Last weekend Kevin, Julie, Sarah and me went to Silverstone to see the touring cars.
Starting off on the Saturday Me and Kevin decided to make an early start so we could get to the track to see everything. We met at the M1 service station at 8 where we found our first problem. I get a phone call from Kev saying he is at the service station and where was I? Funny thing was I was there to. I didn’t realise there was one each side of the motorway so after waving across the motorway Kev came over to my side and we met up and had a little chat.

Now time to set off to the track.

We got to the track and couldn’t see 50ft in front of us. Over the pa they said that they were delaying the start because of the fog. After hearing this we went and had a look at the paddocks saw some of the drivers and cars starting up. Some of them sounded really rough. Next was a look round the track to find good spots for pictures and a look at the stands. Next thing we hear in the formula bmw cars going out onto the track so that’s where we went. Almost 3 hours after we got to the track.

Even though the fog had lifted you still couldn’t see much

We both agreed that though these cars were fast they we boring because they just stuck to the road, Next up was what we went to see the touring cars

Thomson getting very sideways

Love this arty shot

Plato speed shot

Sheddons car spitting flames. Must be running really rich

The Touring cars weren’t hanging around even though it was only free practice.

Next up Seat Qualifying. We managed to get down to the hairpin which was a great place for taking pictures. You’ll see this from the Sunday pictures.

The Seats kept locking up there rear wheels which looked very cool

Then the clios came out to play. And this one went off


Next up was the Porche carrera cup qualifying.


I thought it was qualifying

Porche running wide and losing back end

Touring car Qualifying and this shows how hard he was pushing

I was looking other way and Kev was changing his film in his camera. We both herd tires and I only just got this picture

I was now the end of Saturday and we headed back to the cars, on the way we saw this going out and these in the car park
Honda civic

The new Seat FR

And these 2 in the car park






Sunday we agreed to meet up later on because we didn’t want to hang around for hours if there was fog like on the Saturday. This time Julie & Sarah came along. We met on the same side of the services about 9:30 but left quite quick, because of the way I went I saw the queues to get into the track. The way we were going there was 4 miles of it. In the 2 hour queue to get in we saw lots of really nice cars. My favourite was this Ferrari Testorosa


There was a lot of monaros as well and just listening to them was amazing

By the time we got in the Clios were doing there thing so we went over to the seat vip area and had a great view of the complex.

This guy almost went into the barrier

And taking a new route after loosing it on the straight, Sorry about the first picture but my camera didn’t have time to focus

And a little bit of contact sending this one into the gravel.


After this race we headed over to the hairpin and saw some nice cars in the car park.

60’s Mustang


Monaro

Lovely Lambo

New jag which I thought was an Aston, Still looks amazing

Superchips orange focus ST with grey stipes

Brand new Ferrari F430



I really like the mirrors

5dr Focus ST, still don’t like

Ferrari 360

Aston Martin DB9


After lusting in the car park we went back to the racing. When we got back we had to new photographers


Julie is that a digital SLR

Soon as the race started touring cars were living up to there reputation

Few nice pictures of the cars

Turkington

Sheddon

Pinkney-For Sarah as she like it soo much

Whilst the race was going we herd an airplane flying low
He was amazing to watch as he lost control and then got it back again



And after the race we saw a new type of racing. Wonder if it will take off

Seat were taking people around the track. We guessed that the passengers won a competition and this was the prize

Now was the turn of the Porches, you could tell they were really pushing it


Kevs film ran out as this guy spun off and restarted. Was spectular when the flames started. These are my favourite pictures of the weekend



And some slight damage to this car but it didn’t slow him down

The final Seat race and there was everything to fight for


It was now getting late and we were all cold. But it was the final race of the season for the touring cars and as you will see form the pictures it was well worth the wait and braving the cold.



On the warm up lap this car sounded like it had gearbox problem and was moving very slowly

Then this happened and every body in the crowed cheered and laughed

This guy got the runaway wheel and took it back to the car. He got a huge cheer from the crowd

The bmw sounded really nice

Fighting for position

After some contact damage was starting to show

And the new Seat Toledo touring car. They only got the car 2 weeks before the race and did an amazing job to get it ready in time

Was now the end of the day and every body went to the car parks, we knew it was going to take ages to get out so we sat around for a little bit and had a look at some of the pictures I took over the 2 days. I took 1135 over the weekend 800 of them are really good. It has taken a while to go through them and get some of the ones that show what the day was like.
All I can say is it was a wicked weekend and I really had a good time. Thanks to Kev for suggesting the day and Julie & Sarah for coming along.
Maybe see some of you at future events

Seem like u had a good time!! very nice pictures! some very nice has well, saw those races as well but on tv still good!!

Excellent there Micky... really enjoyed reading your write up!

It's a shame that I wasn't able to join you... You're all a great bunch and good company!!!

This is my favourite picture as i'll be driving that ferrari around Silverstone when I choose to next year along with an Exige and 911 Turbo



Glad you all enjoyed the day... i've been meaning to watch the touring cars for years but Uni just doesn't allow me much time

Catch You All Soon

Hi everyone, here is my little bit, .

So, after agreeing to meet up with Micky at about 8.00am at junction 15a Services on the Saturday i arrived early, 7.30am, so deceided to go in for a coffee.
At 8.05am i rang him, well, it was quite funny. This was the conversation:-

"Hi Micky, where are you?"(me)
"At the services, where are you?"(Micky)
"At the services"(me)
"What services"(Micky)
"M1, somewhere"(me now thinking i've made a massive booboo)

Then Micky said "Hang on, i can see you, your over the other side of the motorway."

Me feeling a complete prat and finding my way across, we eventually met up and set off to Silverstone.

Within 10 mins, we were there. But OMG! it was sooo foggy. It took a couple of hours to clear.


But when it did clear we did see a little action. Here goes.....

By the way, sorry about the quality, still hav'nt got my digital SLR

This guy coul'nt take 'Copse' corner



This is how it's done mate, look at the understeer.




Naah! he still could'nt get it.



Then came the fast cars...Porsche Carrara's....





Then this happened....

Going...



Going...



Gone!!!!



Then at 'Maggots' corner, this guy tried a bit too hard....






This was the end result.



Sunday was another story!



After meeting up again with Micky, there was a two hour queue to get in!!





This is what he thought of it!!!






But eventually we got in again.
This time we walked through the VIP parking lot....

It did make me laugh when my wife said,
"He must be good at getting stone chips repaired" (and she meant it!)




Now if you have a car like this, surely you could get a better tent .



Anyway. Keep 'em peeled and this happens!





So, Me, my wife and Daughter and Micky had a great weekend.
Hope to see some of you in future events.

Thanks to both of yous for putting up those pictures and writing your weekend up, it does look like you've all had a great time there.

How long did it take you to get to the other side of the services? I know its a short distance as the crow flies, but not as easy as that to get over sometimes!!

Kevin, I wouldn't worry too much about not having the digital camera yet. It might seem a strange thing to say but I think its quite good seeing the contrast between the gloss of the digital ones that myself and others put up for these type of events and the filmic look of yours.

Here's one i forgot to put up.

Come lunch time these people really knew how to go Alfresco , the bottles of plonk was Chapagne!

You have to think though... bringing all that in would prob still be cheaper than trying to buy stuff whilst there so in a way you can splash out more and enjoy yourself

Some amazing pictures Kevin, Like the ones of the clios, Yes the queue was that boring, just glad you didn't get any pictures of me singing there were lots of nice cars in the queue.

Can't wait untill we do another meet. Really good time with good people.

Does look like you had a fantastic time. I was coming back from Northamptonshire on the A43 at about 7 o'clock and it was manic. Got held up in all the traffic for about 45 minutes. Will make the next one!

Love the pictures Micky, it was great to meet up with you again. Me and Sarah I really enjoyed ourselves. Lets hope we can arrange another meet soon and other people can make it as well.

Really late with this, but awesome pictures. Especially the Testarossa, I love that car...

may go to silverstone this year to see the BTCC as well! don't know when it is!