MGJ Engineering Brands Hatch Winter Stages '24

[justracing]

Some serious looking machinery lined up for this year's event, great to see but in other respects the level of competition has sidelined a number of wholly amateur crews that we saw in earlier years.
https://mtc1.uk/Entry/MGJBHWS24/Entr...ZTfA3Qge_olNog

[BertMk2]

Agreed - the top ten are all R5/Rally 2 cars - you'd have thought that was overkill for single venue events. What's also quite noticeable is how the number of Imprezas has dropped through the floor - used to be plenty of those around but nowhere near as many now.

As you say though, it's a good entry and should be competitive at the front - interesting to see that Patrick O'Donovan is seeded ahead of Ollie

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

What's also quite noticeable is how the number of Imprezas has dropped through the floor - used to be plenty of those around but nowhere near as many now.

Price of the cars (and parts) has skyrocketed in recent years. I have had a GC8 project on the go for a couple of years and I am kicking myself for not starting it sooner, as the money people want for some parts is mental.

Not sure if I will be able to do the whole day there, but hoping to get to Brands for at least few hours. Read a comment online that said Druids will be opened up this year as well, which is great: first opportunity to use the camera this year!

[flatlandsman]

The problem is not helped by so many of the cars being used for sport, the vast majority of which are now either gone or damaged, leaving very few left unmolested. A hell of lot went to Europe too parts are probably cheaper there.

My uncle bought an R33 GTR a few decade ago and when his exhaust went, even NISMO in Japan could not sell him a pattern one, there were none anywhere, he HAD to get one made, which would have cost him an arm, were it not for them never making one before and using it is an example! Got it half price, still 700 quid though

[geordiecriag101]

Had a canny day down at Brands Hatch yesterday for the MGJ Stages Rally. The entry seamed noticeabley down on last few years and by the time retirements took their effect, only 52 cars took the final stage. The 5minute penalty that Patrick O'Donovan got for hitting a chicane seamed really harsh and robbed everyone of the great finish between him and event winners Michael Igoe/Will Atkins.

Anyway, here's my short track side vid for anyone who interested:

https://youtu.be/bn_xXOdo-_g?si=PIcWlzMIcrq8hoO5

[dwh43scale]

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBb9fG

An initial set from a good day at Brands Hatch

[flatlandsman]

Alternatively a superb rally at Builth wells, no 4wd so real variety and a proper single venue, IE some loose surface, blind bits, jumps, some tight narrow sections.

Not just a time trial. I see the need for these events but they are not really rallies in the same sense as I know!!

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by geordiecriag101

Had a canny day down at Brands Hatch yesterday for the MGJ Stages Rally. The entry seamed noticeabley down on last few years and by the time retirements took their effect, only 52 cars took the final stage. The 5minute penalty that Patrick O'Donovan got for hitting a chicane seamed really harsh and robbed everyone of the great finish between him and event winners Michael Igoe/Will Atkins.

Anyway, here's my short track side vid for anyone who interested:

https://youtu.be/bn_xXOdo-_g?si=PIcWlzMIcrq8hoO5

The entry was definitely down on previous events but there was still a good mix of cars out there. The earlier finish was noticeable with the final stage being held before it was fully dark - not so many cars running with the spotlights on. The penalty for POD was unfortunate but inevitable once he'd clouted the chicane like that - that stage was very messy for him from the start, he hit one of the course markers on the first corner as well. I'll have a watch of your video later

Originally Posted by dwh43scale

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBb9fG

An initial set from a good day at Brands Hatch

Nice images as always - they certainly show how frosty it was first thing.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

Alternatively a superb rally at Builth wells, no 4wd so real variety and a proper single venue, IE some loose surface, blind bits, jumps, some tight narrow sections.

Not just a time trial. I see the need for these events but they are not really rallies in the same sense as I know!!

The circuit rallies may not be 'proper' rallies in the eyes of some but they are a good way of getting rallying in front of people (and maybe people that wouldn't otherwise see any rallying). They're also a good way into the sport for beginners so they definitely have their place.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by geordiecriag101

Had a canny day down at Brands Hatch yesterday for the MGJ Stages Rally. The entry seamed noticeabley down on last few years and by the time retirements took their effect, only 52 cars took the final stage.

There seemed to be a few drop outs before things got going and, as you say, there were a number of retirements during the day as well. Still, a few R5's, some nice Mk.2 Escorts, a couple of Sunbeams and a few other oddities were enough to hold my interest!

Originally Posted by geordiecriag101

The 5minute penalty that Patrick O'Donovan got for hitting a chicane seamed really harsh and robbed everyone of the great finish between him and event winners Michael Igoe/Will Atkins.

I thought that and, having skimmed through the livestream yesterday, it seems some of the other drivers thought the same as well. By all means give a penalty, but the punishment seemed disproportionately excessive for the crime. Hell of a charge from Patrick in the afternoon, I think he won SS5 to SS8?

Originally Posted by geordiecriag101

Anyway, here's my short track side vid for anyone who interested:

https://youtu.be/bn_xXOdo-_g?si=PIcWlzMIcrq8hoO5

Good stuff; some great clips of the cars dropping down into the paddock and heading round Clark Curve.

Originally Posted by dwh43scale

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBb9fG

An initial set from a good day at Brands Hatch

Nice set. I didn't venture too far from Druids during the day, but you found a few nice angles there. Good to catch a few shots will multiple cars in the frame as well.

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

Not just a time trial. I see the need for these events but they are not really rallies in the same sense as I know!!

I don't see the circuit based events as "proper" rally, but it isn't a bad day out and with the use of the pits, outlying paddock and the rally school as least there is a bit of variety.

If the event was later in the year I'd probably give it a miss, but at this point I am glad to have some motorsport to attend. As said above the casualty rate did seem quite high, but there was a mixture of cars still in the running at the end of the day.

[BertMk2]

A few of my photos from the day - I didn't have a great day with the camera but got some I was happy with:

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

A few of my photos from the day - I didn't have a great day with the camera but got some I was happy with:

I'd say you got some crackers there: big flame shot and a couple of nice sideways moments! Nice angle on Ollie there as well (presuming coming out of the pit land and onto the main straight?)

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

I'd say you got some crackers there: big flame shot and a couple of nice sideways moments! Nice angle on Ollie there as well (presuming coming out of the pit land and onto the main straight?)

Thanks - the flame shot was pure luck but happy with that one!

The shots of Ollie are coming out of the pitlane onto the main straight (the two car shot) and the other is coming off the circuit by the paddock grandstand.

[tbtstt]

Lost most of the last month due to a family situation, randomly remembered I had some pictures to sort through earlier today!

Only used the camera at Druids, few of my favourite cars from the day.









All rally cars look best in plain white!