Hampton Downs. Worth going some really good cars there

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twink19, Jan 19, 2:55am
worth going, some really good cars there.
gasngo2, Jan 19, 3:59am
yes go.
singing1, Jan 19, 4:32am
If you are even vaguely interested in cars it is a must.
guider1, Jan 19, 10:48pm
Yep. by all means you gotta go!
dunwoody, Jan 20, 2:32pm
Plenty of B M Ws there Many from oversees.
socram, Jan 21, 1:33pm
Bump for twink - he is busy.
sterid01, Jan 21, 5:17pm
Don't bother going to watch the cars go on a practice day and race your own car , its cheap $40 I think , its an awesome track real hard on the brakes though and the cooling system , better idea is to hire a fast car for the day and take it down
socram, Jan 21, 5:59pm
What!$40!Get real.Try $150.I know the track well enough, having raced my own car there since it opened late 2009, so I know all about the load on brakes and also tyrewear and cooling systems.

I opted to not compete this time for a variety of reasons, but going down with just a camera and zero responsibilties in either organising, or running my own car, was an extremely pleasant day, devoid of all pressure - and was also very kind on the wallet.
I enjoy taking pics; having time chat to all the drivers, officials, promotersand supporters I know well.
Plenty of cars there we haven't seen at the track before.

I'll also be there again this coming Friday, as once again, it is a great day out and a very pleasant way to spend a day for anyone who appreciates variety in their cars.There is such a huge performance variation within some classes, that they are fairly processional anyway, so the difference between practice and race is negligible.
Where the racing is very close (BMW E30s), I have seen it all before.

The F5000 race is always a great spectacle and probably worth the admission fee alone but as crowd numbers are so low on the Friday, you have unrestricted access to all decent viewing spots.
twink19, Jan 22, 2:01am
it was a great 3 days, rain spoilt sunday, all those BMW group A cars were great.
esprit, Jan 22, 3:30pm
Was there yesterday. weather was pants, but the racing was GREAT! Wish I could go again next weekend :)
kellrae, Jan 22, 3:43pm
I guess you purchased the last pie!

Fancy you not racing - must have been quite strange to sit back and actually enjoy for a change.

Boss was there Sat and Sun - loved it but thought the crowd seemed small although the car park was full.I think the beauty of Hampton is you have good access to the Pits etc (for now anyway).
socram, Jan 22, 5:30pm
I didn't purchase the last pie and had to make do with a chicken panini.
The only sandwhiches left were vegetarian too - which should tell them something.I'll be getting my pie BEFORE the lunchtime rush this Friday.

Weather gods are not too kind to the festivals.That is all three so far having rain - but at least this time they haven't cancelled a day's racing.

Foggy is running next weekend having driven a super truck as well as the V8 at Timaru.Will be interesting to see how the Mini goes now it has an 8 port head.

As for not racing myself - I am not too keen on running a road car against sports racers (and the cost is a bit steep when there are cruising bills to pay for.).Andy Booth is back from his honeymoon and driving Paul Halford's McLaren in 'my' class along with Tony Roberts Corvette and Murray Sinclair's Chevron.No fun being lapped on about lap 6 of 8.

I'm happy enough wielding the camera and relaxing for once/twice.I managed about 300 decent photos after culling from 460.
elect70, Jan 22, 7:40pm
Busy boy trying to race 3 cars in same class , why isnt Tony racingthe vette himself.!
socram, Jan 22, 7:51pm
Whoops! Fair call.I promise to right proper like what I was taught.
-90-, Jan 22, 8:02pm
Can tickets be got at the gate ! Thinking of heading up at the weekend .
twink19, Jan 22, 8:34pm
good photo Socram, hope to be back on track next weekend. had a bit of a whoops during warm up on Sunday you get that reving to 9800got head off today
socram, Jan 22, 9:12pm
Yes.Check out the either the Festival website or Hampton Towns website for prices. I think they are generally two day tickets anyway, but not too sure.
Hard luck twink.Remember that old age catches up with cars as well as older drivers.Nothing much to be gained by taking it to top revs.
twink19, Jan 22, 10:32pm
top is 10500all power is 7 - 9500Bruce is working on it
it is a race car
twink19, Jan 24, 2:13am
any one going this week end
ltz500, Jan 24, 10:33pm
Do they have the BMW Group A cars and the Group A V12 XJS this wknd!
twink19, Jan 25, 1:44am
yes they do, plus a couple of Sierra RS500, Cologne Capri. Genuine Zak Speed Escort, the red and black one, only 5 ever made in 1977
scarey65, Jan 25, 1:59am
kenny smithwhat a inspiration !why dont we hear more about him.

his life story would make a great book
socram, Jan 25, 6:09pm
Gary Johnstone may be running either of his XJS Jags, the familiar green one (raced last week) or the ex-Hourigan car, (entered for this weekend).
Wave to twink as he goes past with 9,000rpm on the clock.

I'll be there Friday only again.
elect70, Jan 25, 6:54pm
About time they spent some $ on spectators, bloody PA system is useless on embankment(when it was working )should do away with those useless boxspeakers & put up a couple of tannoys . Didnt know what was happening on Sundayas F5000 didnt come out for morning race, then whole programme was changed&no word on PA
socram, Jan 25, 10:32pm
Fair point.Until the control tower is built (between the two blocks of pits), race control is on the outside of the track in one of the apartments and communications between the various officials, race control and the commentator are less than perfect.
Sound system was terrible last weekend in the paddock, but I think that some people need some voice training.When commentating, I have to speak far slower and more deliberately than in normal conversation.Pommie accent probably doesn't help either!