Kicking Up The Spray
I will update my blog, as I go out and about, hopefully coming home with a few pics to share with you.
Shelsley Walsh
Our quest to attend new venues this year, continued on Sunday 19th July as we headed in the direction of Worcester, to attend the Shelsley Walsh Nostalgia event. The venue is synonymous with Hill Climbing in this country, and is in fact the oldest motorsport venue in the world still in continuous use, something that has been happening for the last 110 years! A venue full of history then, and a perfect setting to view some historic cars in action.
Following our normal routine, we arrived not long after the gates to the car park opened, just after 8-00am, and were in the first row of parked cars. On wandering over to the venue we came across these two Jaguars, parked up on the drive.
Despite there being a lot of replica versions of these models, the two here were the real deal, an Ecurie Ecosse C Type and an ultra rare XKSS, in fact the last of the 16 built, and both were in absolutely stunning condition.
It was a real privilege to be alone with these very important machines, and to try and soak up their history.
The badge says it all!
Once in the paddock we started to look at the cars being prepped before they attacked the hill.
The dark clouds over head, duly brought the rain, and everyone searched for shelter. Luckily the paddock sheds kept the cars dry.
Onto the hill itself, where, as you can see, the rain had kept the spectators away for the time being!
After walking a bit of a way up the hill, which is very steep, we began to take in the action.
I think you would have to say that this MG isn't standard, but it is very fast!
A racy Alfa.
Austin 7 out on the hill, and as you can see the rain had stopped by now, and the sun was well and truly out.
Continuing the theme this year, of there being a large contingent of Austin Healeys wherever I go, they were out in force again here.
In all colours, not just the usual red.
Once a group of cars had gone up the hill, they then have to wind their way back down to the bottom.
The Derek Bell celebration brought out not only some of his cars, but also the great man himself to drive them.
The legendary 956 in all its glory.
One of the earliest cars to brave the hill , was this Daimler TB58, from 1908.
Now we had made our way towards the top of the hill and the tricky 'Esses'.
Guess who had a flat spot on their front tyre after their attempt?
The Morgans are always entertaining to watch as their one rear tyre struggles to find enough grip to propel them forward.
Lovely curves on the Chevron
Every car had their moment in the sun.
That very rapid MG again, attacking the 'Esses'
The finish line at the top, in open farmland.
As we wandered back down the hill at the end of the day, we stopped for a few moments to appreciate the surrounding countryside.
At the bottom of the hill we were treated to a Spitfire display, to round off a great day out!
So, another venue ticked off our list, and one that provided a great day out, with lots to admire, classic machines being driven with gusto, jawdropping cars on display, and a bit of aviation thrown in for good measure. If you haven't been, then get yourself there soon. Once again many thanks to all those that made the event possible.
Goodwood Festival Of Speed 2015
On Thursday 25th June, the alarm clock went off in the middle of the night, which must mean only one thing, it is Goodwood time! An early start is imperative if you are to get down to Sussex when the gates open, and provide a couple of hours of uncrowded scenes to take photos of, before it gets a bit congested. Although the Thursday is not an 'Official' FOS day, and is called 'The Moving Motor Show' it has all the main attractions running, just not the historic cars going up the hill, and although busier than last year, it is still the quietest day of the Festival. Fantastic weather greeted us, and we mustn't complain about it, but at times it was very hot indeed, especially after walking all the way up the hill to the Rally Paddock at the top!
As we walked through the gates towards the attractions, this year's Mazda sculpture in front of Goodwood House caught the eye, and yes those cars are full size!
Proper view of the two cars atop the sculpture.
As garden ornaments go, it sure looks better than my garden gnome.
Talking of garden ornaments, this isn't too bad either. Please take note of the lack of other people in the shot, made getting up so early worthwhile.
Into the classic paddock and fantastic sights were all around. A couple of racing Astons to start with.
MB 300SLR's are a bit like buses, you wait for ages to see one then a bunch of them turn up!. You have to take your hat off to MB's classic department for bringing these over to show. Probably best if you don't add up the value in this shot or you may go weak at the knees!
Some of the racing machinery wear their history with pride, and look all the better for it.
You just know by looking at it, that there are many stories to be told about this car!
Iconic sponsorship livery.
The Americans were out in force too!
LM racers were put on show too, and they really are fascinating to look at in the flesh.
Another car wearing its history.
It was an important anniversary for Alpine, and this gleaming example drew the crowds.
One of the more unusual paint jobs.
Carbon Fibre display.
As well as competition cars there were a large number of interesting road cars to enjoy such as this Zenvo, which has one of the most imposing front profiles of any car. Great colour combination too!
The Infiniti stand had a dark moody display on its stand, just right for admiring the shape of the headlights!
Just to confirm that this Lotus is British.
Audi were using their racing pedigree on their road car stand too!
Not to be forgotten, are the cars on the lawn for the Concours d' Elegance, and these really were immaculately turned out as you would expect. Lovely colour combination on this Voisin.
Detailing par excellence!
Time for reflection!
This Bugatti EB110 was in the modern classic class, and really stood out from the crowd in this colour.
After a long hike up the hill, as mentioned before, we came to the Rally paddock. Cars ranged from the very new.......
to the not so new!
A small example of the rally weapons parked up.
Walking back down the hill we came to these off road giants, giving their demonstration area a try.
As you can see they weren't hanging around either!
At the end of the day, we walked past the Honda stand, and I couldn't help a smile spreading across my face when I saw this display, and yes they are real cars in those boxes.
With an incredible amount of things to see, as the Festival is a huge event, bigger than any other car event in Britain, we left Goodwood exhausted but delighted. If you haven't been, make sure to go and have a look next year, but make sure you set that alarm clock for a nice early wake up call!
FlyWheel At Bicester Heritage
On Sunday 21st June, we headed back to Bicester Heritage, on this occasion for the Flywheel Festival which was being held for the first time. Promising a mix of motoring and aviation action and displays to enjoy, alongside the great location, would surely prove to be a good day out.
Arriving early as we usually like to do, we waited a few minutes for the gates to open and began to explore what was on offer. This chap obviously takes his plane for a walk rather than a dog! Activity had already started as planes and cars were moved into position and prepared for the day ahead.
Starting the planes up to move them under their own power.
Groups of planes headed out to the airfield.
The largest plane was on display on the lawn.
All curves and rivets!
Also found on the lawned display area was a selection of classic cars of all varieties.
Cute little Austin.
A very patriotic way of protecting your car interior.
Classic cars in the foreground, classic planes in the background, what more do you need?
One of the more unique offerings.
Someone had been busy preparing this immaculate Rover.
And yes the back is as immaculate as the front!
The military buildings provide a lovely backdrop for the competition cars in the paddock.
Around every corner there seemed to be another little treasure to enjoy.
Cars were being prepared for the demonstrations.
Drivers were given a pep talk!
Whilst others were quite content to let the world go by!
There were also some lovely patinated military hardware on show, such as this tank that had been used for target practice!
An absolute jewel of a miniature radial engine can be spotted on this bike.
And so the motoring demonstration began, with speeds increasing as the drivers became familiar with the track.
Red Highlights
The star of the show was undoubtedly the Bristol Blenheim!
Suitable attired crew and fans!
It was amazingly quiet in flight!
Some of the even earlier planes put on some spirited displays.
Don't worry the gun at the back is a dummy, as is the figure operating it!
Nine Tiger Moths pretty close to each other!
The Spitfire put on a fast moving display.
It doesn't matter how many times you see a Spitfire in action, you can never tire of listening to that engine!
One of the unexpected delights of the day were the numerous people dressed up in the spirit of the occasion, such as this member of the Home Guard.
Military uniforms were much on display.
Land Army out and about.
Studying information.
Ready for battle.
As an added bonus there were also a couple of models on site, suitably attired and ready to pose for photographers.
The plane made a suitable background as well.
Having the models provided, once again showed how much thought the organisers had put into staging this event.
At the end of a long day, it was all too much for some and a little relaxation and rest were in order!
A good day out with much to enjoy, many thanks to all those that made it possible.
Brooklands Double 12 2015
On the weekend of June 13th & 14th, Brooklands Museum hosted their annual Double 12 event. An event steeped in automotive history, it being a pre-war 24 hour race, done on two 12 hour shifts as the residents of Weybridge objected to noisy cars racing during the night! This modern interpretation consists of three elements, a sprint on the MB World track, driving tests on the museum sight and a concourse. Not only this but there are various other attractions throughout the weekend to keep you entertained.
First port of call on Saturday morning, was at the MB World track for the VSCC sprint, and a look around the paddock as the drivers went through there final preparations. Obviously directions were the order of the day.
Last minute tinkering, on this absolutely immaculate Wolseley.
Push starting was a recurring theme in the paddock, as these honed racing machines were coaxed into life.
No shortage of 'pushers'.
Strange place for cup holders!
Bonnets up, tinkering going on.
Picking these louvers out in red paint kept somebody busy for a long time.
Pre-visualising the lap ahead, or quick snooze after a hearty lunch?
Built for speed!
One of the larger competing cars.
Glorious patination.
Brown and cream MG.
I wonder how many mph that extended tail adds?
Pushing on around the circuit, the cars may be old but these people don't hang around.
Possibly the car with the shortest bodywork.
Even the ice cream van was a bit racy, check out those alloys, complete with Ferrari badge.
After viewing the fun on the circuit for a few hours I wandered back to the Museum site to see what was on show. Here we have one of the newer models on display.
A handful of E-Types.
Super shiny Aston Martin posing in front of the buildings.
As if the music of the cars engines wasn't enough to please your ears, the jazz band struck up and gave us a few songs throughout the weekend to entertain us.
This chap obviously has a very big car to cart his instrument around!
Driver didn't say much, just barked his instructions to us!
A Tiger under the bonnet.
Back we came the next day, to find the Napier-Railton relaxing in front of the BP garage, in all its glory.
Racer lurking under cover.
We had a little bit of rain on the Sunday, much to the car owner's disgust, but to the delight of the photographers among us.
I managed to get a few shots before the chamois army came out to play!
Wet AC
Aston in the rain.
The Driving Tests took place at various places around the site.
As you can see, one of the delights of Brooklands is just how close you can get to the action.
Looking all the better for being suitably attired.
Many coloured queue.
Then we headed back to MB World for the non competitive display of cars, all suitably captured by this picture taking entrant.
Alpine looking glorious in yellow.
I did tell him that sticking his head out of the sunroof, would do his hairstyle no favours at all, but he didn't listen!
Truly fast, and very furious, the 6R4 could well be described as one of the more challenging cars to drive.
The demonstration was rounded off by a show from the Silver Arrows driving team on the skid pan.
Then we had some action on the Test Hill.
Making light work of the increasingly steep slope.
At the top of the hill, Brooklands Motor Co had very generously thrown it's doors open to visitors.
And what a truly unbelievable sight we found inside. Sure to leave you speechless.
All too soon the event was drawing to a close, as exhibits were pushed back into place in the Museum while we made our way back to the car park.
Many thanks to all those people who helped make this event so good! Looking forward to next year's event.
Brooklands 1940's Day
May 16th, saw a return to Brooklands Museum for their 1940's Day. A perfect setting for a day such as this with all the historic buildings in this superb location, filled up with a crowd of people suitably dressed, both civilian and military, alongside suitable vehicles and belongings. Although the weather forecast was distinctly dreary, we were blessed with glorious sunshine, obviously ordered in especially.
If you were at a loose end, you could always join the Home Guard.
They don't like it up 'em! Demonstrations were duly given in how to charge with fixed bayonet, which must have been hard work in such hot conditions.
The Home Guard's mode of transport, although I am not sure they would all fit in!
Flags were flying.
Union Jack on parade.
An RAF car fittingly outside the Wellington hangar.
Monty surveying the scene, probably plotting a raid on the BBQ!
WC posing beside an armed local, in front of the cafe!
WC in familiar pose.
Keeping Law and Order.
The American forces were well represented.
If only I had found out what the joke was.
A mighty weapon guarding the Hurricane.
Relaxed Flyer.
1940 communications???
The war ravaged French Cafe set helped to set the scene.
Looking surprisingly cheerful for a captured airman!
Not looking very cheerful after attracting the attention of a young lady officer!
Ah, perhaps this is why, incriminating evidence!
There was a Motor Show of the period too, with lots of gleaming bodywork and chrome.
No visible signs of whether this was taken this week or 70 years ago!
The vehicle of choice for the mobile forces.
Bit of a big old beast this one.
Period buses from the Bus Museum gave people rides around the Museum.
A big part of the day for a lot of people, was the dancing.
Officer checking out the dance steps.
I was very careful not buy a dodgy watch off this fella!
A bit of shopping going on.
Just in case you didn't have the right attire, there were many stalls willing to sell you some!
Military outfitters.
If you needed a smart new pair of shoes, then you had plenty of choice.
Obviously a very busy day and the lovely sunshine left some people ready for a snooze!
Another great event from Brooklands, many thanks to them, but particular thanks to all the participants who took a lot of time and effort to get the right 'look'. Looking forward to next year already!