Croft 27 December

coppice · 24 Dec 2016, 08:13 (Ref:3698228)

If you want a fix of live action after too much turkey and Christmas TV then Croft on Tuesday is a possible cure. Hugely popular single venue rally with excellent entry (everything from WRC stuff to Mk 2 Escorts )and a big crowd. Get there early - although Croft can struggle with small crowds at most events this one is a big thing locally .

justracing · 24 Dec 2016, 11:37 (Ref:3698249)

If I was closer I'd be there like a shot! Going to have to wait till the New Year for a similar event mid January at Brands, very little going on in the Southern counties and even the Plum Pudding meeting at Malllory is a bit of stretch for me, have fun.

geordiecriag101 · 28 Dec 2016, 23:35 (Ref:3698892)

From a Speccie point of view, it was another great day out for the Xmas rally. The weather played a part in letting all the crews push from the off, tho the number of cones that survived the day was a lot less than what started the day!

Another bad luck day for Kev Proctor as the battle between him and Guy Smith was starting to shape up very nicely but for overheating / head gasket problems put a stop to that.

For me the crew of the day, and not for the first time was Joe Cunningham & Marc Fowler. Watching them throw that little Corsa round is a great sight to watch and hear as they get every last rev out of that engine.

And a quick mention on Drew Bellerby who finished her first ever rally with dad Dave along side, well done.

Roll on next year

Here's my vid of the action if anyone interested:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JTMIRDdtuU

coppice · 29 Dec 2016, 07:39 (Ref:3698930)

Thanks for posting - a good day was had by all. Interesting that 40 odd years on , few cars stir the senses like a well driven Mk 1 or 2 Escort and 30 years on nothing sounds as good as a 6R4. I know WRC cars are faster but they sound awful and most of them seem to understeer far too much .

chunder · 30 Dec 2016, 16:38 (Ref:3699169)

To be honest.

If you know much about modern stage rallying, especially on circuits, the Mk2 is now perhaps the weapon of choice other than a well set up WRC car or a well driven club spec 4wd car.

They usually are podium contender. Or potential winner in the right hands.

But they bear little relation to a proper Mk2. Most are Millington powered, 2.5 litre 330 odd hp, weigh less than a piece of paper, flappy paddle gears.

So don't be fooled, they are basically Mk2 Escort kit cars, and bear about as much relation to a real Mk2 as a Focus WRC to a Focus diesel!

coppice · 31 Dec 2016, 08:23 (Ref:3699270)

I sort of know that already thanks. The point I was making stands though - a number of Mk 1 and 2 Escorts at the event were more or less the real deal. The ones which were at the front weren't of course - as said , bigger engine , huge wheels and often sequential boxes .

justracing · 31 Dec 2016, 16:39 (Ref:3699325)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunder

To be honest.

If you know much about modern stage rallying, especially on circuits, the Mk2 is now perhaps the weapon of choice........
But they bear little relation to a proper Mk2. Most are Millington powered, 2.5 litre 330 odd hp, weigh less than a piece of paper, flappy paddle gears.

and a decent one with the Millington engine and Sadev box runs out at circa £100k! Great to watch though and listen to that sequential shift without a hint of lift!

**BertMk2** · 2 Jan 2017, 16:31 (Ref:3699703)

Quote:

Originally Posted by geordiecriag101

Here's my vid of the action if anyone interested:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JTMIRDdtuU

Nice

Looks like the weather was a lot better than the last few years - not a hint of ice/snow!

chunder · 2 Jan 2017, 16:40 (Ref:3699704)

What amazed me Bert was the crowd, from some of the drone shots the crowd was huge, far bigger than Brands and Donington, and we did an event at Mallory a few months back and there were about 50 people there!

coppice · 2 Jan 2017, 18:59 (Ref:3699739)

Croft always gets a huge crowd for this event.But apart from BTCC masses and a very healthy turnout for the Nostalgia meeting it's three men and a dog- and that probably belongs to one of the drivers .....

geordiecriag101 · 2 Jan 2017, 23:36 (Ref:3699788)

Yea the Xmas rally at Croft for the last few years has always been a busy day in terms of spectator numbers. And to be fair, its a great excuse to get out the house and away from the crap that is Xmas TV and left over turkey!

One other thing tho, i got my ticket on the gate and that was £10, but looking at the next round of the MSN Circuit Championship at Brands its £16 on the gate. That's a big difference for the same thing.

chunder · 3 Jan 2017, 11:20 (Ref:3699883)

It is actually, total rip off for 16 quid for me. Very few facilities.

Typical of modern circuits, think Mallory was 8 quid.

Seems even a small event like this is an excuse for ripping people off.

I went last year and wont be going this simply because of that, a fiver to go over the already paid for bridge and tunnels, now with no cashiers yet the queueing is worse than ever!

Why do we live in this crappy place again!!

Glad the Croft event is going well, lovely track, just far away from me.

coppice · 12 Jan 2017, 08:02 (Ref:3701977)

BTTT- next rally at Croft is on Sunday; it will be fun if we get the predicted ...ahem..Snowmageddon.