Oulton Gold Cup

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

And this in the days when the M6 was still only a dream, so it was all cross country from just after Watford Gap services.

Mike,

It has been a very long time since the M6 converted from dream to nightmare.

Ditto the M1.

In the late 80s, with the M25 open, I could be fairly confident of doing the run to see relatives in Surrey in 2 hours, door to door. Sometimes a few minutes under.

It was 132 or 136 miles, depending on who we were heading for first, and, but for a mile or so either end, was dual carriageway or motorway all the way so achieving an average speed of around the national limit was not unreasonable.

By the 90's it was not possible to achieve that sort of time even in the middle of the night.

By the time the reason for the journeys disappeared a good run would be about 3 hours. An exceptional run might be 2.5 hours. A bad run closer to 5 hours. And all much more tiring.

I find that as one ages that is not such an attractive "leisure" proposition. BUt that's just a personal point of view based on a comparison with a distant past.

[zefarelly]

I've never been to Croft, OP and Cadwell are both great circuits in great locations, however the journey is torturous . . . nearly 7 hours last time we went to OP and that was over 10 years ago. When compared to what (was on offer at say Spa ( similar journey time, more than twice as much action/driving) its a no brainer from Sussex.

we've been here before, basically travelling round the uk to circuits is slow and unpleasant, particularly towing. journey times outweigh the fun factor.

[zefarelly]

Originally Posted by grantp

Mike,

It has been a very long time since the M6 converted from dream to nightmare.

Ditto the M1.

In the late 80s, with the M25 open, I could be fairly confident of doing the run to see relatives in Surrey in 2 hours, door to door. Sometimes a few minutes under.

It was 132 or 136 miles, depending on who we were heading for first, and, but for a mile or so either end, was dual carriageway or motorway all the way so achieving an average speed of around the national limit was not unreasonable.

By the 90's it was not possible to achieve that sort of time even in the middle of the night.

By the time the reason for the journeys disappeared a good run would be about 3 hours. An exceptional run might be 2.5 hours. A bad run closer to 5 hours. And all much more tiring.

I find that as one ages that is not such an attractive "leisure" proposition. BUt that's just a personal point of view based on a comparison with a distant past.

Sadly I agree, also for work, in the early/mid 90's I travelled the uk a lot for work, Solihull from Brighton in a little over 2 hours, M1 from BTN in an hour, Liverpool just under 4 hrs . . . Sillystone used to be 2 hrs. I wouldn't want to be doing any of that now, thankfully its not that necessary any more.

[gary396]

Late decision - hoping to get there tomorrow (Sunday) to spectate. Weather seems set fair.

[brands]

Good weather, decent grids for Oulton and some good races. All 4 variations of the FF were excellent races and also enjoyed the Guards race up until the pitstops.
Car clubs seemed fewer than in other years but there appeared to be a decent crowd.

[Mike Crow]

Wrong post I know but HRDC races at Castle Combe today were quite splendid. They kept a huge crowd grinning with pleasure with some of the best racing this year.

[coppice]

I went yesterday and enjoyed it . F2 was terrific , as was FF1600 . I was also very taken with the Skylines and Sierra etc race. Thin grid, but one hell of a spectacle aurally and visually , especially close range at Deer Leap .

But ...as has been the trend for years , the Gold Cup lacks a sense of occasion . I remember being in a big crowd watching Flavien Marcais in the shrieking BRM P180 , big names like Soper in Touring cars and huge car club displays. It feels more like a village fete now - charming in its way but a bit parochial .

I guess every circuit and club is fishing in the same pool , and just like the rather lame Donington Historic 'Festival', the Gold Cup is suffering . There's room for club events run by HSCC and the excellent CSCC, and also for the big league Silverstone Classic and Goodwood - but not that much in between ?

[morninggents]

I, too, went yesterday and also enjoyed the first race meeting I've been to this year. I must have been fairly close to you Coppece as my son and I watched the first Dunlop Cup Saloon race from outside the track between the Deers Leap bridge and Old Hall. Those cars are amazing but they are complicated cars and need a 'team' to prepare and run them which puts them financially beyond the reach of the average historic club racer. The F2s were also good to watch and fast. A shame Andy Smith and Miles Griffiths had a coming together in the second race as it was shaping up to be a close finish between the top three.
I was impressed by the size of the crowd on what was an overcast day but Coppice is right in that it doesn't have the sense of occasion it used to enjoy. I remember being there in the 1960s with F1s racing for the Gold Cup and I remember being in the paddock where the likes of Jack Brabham and Denny Hulme roamed freely and mingled with the fans.
Although the grids in most categories were good (except the Dunlop saloons) the competition from other series also racing over the weekend - CSCC at Brands GP, HRDC at Castle Combe and BARC/CTCRC saloons at Cadwell - all took some potential competitors from racing at the Gold Cup meeting.

[Malcolm Smith]

Had a great time on Sunday and Monday; great racing, fabulous classic cars on display and lots of friendly folk to chat to. Especially enjoyed FF1600 and FF2000, in addition to my usual road-going favourites. And, it was dry the whole time, a rare occurrence during my visits to Oulton Park.

[Malcolm Smith]

Photos 2:

[Lancsbreaker]

As said above - a very busy weekend for historic sport - I was racing with CSCC on Saturday at the Brands GP circuit, as support races to the Fanatec GT cars - whose antics managed to continually screw up the timetable - including, on Sunday, causing the luch break to be brought forward by about 2 hours, meaning the CSCC competitors who had been called to the assembly area, were held there for well over an hour - and the CSCC grids were almost all full 46 car grids.



On Monday I went to Castle Combe (primarily towatch the Classic Alfa Challenge) and again, as mentioned above, there was some excellent racing with reasonable grids. I guess you can only spread the jam so far.......

[brands]

I see the Silverstone Classic is moving to the Gold cups usual date next season.

[kickstart]

Originally Posted by coppice

I went yesterday and enjoyed it . F2 was terrific , as was FF1600 . I was also very taken with the Skylines and Sierra etc race. Thin grid, but one hell of a spectacle aurally and visually , especially close range at Deer Leap .

But ...as has been the trend for years , the Gold Cup lacks a sense of occasion . I remember being in a big crowd watching Flavien Marcais in the shrieking BRM P180 , big names like Soper in Touring cars and huge car club displays. It feels more like a village fete now - charming in its way but a bit parochial .

I guess every circuit and club is fishing in the same pool , and just like the rather lame Donington Historic 'Festival', the Gold Cup is suffering . There's room for club events run by HSCC and the excellent CSCC, and also for the big league Silverstone Classic and Goodwood - but not that much in between ?

Also went and enjoyed myself greatly- personally I like that village fete vibe which is an apt observation
Enjoyed your book by the way

IMHO life is too short for spectating at Silverstone

I suspect something like touring cars will fill the slot at OP which isn’t my cup of Assam

[coppice]

Glad you enjoyed the book - tell all your friends to buy copies ...

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by coppice

Glad you enjoyed the book - tell all your friends to buy copies ...

Is that pronounced 'coppice'?

[coppice]

Chapeau !

[HRSTR5]

For me Oulton Gold Cup is up there as a favourite (along with Cadwell) - the schedule allows for some downtime and a bit of social (and a beer or two on Saturday evening!), enjoy the circuit although not especially suited to my car, but i love the fast corners - Old Hall, Island and Druids especially!

With Roadsports we quali Saturday and race Sunday, so I wasn't there Monday (was watching my daughter competing at her first horseshow, she fell off ... straight to A&E - fortunately 'only' sprained ankle, not the fracture the on-site first-aider had anticipated - phew!) ... I've digressed ... on Sunday I thought the atmosphere was great, decent crowd right round the circuit, a good showing from the car clubs ... I don't need a live band or a ferris wheel, to be honest I don't particularly need a 'headline' race either!

There seemed to be strong grids in the majority of the classes, certainly those at the lower end of the spectrum. Shame to see the damage, particularly in 70s Roadsports.

I ended up inheriting a Class Win in the TR, despite being outclassed by my good chum in his +4 Morgan, but gremlins (and track limits!) got him - sorry for that, I was just pleased to get a finish after a poor run of race-luck.

Will be very sorry if OPGC falls victim to Silverstone Classic's date change ... as a competitor I know where I'd prefer to be, and i'd like it to be unchanged/diminished.

Thanks for the photo, Malcolm! TR5 #38

[rbs]

perhaps HSCC is happy to go down the festival route and forgive the smaller meetings. Makes me wonder why Alan Jones has suddenly decided to retire as he was "old school".

[Heightswitch]

Personally I love the village fete feel.. I know my place and have no delusions of grandeur I had a great weekend. set up the Griddle, made up my larder cupboard and set up the camp bed in the back of the trailer.. The gold cup is exactly what club racing is all about in my book... Big thanks to the HSCC for having me in HRS on the Saturday and Sunday :-)

[Anyopenroad]

Moved to 29-31 Jul in 2022, basically being forced to swap weekends with Silverstone Classic.

[brands]

Originally Posted by Anyopenroad

Moved to 29-31 Jul in 2022, basically being forced to swap weekends with Silverstone Classic.

That works for us and our long trip north. Glad we can still attend both.

[Alan Morgan]

So, the Gold Cup is now the weekend before the proposed Croft Nostalgia Weekend.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

So, the Gold Cup is now the weekend before the proposed Croft Nostalgia Weekend.

I see an opportunity for a "Northern Tour".

Maybe take in Knockhill?


Make the trip north worthwhile.