Kemble 01/09/01 - UK GTR Register - Trackday

Stills captured from video, so not best quality (However if you like 'em click here for more)

A trip out to watch and video the 'Big' boys having fun, at a new Easy Track venue, Kemble near Swindon, an early start and a fine morning and it stayed that way. The day started for many of the GTR lads with a meet at a services on the M4, near the circuit, then a convoy to Kemble, some sight I'm told and doubtless startled a few en-route. Although I had a map showing the circuit entrance, if it were not for a GTR 'sentry' posted at the turn in I would have sailed by, seems the venue's that new signs have not yet been erected. 

Well I'm in and what a sight 15+ GTR's with others arriving by the minute, some 25 ultimately. Need to find a collective noun for Skylines, How about a Trust, a Boost or maybe a Grunt (the good lady enters) "What's that your doing....Oh !!....car stuff....Umm ! how about an Obsession of Skylines', do I detect a note of sarcasm there ??, maybe a prize for your noun suggestions ??

Anyway back to it, some familiar cars grace the pits, despite having seen Glen's R34 on a couple of occasions I have another close look, so very pretty, oopps!! sorry..... MEAN, sadly he did not take it on track although he did have a blast down the runway (see video).

Preparations are now well in hand with some opting for slicks, others for rubber pants :-), a short briefing followed by a parade lap or two...then down to the business of the day. 

Video and still cameras well out number the cars and jostling commences, on the old air raid shelter, for a good position. The professionals arrive Men & Motors, a 2 woman crew with Rio presenting and Duke Video, 2 man crew. I understand it will be a couple of months before the M&M piece is aired. It was nice to see a few thoughtful GTR lads, collecting a signed photo of Rio, for their sons/nephews/dads/cats ?? etc :-)

Is that thunder ??....nope, the GTR's are on track and glorious they sound too (I'm afraid the following video clips do not do justice to them). Early runs, sees some lads finding how far they can push, if your going to lose it, this is the place......with an odd cone and tyre being the only casualties, well apart from merciless treatment of tyres, brakes, mechanicals and nerves

The track for the morning session included part of the runway and allowing cars a long straight section to have a blast down, unfortunately I wasn't able film down that end of the circuit. Lunchtime saw the full runway open, well at least between aircraft movements, a sizable and orderly queue formed. The M&M crew setup (hope to see some quality footage of that), Duke video boys nowhere in sight ??, in the meantime I managed to capture a few, prior to my camera batteries dying. 

I retired to the control tower in search of a socket and in exchange for purchasing a tea and sticky bun a socket was provided, slurping on my tea I had a great view of the cars coming over the rise of the runway flat-out, cool !!. Not seen any times for the runs but as it was somewhat of an uphill blast, timing not that meaningful, non the less sounded and looked great. Casualty report.......a few clutches toasted :-) 

Camera revitalized and ready for the afternoon session, on a tighter track, runway section closed for fast jet use the circuit owner was taking his Hunter out to play (as you do)....in fact he was heading down my way (Shoreham), to scare the wits out of my cats, which he duly did, I'm told.

(**NOTE** - The following videos were taken from tape and converted to Microsoft's WMV format, to keep the size down although quality suffers somewhat, needs Microsoft Media Player 7 or better to play, your player may need to download a 'codec' file, from Microsoft, but this only take a moment. enjoy :-)

I'd put this one down to distraction, as a Messersmitt comes in for an attack :-)

First time in and a vigorous assault on the hairpin, second time round just about perfect

The 'Boss' out of shape, but under control,  he looked mighty quick to me

Click picture to watch a small video (496k)

Peter gets a great start and a very quick run, super smooth as ever :-)

Click picture to watch a small video (426k)

Glen's mighty R34, running a single turbo on some new Super Clean fuel :-)

Henry's in his outrageously quick R33, giving it a serious workout, sounded so wonderful too

You can in a Nissan, but it isn't so easy in a Toyota, mind you it was Richard's first go at the hairpin

More big handfuls of opposite lock, to try and tame his R34 Bayside, I'm sure he loved every last minute of it

Remember Steve !, stick it in hard, pull it out fast and never ever leave skid marks.. (as with so many things in life :-)

 Skyline v Cones....result Skyline 1 Cones 0, so what do they expect !!, standing in the middle of the track just begging for it :-), nice one Paul D

Skyline easily overhauls Hunter down back straight, although he has no answer when it returns on a strafing run :-)

Click picture to watch a small video (302k)

Finally in car with Peter E (Mr Smooth :-), with some 400bhp being unleashed and just one hand needed to control it :-)

Despite Easy Track's somewhat 'optimistic' description of the venue and basic comforts, it was a 2 min drive for a loo (30sec in a GTR :-), and although there was some gripeing about it seems everyone ultimately enjoyed their day, including me, many thanks to Peter E for organizing the event and the blast round, finally all you lads from the UK GTR Register for providing the footage..........Ron 09/01

Any comments, collective noun suggestions, please mail me Ron