Day For Night

November is supposed to be like February, a time where little goes on in the motorsport world, a time when those of us who charge around during Spring, Summer and Autumn can catch our breath.

Let’s Go For A Nice Spin In The Country

But as Burns would have it:

“The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men,

Gang aft agley,

An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,

For promis’d joy!

Sign Language

So this year against the run of form, it is frenetic, with PR releases and potential projects flying in from all sides. I should complain.

Lotus Blossom

Poor old DDC has been a bit neglected of late so here is a first look back to an Indian Summer. For a multitude of reasons I was not able to make the annual hike over to Atlanta and Petit Le Mans.

I Pad?

So what could I do with the free weekend? It was suggested that I try the BritCar 24, held at Silverstone. A 24 Hour club race round Silverstone, doesn’t sound that appealing.

Not Mellow Yellow

Shows how wrong I could be, it was great. OK it was not Le Mans and never could be, given the vast gulf in budgets and tradition. However it had the same essential DNA, the struggle to maintain speed and reliability over the length of a whole day. Les Vingt-Quatre Heures du Mans back in the 20’s to the 70’s would have looked very familiar territory for the 2011 BritCar 24 field. Not sure I can imagine Bob Berridge as one of the Bentley Boys but the qualities required to race through the night in what are largely road based cars would be the same.

Sunshine Special

I have to admit that the weather helped, warmer and less humid than Road Atlanta, Silverstone at its best. Had I turned up a year previously I might not have been so favourably disposed…23 hours of rain, yuk.

The Lord Chamberlain

The pitlane was full of familiar faces, some almost pleased to see me. I am not sure if it is in the FIA regulations but no 24 Hour race seems complete without Hugh Chamberlain, though he does assure me that he did not attend the 1923 Le Mans.

Fly Like An Eagle

Competitive, yet cordial would be my assessment of the grid, this was meant to seriously enjoyed.

The Short Clan

The press, such as we were, got first class treatment from Steve Wood and his team, keeping us well supplied in updates and coffee.

Star Light

My final conclusion? Rather pleased I went and if the mad schedule of the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship does not drag me off to cover the Six Hours of Uranus or some similar God forsaken place, I’ll be back. You should go too, it gets you back to your roots.

John Brooks, November 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 thoughts on “Day For Night

  1. NateB

    Hey john – I was wondering if you would allow me using a couple of shots here? With full attribution, links and credit of course. I’m working on a post for my own blog and would love to use a few of that Mk3 Golf. Thanks much,

    Nate

    Reply

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