Oulton Park A.R.C.A.

[alfarian]

Hi all, I am thinking about going to Oulton Park for the next round of the Alfa Romeo Championship, looks like a good run from Holmfirth (where I live) to Buxton, stop for breakfast then on to Oulton for the racing, maybe a stop on the way home for a bevvy and a sarnie.
If enough people are interested I wouldn't mind trying to organise something seeing as we haven't got a rep at the moment. What do you all think?
Cheers, Ian.

[Morris260309]

Hi. Yeah this could be a good day out, what's the date for Oulton Park race and what time would you be thinking off setting off ??

Simon.

[alfarian]

Hi Morris, the race day is 30th July but there is no timetable on the website yet,( Oulton Park – driving experience gifts, news, event tickets, testing and trackdays from the official site )as it's a one day event qualifying would be in the morning and actual racing in the afternoon, to catch it all would have to be an early start. I will do a bit more research and keep you posted.

[Dave Brand]

The best place to look is the BRSCC Northern Centre's website.(BRSCC North Western)

However, no timetable on there yet, but it does say that the meeting "Includes Northern Formula Ford 1600, Saker Sportscar, Alfa Romeo Championship and Euro Saloon and Sports Car Championship."

Practice will probably start at 8:30 AM, racing around 1:00 PM, although there may be a race or two before lunch.

[Dave Brand]

The best place to look is the BRSCC Northern Centre's website.(BRSCC North Western)

However, no timetable on there yet, but it does say that the meeting "Includes Northern Formula Ford 1600, Saker Sportscar, Alfa Romeo Championship and Euro Saloon and Sports Car Championship."

Practice will probably start at 8:30 AM, racing around 1:00 PM, although there may be a race or two before lunch.

[alfarian]

That would be an early start to get there for the practice sessions thanks for the link Dave

[bobda]

I think I'll be away with work but could well be up for it if I'm not.

Have you considered being the regional rep?
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/yorks...of-reping.html (Anyone fancy a spot of Reping?)

[alfarian]

Hi Andy,
Yes I have been in touch with Frank, but thought I would dip my toe in the water first and try to organise something and attend a few more meets first to see if I am up to the task

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by alfarian

That would be an early start to get there for the practice sessions

I'm used to early starts! Marshals sign-on time is usually around 7:30 AM!

[alfarian]

A couple of updates on my research for a trip to Oulton Park. I recieved a timetable for the days racing from BRSCC, qualifying and practice starts at 8.30am, the Alfa Romeo Championship at 10.40am, Alfa scrutineering 9.00am. Actual racing starts at 11.10am, the Alfa Romeo Championship race is at 15.40pm. In between is the Saker Challenge, Formula Ford and BRSCC Euro Saloon and Sportcar Championship.
To get there for the start of proceedings would mean a eary start, around 6ish from Holmfirth 8.30ish would mean getting there for the Alfa qualifying/practice
Proposed route there would take about 2 hours according to google, some good roads and scenery though
Holme, Holmfirth, Kirklees, UK to Oulton Park Circuit - Google Maps

[Dave Brand]

That's a pretty good route - some very good driving roads, spoilt somewhat by most of the Derbyshire bits being limited to 50mph. I'd suggest a couple of changes, though. For the Chapel to Buxton bit - rather than going via Dove Holes, the bleakest spot on Earth, take the B5470 from Chapel to Whaley Bridge & then A5004 (Long Hill). The A54 from Buxton to Congleton is good fun, but, at the expense of a few more miles it may be worth considering the A537 from Buxton to Macc - the Cat & Fiddle - maybe there one way, back the other? Holme Moss, Long Hill & Cat & Fiddle all in one day . . . it doesn't come much better!

As for the racing, qualifying isn't all that exciting - a couple more hours in bed may be a more attractive proposition, although an early start will give you more chance of clear roads before the tourists who infest the Peak District are up & about.

I've never seen the Sakers (new this year) but I suspect that their races could be boring & processional . . . I'm not looking forward to their 60-minute race! Formula Ford & Euro Saloons are not to be missed - fierce, clean(ish) racing guaranteed!

[alfarian]

Cheers Dave, thanks for the input are these the routes suggested?
Holme, Holmfirth, Kirklees, UK to Oulton Park Circuit - Google Maps
what's it like through Macc centre? I went the other way to miss it
I may have to have a run out prior to race day to get a feel, research you know

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by alfarian

Cheers Dave, thanks for the input are these the routes suggested?
what's it like through Macc centre? I went the other way to miss it

That's the route I was thinking of. Macc can be a bit of a bottleneck!

[Dave Brand]

An update on this:

It looks as though the Saker races aren't going to happen, because of lack of entries. They will,if enough entries can be attracted, be replaced by four 30-minute sports/saloon car races.

[alfarian]

Thanks for the update Dave, I am definitely going to this one myself and am leaning towards a later start from Holmfirth to arrive at Oulton for 10.30ish, and maybe a bacon butty in Holmfirth before leaving. As regards the route, I haven't researched it/had a run out yet

[alfarian]

If anyone wants to go to Oulton on the 30th, you can get tickets here MotorSport Vision £10 plus postage or alternatively pay on the gate for £13, not much in it really
I am definitely going, I will be leaving Holmfirth, car park by the Cornerhouse Cafe (I THINK it's open that early) at about 8.30 am to arrive at Oulton to catch the Alfa practice (Hopefully ) and following this route Holmfirth, West Yorkshire HD9 1LW, UK to Oulton Park Circuit - Google Maps so as to miss Macclesfield town centre and any delays.

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by alfarian

If anyone wants to go to Oulton on the 30th, you can get tickets here MotorSport Vision £10 plus postage or alternatively pay on the gate for £13, not much in it really

Check your PM's!

There's a new timetable on BRSCC's website. The missing Race 8 is now included; the good news is that the final Saker race is now only 30 minutes, the bad news is that they have four 30-minute races. . . let's hope they get more than the six cars they had at Anglesey!

[alfarian]

For anyone following this thread, it is now an official event that you can rsvp to it should be a good day, some stunning roads and scenery.
Moved to FYI section, meeting venue changed to co-op car park.

[Dave Brand]

The entry list is now on line at:

http://www.brscc.co.uk/2011/entrylis..._OP_30July.pdf

There will probably be bigger grids for the "Saker" races - the decision to invite entries from any sports/saloon cars was only made just over a week ago - I know of at least one more driver who intends to enter.