| Author |
 Topic  |
|
McEvoy
United Kingdom
252 Posts |
 Posted - 23/06/2012 : 23:27:54
|
Just returned from a windy Silverstone and would like to add my thanks to all the drivers in the Triple-M event not only for racing, not admittedly always wheel to wheel on the wide open spaces, but also for the exhibition of their engineering skills of 30+ miles with the pedal to the metal without any major blow-ups a great advertisement for what can be done with our cars especially the smaller capacity ones and the sight of the Rat at full chat and the sound of the Evans sprint car made it a very worthwhile visit.
Sorry about the Triple-M car park becoming somewhat disjointed this year due mainly I understand to the very wet and muddy areas forcing some of our fellow marque owners to move to the firmer ground already allocated to us.
Edited 24 June
Meant to mention the terrible commentary of our race the commentators not even knowing what Triple-M stands for and I'm sure many were astounded to hear that "the old prewar MGs had something like a hairdrier blowing through the carbureter" Not a mention of the history of any of our cars. A golden opportunity missed with the very historic and important Evans sprint car competing, all reminded me of the hash made by the Beeb re the Thames Jubilee pagent.
Guess I and my fellow Committee members ought to supply some crib sheets to the commentators in future to avoid us being treated as part of the circus side show rather than the historic basis on which the whole event relies.
Bob Milton |
Edited by - McEvoy on 24/06/2012 09:47:05 |
|
|
David Allison
United Kingdom
665 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2012 : 15:15:27
|
| The commentry at MG Silverstone has been a tragedy for some while! |
 |
|
|
PeterL
United Kingdom
1723 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2012 : 17:47:31
|
Sounds like another job for a member of the MMM committee.
I was amused, dealing with the insurance company over the broken half shaft to be asked by the obviously attractive young woman at the other end of the telephone line whether my J2 was diesel and whether it was four wheel drive.
You need someone who knows and understands doing these jobs, a crib for an ignoramus is only second best.
Cheers
P |
|
|
|
kimber
United Kingdom
1529 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2012 : 19:09:00
|
quote:
Originally posted by David Allison
The commentry at MG Silverstone has been a tragedy for some while!
Agree 100%.
There are plenty of knowledgeable people who I am sure could do a far better job. All that history and so much to talk about. Talk about 'dumbing-down'  |
|
|
|
John Reid
United Kingdom
704 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2012 : 23:48:45
|
George Wilder, in a reply to another topic, correctly said we should address such views (which I support) directly to the Club office. They need to know where improvements need to be made. This year I was not at Silverstone (first time for 50 years!!), so how about it, McEvoy?
John R |
|
|
|
MaGic_GV
United Kingdom
868 Posts |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 09:29:55
|
Great day Saturday - pity about the mud but great to see the small but select group of racers...
Some of the most original cars exiting Club...
Some nice drifting out of Club - Fred Boothby's J2 looked good...
..and one of the 'newest' cars on the following straight...
love the colour...
While there is just not enough track for some people - David Downes..
Sometimes mixing with the big 'uns - Hamish here...
Only one original-looking road car - good to see, well done Clive...
And as consolation for not getting into the 'proper' MMM car park, here are those of us in the nearby overflow car park.
I think I have pix of all the competitors - email me if you want a soft copy, but they will go on the website at some point...
Graham
"I'd rather be happy than right anyday" Slartybartfast, Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy |
|
|
|
saltandvinegar
United Kingdom
105 Posts |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 12:24:31
|
It was not only the Commentator who was unaware of the importance of the Historic cars competing at the the Club's premier event. Most of the race officials were too. When I thought that 8.1/2" Galls of Methanol would not be enough for the 35 min race (originially scheduled for 20 mins)I requested that I be allowed to refuel in the Pit Lane. This was refused but with a lot persuasion from Dave Saunders and others they agreed that I be allowed to refuel in the Scutineering bay -under strict conditions. Speaking with one of the Clerks Of Course who shall be nameless I received some very strange comments along the lines of 'Oh its you and your funny old car I might have guessed! Fortunately after Practice we knew the likely fuel consumption for the Race and that we would not have to refuel during it. My enjoyment of the Race was also diminished by receiving a flagged warning (apparently for 2 wheels off the circuit at the exit to the very tight Loop corner). With its twin rear wheels the Evans car understeers severely which means that you have to be very precise with the entry. Having only covered a handful of Practice laps on the GP Circuit I admit I was still perfecting the technique! As I didn't want to receive the Black Flag I slowed for 2 laps after receiving the warning flag but this cost me several places. Can someone tell me why at a modern Race circuit it is such a crime to put your wheels the wrong side of the rumble strips! The rest of the Race was uneventful until the Chequered Flag whereupon I was directed down the Pit Lane to be greeted by the very officious Scrutineer who had examined my Car on Friday who 'wanted words'. He was very unhappy that I had failed to mark the front axle as a towing point as requested. (this was an oversight on my part but not what I would have considered a Safety issue. I had complied fully with his other requests to mark the Magneto Switch off position on the dashboard despite there being a bezel in proper 'C' Type fashion indicating the off position for the Mag. I had also exchanged my Nomex racing gloves (10 years old and no ISO label for a borrowed pair with the magic label on (thanks Tim for the loan). In my opinion he had paid scant attention to the real safety issues with the car when he examined the car on Friday and it came as something of a shock to be berated in the pitlane in such a way over such an issue. If my car had been damaged by not being towed by the appropriate part then only I would be affected. He told me in no uncertian terms that 'he would be looking out for me and 'this' car in future' -whatever that means. This was not a pleasant experience and not something that I have been told before and spoiled what otherwise would have been a brilliant and successful first competitive appearance of the Evans sprint car for over 40 years. This meeting marked the 50th aniversary of my first appearance at Silverstone - how things have changed -it used to be fun!
Mike |
Edited by - saltandvinegar on 25/06/2012 12:29:22 |
|
|
|
MaGic_GV
United Kingdom
868 Posts |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 12:58:37
|
Looked and sounded great to me...
Graham
"I'd rather be happy than right anyday" Slartybartfast, Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy |
|
|
|
saltandvinegar
United Kingdom
105 Posts |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 14:01:49
|
Thanks Graham for the pics. It may not be possible to hear the sound of a Zoller blown 'R' Type engine at full chat for much longer.At the weekend Oliver Richardson managed to persuade the Silverstone official for noise or perhaps more correctly 'noise abatement' that there were several precedents for open exhausts at Vintage meetings and we were allowed to run. The noise I'm afraid is a function of the boost pressure as Mike Allison can testify with his NO. For Shelsley and Prescott it will be twin silencers plus 'Supertrapps' which hopefully will comply.
Mike |
|
|
|
Dolts
United Kingdom
1129 Posts |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 15:01:23
|
Shame to hear all that Mike. Certainly doesn't encourage me to get on the track just yet. Its nerve racking enough!
It was great to see and hear the Evans C-Type, along with the other Triple M's. Well done for all, must have been hard work, full tilt for that long. Shame we didnt see too much from the crowd, I had time to take my 4yr old for a pitstop before the cars remerged on their next lap:-)
The event didnt feel as big as last year but that might be just my perception. Kids were moaning that the bouncy castle slide was not there! Maybe I ll invest in one shaped like a P-Type!!
Library stand looked busy though!
Good fun day good to see lots of you out and about
Mark Dolton
|
Edited by - Dolts on 25/06/2012 15:01:59 |
|
|
|
saltandvinegar
United Kingdom
105 Posts |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 19:42:18
|
Thanks for the comments Mark. Please don't let me put you or any one else off from 'having a go' -once you are out there it is great fun -especially in a MMM car. It is just that the 'before and after' seems to be getting a little tiresome these days but that might just be me getting 'grumpy old man' syndrome!
Mike |
Edited by - saltandvinegar on 25/06/2012 19:44:23 |
|
|
|
Widung
Sweden
189 Posts |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 21:37:02
|
Mike, I think you met a true bureaucrat that showed off his power! It is equally infuriating each time that happens!
Please keep up your good work!
Best regards
Jan Widung
PB 0635 |
|
|
|
TomDrewett
United Kingdom
277 Posts |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 22:40:07
|
| Super pictures, thank you for posting for those of us that missed it! |
|
|
|
George Wilder
United Kingdom
91 Posts |
Posted - 26/06/2012 : 10:32:14
|
S and V
I have passed your comments in full to Dave Saunders who will no doubt be in touch.
To quote Dave "The track cutting is being strictly enforced as instructed by the MSA and the MSA steward has to observe this new rule being enforced by the clerks of course."
Scrutineering is very much a MSA function not a MGCC function.
Comments on Commentary
I would be interested to know if all the Tripe M Drivers submitted details of their car for the commentators
George Wilder
MGCC Director responsible for liasion with the Triple M Register
|
Edited by - George Wilder on 26/06/2012 11:42:46 |
|
|
|
Dolts
United Kingdom
1129 Posts |
Posted - 26/06/2012 : 10:50:29
|
Definitely wont put me off Mike, too much fun out there to be had!! The support I ve received from competitors, scruitineers and marshalls since starting this sport has been wonderful and invaluable. So the positives out weigh the negatives by a long long way.
Just cant wait to be out there again!!!
Mike you mention, Prescott and Shelsey…Will you join us at Wiscombe Park MGCC or any other events?
Mark Dolton
|
|
|
|
David Allison
United Kingdom
665 Posts |
Posted - 26/06/2012 : 13:20:39
|
To George Wilder and others
According to my sister there was no commentators form this year or last.
I did not attend this years event - but my own observation was from the last 5 years that the commentators are more interested in wittering on about the noise and sight of the cars than they are on any historical interest - when they do make historical comment they either miss the point or are inaccurate.
They seem to try and make the racing sound a LOT closer that it really is - yet miss the real dices that are going on.
At least I suppose they do have this in common with the commentary team of the BTCC!
Those comments that are made were inacurate and seemed very badly researched.
It would be better that the commentary team did have some form of script - but TBH it would be better if they just left it to the cars to make their own sound track.
Comments like "a supercharger is just like a hairdrier blowing into the engine" are simply dreadful.
Regards a car with twin rear wheels being called to account for corner cutting, when cars with modern slick tyres seem unable to even find the apex of corners beggars belief.
There should be an element of judicial review when addressing driving standards - but I personally think that the comments above show a degree of un-acceptable over use of power from certain officials.
This has been evident for many years - I am afraid that it is becoming ever more obvious that the only place pre-war racing cars are truly welcome is the VSCC.
As an official (marshall, sctrutineer etc..) and competitor in the past I can honestly say that the comments by Mark Dolton are the most common held belief of our motor sports officials.
However there are some that make a point out seeming to try and make some competitors lives difficult.
Pre war racing cars are allowed to run without silencers at track racing events.
The silencer restriction for pre-1950 racing cars is void - see the Blue Book.
For sprints and hillclimbs this is NOT the case - hence these cars are more and more absent from these events.
High pressure superchargers force gas in to the engine at high pressure - this increases the pressure wave from the exhaust to a point that the gas is supersonic by the time it leaves the exit pipe.
Work done by various specialist firms have been unable to actively silence such high pressure supercharged engines without harming performance (or in some cases the engine itself).
What the MMM register cars need at racing events is a little more understanding - yes these cars are tricksy little b*st$£ds, they make too much noise and are very slow.
But they are actually part of the club (and car company) history and the race is normally one of the more closely fought races at the meeting.
My comments are based on my opinion and mine alone - that I am allowed to voice them is a bonus of being a British subject - to those that do not share my opinions, it is to my shame!
Regards David |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Forum Locked
Topic Locked
