It is so good to be back in my second home

[KennyG]

Maybe it is my racing background, but I love four wheel circuit racing with an absolute passion. I also think of Oulton Park race circuit as my second home. Today was the first meeting of the new season and I was there as the birds sang the dawn chorus. It is more than just the on-track action, it is my friends who are the marshals, officials, drivers and team members that make this a very special place.

Anyway, sentimental bit over, here are a few samples from today's action.

The battle for third place in one of the Caterham races. This went on for a few laps:
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images53/op-01.jpg

It gets very crowded and close in a Caterham race as this shows:
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images53/op-03.jpg

The Formula Ford races were full of action and the odd trip off the black stuff:
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images53/op-05.jpg

Some went further off the black stuff than others:
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images53/op-14.jpg

You would be very wrong if you think it is an Audi TT:
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images53/op-10.jpg

God I love this job.

[Belmondo]

Kenny:

Those are amazing. I really think you're starting to get that hang of this.

A digression.....

Back in the 1950s, I bought a recording of two old Mercedes Grand Prix cars that were pulled out of retirement for a special exhibition at Oulton Park. I believe they were the W125 and W163, and the sound of those machines was really something special. I've never been to Oulton Park, but I have a particular attachment to the place because of that recording.

Silly. I know.

[Mills]

More great shots. Some of them are having trouble keeping it on the road I see.

[KennyG]

Oulton Park has been the home of the Gold Cup for 50 years. It started life as a race for GP cars between main GP races, so that's probably where those recordings would have come from. The first race was in 1954 so you may have something that is very rare. Hang onto them, they may be worth more than a few dollars. I don't think buying a piece of history is silly.

The Gold cup is still run today and is my favourite meeting. It has everything from cars that ran in the 1954 meeting up to 1980's GP and F3 cars. The circuit itself is a fabulous place, and is set in what was a country park, with trees, grass banks and even the original gatehouse (occupied, the lucky people). Everyone interested in motosport that goes there falls in love with the place, ask Cadwell.

I'll add one more piccie to my post, just because I like it. It is a Formula Ford, very similar to the one I used to race:
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images53/op-02.jpg

[Incomplete Pete]

Is that "Audi TT" a Beatle or even a Mini?!

Nice shots! You gonna be at the F3/GT this weekend at Donnington?

[PaCiFiSt]

Those are nice shots... how far away from the track were you (approx)?

[Titus213]

I have loved those 7s (Caterhams) since the first time I layed eyes on one back in the 60s. Love the photos too, crisp, clear, colorful. And full of action. I am envious of your job.

[KennyG]

Those are nice shots... how far away from the track were you (approx)?

I move around the track and work from behind barriers like those you can see in shot 4 above. So, I am typically anywhere from 6ft to 20ft from the track, and in one place (for those the know Oulton, the top of Deer Leap) only 2ft. There is not a lot of run-off on this circuit and even the public areas are quite close to the action.

[Skip Souza]

Thank you very much for the photos, they are wonderful as always. OK, what is that Audi TT looking thing.

[Ian_H]

Nice shots as always Ken, it actually looks a bit bright there, better than it was at Croft any ways.


Cheers
Ian

[Simon Harrison]

Nice shots Ken.

Simon.

[KennyG]

Thank you very much for the photos, they are wonderful as always. OK, what is that Audi TT looking thing.

It is based on a spaceframe chassis similar to that used by Nascar. The body is made of Kevlar and GRP, and is a replica of various models such as Audi or Peugot. They were designed for racing on short ovals in the UK. The engine is a 2,000cc V6 from Ford. They are very quick on any track and driven by absolute maniacs.

Here is one that is being used by a magazine, just to give you an idea of the body variants:
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images53/op-32.jpg

[Cadwell]

Everyone interested in motosport that goes there falls in love with the place, ask Cadwell.


Yup, lovely circuit and some really nice shots.

Actually I just got off the phone from having an amusing conversation with Motorsport Vision about the Gold Cup. I'll tell you about it later :lol:

[PhotosGuy]

Nice! #2 - that's a LOT of "Loti" ;-) My favorite car, & I've never seen that many in one place before.
#1 - tell me he didn't go sliding into the rail?
They are very quick on any track and driven by absolute maniacs. That's what I loved about fenders - no wheel-to-wheel contact! LOL

[ShutteringFocus]

Are the roads green where you come from? :)

[Skip Souza]

Ken, sorry I am so late thanking you for the edumacation regarding that class of race car. The second photo you posted with a Audi and two Peugots , all with "super silhouette" across the wind screen also explained a lot. It does look like a class for madmen. I really like the look of the Caterhams. Reminds me of my idea of a "proper" British sports car from the days of my youth.