Cima Racing is Rallying an old banger around Europe to raise money for BEN Donate Now!
Donington!
10 September 2007
What a weekend!First off, a great big thank you to our friends at Kia Hospitality for the fantastic deal on their suite, and Stephen Dell at the Renault Alpine Owners Club for allowing us in, and apologies in advance to everyone else for the length of this post.
After a smooth drive up to Donington Park, through mist, sun and rain (although not all together) we drove through the gates and parked our Safrane in the infield, with the organisers seemingly quite keen to get the car as far towards the back as possible. I can’t think why…
After the meet and greet, we headed to the suite where we were met with the news that Mitchell Signs were being blocked from entering the VIP car park. There was some heated debate, seemingly revolving around not having a ‘P2’ written on the car, but it was resolved eventually. It was then back to the car with Danny Jones from Mitchell Signs, where our names were added to the windows. It looks like a proper rally car now. Kind of.Saturday was a quiet day on the suite, with me and Juliana, Mitchell Signs and some friends being the only people there, along with Phill Mckenzie from Kia. A few spare tickets were distributed to RAOC members in exchange for a donation to SPARKS.
A good days racing was had, and all was well. At the end of the day we headed to the hotel before turning round and going back to Donington Park for the Renault Histoire et Collection Gala Evening. Sitting down to dinner with legend Rene Arnoux was fun, but it was a chance meeting with a accredited photographer that was the highlight. A couple of hospitality passes for Sunday later, and we’d got a photographer for our on track excursions.
Sunday arrived, and big crowds were expected. Last year’s event saw 60,000 people come through the gates but, with 45,000 coming in on Saturday, the anticipated figures were far higher.
Arriving in the suite on Sunday were some friends and family and a few sponsors, notably Chris Slack from Alfred McAlpine Infrastructure Services, along with his excited son. Traffic was awful getting in to the circuit, even for VIP guests, and a few were looking like they may miss the on-track demo of our car, but the Formula Renault racers soon saw to that, with the drivers choosing to perform a series of barrel rolls through the Old Hairpin, and delaying the racing by a significant amount. Added to safety car periods in every race, our demo was postponed in order that the World Series by Renault race could make its live TV slot.
However, the time was spent well, with us managing to persuade Renault designer Parys Cybulski to draw a slightly ‘re-imagined’ version of our car.
As the hours ticked by, and the racing came to an end, it was time to take our old boat out on the tarmac. The 85,000 strong crowd had started to make their way to the queues in the car park, but that didn’t put us off. With passenger space at a premium, the decision was made to take the two children brought down by Barratt Homes’ Nigel Tinsley, along with another guest, as I set about wringing the neck of the Safrane.
Sandwiched by Alpine GTA’s on track, I had to wave a few cars by along the straight bits, but I made it all up on the corners. The racing experience helps, but forcing the automatic Safrane through the twists and turns of Donington isn’t easy, with the car protesting at every opportunity. However, with the new tyres provided by Micheldever Tyre Services, there was plenty of grip, if little feel, and some serious cornering forces were produced – see the kids pressed against the window as evidence!
Touching 100mph at the end of Starkey’s Straight, and sliding through Redgate Corner in a nicely balanced four wheel drift, I was immensely proud to be told by the stewards that our car was going too quick.
Too quick. In a 15 year old Safrane. Brilliant.
The car performed faultlessly, with no bits falling off and no fluids bubbling over – although I was quite easy on the brakes thanks to some slightly ropey brake fluid.
After that it was time to finish off and queue to get home. Six miles of near stationary traffic seriously tested the new cooling systems, but it all worked out ok.
It had been 48 hours nearly non-stop, but it was worth every minute.
Thanks to those that turned up, thanks to those unrelated people that donated while we were there (such as AllAboutProperty.com), and thanks to everybody that made the weekend possible.
Next stop is Frieda B for the launch party, and then it’s off on the rally itself.
I can’t wait.
Labels: Staples2Naples 07
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