Holly Birkett Relay 2011

[SimonBenoy]

Just to let anyone who is interested know, there is again a team of Pesky Imps in the 6 hour Birkett Relay on the Silverstone GP circuit on Saturday 29/10. The team is the same as last year with Mike Dowsett in his Masters spec car and Martin Bramwell, Adrian Oliver, Steve Platts and myself with our HRSR cars. Last year, we had an excellent run and despite being one of the slowest teams on scratch, we came 16th out of 60 on handicap thanks to a nice clean run (except for the 2 attacks by stock hatches, which damaged Mike and Adrian's cars). There are 59 teams this year so far, with lots of Caterhams etc and Beemers. There is also a team of Alfas that might not be any quicker than us on scratch so we will be trying to beat them on scratch and handicap!

I hope that a few of you will be able to come along to support us and to act as spotters in case of any breakdowns on circuit.

Cheers - Simon

[Meltdown]

I'll pop it in my diary - we missed this last year. Wishing you all the very best of luck

[ImpManiac]

I might pop along again this year. Hopefully I can stay for the whole event this year.

IM

[bazzateer]

I'll try to get there.

[ImpJimbo]

I should be there for some of the day. What time does it start?

[Richard Claydon]

We'll be there with Team 41 Pit 9B. We'll say hello of course though!!

[SimonBenoy]

Full details on

http://www.750mc.co.uk/

see the pdf in the Silverstone box on the home page. The race starts at 11:15 and runs until 17:15.

Cheers - Simon

[pimpdriver]

Simon
I'll pop down to cheer you on - see you Sat

Eric

[ImpJimbo]

I will be there for some of the day. I will have to leave before the end though.

[SimonBenoy]

We are in garage 10C and are race number 46.

Glad that there will be some club members there to cheer us on - come to the garage and Kimberley will furnish you with details of how to be a 'spotter' for the team - basically means phoning us if you see any of the Imps stop on track so that we can send the next one out.

Cheers - Simon

[Meltdown]

You'd think the race organisers could let you know via the marshalls' radio if someone comes a cropper. Will you have access to a timing screen?

[SimonBenoy]

There are feeds in each garage - we just need to get an old telly tuned in to the right page!

[andy]

how much is it to come along and watch?

[SimonBenoy]

No idea - it cannot be found on the Silverstone web site, but I would guess £10-12.

[Adrian]

Just when I thought i was ready after a saga taking the engine back out after fitting a new cluth that was faulty, I woke up this morning and went throught my mental check list for tomorrow and realised. I still have the short circuit fuel tank fitted dooh well at least its a quick job before we go!
Weather looks good for tomorrow sunny!!

[bazzateer]

I thought it was Sunday! Just been told I may have to work Sunday as well, looks like I get to see the Imps et al and maybe get a bit of overtime.

[bazzateer]

Only just got home from work and completely knackered, as I may be working Sunday tomorrow is my only guaranteed day of rest so I probably won't be going to this now Hope it all goes well for the Pesky Imps

[Meltdown]

A few photo's from today's race

Mike Dowsett at Luffield

Martin Bramwell enters the new Arena section

Adrian Oliver gets ready for battle

Kimberley does a ritual dance as each car goes out!

[Meltdown]

Some more.

Simon Benoy flies into Woodcote

Steve Platts wings it through Club

No go slow at Stowe

Copse cranked over

[ImpManiac]

I too hope it went well for the Pesky Imps. I wonder how it went... Google time...

IM

[Meltdown]

There's results at www.750mc.co.uk split into half-hourly intervals. Race was red-flagged after a first lap first corner incident which meant those cars that had them ran with lights at the end (BTW Simon you have a sidelight out at both front and rear).

[ImpManiac]

^^ Thanks, Nick. Those Pesky Imps did well overall! VERY well done to the whole team!

IM

[Meltdown]

And a piccie from Beloved

[JayPea]

I managed to pop down for most of the race yesterday but I had to leave before the end. It looked like the Imps were having a tougher time this year but at least they appeared to miss the mayhem from the first start.

I went for a walkabout as they were using the whole circuit but generally got frustrated with so many stands closed off and then when it started to rain the stand near me was open but had no roof covering.

Here are a few pictures from the first half of the race...

http://www.jaypeaphotos.webspace.virgin ... ndex.html#

[SimonBenoy]

JayPea - fantastic pictures and thanks to all Imp supporters - we had a very enjoyable day but sadly not very successful. We finished 60th of 63 on scratch with 113 laps which equated to 52nd on handicap. When we were running, we were going well with consistent lap times, but sadly we had a couple of glitches. Mike went out first and had a solid run with no issues. First problem was for Martin who had a water leak from the outline gasket, but got back to the pits OK and didn't lose much time, just a few seconds. Steve was next out and running well with only a couple of laps to go before swapping over when his gearstick broke, unfortunately leaving him in neutral and so unable to get back. Adrian was next out after a slight delay and was going well but some over exuberance (4 wheels off track) resulted in a stop/go penalty. I was next out and had an uneventful but very enjoyable session as I got to grips with the new circuit.
By now, Martin had checked out the car and decided that his day was done, so the rest of us would need to do a few extra laps. Mike resumed next and had another good run, though he had the misfortune of a short shower and is the only member of the team not to like the wet! By now, Steve had fixed his gear lever and had a strong run, before going off to scrutineering to have his engine checked for HSCC/HRSR reasons. Adrian was next and also had a great session until his in lap when he stopped on track, possibly having run out of fuel. We were trying to complete with just this session and 1 more from me - my tank gives about 50 minutes range but this was aided by a safety car and I have over 5 litres left - about 10 minutes of full race pace. Sadly, on the penultimate lap, I was hit by a Caterham style car in heavy traffic coming though the Vale and pushed into another 7 style car on my outside, but fortunately the damage is not too serious.
We really enjoy this style of racing, but there are perhaps too many faster teams in this event so are looking at other options for next season.

[Mike Dowsett]

Had a great day was pleased to get a 2.55 lap must invests in some light weight panels. For the second year running I get in the car for my second stint and it rains!

Thanks to Simon, Chris and Kimberley for the great organisation.

Will buy Kimberley some running shoes for her trips to race control for next year.

[YellowandGreenImp]

Big thanks to everyone involved, team members, organisers and helpers/spectators. A very enjoyable day, great fun shame my car broke! great pictures too!

Cheers Martin

[benwick3]

Looks like the handicappers are not very kind to the Imps. Unfortunately it also looks like you have come to the same conclusion that I did several years ago - A great type of event but it has unfortunately been taken over by the 7 types, almost a quarter of the grid this year. as well as having both too many cars and too large a speed differential.

Worth looking at the alternative MG Car Club Four Hour Relay at Snetterton which from all accounts is like a Birkett of many years ago with no 7's and preference being given to teams of the same type of saloon/sports cars. Seriously considering entering in 2012 with a team of Clans and it would be great to have a team of Imps as well.

Pete Richards

[ChrisBenoy]

Hi Pete, the MGCC Four Hour Relay is exactly the event we are looking at doing instead, we only heard about it after entering the Birkett this year. It looks like the speeds of the cars out there would be much more similar to our own so would be safer and more fun.

[apeximp]

This sounds like a event I would get involved with ! Had my misgivings with the birkett because of the amount of 7's types very light weight moderns & hot hatches !
Jim

[Adrian]

Had a great time at the Birkett and thanks to all at team pesky Imps, I seemed to spend most my day sorting a dodgy hub and driveshaft.
Shame about my stop and go for having a big spin at 80+ mph, two full 360's and bang it back into second and off again. The chap in the caterham I saw as I was revoling missed me phew!

Adrian

[SimonBenoy]

Does anyone have a copy of last week's Autosport? One of our team drivers, Mike Dowsett, was mentioned in the Humble Pye column but my copy has been recycled before I could scan it for him. Thanks - Simon

[benwick3]

Simon,

I've still got a copy. What do you want, the whole magazine or I should I just scan the relevant page and mail to you?

Pete Richards

[SimonBenoy]

Hi Pete

Top job - if you could just email me a scan, then I can forward to Mike.

Cheers - Simon