunching its engine.

Harry

[iandbeech]

neilmac said:

Great day, fantastic weather, very helpful marshals - a really good day out - But, not a lot there to make a full day and judging by the amount of cars leaving early I was not alone in thinking this. Always good to see a lot of TVRS, always good to look around at a few specialists stands, great to have a blast down the runway but when that's done what next. Admittedly didn't go cart or drive an HGV so I suppose that might have filled up a bit more of the day. I appreciate the effort put in by the oeganisers though and I presume their time is given voluntarily, so a big thanks to all those concerned. Just came away from the day thinking that apart from a chance to see what the Griff can do down the runway a couple of times (165, by the way), £30 was a lot to pay to park up and wander round. Mind you, the drive to and from the event was great though especially in company with other TVRs along the way.

Morning Neil, theres always the "Donut" run to Hunstanton Had relatives this weekend otherwise may have come along to that.

Griff sounds like it was on form!

[yellow peril]

Hi Folks.....

....I didn't make it to Bruntingthorpe

Mania event of the year and I was not there!!!

Thanks to all those who came over to the Mid Essex Mansion to say hi....sorry, but I was in Northampton housing hunting with my son.

The weekend wasn't a waste, cos he bought a house!!!....

£99,995. for a first time buyer one a sole wage

What is the world coming to....

Heard it was very hot.

The Peril popped out of 5th going down the runway, couldn't get it back into 5th and that was that!!!!
Ray has been advised that it's an easy repair, but we'll see!!!

Slower journey home than usual, that's for sure!!!!!

Missed Duxford last year with a broken foot,
Burn ting thorpe this year house buying....let's hope it's 3rd time lucky!!!!!!!!....

..//P//

[GCerbera]

yellow peril said:

Hi Folks..... ....I didn't make it to Bruntingthorpe ..//P//

Explains why I couldn't find you! Sorry to hear about YP's 5th gear too.

Due to the heat, karting and jet lag, I met up with
very few people, but it was good to see some old and new friends.

Glad TVRSLAG finally got fluffy back up to speed, but
I gather Campbell was unable to run due to noise and
left? I was just making my way over to see him when
I saw him heading out.

I was happy to hit 160 and then back off, especially
as the car is not set up right yet (goes in next week.)

Got a great bit of footage from a friend who is a
cameraman for ITN, with my car sounding like Concorde
taking off as it flew down the strip!

I enjoyed my first Mania, but yes their should have
been more stands and also more food / drink options.
By 2pm it was a warm coke or nothing..

However, thanks to those traders there and especially
to the hardy marshalls who will no doubt have heat
stroke today, see you all again next year!

Go create some weather...
Graham
TCR The Cerbera Register

www.TVR-Cerbera.com

[griff2be]

yellow peril said:

The Peril popped out of 5th going down the runway, couldn't get it back into 5th and that was that!!!! Ray has been advised that it's an easy repair, but we'll see!!!

If that was Ray who came and asked for a word with a mechanic (Steve Howard) at the Insane Racing truck then yes, an easy repair, and more importantly, safe to drive home.

Unlike the Insane Racing/Precision Racing 2 seater Tuscan Challenge car, which lost a piston on a blast down the runway. The ECU was running without a rev limiter and the engine cried enough at 9,000 rpm in 5th. Which is in excess of 200mph

I took my No 6 Challenge car down the strip (to test if we have fixed the oil leak you understand) and backed off when the shift light came on in 5th. 7,200rpm = just over 190mph. The engine still was pulling very strongly, so with different gear ratios who knows what speed it would have achieved.

The only problem was the airflow at this speed was enough to make the bonnet 'inflate' - the whole thing lifted in the centre by about 6 inches!! We are fitting an extra securing pin in the centre of the bonnet for Thruxton next weekend - I don't really want the bonnet disappearing mid race!!

Nice to see some familiar faces - hope to see some of you at Thruxton next weekend.

Andy

[nubbin]

I went along yesterday, and I have to say I was very disappointed. I thought it would be heaving with activity, lots of friendly banter, and trade stuff, but it appears that unless you are in a clique with your own regional regulars, you might as well forget it as far as making new friends. I didn't bring a plastic gazebo, so I couldn't stake out any territory, so it made for a rather dull couple of hours. And nothing for children at all (I took my 8 y.o. daughter, and apart from looking at the planes, she was bored stiff).

I'll not be paying £20 next year. I'll be off to Pistonfest/track days.

Interestingly, I only saw 3 Tamoras and one T350 - does that reflect the difference between PH regulars and TVRCC regulars?

I'm expecting lots of flames for this, but I'm only saying it as I saw it....

[2 sheds]

nubbin said:

I went along yesterday, and I have to say I was very disappointed. I thought it would be heaving with activity, lots of friendly banter, and trade stuff, but it appears that unless you are in a clique with your own regional regulars, you might as well forget it as far as making new friends. I didn't bring a plastic gazebo, so I couldn't stake out any territory, so it made for a rather dull couple of hours. And nothing for children at all (I took my 8 y.o. daughter, and apart from looking at the planes, she was bored stiff). I'll not be paying £20 next year. I'll be off to Pistonfest/track days. Interestingly, I only saw 3 Tamoras and one T350 - does that reflect the difference between PH regulars and TVRCC regulars? I'm expecting lots of flames for this, but I'm only saying it as I saw it....

No reason for anybody to "shoot you down" for this Nubbin, its a shame that some people experienced this, i guess you didn't get spin with Steve Guglielmi as you had your daughter with you ? i think the main benefits of this event was Carting and sprinting up the runway in a Tuscan racer etc.. better than some of the previous Mania events which had nothing more than parked TVRs.
The blistering heat didn't help.
From my point of view it was good event as its nice to put a face to some of my customers.
Tim

[whittaker52]

Great Event! i did think it was a little lacking, but certainly not a bad event by all means. It was great to see and take photos of so many great cars! Although not owning a tvr or knowing anyone didnt help, but that doesnt matter. The heat was nice to a certain extent, but after a few hours it was getting abit too much. I will try and put some of the photos and videos online when i get time for the people who missed the event.

Thanks again,
Oliver

[spivvy]

I was marshalling at mania and I thought
Overall the event was quite good, (I also went to Duxford ) and if I recall there was not much to do there and you had to wait all day to track,

at the Bruntingthorpe event there was 4X4,Truck Driving, Go Karting,Concourse and the sprinting, and also an excuse to see a large number of TVR's in one place plus Trade Stands and Racing cars (admittedly there was little for children to do and if there was more time to plan, it could have been accounted for , If I recall Correctly the Event was not finalised until late in the Year June/July and to organise and event this big you need at least 6 months to get it together, I certainly enjoyed it and was working for 10 hours, However a couple of people did spoil it , One person passed a forged ticket over, and one TVR driver was abusive to Marshals and threatening (Sadly not all TVR drivers are nice people )
I hope we continue to run events at bruntingthorpe and are given more notice and the local clubs get more involved in the organisation.

edited for poor spelling

>> Edited by spivvy on Sunday 10th August 17:40

[yellow peril]

nubbin said:

I went along yesterday, and I have to say I was very disappointed. I thought it would be heaving with activity, lots of friendly banter, and trade stuff, but it appears that unless you are in a clique with your own regional regulars, you might as well forget it as far as making new friends. I didn't bring a plastic gazebo, so I couldn't stake out any territory, so it made for a rather dull couple of hours. .

Nubbin,

The only reason why I advised Mid Essex to take the gazeboe was because I knew from experience having attended a track day at Bruntingthorpe that there was absolutely no shade to be had.

The banner was put outside, not to keep others away, but to show people that it was a Mid Essex gazzy and they were welcome IN....

It's really good to put names /code names to faces and a big gathering like Bruntingthorpe is a great way to get to know folks you chat to regularly.

Lots of people came over to chat and shelter (although it was stifling in there) and it was really nice to see them....

Next time...come on in and say hello....


....//P//

[TaSmania]

Great event, great weather, etc. Good to meet Tim (ACT) and Ray/Shaun(V8D) and plenty of others. We had our Gazebo up but invited all around to get under it to avoid the sun and we made some new friends and had some great banter. The marshalls were excellent and very helpful when we asked to have a Wedge area (hope this wasn't a clique as we did have a few Griffs amongst us).
Only disappointment was the sprint, as due to safety we had to have the minute intervals. I think with no overtaking on the bends and overtake on the right only (and only one car wide to avoid 3+ abreast) we could have safely run at 10 second intervals. Due to the heat and the SEAC not liking to hot re-start the que was not fun. Mind once on the runway it was a blast!.
GB

[gemini]

spivvy said:

(I also went to Duxford ) and if I recall there was not much to do there

biggest air museum in europe - erm not much to do!!

[count duckula]

I did not go this year just because of the lack of activities as my other half would have been bored, I would have gone is it was Duxford as lots of planes etc would have been a distraction for her.


Malc

[joospeed]

I can't believe I was at the same Mania event as you guys , it was absolutely pants!
Arrived there to be greeted by lots of cars seemingly abandoned willy-nilly, no organisation to the parking at all, no cars parked in model order so we abandoned our cars like everyone else and set off in search of some entertainment. and searched. and searched .. there was NOTHING to set this event apart from any other I'd been to.
Tim at ACT was charming as always, and the V8 Developments stand I'd not seen before, but everything else was just the same old faces at the same old type of event.
Mania is supposed to be the second biggest TVR event of the year after Back Home and it seems to be the most disorganised farce ever. I don't know who the organisers are but they want outing right now and get some new blood in with fresh ideas - for too long the TVRCC hierarchy have wallowed in their own reflected false-glory. Is the rumour true that the TVRCC top brass never ventured out of the tent all day and had a meal cooked for them? 15 squids to park in a car park? .. pah! It's obvious where most of that went.
I also heard that the volunteer marshalls (who were wonderful .. having marshalled at events before I know wht you've been through) weren't relieved of their duties often enough (if at all?) too.
Fortunately we met up with some great people, left after just 3 hours and 2 130mph runs down the runway to find a couple of fab pubs for a meal and drinks in charming company.
On Sunday we went to the East Mids meet - free of charge and infinately more enjoyable than the Mania farce. I sincerely hope that this spectacular failure prompts many people in the club to ask just what we're getting for our money, and to vote accordingly when it comes around to deciding who exactly should be running the show.


>> Edited by joospeed on Monday 11th August 09:30

[raceboy]

I didn't go so can't make comment about this years Mania, but I've never been that impressed with any of them, probably why I've not been to one for 2 years,
Stanford Hall was painfully boring, and Duxford is good 'once' you can only drag people who aren't that interested in planes around the museum so many times and to be honest the pull of 'not even maxing it' down a dull runway is about as exciting as watching paint dry
It's a good chance to meet up with friends but you can do this for free as mentioned at a random local pub
So come on TVRCC justify the £15/20 car parking fee

[Paul V]

Must say I agree with Joolz, I think we stayed for about an hour then left, hardly any trade stands, not much to do, no cold drinks for sale, sorry but it was very poor. Our mini club only has 400 members but manages to put on a full weekend show with loads of events to watch/take part in, various displays, nothing to serious, just fun. Mania was a big disappointment, as has been said at least Duxford had the museum.

[rude girl]

Concur with most of Joolz' comments. I was bored with the event, but had a class time with the people - in particular a very interesting gossip with Gemini.

to the Northants Region - all the Marshals I saw were from Northants, and it did seem to me that they were out in the baking heat without a break for most of the day.

Nubbin - shame we didn't bump in to you - I'd have entertained your daughter for an hour while you went for a spin up the runway.