Silverstone Classic, July 2015
After a gap of almost 10 years we decided it was time to go back to the Silverstone Classic. And with sons wanting to get a taste of the 'le mans camping experience', we decided to go 'all in' and go for the weekend.
#1 had 2 passengers. 3 into a Boxster does not go (even in modern-day maths). So in honour of the 'classic' event and that it was a camping event, it was decided that a classic form of transport was required. Enter 'Percy', a 1965 VW 'splitty' Campervan. "It's going to take you all day to get there in that", said #2. With a maximum (yes maximum) speed of 45 mph we both set off with #2 instructed to find a perfect camping pitch and to have both tent and BBQ ready for our arrival. Fast forward 3 hours and Percy arrived 20 minutes behind the 997 turbo to find our pitch - at the bottom of a muddy field. BBQ plans were put on hold due to monsoon rain for the next 10 hours. Ah the British summer. Dinner was a damp pizza in a concrete-floored 'pub' surrounded by people who appeared to be attending a folk festival. "Why are there so many old people here?" said one of our 10 year old club members? Good question.
Saturday was a whole different story. Blue sky and sunshine all day. After the best breakfast ever tasted by man (bacon and eggs cooked on Percy's gas cooker), we took various free busses and wandered around the in-field area looking at cars, cars and more cars. The free (yes free) funfair rides were a hit with the kids. A trip in a drifting Caterham was a hit with the teenager. And the site and sound of 1980s F1s were a hit with the old men. The Porsche area was a hit with everyone. And we managed to complete a great day with the postponed BBQ from Friday night on the brand new Smokey Joe. For our entertainment, hot air balloons took off from the next field whilst we ate and Status Quo serenaded us to sleep. If #1 hadn't trapped his son's fingers in the door of the van, the day would have been perfect.
Sunday was another wet day so we de-camped early and sped to McDonalds for breakfast before the long, slow (in the van), wet (inside and well as outside in the van) journey home.
Porsche Night at The Ace Cafe
#1 hapenned to be working 'down South' for a couple of days and it co-incided with one of the regular Porsche nights at the Ace Cafe. We will let the pictures do all the talking this time . . . . .
Wilmslow OPC Restoration Project Day 0
The club received an invite from the Dealer Principal at WIlmslow OPC to see the covers come off of the car they have chosen as their entrant for the Porsche Restoration Project. The 924 was interesting but tucked away in the corner of the room were 2 cars that 'shone' - a 924 Carrera GT and a 964 RS (right hand drive). Both cars are rare and worth a fortune. It was also a great opportunity for club members to welcome our latest member (#12) to the club. During the evening the membership recruitment committee held an emergency meeting and we are hopeful that we will be welcoming new members in due course.
Cholmondeley Arms Sports, Classic and Vintage Car Meet, September 2014
It's been a while since we ventured out so with the sun shining we made a plan to support this event (well, by support we mean go for our free cuppa and bacon sarnie. Plans were made but as ever much wimping out at the last minute meant that #1 had to go it alone. Here a few pics from the event.
Tatton Park Classic Car Show, Cheshire, June 2014
Whilst the rest of the club were sipping cheeky beers at a secret hideout in the Cheshire Hills (yes there are hills in Cheshire; well, poins on the landscape where the road goes up and then down again) making final plans for the trip to le mans, #1 was at a fundraising event, so had to make do with a trip to the local classic car show instead of a 100 mile run-out. Here are some pics from the show, although most are from cars in the car park rather than at the actual show!
Beautiful. Won my best car of the show prize.
Cool plate.
Look closely. It's green . .
Nice, but a recreation rather than the real thing.
Check out the rear of the rear view mirror
A Zodiac Estate. As if the saloon isn't big enough already!
One day I hope to be old enough to own one.
Has #2 defected to the dark side?
Porsche Driving Experience, Silverstone, Nov 2013
To celebrate a 'significant' birthday, #1 booked the GT driving experience and #3 agreed to join him. Unfortunately work commitments meant that #5 was drafted in at the last minute to join #1 on this quest to drive some of the most powerful 911s - the GT2 and the GT2 RS.
After weeks of rain the weather was kind and our brave duo were able to set off in #1's Cayman S for Silverstone in cool dry conditions. After a wander around the display area (Cayenne GTS in a wonderful lime green, LMP2 winning prototype in full DHL colours, new Cayman etc) they enjoyed a pleasant lunch chatting to their instructors for the afternoon.
And then 90 minutes of the handling circuit, the kick-plate, the ice-hill and the slippy surface thingy area. Having never driven GT2s before it was with some anxiety our members set out (once Ed had managed to locate the GT2RS that is). [Hard to imagine that you can lose such a car but ...]
Verdict - both cars very fast, firm, fast, agile, fast and oh, did I mention that they were fast (even under the stewardship of Capt. Slow). The RS is raw. The 'standard' GT2 civilised by comparison. Great fun, learnt more about how to steer, brake and accelerate (!) and needed at least another 90 mins on the handling circuit. Next time . . . .
