The Motor Racing Spectator

The first visit to Donington Park for The Specator in 2014 for the first day of a 2 day BARC meeting. I could only make the Saturday but at least there were to be 7 races in the afternoon along with various qualifying sessions during the day. Donington's gradual return to its former self was in evidence as the Infield is now the home to several enormous earth mounds with a lot of work being carried out in the winter months to landscape the area. Not only will these provide more viewing spots but I'd imagine they will help with engine noise from the circuit too. On a cool, grey March day the 7 races were provided by 3 from the Caterham Graduate classes, 3 from the Classic Touring Car Racing Club portfolio and Class A of the Kumho BMW championship. I saw qualifying for the Mazda Max 5 series and MG Owners Club too so the only series I missed on Sunday was Classic FF1600. Sunday races were televised live by Motors TV, an initiative that has been a big success, as the club dri...

On a gloriously sunny Sunday morning it was the dawn of an a new era at Mallory Park that tempted The Spectator to a rare Motor Cycle race meeting. The recent history of Mallory Park hasn't been great to say the least, with not only noise problems affecting the circuit but leaseholders the B.A.R.C. pulling out from running the circuit in 2013. My last visit was in August last year and it was sad to see the old place in a run-down state with toilets not working and litter bins not emptied. After a period of uncertainty it was good to hear that a new lease was secured by Real Motorsport Ltd. in the winter and racing at the circuit could continue. Due to the late in the day nature of the deal most clubs had calendars already sorted so while dates at Mallory may be a little thin on the ground for 2014, let's hope that 2015 sees the circuit back on its feet. Bike racing has always been the main provider of action at the track so local club, the East Midlands Racing Association (...

After a very wet Winter it was time for The Spectator to emerge from hibernation and get his backside trackside again in 2014. I hadn't visited Birmingham Wheels for 2 years but on a clear cool Saturday night a good looking meeting on paper tempted me to head into the heart of the country's second biggest city. 11 races were scheduled with 4 for National Hot Rods, 4 for V8 Hot Stox and 3 for Ministox with a start time of 6.30pm. For the first time visitor to Birmingham Wheels Raceway they must wonder where they are going as the raceway is located down one of the less salubrious roads in Birmingham and barely a mile or two from the city centre. Once inside though the oval is a great place to watch racing from with steep terracing around three sides of the track providing a good view of the action. National Hot Rods are one of my favourite formulas on the short ovals and always provide hard but relatively clean racing. The "Nationals" had 3 heats with a 2/3rds form...