Chris Wilson Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Finally got my Skyline into a state where I felt the car was working well and we had a great day at the newly re-opened Donington on Saturday. Good weather for the most part and some fabulous machines present, epitomised by a chap in a RUF Porsche CTR3 who, despite the car's awesome value pedalled it properly. I thought it was a Koenisegg at first, not being that familiar with true exotica. It was one of the very few times I wished for an on board camera, as we had 5 laps of really ding dong track action The first time I have really pushed the old thing hard with its new engine, and it did me proud The day was marred by a horrible accident befalling someone in a lovely modified Exige, who hit the pit wall a terrible blow and wrote the car comprehensively off and was air lifted to hospital with nasty injuries. Never nice, and my wife and my own thoughts are with him. Onto today at Oulton, spectating at the Gold Cup. A truly outstanding historic Formula 3 race, with a 1974 car beating (just) a March ground effects car six years its junior in a an epic battle, the truly outstanding Simon Hadfield prevailing. Next Sir Stirling Moss showing that at 80 years young, a terrible recent fall, and a life full of drama had not left him bereft of speed, manners nor modesty in what may, sadly, have been his last competitive race. His Osca of around 1952, and forerunner of the Maserati marque, was a joy to see, as was the 10 tenths action of his fellow racers in another epic battle of this time more elderly machinery. I have posted some amateur photos of the day at http://www.gatesgarth.com/oulton_gold_cup/oulton.html Back to the grindstone tomorrow, but a very full and happy holiday to recall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Living the dream - for one weekend at least. I'm absolutely head-over-heels in love with classic racing these days. Awful news about the Lotus though. Hope he's OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Some lovely machines in that gallery Chris, nice work on the RUF too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted August 31, 2010 Author Share Posted August 31, 2010 Relatively good news about the Exige driver, his brother in law has posted a report on his condition, which whilst severe enough does sound promising of a full recovery: "Hi all, It was my Lotus involved in the intimate meeting with the pit barrier, with my brother in law driving. Thank you all for your concern, it's really appreciated and I will pass on your messages to my BiL. Basically, he managed to sustain the following injuries: 7 broken ribs (in 2 places each, front and back) A broken collar bone Broke his pelvis in 3 places (relatively minor fractures of some of the smaller bones from what I can understand) A partially collapsed lung (not serious enough for a chest drain, but serious enough for them to be concerned about infection) Unconscious for around 10 minutes Anyway, he is in hospital for certainly the next 3-4 weeks with full recovery time being between 6 and 8 weeks. That is the important thing though, he will make a full recovery (no doubt with the twinges associated with so many broken bones). To be fair to him, he's doing really well, the morphine they have him on to make sure he breathes properly despite the rib pain has got him talking some interesting nonsense. Yesterday, I was really pleased to see him much more alert and himself and breathing really well. Funnily enough because I have spent the last three days visiting him in hospital, the pictures in this thread are the first time I have seen the car - wow, that corner's not going to panel beat out. In terms of what actually happened, he can't really remember. He said he remembers wrestling briefly with the wheel, then waking up in the ambulance, nothing in between. I think personally, that he caught a bit of gravel, or as some people have said maybe caught that high kerb, difficult to say now unless anyone actually saw it first hand. Certainly, the A&E doctors told us they have already had several in from Donnington (all bikes), and there was another arrive yesterday presenting identical injuries - they were going to move my BiL to a new ward and make space for the new guy. Anyway, thanks again for the messages of support, he will appreciate them. Take care" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin J Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Great pics, some lovely machines there!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Some very nice machinery there indeed. That Exige will be fine with a bit of T-Cut though surely? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Ouch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbeh Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Nice gallery Chris, I love those 80's GT cars Sad about the Lotus and driver, that looks like one hell of a whack! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Wow, what an exciting weekend, some people have all the fun That Lotus driver was luckily, they aren't exactly the best of cars to crash in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRalphMan Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Some great pics Chris, but what's going on in picture DSC00227.JPG? Was that a camera car? I should know, but what car(s) are yours in the pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Some stunning cars, makes me realise how skint i am though:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 That Lotus looks naaaasty Poor guy. Glad he'll be ok though Looks - and sounds from your story - like great fun! Nice one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted August 31, 2010 Author Share Posted August 31, 2010 The photo shows a TV camera car taking some video of Stirling in the only successful 4WD F1 car ever, that he drove some time back, plus here's a better photo of him racing hhi Osca: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Nice pics Chris, you cant beat the classics in my book, great news the Lotus driver is on for a full recovery, not much worse than clobbering the pit wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted August 31, 2010 Author Share Posted August 31, 2010 Some great pics Chris, but what's going on in picture DSC00227.JPG? Was that a camera car? I should know, but what car(s) are yours in the pics? Sadly none, I was a mere spectator, nearest I can claim to the cars there is buying the Demon Tweeks transporter that used to carry their Birdcage Maserati, and which causes national disappointment when it unloads my scabby Skyline, to the chagrin of paddock people all over the UK If someone nicks it for its contents they'll be a bit, well, *issed off.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dude Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 We had a bit of a whopsee with the Dino GT at Mallory. Before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dude Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 After Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dude Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 It took off after coming out of the hairpin as it hit the barrier which turned into a take off ramp and the flipped upside down and pirrouetted into the safety vehicle knocking a marshal out on the way, there is an enquiry going on as to how the safety barrier collapsed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creative Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 ouch dude.... altho the number plate is rather apt now! wish I could afford a track day.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinlexusV8 Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Wow ... Chris very nice pics. Some of those classic cars looks so beautiful in their design! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted September 1, 2010 Author Share Posted September 1, 2010 Hell, that's a mess, sorry to see that. Looks a very expensive repair, too, with all that alloy bodywork... I hope no one got hurt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dude Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Hell, that's a mess, sorry to see that. Looks a very expensive repair, too, with all that alloy bodywork... I hope no one got hurt! No driver all ok, decent cage and new Kevlar Corbeau with 3" Luke harness' saw to that, looks like it will need to be reshelled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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