American Speed Fest Brands Hatch 9th June

[Andy]

Had this pop up on my Fagbook from a pickup truck racing team, now they've confirmed a few more details this looks like a great event! Bit of a trek around the M25, but for whats on offer its pretty good value for money!

http://www.brandshatch.co.uk/calendar/2013/june/american-speedfest.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.brandshatch.co.uk/calendar/2013/june/american-speedfest.aspx

They have the Euro Nascar series, a bunch of Nascar bodies that run twisty tracks, but have more interesting body designs, (Mustangs and Camaros). They'll have the Legends series which are 1/4 size hot rods that run motorbike engines, very entertaining. The pickup series which is based on the Craftsman truck series, but uses UK bodies, like Vauxhall and Fords, they also run 4 pot bangers. Again, a great series to watch.

Off the track they'll have a Monster truck display and an American Car display (possible MKB Stand?)

A weekend ticket online is £22 at the moment, so pretty good value for money. You also get a free Grandstand ticket if you book now.

[Jo]

Sounds interesting, have to see if it clashes with any other shows we are doing.

[Andy]

Didn't seem to get much reaction to this when I first posted it, however now they're offering FREE entry to anyone with an American car with the possibility of doing a parade lap as well.

This is starting to sound much like the event at Rockingham.

Any more takers, Dave and I will most likely be going, just depends on the weather.

http://www.speedfest.co.uk/american-car-owners.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.speedfest.co.uk/american-car-owners.aspx

[F Body]

Quoting: Andy

however now they're offering FREE entry to anyone with an American car with the possibility of doing a parade lap as well.

My favorite word "FREE"  

I'll check out the link later

NB : My second favorite word is "CHEAP"  

[Incursus]

[F Body]

Quoting: F Body

I'll check out the link later

E mail sent

[Andy]

Let me know when you get a reply, I fired one off last night and haven't heard anything yet.

[Roadkill]

[Andy]

An MKB convoy would look awesome! This event seems to be shaping up to be pretty interesting. They've got a Sprint Cup car as well doing demos a long with the Euro NASCAR series.

Also did I mention, free to get in, if yer driving a yank!

[Roadkill]

Looks good but there's only one car I'd want to take to that . . . .

[ianjpage]

hmm.....

[F Body]

Hi Martyn,
I have you down and your ticket packet will be sent out this week  

Cheers, James


From: F Body
Sent: 23 April 2013 12:45
To: James Caesley
Subject: American SpeedFest Free Admission Ticket.

Sunday 9th June Brandshatch.

Vehicle Details.

Chevrolet Camaro Z28

Reg No. FB  Z28.

[Andy]

Mines in the post this week! Being sent two as Dave was interested in coming but wasn't able to say for sure. Will let you guys know the week before as I might have a spare.

[Roadkill]

I've gone and organised a joint birthday party for the Saturday ! - Thought the date rang a bell but I can't change it.

Doubt the Camaro would be done anyway . . . I'm having no f***** luck at the moment with it !!

[Andy]

Easy there boyo, turns out its only the 9th now. If someone can amend the title that'd be handsome. All the same I guess you'd all be a bit hung over?

[Roadkill]

Quoting: Andy

its only the 9th now. If someone can amend the title that'd be handsome

Done.

Quoting: Andy

All the same I guess you'd all be a bit hung over?

Not so bad that I couldn't drive but I would only go with the Camaro.

[Andy]

Martin - there is talk of a big cruise to this leaving from South Mimms Services, would ya be interested in joining?

[F Body]

Quoting: Andy

Martin - there is talk of a big cruise to this leaving from South Mimms Services, would ya be interested in joining?

Yeah got my tickets and free stickers yesterday

Tunnel run

[Andy]

Christ, we have to be in by 9am otherwise we end up in the car park with everyone else...

[F Body]

Quoting: Andy

Christ, we have to be in by 9am otherwise we end up in the car park with everyone else...

65 miles - 1hr 10mins from my house

So I'd guess that they would want to be leaving South Mims no later than 8am, so I'd leave house just after 7am - nearly lunchtime

[Andy]

Quoting: F Body

7am - nearly lunchtime

On a Sunday?!

Have no idea who are actually meeting there, so it could be interesting.

[Andy]

Right, this is where Martin may find having Facebook would be useful. Just seen the cruise from South Mimms is actually cancelled

Dave and I are going in the Mustang today and we'll be going the long way round, or at least South bound from the M40.

[F Body]

http://s29.photobucket.com/user/fbody007/slideshow/Brandshatch%20090613?sort=3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://s29.photobucket.com/user/fbody007/slideshow/Brandshatch%20090613?sort=3

[Andy]

Well that was a fun day out! Great to catch up with Martin and family!

Ended up leaving home at 7:30am and got there for about 9:30ish. We were too late for entry into the circuit so we parked in an area reserved for late arrivals.

The weather was probably the biggest downer about the day. Having had two beautiful days previously, it was overcast, windy and occasionally drizzle. However that didn't seem to put the people off, by about 11am the place seemed to be pretty busy with loads of people.

The cars were pretty stunning, lots of really rare stuff, lots of customs and finally got to see the new Camaro up close. Two that really took my fancy were a 1st and 2nd gen Camaros in black, both with huge motors (one fitted with what looked like Webber carbs on top of a Donovan 500 engine).





The racing was good, although I think I was spoilt at an early age with going to Rockingham and I have to say, tracks like Brands Hatch don't do it for me. I like to be able to see the action and I felt a little disappointed by the disappearance of cars for 10 secs and it all changing or not seeing all the action. But that's motor racing circuits and Rockingham really is a one off on that front. However I didn't appreciate the family who thought the best way to ask me to move so they could watch the racing from sitting on a picnic blanket was throwing several small tomatoes at me. It says enough about them that they thought taking up half a spectator bank with their blanket meant they could hurl stuff at people (I wasn't the only one)

Also caught up with Robin from AutoPontiac who was racing in the Historical V8's class. He unfortunately retired after two laps with a knackered gearbox. That same race saw a Sunbeam Tiger smack into something and get the front end rearranged and then a stunningly beautiful AC Cobra Daytona write off a wheel.





The highlight of the day was meant to be the EuroNascar series which is meant to be NASCAR for twisty tracks. This was a big disappointment really, no real obvious racing from what we could see, a few spills and crashes, but the worst bit was they've silenced the cars. The best thing about NASCAR / Ascar was the noise the open headers put out, but to met the legislation for tracks, all the cars now have to be silenced. The best bit was seeing the three real NASCAR cars going round, they had Kasey Kanes 2010 Dodge Charger, a Jeff Gordon COT from around 2011/12, and then The Kings Plymouth Superbird following them.

[Andy]

Been confirmed over 1000 yanks were there and the attendance was the highest they've ever had this year, out doing DTM and BTCC.

Already next year has been confirmed as the 7/8th June. Really really recommend people put this in their diaries. So much more than any billing car show I've been to.