Last day of clouting motors at Wimbledon 19/04/17. Caution: Oval chatting

[simmo]

I had been hoping to get along to Wimbledon one last time before it closes, however I fear that may not happen. I visited a few times in the ‘90s. Pits seemed to be litter-strewn after a lunchtime market/boot sale?

 

Colt Celeste banger, Wimbledon c.1996 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1979 Datsun 200L (C230) at Wimbledon c.1995/96 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Early 1980s Colt Galant/Sigma Estate banger, Wimbledon c. 1996 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

I was there for a race one evening when Spedeworth let their Carlton control car get hijacked by a driver and used in the DD. All planned I’m sure, but a bit unexpected at the time.

 

There are some good Youtube videos online of 1970s/80s races, probably ex-World of Sport.

 

My old Transit in the last picture

[simmo]

 

When I had it

[flat4alfa]

Last I read, the cap at 150 drivers stays but another 40 are on reserve

 

 

[Guest bangerfan101]

Lock up your westies

[Lankytim]

The guy who wrecked the Carlton pace car had a Mr Blobby costume on, ho harness,no helmet. Did have pictures somewhere.

[59Impala]

Sad news but not unexpected. I used to go to Wimbledon back in the mid 70's in my bubble arched Anglia, great memories. Then met a fellow at the office who lived in Plough Lane and was a former banger driver (#171 Red Barons) so started going there again. Had some great times especially as he knew various people so we hardly ever paid to get in. I think the last time we went we were having a bit of food when the phone rang and someone at the stadium asked if he could drive the control car for the evening as they were short of marshals etc. So he drove the Mondeo around all evening while his son and I enjoyed the racing and a dash of alcohol. Brilliant times but I haven't been for years now as he and his family moved to Bedfordshire. Sadly he is no longer with us.

[Guest bangerfan101]

The guy who wrecked the Carlton pace car had a Mr Blobby costume on, ho harness,no helmet. Did have pictures somewhere.

 

Geoff bowen

[Lankytim]

That's the fella!

 

While Wimbledon going isn't unexpected what makes it especially galling is no allowances for any sort of alternative venue has been made. Loads of other sports and pastimes have funding and are classed as "heritage" but when it comes to short circuit motorsport nobody wants to know. Someone's making a stack of money out of this and everyone else can FRO.

[Junkman]

I bet you anything that the Coventry venue will also vanish shortly without a replacement.

Belle Vue is equally not really sustainable, being literally within feet from residential houses

and the organisers don't even think about installing a noise protection wall.

 

Motorsport in cities has had its day. If it isn't noise complaints or property speculation

that kills it off, it sure will be the UN Agenda 21 rollout, because The Climate.

 

Having said that, even Buxton is under threat because of noise complaints.

It's in the bloody middle of fucking nowhere, ffs.

 

One of the problems is, that nowadays one single guy having recently moved into the vicinity

of a stadium that stood for 100 years can spoil the fun for thousands of people.

Not football stadiums, mind. Football is neccessary for mass obedience.

[Guest bangerfan101]

Birmingham wheels is underthreat from the hs1 rail link when that gets started. The entire wheels complex is right on the proposed route. Also owned by Birmingham council

[Junkman]

If they stop voting for Councillor Bob Beauchamp, Brum Wheels has had it.
And he isn't exactly a young fellow, mind.

[panhard65]

All this talk of banger racing got me thinking about the last time I went banger racing. We used to sneak in through the trees to Henham raceway every other Sunday. I thought it had gone tits up years ago, but no it is still going. http://www.stanstedraceway.com/

[pompei]

There is still stock car and banger racing at Skegness.  

[Junkman]

That there is activity at the other end of the country doesn't help you much when your local track just became a Tesco.

The unnerving thing is with what ease those tracks can be closed by unelected decree.

We can continue saying 'there is still racing going on at track X' until the last one is closed.

[hairymel]

All this talk of banger racing got me thinking about the last time I went banger racing. We used to sneak in through the trees to Henham raceway every other Sunday. I thought it had gone tits up years ago, but no it is still going. http://www.stanstedraceway.com/

 

did stop for a few years, but a new family have restarted racing at the track and thankfully it is appears to be going from strength to strength.

 

i currently am racing hotrods there and recommend it as a (dusty) day out

[DodgeRover]

Smallfield is better than ever apparently, they're planning on running hot rods if they get interest I think. Let me know if you're going and cheer you on.

[Lankytim]

Birmingham was going to become a "Super Casino" a few years back. Didn't know about HS2.

 

It keeps being described as "waste land" but the site contains a great go kart track and of course the excellent Birmingham wheels short circuit, banked oval raceway, tarmac track, proper barriers massive floodlights etc. It's a full on racetrack, not some bomb site. The council can sell the site but it's not too much to ask for an equally awesome track to get built somewhere locally. Of course, it won't.

 

Money talks, simple as. If someone can make a few quid by selling a stadium you get dropped like hot shit.

[Lankytim]

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/2119/exam_144a_bcc_exam_144_response.pdf

 

Arseholes. Better take up skating as it's a "participation sport"

[ray]

Just down the road from me we still have the cars and dogs  ...    https://www.yarmouthstadium.co.uk

[danthecapriman]

My local track (Horndean) closed a few years ago. It was in a field in the middle of nowhere but the field has been marked for conversion to a solar farm!

They used the same field for sheep grazing aswell as the racing but now it's going to be a huge eyesore.

[Arthur Foxhake]

Are any shiters going to Wimbledon tonight?

I quite fancy it, my son has never been so I may take him.

[DodgeRover]

Are any shiters going to Wimbledon tonight?

I quite fancy it, my son has never been so I may take him.

Drop into screwfix and buy him some ear defenders if he's little, he will thank you later.

[Arthur Foxhake]

I take full advantage of the free earplugs offered at Silverstone each time I go there.

I've got loads.

Thanks though.

 

See also:-

My posts in the tinnitus thread.

He won't go unprotected.

That's what got him here in the first place, I wouldn't make that mistake again.

OK. Maybe once again, but I did get a cracking daughter out of that one.

[Guest bangerfan101]

All ticketed. No chance of getting in on the door

[flat4alfa]

I'm there tomorrow

 

Anyone else

[Squire_Dawson]

Any photos?