Donington

[Bob Bull]

News from the Masters Historic Racing
Issue date: Friday, August 13th 2010
Donington Revived! Masters Festival gets the green lightWith the excellent news that the FIA track inspection has been successful, it’s all systems go for Masters Historic Racing at Donington Park on the first weekend in September.
The event, to be run from September 3rd to 5th, will be preceded by a test day on Friday August 20th. There will be sessions for single-seaters, sports cars and GT/Touring cars Masters taking bookings now.
The race weekend will also boast a host of off-track events. On Friday evening, all drivers are invited to join a VIP drivers’ reception and guided tour of the famous Donington Collection by Kevin Wheatcroft. A donation of £10 per head in advance or at the door for Tom Wheatcroft’s charity, Hope for Cancer, is requested and the evening will begin with a champagne reception.
On Saturday, there will be a Celebration Dinner to commemorate Tom Wheatcroft, and the re-opening of the circuit, in the central Paddock Suite. This will be raising funds for Hope for Cancer, and bookings for the three-course meal can be made via the Masters office.
On Sunday, there will be rare cars from the Donington Museum out on track, a chance to view Britain’s newest exclusive motorbike from Norton, plus single make car club displays and much more
In addition, Masters is asking for help to recreate the original Wheatcroft ownership Donington track opening, back in May 1977. Two 25 minute races for 1970s ‘club racers’ including Touring 70s and Stars of the 70s are planned, and, one or two drivers who actually raced at Donington that famous day 33 years ago will be out again.
As they said in 1977, don’t be square, just get there!
-ends-
Issued by Cloverleaf Media on behalf of Masters Historic Racing.
For more information, contact Christopher Tate at Masters Historic Racing 01908 587545.
For media enquiries, contact David Addison at Cloverleaf Media on 01925 438060.

[Andy Green]

Bob

I know several Morgan drivers and cars are entered in various races

The entry for my dolomite sprint is already confirmed in the 70s races

[Bob Bull]

Andy,
I remember the Dolly's racing at Donington back then, I can even remember nodding sociably to Frank Williams as he walked past at one meeting.

Bob.

[jack bellinger]

Name Dropper Bob ....Are you saying that Franky Ignored YOU !!

jack

[Bob Bull]

Certainly not Jack! I nodded sociably to Frank and he nodded back, although clearly confused as to who I was, but sociably. Mind you to this day my mate Eric swears Frank's problems were caused by that nod.

[jack bellinger]

Eric..Would that be Sykes or Morcambe

jack

[Mary Lindsay]

Maybe Eric Idle?

[Bob Bull]

To see V 2 u 2

[TonyLees]

not 2CV2U2?
ps the yellow peril will be joining mr green on grid

[TonyLees]

and (apparently) Kevin Wheatcroft has announced that Adroit are only doing the works not running the show?
http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/ ... ticle.html

[RICHARD PLANT]

And my green Plus 8
Richard

[Dave McDonald]

Donington - Adroit Group
That all sounds very strange. Steve Watton (Adroit Contracts Director and Thoroughbred Sportscars competitor in a TVR and Lotus Elan) was reported in "Construction News" publication recently as saying that now they had brought the circuit back up to standard, and importantly got the required licence, they hoped that clubs and competitors would give them the necessary support.
It beggars belief that they hadn't signed a Contract to take the lease and run the place.

Dave McDonald

[Mark Shears]

I just happened to be looking through my August 1977 edition of Miscellany last night - as you do when there is not much on the gogglebox!

And read the write up of the first ever Morgans only race at the new Donington circuit on 2nd July.

It reads '' Everyone found that the twisty circuit, almost two miles long, was very demanding.'' It went on to say: ''The most disconcerting thing about this circuit is the fact that there is no slowing down lap.Having taken the flag drivers had to reduce speed immediately and leave the circuit before the first corner.''

It is a very full and interesting report of this historic race and was eruditely written in the days before Bob Bull by Mary Lindsay.

Mary of course was also one of the competitors in her then nearly new(!) Plus 8! Other Plus 8 competitors included Pat Keen,Gordon Dennis, Bob Stuart, Charles Morgan (any relation?!) and Bruce Stapleton.

Fastest lap was made by Pat Keen.

All the other competitors were in 4 cylinder cars including (of course) Andy Garlick and Ian Stirling in Plus Fours and some highly modified 4/4s including John Berry,Chris Cooke,Bryon Harvey and John Millbank amoungst the less modified 4/4s of Chris Thorne, Brian Yates, Dave Saunter and one Leigh Sebba.

It would be nice to think one or two might be out again this time.

Cheers

Mark

[Mary Lindsay]

Thank you Mark, you say the nicest things!

I would have been out this time had I not modified the Plus 8 fairly comprehensively at Mallory last month!

[Leigh Sebba]

That’s interesting – much like the 1960s I have vague memories of ‘being there’ at all the key events.

1977 was my last year in the 4/4 before it was ‘detuned’ and although I’ve still got it I don’t think scrutineer would be too impressed unless they revert to 1977 safety spec (eg roll bar without a diagonal). Moved on to +8 which was bought Oct 1977

Seems like I should make the effort to go as I may not make the next reopening in 2043 (?)

A couple of years ago I went to watch football at Barnet FC and I told a steward it was my first time back since the early 1960s – he tried to get me into the commentary box for an interview. Is there a danger of Bob Bull doing the same ?