European Late Model Series

[kelvin88]

Today, on page 87 of Autosport, you will find a snippet about a new Late Model Championship that is starting. I have been itching to get on to you about this but we had radio silence until today.

It is silly that there are so many Late Model type Stockcars in Europe that are not on tracks and utter stupidity if we do not try to do something about it. CAMSO V8 was a reasonably successful formula in its own right, but it lacks profile and its momentum has stalled with the idea “We have a track, we have drivers we don’t need to do anything else!” The story of ASCAR is long and complicated and been covered many a time on this forum and I don’t wish to go over it again here.

The technical bits will be ironed out over the next month or so. Tony Roots will be working with Colin White to make sure that the ASCARs are every bit as fast as the CAMSO V8s on the short tracks and that everyone has an even playing field when we get to the first round. For those disappointed at not seeing a Rockingham, Duane is working on it, but, to be honest Rockingham cannot be the main stay of this new series. Not yet anyway. If the series is successful we will get a new oval. There are people that have invested in the V8s who will make one, if this is successful.

The media bits are being taken care of by two of our fellow ten tenthers, SS Collins and CAMSOgirl! For those that don’t know them, SS is the editor of an engineering magzine and CAMSOgirl works for a P.R and media company, looking after such things as the WTCC. Both of them are doing this for the shear love of Stockcars and I cannot thank them enough. I will leave it to them to identify themselves if they so wish.

Another person I won’t identify is the person who has invested the money to make all this possible. We hope to recoup the money through sponsorship but we are in no way reliant on that, thanks to one person who had the unfortunate affliction of having an arm longer than his pocket was deep when I sent him the email that put all this together. I will show you how prize moneys will be allocated in another post along with incentives for people to join this new series. As with CAMSO V8, there will be no entry fees.

All that remains is for anyone left out there, who has an a ASCAR or a Late Model of some kind, to get in touch so we can get you some track time and see what we can do to help you race. A test session has been arranged for March with Rookie training available the day before, for the complete novice. CWS, Revolution Racing and Roots V8 Racing, all have hire cars available or can sell you a used or new race car

[Minicross424]

Sounds very exciting Kelvin and may i be the first to wish you all the best of luck.
Would be very interested to hear about any new oval circuit.

[tony s]

Originally Posted by Minicross424

Would be very interested to hear about any new oval circuit.

Venray , circuit de Peel a 500 meter oval and a 1 mile oval .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=294XX5pn5tY

[kelvin88]

We are already in talks with Venray.

[R59]

That's one idea - and I do hope it comes off.

I hear also that the owner of the Croix circuit in France is entertaining the idea of building an oval - I guess something 1/2mile to 1km...

If only Silverstone had pursued the 1/2mile banked - a-la Bristol oval that some of it's member proposed as part of the re-development a few years back, the world might be a different place now.

Me, I'm not interested in sub-1/2mile paved ovals - thought I could be tempted by a 3/8mile dirt oval in a Late Model dirt car......(I offered to bring one in from the 'States a few years back and demo it at NASA Autograss events, and got knocked back with all sorts of reasons why I couldn't do it) (also - not interested in Lydden or Mallory Oval - they're not proper ovals (banked, wall, stadium type, etc..).

And one more if only - the Velodrome built for the Olympics were built as a 33degree banked concrete oval, 1000m long (5/8mile), with enough space infield for two pitlanes (front and back stretch).... if you see where I'm going with this.....
And had a decent capacity grandstand....
It could be used by the spandex trousered types, as well as petrolheads....(running on Bio-fuel of course - to keep the greenies placated)

As I said on the official V8 Trophy forum - may you have the very best of luck with this, and to add that I hope it grows, because if it grows and circuits are built that meet my "criteria", I'll be there like a dog with two tails.

Rob.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by tony s

Venray , circuit de Peel a 500 meter oval and a 1 mile oval .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=294XX5pn5tY

When is this oval ready for action?

[tony s]

Originally Posted by FIRE

When is this oval ready for action?

Smal oval 13 Apr

[andy97]

Originally Posted by R59

That's one idea - and I do hope it comes off.

I hear also that the owner of the Croix circuit in France is entertaining the idea of building an oval - I guess something 1/2mile to 1km...

If only Silverstone had pursued the 1/2mile banked - a-la Bristol oval that some of it's member proposed as part of the re-development a few years back, the world might be a different place now.

Me, I'm not interested in sub-1/2mile paved ovals - thought I could be tempted by a 3/8mile dirt oval in a Late Model dirt car......(I offered to bring one in from the 'States a few years back and demo it at NASA Autograss events, and got knocked back with all sorts of reasons why I couldn't do it) (also - not interested in Lydden or Mallory Oval - they're not proper ovals (banked, wall, stadium type, etc..).

And one more if only - the Velodrome built for the Olympics were built as a 33degree banked concrete oval, 1000m long (5/8mile), with enough space infield for two pitlanes (front and back stretch).... if you see where I'm going with this.....
And had a decent capacity grandstand....
It could be used by the spandex trousered types, as well as petrolheads....(running on Bio-fuel of course - to keep the greenies placated)

As I said on the official V8 Trophy forum - may you have the very best of luck with this, and to add that I hope it grows, because if it grows and circuits are built that meet my "criteria", I'll be there like a dog with two tails.

Rob.

Sometimes you just have to compromise in order to be part of building towards the bigger picture!

[andy97]

Originally Posted by R59

That's one idea - and I do hope it comes off.

I hear also that the owner of the Croix circuit in France is entertaining the idea of building an oval - I guess something 1/2mile to 1km...

If only Silverstone had pursued the 1/2mile banked - a-la Bristol oval that some of it's member proposed as part of the re-development a few years back, the world might be a different place now.

Me, I'm not interested in sub-1/2mile paved ovals - thought I could be tempted by a 3/8mile dirt oval in a Late Model dirt car......(I offered to bring one in from the 'States a few years back and demo it at NASA Autograss events, and got knocked back with all sorts of reasons why I couldn't do it) (also - not interested in Lydden or Mallory Oval - they're not proper ovals (banked, wall, stadium type, etc..).

And one more if only - the Velodrome built for the Olympics were built as a 33degree banked concrete oval, 1000m long (5/8mile), with enough space infield for two pitlanes (front and back stretch).... if you see where I'm going with this.....
And had a decent capacity grandstand....
It could be used by the spandex trousered types, as well as petrolheads....(running on Bio-fuel of course - to keep the greenies placated)

As I said on the official V8 Trophy forum - may you have the very best of luck with this, and to add that I hope it grows, because if it grows and circuits are built that meet my "criteria", I'll be there like a dog with two tails.

Rob.

Sometimes you just have to compromise in order to be part of building towards the bigger picture & it might be better to have 60% of something near than a 100% of "Sweet F.A"!

[kelvin88]

Absolutely Andy. As i said, money is not the problem but we must prove this racing is viable.

We are liasing with Croix aswell.

Beleive me we have this covered!

[Minicross424]

Looking forward to hearing what drivers are on board.
I assume you have been contacting the guys whos ASCARs are gathering dust.
Names like John Steward and I read in a interview that Hot Rod world champion Carl Boardly car is in a container.
Is there to be spotters?

[danieljboys]

I don't have an Ascar gathering dust but I will be in one of the Revolution cars for some of the rounds this year. It will be good to be part of some late model racing over here and I know Tony, Duane and Kelvin have been working extremely hard over the last few weeks to get the project off the ground. Hats off to all involved! This year I just want to enjoy my stock cars and get in some good side by side racing. It should be fun to see Ascars and Camsos mixing it up!

[Minicross424]

You know it Daniel!
Very excited that you guys are comming to my home track, Lydden if im racing on the same day come and see me in the paddock with my little Mini!

[andy97]

I'd really like to see you race on the Mallory mile. Any idea of a date, yet?

I discussed on another thread the fact that the new Anglesey track already has 2 straights linked by a shallow(ish) banked corner, spookily enough called "The Banking" on the circuit diagram below....."just" need to complete the loop, possibly at the corner known as "Church", although I suspect that this would have to remain a flat corner due to the way it would link in to the rest of the "road" course.

http://www.angleseycircuit.com/international.htm.

Might be a bit tight for you guys, I don't know enough about it, but it is quite a wide circuit.

[kelvin88]

There is issues with Mallory at the moment. An oval Legend driver was seriously injured there at the last Long Track Championship Meeting so people are a little nervous of this meeting I think. I don't have any details on talks with the promoter but when I know, you will know.

[kelvin88]

12th April Warneton Belgium
13th April Warneton
3rd May Warneton
24th May Warneton
28th June Warneton
12th July Warneton
15th August Ipswich UK
23rd August Warneton
31st August Hednesford
UK 6th September Warneton
20th September Warneton
11th October Warneton

Plus Two at Lydden Hill UK Dates to be confirmed

[R59]

Originally Posted by andy97

Sometimes you just have to compromise in order to be part of building towards the bigger picture & it might be better to have 60% of something near than a 100% of "Sweet F.A"!

That's very true, but from my own experience of driving on a short oval (had a bash at a test day at Northampton many years ago), it just left me cold. I didn't enjoy it.

Why I said dirt oval is because I have (dissolving in my yard) at NASA Class II Autograss Mk2 Escort (strangely enough, no.SN59), and even though it never got further than some "testing" on stubble, it was a total hoot, and IF I ever get time, I'll have another go. Providing NASA don't P me off with stupid rules of "you can't do that, we don't like it"

Kelv, I'm with you on Mallory. The "hump" is tooooo much for this kind of car. The Eurocar V8's looked positively out of control when they raced on it lord knows how many years ago that was.....
Mallory's owners once said that if they could get a big gate for every oval meeting, they'd turn the place into a proper oval!! Now there's a threat I like the sound of.....

Rob.

[andy97]

Originally Posted by R59

Kelv, I'm with you on Mallory. The "hump" is tooooo much for this kind of car. The Eurocar V8's looked positively out of control when they raced on it lord knows how many years ago that was.....
Mallory's owners once said that if they could get a big gate for every oval meeting, they'd turn the place into a proper oval!! Now there's a threat I like the sound of.....

Rob.

Different owners at Mallory, now, though. You'd have to deal with the BARC.

[Minicross424]

Rob
Ive still got my autograss class one mini that i take out now and then for a blast.
Its over ten years old and except for chucking in a few extra bars on the cage they had no probs with it racing.
Those sprint cars that race at arena essex need to have a go on a dirt oval!

[nickyf1]

ooh, Ipswich and Henesford, didnt think you could get such big cars on those

[kelvin88]

Went to Ipswich last night with the #77 Roots V8 Pontiac. It looked good out there, we will need them to clean us a high groove but the car was fast and looked good. Carl Boardley went out in it and was plesantly suprised how good it went round there. Am looking forward to these two races a lot now!

[duke_toaster]

Originally Posted by R59

That's one idea - and I do hope it comes off.

I hear also that the owner of the Croix circuit in France is entertaining the idea of building an oval - I guess something 1/2mile to 1km...

If only Silverstone had pursued the 1/2mile banked - a-la Bristol oval that some of it's member proposed as part of the re-development a few years back, the world might be a different place now.

Costs ... it's cheaper to leave the rallysprint there doing nothing than building an oval track. Maybe they could have built the oval in the stadium section of the circuit so the stands would get two lots of use, although I'm not pretending I've got an exact layout in mind.

And one more if only - the Velodrome built for the Olympics were built as a 33degree banked concrete oval, 1000m long (5/8mile), with enough space infield for two pitlanes (front and back stretch).... if you see where I'm going with this.....
And had a decent capacity grandstand....
It could be used by the spandex trousered types, as well as petrolheads....(running on Bio-fuel of course - to keep the greenies placated)

250m is the standard length for velodromes these days, so the only stock car racing you'll fit on it is this, which actually could be a pretty interesting idea.

[andy97]

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

Costs ... it's cheaper to leave the rallysprint there doing nothing than building an oval track. Maybe they could have built the oval in the stadium section of the circuit so the stands would get two lots of use, although I'm not pretending I've got an exact layout in mind.

The Rallysprint track has gone - its now part of the Porsche Driver Development Centre; I expect Porsche paid a fair bit for the right to use the land! I would have thought that you could have done something with the Stowe Circuit, particularly as they no longer run the 5 Day ARDS course there anymore.

[kipper]

Originally Posted by andy97

I would have thought that you could have done something with the Stowe Circuit, particularly as they no longer run the 5 Day ARDS course there anymore.

The Stowe Circuit is still used for various school days. One issue wih redeveloping the circuit to an oval is that banking may not be possible if the straights still need to function as air strips when required.

[andy97]

Originally Posted by kipper

The Stowe Circuit is still used for various school days. One issue wih redeveloping the circuit to an oval is that banking may not be possible if the straights still need to function as air strips when required.

It can't be beyond the wit of man to develop suitable banking that also allows the road course to exist, can it? As for the airstrip functions, then they only ever allow helicopters in to Silverstone, so I wouldn't have thought that 2 lots of banking would interfere too much.