[CMOTD]

Off to Brands Hatch this weekend - American Speedfest - LINK

The Whelen NASCARS aren't the real USA deal but they are not bad and they are bringing some proper ones over for a demo. Anybody else going?  I know Jason doesn't share my motorsport tastes but am I the only NASCAR fan in the village?

[JasonB]

Not my cup of tea, but I hope you enjoy it.

[Fluff]

Brian has converted me to NASCAR ,noise, speed and close racing ,NOT a procession like F1 . 
Steve

[Scuderia_Turini]

The oval racing must be spectacular close up.   
I had always thought oval racing would be boring but have driven round the FIAT Lingotto roof-top track on three occasions and going high on the banking is intoxicating.

Leo

[dvd3500]

I go to the event in Hockenheim, mostly to help out.
The cars are exactly the same, just with different stickers.
The have brake lights and a windshield wiper, otherwise though they ate the same beast as in the US.

Hockenheim does not suit them. They can't even use the hairpin ad have to take a short cut that comes out in front of the Mercedes grand stand.

Still, it is usually fund and not expensive and usually there is a lot of other things going on making it worthwhile.

[CMOTD]

Same bodies with Chevy V8 engines but only 450bhp compared to 700bhp plus for the real thing.

[dvd3500]

Given the stone age technology in the chassis I would think on a track that has right as well as left-hand curves 450 HP is enough....

I know they are quieter than the US versions. The have a "B" rating for noise here which is lower than some GT races.

[CMOTD]

Back from the weekend. What a great event! A very large attendance, probably rivaling a BTCC meet and I have never seen so many families with young children at a race meeting. Scalextric missed a trick by not attending with a demo track. Brands really pushed the boat out with the USA theme - loads of sideshows for all the family - monster truck 'Swamp thing' doing its party piece, Great stunt driving show, car displays everywhere with various movie themes - Blues Brothers cop car, Back to the future DeLorean, Ghostbusters ambulance, Bullit Mustang and Charger and much more. Then there were the funfair rides, wall of death, Star Wars storm troopers controlling the crowds and posing for selfies. Not to mention the hot dog eating contest and Elvis arriving to sing the anthem on the back of a Kenilworth truck!

The Whelen NASCARS certainly looked and sounded the part and the Elite 2 race on the Saturday was an absolute cracker. Overtaking on the Indy circuit is not easy in any car but Lasse Sorensen  came from 26th on the grid to win the race - no mean feat in these huge beasts and to do it in just 30 laps is nothing short of amazing.


                                   

[CMOTD]

Highlights on Freesport channel this Thursday 7:00 AM.