TOTB VII (2008) info

[michael]

Sunday 27th July 2008, Elvington Airfield nr York.

 

http://www.totb.co.uk/home

 

I hope I'm not treading on any toes here but as I'm passing this on to the MR2 chaps I thought I might as well do the same here.

 

Some early info about planned changes for TOTB this year for feedback:

 

In addition we have some information and proposals for you reps to put to your team members and groups which may be of interest:

 

For Spectators-

 

Introduction of raised viewing terraces in addition to grandstands for spectators which should help alleviate the problems with crowded viewing experienced in previous years. Further improvements to the results displays and PA system including a full Redline results service from the Redline marquee. The trade display area and show car section will also use the same larger hard standing area as last year which worked very well.

 

 

For car club members

 

Group buy discount as usual on bulk orders of 10 or more advance spectator tickets, along with a dedicated show area for the top 5 show cars from each club within the trade area. Competing clubs will also be given room for a club marquee if required alongside the show cars.

 

 

For competitors- specific proposals- please give feedback on:

 

 

Handling circuit- Straightliners Ltd have a new TAG Huer multi-car timing system for this season, which will allow 2 cars out on track (with suitable safety gap) to be individually timed and recorded. This should obviously reduce waiting times considerably. We also propose that the untimed sighting lap for each car is dropped as it is one of the main delays to the handling circuit. One other possibility is that all drivers are allowed to walk the circuit on Sunday morning prior to the event starting, to give them an initial sight of the circuit layout. These changes combined with the new timing system would massively reduce the queues on the handling and will ensure more competitors get all their 5 timed runs in (should they wish to do so).

 

Top Speed- we are proposing a standing kilometre top speed trap for 2008, which will give us a couple of improvements, one being safety related as the standing mile is already massively quick with many cars pushing 200+mph, plus it’s also very hard on the actual cars in terms of engine damage and retirements. If a standing kilometre is adopted we can also hard-wire the speed trap back to the main timing system, giving instant results rather than waiting for a print out to be sent back or radioed in. The reduced top speeds achieved would still be circa 160-180mph (est.) for the top cars so still very much a viewing spectacle. We are also looking at re-introducing the top speed viewing area for spectators. (Subject to insurer approval.)

 

Classes/tyres- last years class structure and tyre rules worked very well. Suggestions on other allowed tyres should be made before 1st March, similarly for any suggestions on rules/regs. Other than that we aim to maintain the class and rule structure from last season.

(Cont.)

 

Test days- Straightliners will be running some timed sprint events at Elvington using the new timing system in the run up to TOTB. These events are open to anyone, and will provide suitable qualifying/practise days for handling cars. Confirmed dates will be announced shortly but the first two are pencilled in for April and May at Elvington. (Info to follow.)

 

Toyo Tyres-we can supply Toyo 888s or T1Rs to competitors at special discount prices direct from Toyo- please email us for a quotation. Tyre fitting at the event may be made available if demand exists.

 

Please note some of the above points for competitors are proposals only at this stage.

 

I think the changes to the handling circuit could be a huge improvement, better spectator areas are obviously a good thing but is the move to a 1km top speed run taking away one of the strong points of the Supra?

 

What do you think?

 

DVDs from TOTB VI are still in progress AFAIK.

[Gaz Walker]

but is the move to a 1km top speed run taking away one of the strong points of the Supra?

 

For sure yep, however one advantage is that cars running on the Mickey Thompsons could do the top speed run on those tyres rather than changing to a normal street tyre (safety reasons), which means a much faster first 1/4 mile.

 

I just hope JAE sorts out the dates so we can do both...

 

Regards,

 

Gaz.

[michael]

It seems as thought JAE are either going to have to do early July at the Showground or have it elsewhere - if that's the case hopefully they will take TOTB into account.

 

Good point on the tyres, I hadn't thought of that - less fannying around in the pits

[lockys96]

i think i might enter this year, for a laugh

[michael]

i think i might enter this year, for a laugh

 

As it happens I was going to drop you a message about it

[JustGav]

Out of interest, what are the requirements / costs to run a vehicle, and would they allow a go-kart?

[michael]

Cars need to be street legal, number plates, MOT, proper tyres, tax etc

 

Individual entries were £100 last year I think, not sure if it will be the same this time but it won't be far off either way.

[JustGav]

Cars need to be street legal, number plates, MOT, proper tyres, tax etc

 

Individual entries were £100 last year I think, not sure if it will be the same this time but it won't be far off either way.

 

That's a pity, never mind then.

[Gaz Walker]

That's a pity, never mind then.

 

You could enter it in the pro-drag class which is exempt from those rules - but you'd not be able to win it over all as its not a street car

 

Gaz.