21/1/2004 - Goodwood Charity Track Days
A rush of bookings over Christmas means that the Goodwood Charity Track Day on 20th March is now fully booked. Organiser Chris Darwin reports that the standby list is growing - but he still has places free on April 7th. For information on the days, and on the charities that benefit from them, call Chris on 01403 783458 or email c.darwin@virgin.net
20/1/2004 - JEC Mallory Track Day
Entries are invited for the traditional JEC Track Day at Mallory Park on March 2nd. As in previous years a reduced-price Track Day and ARDS course is available for £235. The Track Day costs £115 for club members or £140 for non-members, plus £10 for passengers and £30 per extra driver. JEC Organiser Terry Dye reports that the price is up this year due to a £1000 price increase for use of the circuit and an additional £1000 charge for insurance. For bookings contact Terry on 01453 842399 or email blue.dye@virgin.net
11/8/2003 - Brooklands plan not to be called in
Transport Secretary John Prescott has not called in the development plan at Brooklands. In a summary of his decision. Prescott states that he: "considers that there would be some conflicts with the objectives of national planning guidance but that, overall, the benefits which would be associated with the development, particularly in terms of the restoration and long-term preservation of this important historic site, justify an exception being made"
Mercedes-Benz plan to redevelop the site with a hotel, recreational park and riverside walk alongside a new heritage and technology centre. The plan will see some of the runway demolished, but the remaining parts of the banking will be preserved
7/7/2003 - UK Circuit Crown Jewels up for sale
Agents Jones Lang LaSalle have been instructed to sell Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Cadwell Park and Snetterton by current owners Interpublic, parent company of Octagon Motorsports. Octagon acquired the circuits in 1999 in a deal worth around £120m but industry experts estimate the assets to be worth just £70M now. There have been more than 70 early enquiries and initial bids will be taken during July with completion likely to be in September
Jones Lang LaSalle report "The sale includes an aggregate of 1,050 acres of freehold land with potential long-term leisure and residential development angles. However, the principle value of the business is generated by the underlying operations of hosting motor racing events, track testing, corporate/retail entertainment days and motor sport activities" - a comment sure to intensify rumours of closure for some of the venues if their value for housing exceeds that for motorsport
17/6/2003 - Arrows F1 team sale
The assetts of the defunct Arrows F1 team are to be sold online in an auction on 18/19th June. Highlights of the sale include some fabulous Track Day Toys - a pair of three-seater F1 cars built by the team for passenger rides. Spares are included. Also listed is a new, unregistered 1993 Jaguar XJ220 showing just 111 miles. Whether this was bricked up in the team hq, like a recent XJ220 find, is not known. Finally, to show that even F1 teams put their trousers on one leg at time, we have a Halfords 3-ton Bottle Jack. We'll be bidding for that...
15/6/2003 - Bentley take first win in 73 years
Team Bentley took a hugely popular win at le Mans at the weekend with a dominant 1-2 finish after proving to be both fast and reliable. Bentley knocked the hitherto all-conquering Audis off the top two spots on the podium - but were joined at the prize-giving by the Champion Audi team in third place. The Bentley EXP Speed 8 arrived at le Mans favourite to win the race, having shown a turn of speed that the Audis could not match, and Tom Kristensen duly put car #7 on pole in qualifying. After taking the win Sports Car expert Kristensen matches Jacky Ickx with five wins and sets a new record with four le Mans wins in succession [Bentley le Mans Photo Gallery]
13/6/2003 - Bentley take top two places in final le Mans Qualifying
The Bentley team topped the timecharts at la Sarthe during final qualifying for this weekend's le Mans 24-Hour race. The Audi customers teams took third, fifth and sixth with the Dome-Judd of Lammers, Bosch & Wallace sandwiched in fourth place. Although qualifying means relatively little at le Mans, it will be a good boost to Bentlley morale as they take their best chance yet to win the endurance race. Bentley use an engine developed from the triple-winning Audi R8 powerplant and their cars enjoy a slight aerodynamic advantage over the Audis, giving a higher top speed. The qualifying times in full are
10/6/2003 - bmwm5.com face legal battle with BMW AG
M5 fanzine and forum site www.bmwm5.com has been served with a Cease and Desist order by BMW AG. The German company wants to take control of the domain name which is privately-owned and used to run the site. By taking legal action, and not using the normal appeals procedure to take control of domain names, BMW appear to be using their legal power to force the site publishers to back down
The legal argument may revolve aroud illegal use of the BMW Roundel. Webmaster of the popular bmw2002.co.uk website, Richard Stern, commented "I am allowed to use the "Roundel" as I am an Official of the BMW Car Club (GB) Ltd which has the rights to use the BMW name & logo" - good news for club sites, but bad for non-aligned sites like bmwm5.com. In similar moves other sites have been shut down and the domains redirected as carmakers fight to retain total control over their brand and image
more...
7/6/2003 - Good Cause at Goodwood
Jenny Baker-Carr reports that entries are filling fast for A Good Cause at Goodwood on July 22nd and just a few places remain. Interested parties should contact Jenny on her new email address at jenny@circuitstars.fsnet.co.uk or call 07973 292164. One of the original charity fund-raising Track Days, GCAG is a 98 dB day run in ten-car sessions. ARDS instructors and experienced track day drivers will be on hand to guide new drivers and there will be karting, skid-pan sessions, breakfast and lunch included in the price. The day ends with the traditional, riotous raffle and auction at the Cadillac Cafe
6/6/2003 - More Italian Job Fundraising
The irrepressible Jobbers, veterans of Freddie St. George's Italian Job charity run, have a new fund-raising scheme which has already raised £1000 for the National Childrens Home. For details on their inkjet catridge recycling program see the info pages on the Italian Job website - you don't need to be a Mini owner or Jobber to help!
