Wednesday, December 31, 2008
January Oval and Out
Last month I was pleased to include some information on Irish driver (according to Motorsport News!) Martin Pierce who is of course the son of Superstox legend Dave. This month I can report that Martin has again excelled at the very top level in Karting by taking third place in the World Championship at Salbris in Italy. He is now officially the World Masters Champion as he was the only over 30 to make it through to the finals. Last month I also made the comment that Martin is perhaps competing in a more competitive arena than Dave had. On reflection I don’t think you can compare the two disciplines just as you cannot compare today’s Grand Prix stars with the likes of Stirling Moss who raced all those years ago but however you look at it the achievements of both Pierce senior and junior are outstanding.
Although I am no longer active in the Grand Prix Midget Club I do retain an interest in preserving the history and records of the class via my website. I still think it’s the most detailed short circuit formula archive on the net and it’s all down to the people who take the time to contribute. I still take a keen interest in the formula and the current results and happenings but was sad to learn that there are moves to drop some of the memorial trophies that are run throughout the year. I can understand that if the families concerned think it’s appropriate but otherwise I think the club should be keen to hang on to its heritage. What other formula in the UK races for a trophy won by Graham Hill for example? OK so most people know of Graham Hill but what about the likes of the June Cochrane Trophy? The fact is that June helped steer the club through some very challenging times. She may not be around today but she should not be forgotten and that’s why the Trophy was commissioned in the first place. The 2009 season sees the Midgets having an ‘awayday’ to Cowdenbeath for the first time in many years. The ‘awayday’ has become something of a tradition for the club – recent years having seen one-off visits to places like Tipperary and Europe. I smiled when I heard they had decided to brand the event as the “Tourist Trophy”. Maybe 2010 could see a visit to Onchan on the Isle of Man – a trip was planned a couple of years back but did not happen.
Lawrence Davey finished 9th in the Legends Cars Pro Division World Championship in Las Vegas. Peter Morton took fourth place in the Masters. This year I think saw the lowest attendance from the UK for many years probably due to the choice of venue rather than our partly self generated economic panic. Those results put both drivers second in the World Legends Rankings for 2008 so well done lads. Third place went to another UK driver, Simon Belcher. Most of the UK drivers relish the challenge of the usual venue, Sears Point, which is a proper circuit whilst many referred to Vegas as ‘the car park’ – they don’t even use the main racetrack. The event was not listed on the circuit’s website and information was difficult to come by over the course of the weekend. Although non American drivers appeared to be few and far between this year there were two Russian entrants for the first time so the Legends phenomenon continues to spread across the globe.
You will have read in last month’s Short Circuit that we are planning a new magazine for 2009. Called Oval Track Classic the quarterly publication will celebrate the heritage of the sport with articles on circuits, personalities, cars and generally days gone by. It will also look at the current classic scene so well served by BriSCA Heritage, the Classic Hot Rods and Historic Stock Saloons. The first issue is out in March and we would welcome any contributions – particularly those old snaps you might have that have never seen the light of day… Please email us (insert email) if you have anything you think might be of interest.
This time of year is fairly quiet for me as my main work is usually on the long circuits which of course generally means race meetings being held from March to about October. I have to say I am wondering how the economic downturn will affect motor racing in the UK over the next 12 months. I did not see much in the way of reduced spending in the industry in 2008 although some people were later than usual settling my invoices... I guess people always need a hobby so hopefully there will still be a healthy sport at the end of it. They say “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” so perhaps the sport will emerge all the better in a couple of years. Hopefully all this will benefit the budget classes out there because in theory people who like to race but can’t afford more expensive racing can take a step down. That’s what happened when Stock Rods were introduced in the 1970s – a number or drivers went into that class to save a bit of cash.
I was lucky enough to do a commentary for the excellent Mighty Mini Championship recently. The cars (the original Mini rather than the new one) were filmed back in June at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire and the racing was first rate with six cars dicing over the lead all race long (and that’s without even casting a glance to the other 18 drivers!). I think it’s that type of racing that will not only survive but thrive. It’s a well organised series with a popular and yet cost effective car.
Looking back over 2008 I have to say that the best day out I had at a race track was the Knockhill SMRC finale. That’s probably because I was not working that day and it blew away the personal myth that I did not enjoy race meetings any more just as a spectator. The events I worked at were good as well and I don’t think you can do too much better than go to a British Touring Car Championship meeting. Despite sky high petrol prices in the Summer these meetings continued to see bigger and bigger crowds up and down the country. I think the BTCC has to be my favourite championship of the year but the Scottish Mini Cooper Cup was mighty exciting as well. My tip for next season is the Scottish Legends Cars Championship as this year’s dominatrix(!) Carol Brown is looking to move on. This will leave the likes of Frank and Scott Hynds (uncle/nephew), Alistair Gauld, Gerard McCosh and Tony Caig as perhaps the main contenders. Keep an eye on former saloon ace Kenny Purdie as well – he’s surely the main contender for the rookie trophy.
Whatever your favourite formula I would like to wish you all a happy and prosperous 2009.
Although I am no longer active in the Grand Prix Midget Club I do retain an interest in preserving the history and records of the class via my website. I still think it’s the most detailed short circuit formula archive on the net and it’s all down to the people who take the time to contribute. I still take a keen interest in the formula and the current results and happenings but was sad to learn that there are moves to drop some of the memorial trophies that are run throughout the year. I can understand that if the families concerned think it’s appropriate but otherwise I think the club should be keen to hang on to its heritage. What other formula in the UK races for a trophy won by Graham Hill for example? OK so most people know of Graham Hill but what about the likes of the June Cochrane Trophy? The fact is that June helped steer the club through some very challenging times. She may not be around today but she should not be forgotten and that’s why the Trophy was commissioned in the first place. The 2009 season sees the Midgets having an ‘awayday’ to Cowdenbeath for the first time in many years. The ‘awayday’ has become something of a tradition for the club – recent years having seen one-off visits to places like Tipperary and Europe. I smiled when I heard they had decided to brand the event as the “Tourist Trophy”. Maybe 2010 could see a visit to Onchan on the Isle of Man – a trip was planned a couple of years back but did not happen.
Lawrence Davey finished 9th in the Legends Cars Pro Division World Championship in Las Vegas. Peter Morton took fourth place in the Masters. This year I think saw the lowest attendance from the UK for many years probably due to the choice of venue rather than our partly self generated economic panic. Those results put both drivers second in the World Legends Rankings for 2008 so well done lads. Third place went to another UK driver, Simon Belcher. Most of the UK drivers relish the challenge of the usual venue, Sears Point, which is a proper circuit whilst many referred to Vegas as ‘the car park’ – they don’t even use the main racetrack. The event was not listed on the circuit’s website and information was difficult to come by over the course of the weekend. Although non American drivers appeared to be few and far between this year there were two Russian entrants for the first time so the Legends phenomenon continues to spread across the globe.
You will have read in last month’s Short Circuit that we are planning a new magazine for 2009. Called Oval Track Classic the quarterly publication will celebrate the heritage of the sport with articles on circuits, personalities, cars and generally days gone by. It will also look at the current classic scene so well served by BriSCA Heritage, the Classic Hot Rods and Historic Stock Saloons. The first issue is out in March and we would welcome any contributions – particularly those old snaps you might have that have never seen the light of day… Please email us (insert email) if you have anything you think might be of interest.
This time of year is fairly quiet for me as my main work is usually on the long circuits which of course generally means race meetings being held from March to about October. I have to say I am wondering how the economic downturn will affect motor racing in the UK over the next 12 months. I did not see much in the way of reduced spending in the industry in 2008 although some people were later than usual settling my invoices... I guess people always need a hobby so hopefully there will still be a healthy sport at the end of it. They say “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” so perhaps the sport will emerge all the better in a couple of years. Hopefully all this will benefit the budget classes out there because in theory people who like to race but can’t afford more expensive racing can take a step down. That’s what happened when Stock Rods were introduced in the 1970s – a number or drivers went into that class to save a bit of cash.
I was lucky enough to do a commentary for the excellent Mighty Mini Championship recently. The cars (the original Mini rather than the new one) were filmed back in June at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire and the racing was first rate with six cars dicing over the lead all race long (and that’s without even casting a glance to the other 18 drivers!). I think it’s that type of racing that will not only survive but thrive. It’s a well organised series with a popular and yet cost effective car.
Looking back over 2008 I have to say that the best day out I had at a race track was the Knockhill SMRC finale. That’s probably because I was not working that day and it blew away the personal myth that I did not enjoy race meetings any more just as a spectator. The events I worked at were good as well and I don’t think you can do too much better than go to a British Touring Car Championship meeting. Despite sky high petrol prices in the Summer these meetings continued to see bigger and bigger crowds up and down the country. I think the BTCC has to be my favourite championship of the year but the Scottish Mini Cooper Cup was mighty exciting as well. My tip for next season is the Scottish Legends Cars Championship as this year’s dominatrix(!) Carol Brown is looking to move on. This will leave the likes of Frank and Scott Hynds (uncle/nephew), Alistair Gauld, Gerard McCosh and Tony Caig as perhaps the main contenders. Keep an eye on former saloon ace Kenny Purdie as well – he’s surely the main contender for the rookie trophy.
Whatever your favourite formula I would like to wish you all a happy and prosperous 2009.
# posted by RJ Neil @ 5:23 AM 
