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Sauna...

You're right, I couldn't find in the programme when I was doing the post have now though.

You could think of the Castle Combe Autumn Classic being the country cousin of the Goodwood Revival, same sort of racing but no funfair, over priced stores or fancy period dress. To be fair there are no multi million pound grids either. The selection of cars does seem to have gone down over the years maybe down to it being so late in the season and the weather hasn't been kind in recent years.

Anyway it's local to me not that expensive and there are some good races with a good selection of 'classic' racers.

I arrived towards the end of morning qualifying so headed for the paddock to have a look around;

First thing of note (apart from an immaculate very early MX5 that for some reason I didn't take a picture of) was a 2 door Ford Cortina MKV estate, with slightly bigger engine...


IMG_7115-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr


IMG_7116-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr


IMG_7117-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Similar to the grey/orange one from RRG except this is a 2 door and is relatively stock body wise, it started as an estate and has a big V8 in it. A bit different to the 1.6L version I had as company car back in the day. Spoke to the owner/builder, nice chap and happy to talk. I'm sure somebody knows more Mercdan68 fraudownersclub

Next up was the Aston Martin owners club parking area, now I have a soft spot for Aston's but the modern ones all look the same and I know which one of the below I'd go for.


IMG_7118-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

I'm assuming this is the latest version, which admittedly does look good and different to the DB9/Vantage/Vanquish et al (it's a current Vantage)


IMG_7137-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr


IMG_7138-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Avon tyres were celebrating 60 years since Aston Martin won Le Mans, I was born in 1959 as well didn't get me a discount on a T shirt though. They had the DBR1/4 that came second.

Is this one of the most beautiful looking cars of all times?


IMG_7121-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

IMG_7122-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Outside was a Peony Red DB4 (early flat front)...


IMG_7125-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr


IMG_7126-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

The paddock was very busy so not a lot of opportunity for pictures of isolated cars, did find this Mustang though.


IMG_7133-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr


IMG_7134-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Gotta love a side exit exhaust, surprised that the paint on the sill wasn't blistered though.


IMG_7135-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

This Cobra was racing the last time I came (2017)


IMG_7129-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr


So enough of all that what about the racing, given the classes a lot of the cars were racing in more than one race. I'm not a great fan of historic formula fords so gave that a miss, interestingly they were lapping in about 1:40 which is roughly what I did on a track day in the MX5 (something must be wrong there I don't believe I'm as fast as a Formula Ford however old they are).

First race Coys 100 Trophy, for '59-'66 Touring cars.


IMG_7151-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Jaguar Mk1 vs Ford Falcon, I really like this Jag' as it's famous from it's day with a lot of famous drivers from then and now.


IMG_7132-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

I cheated and took this shot in the paddock, but what a list of names!


IMG_7261-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

BUY1 Jaguar MK1


IMG_7158-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Mustang vs Lotus Cortina vs Mustang, the Cortina's were very fast round the track


IMG_7173-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Mustang vs Studebaker vs Mini, the Mini finished up with a battered nose and an off straight in to Quarry, carried on though with smoke pouring off the front tyre.


IMG_7177-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Mustang (as if you didn't know) driven by Fed and Bill Shepherd (don't they run a Mustang specialist garage?)


IMG_7214-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

another Mustang


IMG_7227-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

A40, Jaguar Mk1, Cortina, Mini (don't know what I'm writing these captions you all know what cars they are)


IMG_7229-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Studebaker Silver Hawk, 5.7l. I'm sure this races at Goodwood, looked a bit smokey towards the end of the day here.


IMG_7250-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

That Mustang again, you can depend on the Mustangs to be spitting fire, particularly on the entry to Quarry and every-time I come I try and get a good shot of that. It's a bit limiting as I stand at the exit so I'm shooting (with a 70-200mm lens) across the bend, anyway... (next time I'm taking a 75-300 lens and a crop sensor camera body, not as good optics or sensor but at least they be in range)


IMG_7245-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

note the flames from both exhausts


IMG_7257-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

OK not really pin sharp but gives you the idea.


IMG_7260-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

There may be a a lot of Alfa content in this report as there was an Alfa only race so plenty of them spread across the races. This is 1965 Giulia Ti, lovely looking and went well.

As I said I don't really pay much attention to the historic single seaters (unless they're historic F1), but this was err interesting


IMG_7270-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Looked like a box on wheels or as another spectator said a wind tunnel on wheels (it has a rather large air intake). Actually it's a Mallock U2 driven by Ray Mallock so really rather special.


Dunlop Allstars, pre'66 sports, GT and Touring cars;


IMG_7273-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr


IMG_7292-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

This is an Austin Healey 3000 Jamaican (it was for sale at £75K)

There was only one Cobra entered this year...


IMG_7274-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

...and it won by a country mile, the e-type in the background came second, the Lotus Cortina's gave the e0type a run for it's money as well.


IMG_7319-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

The Austin A35's (Speedwell) were great to watch.


IMG_7325-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Not something you would normally see raced, Ford Classic Capri GT 1500.


IMG_7329-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Second placed e-type


IMG_7331-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Winner, Cobra sounded glorious

I moved round the track from Quarry to The Esses, a good spot for some action and panning.


IMG_7359-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Lotus Elan (probably a 23R judging by the air intake in front of the rear wheel) quite understated in grey.


IMG_7379-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Speedwell Austin A35, look closely at the rear wheel that's what comes of bouncing off the inner kerb


IMG_7394-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr


IMG_7403-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

A rather unlikely MG Y-type


IMG_7413-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Just for georgeb 4.4l of Sunbeam Tiger vs 1293cc of Mini Cooper S


IMG_7418-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Austin A40, now that's taking advantage of the kerbs, must try that next time I do a track day... I was amazed it didn't roll over.


IMG_7444-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr



Historic '50s Inter-Marque race


IMG_7455-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Austin Healey 100, I think this won closely chased by an AC Ace Bristol (that I failed to get a good shot of).


IMG_7461-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Another contender for prettiest car design ever, Lotus Elite (there were 2 other white ones racing as well).


IMG_7467-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr



@grumpynorthener Jowett spotting corner, I completely failed to get decent pictures of the 2 Jowett's racing, a Jowett Javelin in the touring car race looked very stately (that's a polite way of saying slow) and a Jowett Jupiter in the Inter-Marque race that must have been broken as it was trailing round at the back of the field.




IMG_7476-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

AlfaSud Ti Trofeo, pole setter and winner only 1286cc. An original Italian race car hence no rust.



IMG_7491-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr




IMG_7498-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

2000 GTV


IMG_7504-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

GTA


IMG_7516-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

GT Junior/GTV



IMG_7512-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Alfetta GTV, this looked so 70's (it's a 1977 car)


IMG_7518-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Alfetta GTV being chased by an Alfa Romeo 75


That's it, highly recommend the event to anybody with an interest in classic racing and much cheaper than the Revival but bring a coat.

Not much to report, the Discovery and Alfa are running (that'll put the kiss of death on them) I went to RRG in the MX5 as reported elsewhere. Since then I've not really done anything to it, I'm trying to use it occasionally when I can think of an excuse.

Which brings me to yesterday, popped out to get some milk and yes I really did need to go to the Sainsbury's in town via the outlying villages... Coming up to near Sainsbury's a pick-up was coming out of a side street on the right blocking the traffic, cars in front stopped to let it out and I swear I don't see any brake lights. Cue an emergency stop, locked all 4 wheels and slid towards the MINI in front (they look huge when you're in a MX5), luckily stopped in time so a bit of an anti-climax I'm glad to say.

So despite being a bit spongy after 2 track days the new brakes work well, do still need another bleed though.

I can't see me doing much with the car over the winter with other priorities, would be good to get the front & rear bumpers off and paint stripped and maybe start collecting parts for a supercharger. I will try and keep using it but will try to be more observant

Many years ago I repaired a Triumph Herald hood by sewing in a new rear window, I did have the advantage of using my grandads sail-makers needles. Some thick cotton, big needles and clear sealant should do the trick, but tedious doing it though.

There seem to be some different lists, however I'm #29

Just drag and drop them into the post, or use the add pictures link.

I used klokkerholm sills, bought from Moss, on my MX5 seemed to fit very well (I didn't fit them a garage did).

If it's the racing then try the Castle comber Autumn festival. It's like a mini revival good classic racing and none of the glitz. OK you're not going to get a £400M grid but there's always a good spread of cars.

autumn classic