Great racing at Easter Revival - Thruxton

[Speedman]

For the last 14 years I've been at Castle Combe for the season opener come rain or shine. Sadly the program for this year was poor, a few Mini races and the circuits own races. Thruxton, my other local track however was recreating its Easter F2 meets from the 1960s. The Revival was an HSCC event with races for single seaters, sportscars and touring cars. Rocking up at 9am I was one of the first in, for the grand total of £15 I got entry, program and paddock access. Bargain. First stop was a bacon roll and a wander. With no snow but temperatures barely over zero I needed to keep moving.



This lot are in the random order I wandered round in.

[Speedman]

One place I like to wander is the pit garages, these were reserved for the Formula 2 cars from the Jochen Rindt Trophy and Sportscars from the Martini Trophy.














;D

[Speedman]

Next stop was the Pavilion, home to the tracks race school cars and Tiff Needell and his Formula Ford. In the 1970s, Tiff entered an Autosport competition to win a Lotus FF, it was his break into motorsport. He had an average season with it and sold it on to progress up the ladder. Recently he bought it back and had it restored ready for this meeting. I managed to have a quick chat and get a scribble in my copy of his autobiography. He wanted nothing more than to finish the race.









Thoroughly nice chap. ;D

The last stop on my paddock tour before qualifying was the Super Touring area. The HSCC has set up a series for 1990s BTCC cars as well as classes for the 1980s and 00s stuff too. Grids are small but it was great to see cars from my motorsport viewing past again.

[Speedman]

I headed for the final chicane for the first qualifying sessions. Road Sports and FF. Mr Needell was mid grid until the final couple of minutes when he got up to 9th and finally 6th on the grid.




Next it was round to the complex for more qualifying, historic tourers and FF2000

[Speedman]

Now it was time for the racing proper, back to the chicane for the F2 race, 2lt, massive tyres, like mini 70s F1 cars.










Next up was the eight car grid of the Super Tourers. Racing wasn't brilliant, but the dice between the Accord and Primera was good to watch and the first run into the chicane was cool.

[Speedman]

Needing to warm up, I walked round the track to the complex once more for the Sportscars








A warming hike back round the paddock and to the chicane ready for the Road Sports race.





;D

[Speedman]

The last race I wanted to see before freezing was the FF. An aborted start due to a crash meant a long wait before racing resumed. It was close. First and second were a few seconds apart all race long. Third place was a six or seven way fight for several laps, before the position was secured by non other than Tiff.














A quick trip to the pits revealed a very happy Needell.




And that was it, I was cold and knackered so headed home. Some great close racing. A few more cars (there are rumours that Cleland and Watts will be out in Super Touring soon) and it'll be a great series. There are loads more photos here ;D

[Blown_Imp]

Thanks for the pics Michelle and I are kind of home bound for a bit so are missing the season openers, as soon as baby arrives we will be out and about to as many events as we can. The joy of getting my weekends back

[Seth]

Looks like an excellent day out Speedman

[trouble]

How did the damage happen on the BMW?

[Mephiston]

opposite lock in a mk1 tina - respect!

[Speedman]

Apr 3, 2013 8:08:48 GMT trouble said:

How did the damage happen on the BMW?

He rearranged the bumper on the back of the RS500 into the COmplex on lap 1