Poor grids at Lydden 28th June

**Stephen Green** · 30 Jun 2003, 08:47 (Ref:646903)

Once again this weekends meeting at Lydden Hill was blighted by poor grids for the majority of races. The National Karts managed a mere 5 entries, one of those turning up late thinking the meeting was actually the next day!. Single seaters were 8 I believe but after an accident were reduced to 6.

Is it any wonder that spectator attendance figures are dwindling and how can we expect people to part with money to watch races with such small entry levels?

I'm afraid this has endoreced my decision to look at entry levels for future meetings before attending.

QuickBrownFox · 30 Jun 2003, 12:47 (Ref:647136)

I can't disagree with you about the grids Stephen, but even with only 5 entries, the karts were quite entertaining, with the lead group of three trading places almost every lap in their second race.
Single seaters ended up with 4 in the final of their 3 races; 2 retired during the race, leaving a Formula Renault and a Formula Ford - I got the impression that the Formula Renault slowed up to allow the Formula Ford to catch up for some entertainment.
Saloon cars were OK - VSR V8 vs ex-WRC Escort vs Sierra was fun to watch, as was a battle further back the field between a Peugot 205, Civic Type-R and Astra.
Really, I turned up for the 2CVs, and was not disappointed. There may have been only 13 entrants, but with 3 races, it (for me) made up for lack of entries in the other classes.
Besides - I got Gnomex on camera. £50 and I don't publish the pictures!

**Stephen Green** · 30 Jun 2003, 12:51 (Ref:647140)

I agree, the kart race was good, but hink how much better it would have been with 20+ of the little buggers!

Well done on winning the £50 (mumble mumble)

DarrellB · 30 Jun 2003, 14:01 (Ref:647233)

Should have been at Thruxton then this weekend we had a kart grid of 56 with 7 in reserve. Shame that more of the French trucks couldn't be available to give the British trucks some more competition in the international events.

**Stephen Green** · 30 Jun 2003, 14:10 (Ref:647237)

The guys at Lydden were the same championship I understand (karts). Can't see why it was split.

Richard Sneader · 30 Jun 2003, 16:54 (Ref:647387)

From what I have found out the karts were of the rotax class and there was a rotax meeting elsewhere in th UK and the long circuit Champs at Thruxton. CV's were good but a bit of a poor showing from the rest, Reason ?.
Not the usual from BARC SE as in the past grids have been good. Perhaps the virus from another club is spreading!!.
RS

**Tim Falce** · 30 Jun 2003, 18:17 (Ref:647492)

Maybe there were other things going on this weekend.
I could have gone to Lydden in the Saloon and Sports race but was commited to Croft, although maybe I should have stayed at home in hindsight.

Rod Birley · 30 Jun 2003, 21:23 (Ref:647755)

Ah and to think I took your trophy all the way to Lydden, falcemob, where you could have had 2 races for £118 or 4 for £150. Surely the cheapest in the country. So why weren't more competitors there. The karts apparently had a clashing meeting near Banbury...it wasn't scheduled until after the Lydden fixture had been agreed! Some of the saloons were at Lydden the previous week, which was a date moved from June 7th for some reason. Obviously the 2cvs were still recovering from their 24 hour event, yes you have guessed it, that was scheduled after the Lydden fixture was agreed...remember the 90 day rule for changing dates at Lydden. It is a pity that more single seaters don't come out. They were given two 15 minute practice sessions and two 15 minute races all for £118, which is what was asked for. The scheduled junior legends seem to have vanished. Invites were sent to some of the co-ordinators from the cancelled Cadwell meeting, but there were no takers.
Meanwhile at Northampton stadium drivers were being turned away as over 100 Formula two stockcars wanted to race, resulting in four heats, two consolations and a grand final, shades of the old Formula Ford Festival. Oh and the main event was for Formula ones of which there was nearly 50, a stirring sight.

**Stephen Green** · 1 Jul 2003, 07:03 (Ref:648019)

Maybe I'll have to join you on weekend for the stock cars Rob. I haven't been stock car racing for over 25 years when I used to go to Wimbledon.

**Stephen Green** · 1 Jul 2003, 07:04 (Ref:648021)

Start again Stephen...fat fingeritis this morning!

Maybe I'll have to join you one weekend for the stock cars Rod. I haven't been stock car racing for over 25 years since the days I used to go to Wimbledon regularly.

**Tim Falce** · 1 Jul 2003, 13:37 (Ref:648420)

Quote:

Ah and to think I took your trophy all the way to Lydden, falcemob, where you could have had 2 races for £118 or 4 for £150.

Cheers for rubbing it in Rod

By the way the trophy is my uncle's, he had to go to a birthday party

When is the next one at Lydden?

Rod Birley · 2 Jul 2003, 11:42 (Ref:649486)

Saturday Sept.13th. Might be some events on the oval that day as well.

**Snapper Baz** · 2 Jul 2003, 20:47 (Ref:650157)

...ah yes Rod-but how much does it cost to enter a race at a "Short Circuit" Imagine having loads of races without any practice. Loads of punters shouting "Fence the B******d!"...or "Jack him up!" at every corner...punters buying small little mags with all the gossip and pictures of smashed up cars in it from previous races...sounds just the ticket if you ask me!! Now lets stop talking about Brands and talk about Wimbo'!!

Gnomex · 3 Jul 2003, 21:17 (Ref:651325)

QBF - blackmail eh? You don't scare me that easy! Go on - show us what you got - I could do with a laugh seeing a pic of me with that big bloke thats always tagging on.

QuickBrownFox · 4 Jul 2003, 18:21 (Ref:652583)

Quote:

Originally posted by Gnomex
QBF - blackmail eh? You don't scare me that easy!

Be afraid..............

...........of my image editing skills.

Richard, Gnomex and Darren share lunch at Lydden:

Upside Down Bug · 4 Jul 2003, 19:44 (Ref:652687)

Which one is Gnomex?

Gnomex · 4 Jul 2003, 20:18 (Ref:652730)

Bloody cheek UDB!!

I have never been so insulted (well I don't get out much). For your information I'm the one holding a large chopper... (for cutting wood stupid). Darren is my new mate but as for the one on the left the less said the better....

Hog · 8 Jul 2003, 14:09 (Ref:655866)

Gnomex - can't you leave the fella on the left at home next time you come to Lydden. He's a nice enough bloke but he's got a better car than me and it shows mine up in the pits.

And I'd do something about the size of that chopper as well.

**ghinzani** · 8 Jul 2003, 15:24 (Ref:655930)

I was hoping to get up to Lydden and watch the Rotax Max's but was called out by work most of the preceeding night... What were they like speed wise? When I eventually finish some race meetings and get rid of my novice plates I want to go Long circuit Max racing as it sounds wicked fun!

**ghinzani** · 20 Aug 2003, 18:33 (Ref:693583)

Anyone recall what the Rotax Max's were like at Lydden at all?

Thanks

Rod Birley · 21 Aug 2003, 07:36 (Ref:694030)

Although there were only five, the racing was extremely close. I think the lead changed at least three times on the last lap.

**Stephen Green** · 21 Aug 2003, 08:51 (Ref:694089)

You are right Rod, it was an extremely close race, just a shame there weren't another 20 or so karts to make it even better.

**ghinzani** · 21 Aug 2003, 14:33 (Ref:694466)

Thanks guys, that sounds good stuff.

Peter Harding · 21 Aug 2003, 23:06 (Ref:694959)

30 August = 30 Locosts, 16 750formula, 18 Kit cars13 Hot Hatches
31 August = 21 Austin 7, 52 Stock Hatch, 8 Roadsports

Most have 2 races
Stock hatch have heats and finals
locost split into 2 races after practice (X2)

Hope thats encouraging

Upside Down Bug · 22 Aug 2003, 19:16 (Ref:695907)

Looks like we're all in for a busy weekend then. Shame no Formula Vee or the old ones (750 Trophy?).

See you there bright and early.

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