9 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

"Motorsport is set to return to the nation's capital, as London's Crystal Palace Park plans to host a sprint event in May 2010.
The two-day event, scheduled for 30-31 May 2010, will involve a sprint competition for both historic and modern racing cars.
The last events were held at the park in the late 1990s although the 1.39-mile circuit that was a regular fixture on the international motorsport scene in the 1950s and 1960s was closed in 1972."
More Details:
http://www.motorspor...co.uk/index.htm

http://www.pistonhea.....rystal Palace

Edited by mab01uk, 20 January 2010 - 11:27 PM.

[mab01uk]

Just been informed by the organisers that tickets for this first Sprint meeting at Crystal Palace for several years will go on sale from March onwards.
This 2 day weekend event takes place 2 weeks after the London to Brighton Mini Run which of course also starts at Crystal Palace - (30/31 May 2010).

[mab01uk]

Quote:
"We have a substantial area dedicated to displays by classic and single marque clubs retail stands and other off circuit entertainments. The AA Heritage collection has already agreed to attend along with a number of national owners clubs. If you wish to join them, either with a display or a trade stand please download an application form" or email below:
[email protected]

Information for spectators, including ticketing information, block booking etc. will be available early in 2010. If you wish to be contacted as soon as tickets are on sale please leave your email address here [email protected]

Regulations, entry forms and other details for competitors will be available from early in 2010. If you wish to register your interest in entering this event please leave your email address here: [email protected]

http://www.motorspor...co.uk/index.htm
"More than a decade since the last wheel turned in anger, the sound of racing engines will once again echo across Crystal Palace Park. On Sunday 30 and Monday 31 May, Motorsport at the Palace is pleased to announce two full days of high octane action, with GT cars, single seaters and performance saloons battling an array of classic racing machines for the title of fastest car at the Park. Many of the cars running will not be strangers to Crystal Palace, having raced at the track in its heyday, when it stood alongside Silverstone and Brands Hatch as one of Britain’s finest race tracks. And while the new track layout has been purpose-built for this year’s event, it incorporates some of the legendary features of the old circuit: Pond Hairpin, the Terrace Straight and the infamous North Tower Crescent will test drivers and machines, just as they tested the likes of Stirling Moss and Jim Clark all those years ago.
The daily format will see two practice sessions start at 9am, followed by two sprint sessions against the clock, with the best result counting towards the final placement."

Legendary Crystal Palace Mini Racer Gordon Spice has been confirmed as a guest at the event in May.

Minifilms have now added an interview to the brilliant DVD of Gordon Spice Mini racing at Crystal Palace:
NB. This is not the DVD currently seen in Mini World magazine but has been remastered by Minifilms with exclusive new interview footage with Gordon Spice.
"Own a slice of history. Very limited run DVD. It's 1969 and the Mini is at the height of its power. Watch racing legend Gordon Spice drive his Britax/Downton works Cooper S to victory around the Crystal Palace Circuit in a hugely competitive round of that year's British National Saloon Car Championship. Murray Walker is on fine form as commentator and there are several other famous names in among the other drivers. Superb archive footage and fantastically close race."
http://www.minifilms...k/minidvds.html

Crystal Palace 1964 + Mini rollover!
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[mab01uk]

Entry forms now up on the Crystal Palace website for anyone interested.........
http://www.motorspor...co.uk/index.htm

Display car entry forms for Car clubs here:
http://www.motorspor...ONCLUBSTAND.pdf

Famous 1960's Mini Racer Gordon Spice will be one of the invited guests at this event.


One of the most exciting saloon car races (with Minis) ever shown by the BBC from Crystal Palace (starting point of the London to Brighton Mini run), commentary by Murray Walker!

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Edited by mab01uk, 15 March 2010 - 11:58 PM.

[Teapot]

That video is epic. The Cortinas were so fast! Who were the drivers -- Clark, Hill, Moss?

[mab01uk]

Racer Barrie Williams is to drive MCR member Andy Harrison's ex Richard Longman Mk1 Mini Cooper S (as raced in the 2009 Goodwood St Mary's Trophy Race - Christian Horner shared the car) at this Crystal Palace event. Andy will sprint the car on Sunday with Barrie doing demonstration laps, and Barrie takes over to compete in the car on the Monday.

[mab01uk]

This weekend

Event Timetable Sunday 30/Monday 31 May
09.00 Venue opens to spectators
09.00 to 12.00 Sprint Event (Time Trial) Practice Runs: each of the 120 competitors will have two practice runs over the course
12.00 to 13.00 Lunch Break
13.00 to 17.00 Sprint Event (Time Trial) Competitive Runs: each competitor will have two timed runs over the course, the best to count towards the results
17.15 to 17.40 Demonstration Runs: throughout the afternoon, track parades will showcase interesting and significant vehicles, in addition to those taking part in the competition

Adult Tickets are £10.00 each day, children under sixteen will be admitted free but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Sorry no dogs.

From Ferrari’s to Ford’s – who’s racing what and when at Motorsport at the Palace
The rich history of motor sport at Crystal Palace has attracted an extremely strong and diverse entry list across two days of racing. Rather than group cars by engine size, as is traditionally the case, we have decided to place each vehicle in a class representative of its age. This not only spices up the action, but better reflects the park’s long motor racing tradition, which spans more than a century.

The most hotly contested class is for those cars built from 1977 to the present day, which sees a number of Ferraris battling for the honour of fastest time of the day. But don’t let the Italian exotica distract you from the equally capable competition; Crystal Palace is about handling as well as power and the Mitsubishi Evo 8, or the Renault Alpine turbo could well spring a surprise.

Category A (class 3) - 1967 to 1976 - should also see some very close racing; the Escorts will be quick, as will be the BMW, but the nimble little Lotus Elan should never be underestimated.
Many of these rare cars are owned by more than one individual, so while you may see the same vehicle racing on the Sunday and Monday, the driver will almost certainly be different, offering the keen-eyed spectator a chance to see how individual driving style effects overall performance.

Category F (classes 18 and 19) represents a welcome first for Crystal Palace: electric-powered vehicles will take to the course, demonstrating what many believe to be the future of motoring, both on the road and track. The Tesla is the hot favourite in this class, but as with all prototype engineering, there’s the possibility that an outside bet could steal the limelight.

Although comprising just two cars, Category E (class 15) offers a real slice of nostalgia in the shape of the Eccles Rapier; this very car, driven by Marjorie Eccles, raced at Crystal Palace 73 years ago in 1937!

While the on-track action will invariably be tense and exciting, spectators will find many other attractions in the exhibition area, where a further 180+ cars will be on show. We’d also encourage visitors to stop by the paddock, where drivers and mechanics will be only too happy to talk about there pride and joy.

And if modern cars are more to your liking, the Ancaster Group will be displaying their range of new Nissans and Fiats. Alongside their Nissan Dessert Raid simulator and the mighty Nissan GTR, visitors will also have the opportunity to win a brand new Fiat 500 or a Nissan Micra. What better way to top off a great day!

Edited by mab01uk, 28 May 2010 - 10:44 PM.

[mab01uk]

Motorsport at the Palace: Day 1 Update – Sun Shine and Large Crowds Mark Triumphant Return of Racing

After months - years even - of red tape and meetings, motorsport finally returned to Crystal Palace today, and what a return! With the sun shining and a large crowd eager to witness the action, the cars took to the track at 9am for first practice; instantly, any doubts regarding the event’s success were banished, as the lights turned green and the roar of racing engines once again filled the park.

It didn’t take long for the drivers to get up to speed and soon rear wheels were spinning wildly and brakes being locked in search of those elusive tenths of seconds. Spectators were treated to power-slides galore, as more than one Ford Escort bucked savagely exiting the chicane, while more powerful cars struggled to scrub off speed on their approach to the infamous North Tower Crescent.

Of particular note was the 1960 Chevrolet Corvette of Ian Wright, who seemed intent on destroying his tyres at any given opportunity. On every run, Ian blazed away from the lights in a plume of smoke, before hurling his vehicle sideways at the hairpin to a roar of appreciation from the crowd. Ian eventually finished eighth in class, clearly sacrificing time to ensure every spectator left with a huge smile.

As the practice sessions gave way to timed runs in the afternoon, two cars quickly emerged at key contenders for fastest time of the day: Duncan Cowper in his Dax Rush and John Hewatt, piloting the Stohr DSR, were visibly faster than anything else on track. Both eventually broke the 36 second barrier, but it was Cowper who triumphed by a whisker, recording a time of 35.18 seconds to Hewatt’s 35.92.

Elsewhere, Barry ‘Whizzo’ Williams lived up to his reputation (as if there were any doubt), hurling his Austin Cooper S into North Tower with the sort of speed and control most drivers could only dream of. Barry eventually took fourth in class, his experience proving invaluable against many faster machines.

Jane Metcalfe took her Eccles Rapier to first in class with a time of 48.72 - a great result for a car that first raced at Crystal palace in 1937! - while the impressive Stovebolt Special of Simon Taylor finished second in class and 29th overall.

The electric cars, in particular the Teslas, proved the future is very much…quiet, as they put in some exceptional timed runs, minus the familiar roar associated with petrol-powered cars. Were it not for their tyres squealing in protest, both Teslas could have completed their runs without anyone noticing!

Off-track, the crowd was treated to a huge display of exotic cars, while younger visitors enjoyed the Roary the Racing Car Zone. The Ancaster group’s collection of Fiats and Nissans also proved a popular draw, as did their stomach-churning bungee ride.

Many thought this day would never arrive, but Sunday 30 May proved that racing cars belong in the Park; today represented a triumphant return of motor racing to Crystal Palace….here’s looking forward to tomorrow!
http://www.motorspor...co.uk/index.htm

[Nick '91]

Anyone else go?

I was with the Blue Roller, Vixen, MGA and cossie rep in the bottom corner and the min's was looking sorry for itself in the bottom car park.

[minimanclive]

I think I saw your Mini there on Monday. I was in the top car park, where the London to Brighton Mini run starts from.
They parked all the more interesting cars together. So my Mini was with an E type Jag, MGBs and other classics.