Catalan Classic

**Peter Mallett** · 15 Dec 2012, 10:51 (Ref:3178879)

Details here: http://www.themastersseries.com/event-information.html

Mike Bell · 31 Jan 2013, 07:20 (Ref:3196434)

This will be first long haul of the season, and hopefully into warm temperatures and sunshine!

Masters are promoting the GT40's '50th anniversary' with big incentives for owners to enter the WSM race. Unfortunately don't seem to have one kicking around but am still going and will be racing in Gentleman Drivers. Last year it wasn't scorchio but still pleasant. Would be nice, though, to find the circuit has spent some time upgrading the showers and toilets! And we complain about sillystone.....

gt917 · 31 Jan 2013, 09:19 (Ref:3196478)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Masters are promoting the GT40's '50th anniversary' with big incentives for owners to enter the WSM race. Unfortunately don't seem to have one kicking around

Mike,

Borrow my replica and blag your way in !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GT

Mike Bell · 31 Jan 2013, 12:10 (Ref:3196553)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gt917

Mike,

Borrow my replica and blag your way in !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GT

Cue comments about some of the others out there....

Colin McKay · 31 Jan 2013, 13:14 (Ref:3196570)

Sounds like a gentleman's agreement if ever there was one, and it's in writing!!!

Mike Bell · 31 Jan 2013, 13:18 (Ref:3196572)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin McKay

Sounds like a gentleman's agreement if ever there was one, and it's in writing!!!

I'm getting my people to check for loopholes........

gt917 · 31 Jan 2013, 13:54 (Ref:3196577)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

I'm getting my people to check for loopholes........

Now, now.

No loopholes, but i do have to accompany you as spanner and gofer and you pay for fuel !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Getting my people to check out sanity clause ??!!

johngee · 31 Jan 2013, 14:38 (Ref:3196595)

Mike is well regarded as a 'safe pair of hands' ..... but then I believe that was said of somebody else in a 'recent court case'

GORDON STREETER · 31 Jan 2013, 15:14 (Ref:3196609)

Quote:

Originally Posted by johngee

Mike is well regarded as a 'safe pair of hands' ..... but then I believe that was said of somebody else in a 'recent court case'

One of my old girlfriends had a nickname of "safehands" !!

Mike Bell · 31 Jan 2013, 16:59 (Ref:3196648)

Quote:

Originally Posted by johngee

Mike is well regarded as a 'safe pair of hands' .....

It's not me hands that are the problem, it's me right foot on the go pedal.....

Mike Bell · 8 Mar 2013, 13:55 (Ref:3216023)

It's only 5 weeks away. My GD steed for the weekend is still in bits but hopefully the owner and I will get a chance to shakedown and test before the trip!

Will be interesting to se if the new FIA Masters Historic F1 and FIA Masters Historic Sports Car (was WSM) championships attract good grids, along with the GT40 only race.

As things are, looks like I will have space to take another car if use the truck, so if anyone is contemplating the event and wants to share transport costs please PM me.

Hopefully weather will have warmed up from that experienced by the F1 boys recently. Oh, and am reliably informed that is there is a bespoke shower block somewhere other side of paddock from garages, so apologies to circuit for slagging off their facilities previously!

Mike Bell · 2 Apr 2013, 19:22 (Ref:3228187)

Only a week to go and will be readying for the long haul down to Spain!

Forecast definitely better than here at the moment but of course time for that to change.......

Finally this afternoon, the owner and I got to shake down / try out his car we will be racing at the Circuit du Catalunya. After all recent snow a relief to find Brands dry- but still bloody cold! Car was fine and I fitted in without having to amputate anything, so well chuffed with the day.

Excited already.

morninggents · 2 Apr 2013, 19:29 (Ref:3228194)

Go on, I'll be the first to ask. What are you driving, Mike?

Mike Bell · 2 Apr 2013, 19:53 (Ref:3228205)

Quote:

Originally Posted by morninggents

Go on, I'll be the first to ask. What are you driving, Mike?

491 HYO, the red Morgan SLR. For me it is a real privilege to be able to drive let alone race something so rare, and am still a bit overcome by the whole thing. Certainly feel a lot more confident having finally had the chance to get a little seat time! Bit different to the FF2000.....

morninggents · 2 Apr 2013, 20:43 (Ref:3228229)

Wow! I'm impressed. Those are gorgeous cars.

Mike Bell · 7 Apr 2013, 06:27 (Ref:3230202)

Final instructions received, and SLR back with me having got over a bout of petulance- hopefully not to be repeated!

Two test sessions Friday to find out how car goes and where track goes, qualifying Saturday morning then 2 hr race same evening. Lucky the Spanish don't eat too early.........

Weather looking good at moment, but not believing anything until see it for myself!

Mike Bell · 9 Apr 2013, 18:21 (Ref:3231628)

Entry list is on Masters website. As links don't work from iPad you will have to find it yourself if interested.

Good entry for their FIA Championships- F1 and Historic Sports Cars, and Gp C not bad considering the cost of running the cars! Poor entry for Pre 66 Touring and Gentleman Drivers, but at least means should be a good amount of track space for me.

No doubt there will be lots of entrants vying for a GD slot at Silverstone Classic (it is to be the feature Saturday race into the dusk) but disappointing many don't support the mainland Europe rounds.

Alarm set for some ungodly hour and ready to roll!

Sun here I come.

Moosehead · 9 Apr 2013, 19:05 (Ref:3231646)

Have a great time Mike

Mike Bell · 12 Apr 2013, 05:52 (Ref:3232803)

So, Friday morning and after getting sorted in garages yesterday afternoon in glorious sunshine ready for some track time today. Just sessioned free testing but given my unfamiliarity with the circuit and the car very welcome. Hopefully no mechanical issues but given the major rebuild car had during winter after an off at Blanchimont last September not ruling anything out.

Despite the lack of entries for GD and Pre 66 Touring cars that is more than made up for by garages full of GpC, F1 and big Historic Sports cars.

Lancsbreaker · 12 Apr 2013, 18:06 (Ref:3233059)

Hope the weekend goes well, Mike - enjoy!

Mike Bell · 12 Apr 2013, 20:38 (Ref:3233128)

Thanks Richard! It has been a great day with wall to wall sunshine and temps in low 20s. Just got back from Granollers where circuit is based after finding a good Catalan restaurant with authentic grub. (So I was told!) Thank you tomtom, trip advisor and google maps..........

Circuit is great to drive with enough elevation change to make it interesting. Went out on old tyres and got to grips with corners and car OK, so pretty happy with things. Some concern about oil pressure fluctuation on corners but after Simon talked to engine builder then also to Keith and Billy with the other SLR have been told that can stop looking at gauge all the time and concentrate more on the track! Qualifying on new tyres in morning and fairly heavy fuel load to get feel for race with 2 hrs worth of extra weight in back. Looking at entry list we are going to be near back of grid anyway so whether last or 4th from last isn't going to make much difference...... Race at 1750 sat eve and really looking forward to it.

gary396 · 12 Apr 2013, 21:43 (Ref:3233159)

Mike, couple of good Italian restaurants in Granollers centre as well as local Spanish ones. One is called La Mezza Luna - tomtom should find it. Enjoy the circuit -sounds a bit warmer than when I was there last month.

terence · 13 Apr 2013, 05:39 (Ref:3233282)

Hope all goes well Mike.

Christian Devereux · 13 Apr 2013, 20:36 (Ref:3233608)

I walked up towards the posh end of the pit-lane this morning to see Mike Bell, who kindly introduced me to Simon and Kate Orebi Gann, and 2 of the 3 SLR Morgans.
They are fabulous cars, although I was careful not to lean on anything!
The history of them has really caught my imagination.

Maybe it's the essence of historic racing, that people are willing to take irreplaceable cars like these onto the grid.

A very classy garage compared to the Mosh Pit in the last garage which is our Mini Cooper central...

The sun is shining, the public are enthusiastically packing out the paddock; it's a good place to be.

Mike Bell · 13 Apr 2013, 21:33 (Ref:3233637)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christian Devereux

The sun is shining, the public are enthusiastically packing out the paddock; it's a good place to be.

Have to echo that, Christian! Sure the Minis were just as much an attraction as the F1s other end! The paddock behind the garages is fantastic with the manufacturer displays, 'Sunday market' area, kids funfair etc. The classics car park was interesting as well with some cars rarely see in UK. Really good crowds and for F1 race the startline grandstand was pretty well populated. Very family orientated event which is wonderful to see.

Quick résumé of GD race - We started 11th on grid after Griffith non started, I was able to lap close to qualifying time despite track temp of 42 and heavy fuel load. Car stared to misfire erratically and it gradually got worse but by carrying speed and having had more track time was maintaining pace. After driver change Simon found the misfire getting worse, and with half hour to go the car died as he came through chicane just before pit entrance. He was able to roll into pits and the enthusiastic 'push team' of Marshals literally ran with the car to our garage. After checking couple of things swapped the condenser and car fired up again. Simon went out and finished race in 9th, still second in class. Without prob would have been 6th behind the other SLR, but that's motor racing........

Fabulous car, great company, lovely circuit. Hope I get chance to come back!

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