See entry form here… http://www.monoposto.co.uk/forms/
9 Rounds.. PLONKER… it is 6 rounds, that is 3 days and 2 races per day = 6 Rounds (I think I was counting sessions not rounds!)
3 days
£275 per day (quali and 2 races)
£750 to enter all 6 rounds!
OK. I finally got around to writing about the one circuit I know very well. Can anyone else do Cadwell ASAP and then can we get help with the others?
Brands Hatch notes from a local/regular.
Getting to the circuit.
Brands Hatch is situated on the A20 near West Kingsdown. Just 3 miles from junction 3 (Swanley) of the M25, and about the same distance from junction 2a (Wrotham) of the M26. Directions/map
If coming from the North (M11, A1M, M1) you will come over the QEII bridge at Dartford and return via the tunnel. Despite the toll booths being removed, the crossing is NOT toll free. You MUST pay online by end of the next day or receive a penalty notice. Worth setting up a DART account and getting a discount plus giving you piece of mind https://www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge
Coming anti clock around the M25 it is often better to ‘stay on’ (you actually turn off the M25 in order to carry on via the M25!) , go along the M26 to junction 2a and then go left to West Kingsdown that way. Notably on a Friday afternoon/evening the congestion around junction 3 of the M25 is well worth avoiding which the M26 route can do..
Getting in the Circuit
Except on actual race day DO NOT follow the signs for the Paddock Entrance!!
The back gate is not open on a test day or the evening before a race event and you will find yourself having to turn around.
Enter via the main Brands entrance on the A20 London road adjacent to the Thistle Hotel EXCEPT on race days when they will direct you to drive round to the Paddock gate (although usually not before about 7.30am when they still let you drive through the spectator area)!
If you come in from the main entrance then follow the road straight ahead and behind the main grandstands towards the lower outer paddock. If you are in the garages, and it is before/after racing then you can usually cross the track via the ambulance gate. This is located via a sharp right turn immediately after the main grandstand with the fancy MSV shop built into it. At other times you reach the garages through the two tunnels (mentioned later). If you have a big rig, you should expect to be ‘stuck’ in the middle until the close of racing for the day.
The outer paddock is accessed through the gates at the top of the hill , then down the steep hill past on your right, the tunnels and on your left scrutineering. Then through another gate into the main paddock. Sometimes they use the curvy white lines around the paddock for parking up and sometimes the straight yellow ones – see your paddock plan.
240v (blue caravan type plugs) and water are located all around the outside of this paddock.
The garages have normal 13amp sockets plus blue and red plug connection (available outside the back of the garage) plus a sink with H&C (sometimes) in each pair of garages.
Loo, shower etc.
In the paddock on busy test days they usually open the main loo/shower complex attached to the scrutineering bay. On race days the Hailwoods suite at the bottom of the paddock is usually open as well and has toilets (not showers).
In the centre section there are toilets under the main race control tower (no showers anymore – they got removed) that are usually always open.
Sign on
Usually either in the office to the front of scrutineering in the main paddock or at the base of race control in the centre. Check your final instructions
Scrutineering
Usually run as a one way system with cars going well up the hill then turning right to come around and form a que in the back of scrutineering. Then leaving out the front towards the tunnels
The Tunnels
There are 2 and they operate as a combined 2 way system MOST of the time!
The upper tunnel is the low and twisty one used for returning from the centre to the Paddock.
With a sharp turn going in and a steep exit this tunnel is NOT suitable for large vans or campers. It is also a challenge for race cars and drivers need to be aware to avoid stalling in the tunnel. Low ground clearance cars can’t really use this tunnel and the ‘tunnel reversal’ method may be adopted.
The lower tunnel is the higher one and many vehicles can get through here, but are then unable to return through the upper tunnel. When this occurs the safety car and/or the tunnel marshal will stop traffic coming from the paddock and allow high vehicles (or low ground clearance race cars) to return using the bigger tunnel.
When the cross track route is open the upper tunnel entrance is closed with a sign saying “Exit across the track”. You drive up the road adjacent to the pit exit, onto the track and then exit through the ambulance gate on your left before the first (Paddock) bend. Then a turn right through the gates into the top of the Paddock – be aware of spectators and other cars who don’t always realise a race car isn’t equipped to do a hill start and the circuit staff will have gone so no one to help you or hold back the traffic! Getting back while the return tunnel is still open is very preferable and safer.
Be VERY aware that drivers get confused when the tunnel entrance is closed and some head the wrong way (against no entry signs) through the lower tunnel! This happens a lot with events like the Festival with foreign drivers who know they came through a tunnel from the paddock so they go through one (any one) to get back!!… and all the marshals have gone by then.
Only the larger tunnel has a pedestrian route.
There is also a pedestrian tunnel from beside the race control up to the start line grandstand. Watch out in case you might need your pass to come back through here as you are going into the general public area.
Restaurants in the circuit.
The Kentagon (top of the paddock) is usually the main source of commercial food during the race meeting with a full restaurant and bar. The Hailwoods suite at the bottom of the paddock may also be open during the main spectator times with restaurant and bar. Various ‘concession’ burger vans may be in operation near scrutineering. There is a burger type outlet next to race control in the centre.
Leaving the Circuit.
Well they do it several ways and frankly this is a mess!!
If you are in the outer paddock they WON’T let you back through the top gate and down through the spectator area (quite right) and send you out through the paddock gate – maybe from the corner of the paddock or possibly up past scrutineering and then a sharp right turn like going to scrutineering and out another gate. BUT this closes very promptly around the time of the last race and suddenly you find yourself having to go out the main gate even though there are still spectators about. If you are leaving before the end of the meeting you will need to go out the paddock gate so don’t try and go to the main gate. I see it very regularly, people who arrived for testing on the Friday night came in the front entrance and don’t even realise there is a paddock gate. Then they try to leave during the meeting the same way they came in, driving up the hill past scrutineering only to be turned away at the gate at the top of the hill…. and causing chaos as they try to turn and come back down. If anyone knows of a worse paddock arrangement then let me know so I am forewarned should I go there.
Leaving from the Paddock gate, exit the industrial area and turn left (Scratchers Lane) to head back to the A20 London Road. Turn right for Swanley J3 of M25… or turn right out of the industrial area to reach the A20 at a different point and turn left for J2a of M26.
Local facilities
The circuits own petrol pump is at the very top of the outer paddock (almost at the Kentagon) Opening hours (race days only) are limited and should appear in you final instructions. Nearest petrol station is out the main entrance, turn left and about ¼ mile on your left.
Nearest convenience store (other than the petrol station) is a CoOp in West Kingsdown. Go past the petrol station and take the next left (Hever Road) just after the cafe (one of my crews grandad runs the cafe so a plug for them) and the CoOp is on the right in a parade of shops. There is also a takeway Chinese/chippy.
Nearest superstore is ASDA in Swanley
Several pubs in West Kingsdown.
My personal opinion, one of the best curry houses in the South is about 4 miles away in Borough Green . Look up “Zeera TN15 8AX”… Historic FF2000 seem to agree with me – they usually have a big group there. They have a big function room upstairs if you want to pre-book something.
Steven Connor March 2015
Spotter pictures for the programme at Cadwell (and beyond).
Being the start of the season and people having new cars or paint jobs or different numbers or being new to Mono, spotter pictures are a little bit tricky…
However, if entrants would care to pick their most suitable image from the lovely collection by Andrew Cliffe at http://www.norwichphoto.co.uk/
and message the image ref (the full URL from the top of the image page please) to admin@monoposto.co.uk then Andrew kindly allows us to use the images as the spotter pictures.
As pictures of the 2015 season build then pick one that correctly represents your 2015 car.
Please remember the format is a side on shot of the car in action.
It is also planned to use these shots for future enhancements to the website.
If you have your own image then please e-mail that.
2015 Regulations (Monoposto and Tiedeman Championships) Published Copies (with MSA permit numbers) now published on the website..http://www.monoposto.co.uk/forms/
Tiedeman Trophy Dates, As previously reported, the final round of the Tiedman trophy could not be held on 14th Nov as planned. This has now been confirmed for 7th Nov on the Donington National Circuit. Entry forms for the Championship to follow shortly.
With the welcome news of Brands Indy being licensed for 2 extra cars to race this year (30 from 28) and the incredibly strong demand for places on the Monoposto grids, it is an opportune time to consider how our Brands Indy meeting is likely to be run.
Entry numbers (as at 28th March)
2000 = 20
Classic = 16
Moto = 15
1800 = 6
Dtec = 2
1600 = 2.5 (one Sunday only entrant)
Effectively 62.
On the face of it that leaves us just short of full capacity until we consider the grid split.
Using our normal Mono 2000 and Mono Classic as one grid structure we have 36 cars entered for a 30 grid maximum. People entering this grid have been told they were reserves once we reached 28 (2 have become confirmed entrants with the extra 2 slots on the grid becoming available).
The intention is to leave the grids as normal. This decision means we have a number of drivers who are currently reserves for this grid even though the whole Mono event isn’t full. The way we handle reserves is discussed in this link here, and we have confirmed that any reserves who go out for qualifying but then a place for them doesn’t open up, will receive an 85% refund.
To try and help give as many people who want to race the opportunity to do so, some suggestions:
- Entrants who might not race.
Our ‘member friendly’ entry process allowing people to enter without paying up front and cancel up to 3 days before the event might mean some people who are doubtful for this event are currently on our confirmed entrants list.
Everyone is 100% entitled to do this, those are the rules for accepting entries, but it does leave reserves ‘in limbo’ until the last few days.
Therefore:
- If any of the confirmed entrants are really sure they won’t be making Brands (or reach that decision nearer the event), please let Rachel know ASAP so that a reserve can be advised a place has become available.
- If any confirmed entrants think they might not make the event but want to keep their options a little open, should they wish to voluntarily become a reserve then they will stay at the top of the reserve list (the previous reserve number 1 will have been allocated their confirmed place). As any further slots become available the new number 1 reserve (or more) will be asked if they want to pass at that time but stay as number 1 reserve and the slot will be offered to the number 2 reserve (who might also be a volunteer reserve) and so on.
- Doubling up.
Probably not most peoples’ first choice but if someone with a confirmed entry might consider only doing one of the days and offer the other day to a reserve, then we will waive the premium for a single day entry and just charge them 50% of the 2 day fee.
Registration and Entries updated.
Headlines:
96 registered members.
Average entry for Championship rounds is over 50
27 entries for Spa (from 1st April entries to be accepted from non Mono members)
Over subscribed Grids
Had some good questions about the over subscribed grids at Brands Indy (2000 and Classic) and Silverstone GP.
Notably about grid swaps/changes or reserves policy.
Here are some pointers regarding how we try to get as many members racing as possible.
Firstly there is no space in either timetable to split out any of the classes to an extra grid as we have been able to do at Cadwell.
Thus at Silverstone we are very limited on any creative ideas for getting any more people out as it is one grid each day and that is it.
For Brands Indy there is the possibility of swapping classes between grids (as at Donington last year) but Moto isn’t all that far behind Classic in terms of numbers and by the time we get to the race weekend it might be that a swap would have no benefit as the problem is having 3 classes that are more than half a grid each in numbers. One thing we might be able to do if there are spaces on the 2nd grid is to ask for people from the 1st grid who aren’t after ultimate championship points if they would race on the other grid to help someone else get a race – but they would have to be ‘invisible’ for points if they raced on the ‘wrong’ grid.
We don’t run pre-qualifying, not considered fair at our level of racing. We want people to know when they set off for the weekend that they are either a confirmed entrant or a reserve (and accept the implications of that). No confirmed entrant will be ‘bumped’ by the Club. Reserves who decline to attend the meeting as a reserve will get a full refund.
So the procedure is:
1. We only know for certain how many entries we have at close of business 3 days before the event (that is the result of our very member friendly entry/cancellation policy which in this case proves less friendly to reserves) but will be asking people to be nice and let us know really early if they are pulling out so that reserves can be notified ASAP.
2. We can run with 20% extra cars in qualifying than in the race (MSA rules)
3. Reserves who run in qualifying are still reserves after qualifying, irrespective of the time they set (even if they set pole time), but must have set their 3 laps at least to meet the MSA 3 lap qualifying requirement.
4. If any cars then withdraw (mechanical or accident) we let in the reserves who have ‘qualified’ in reserve order (order the entries were received).
5. Even if they aren’t officially in as the grid is formed, the remaining reserves can wait at the pitlane and if cars fail on the parade lap or right at the start, the Clerk of Course can opt to let them join the race at his discretion.
6. Reserves who only qualify but don’t race get a significant refund (can’t remember the exact figure)
7. Because our race weekend is usually two independent days, the reserves who raced on Saturday are not guaranteed a race on Sunday as the original entry is re-set for day 2.
Cadwell testing 17th April.
As well as the normal test day format, MSV have set up a Mono exclusive test session at the end of the day…. ideal for people to travel to the circuit during the day and still have the opportunity for a shake down when they arrive.
Champ registrations and race entries to date now updated… here
3rd Mono grid at Cadwell CONFIRMED!
Meeting with MSVR Mgmt today, the message was “go for it”.
Therefore we will have one grid headlined by Mono 2000, one headlined by Mono Classic 2000 and one headlined by Mono Moto.
Thus those people who were holding on as reserves will now be able to race.
More entries desired to really make the most of this opportunity…. more cars in Moto to make that an exclusive Moto grid?… more FF1600s and FF2000s to race with Classic?… More F3s or Renaults to race with 2000?
Entry forms etc here….
MSV are running a open pit lane test day at Snetterton on the 18th March for single seaters only. Cost is £ 149 for the entire day.
Link: http://www.snetterton.co.uk/testing/2015/march/150318-sn.aspx
Formula Renaults (FRs) in Monoposto Racing Club (MRC)
For clarity:
MRC have not added a new class for FRs or planned any FR only races, or changed our rules/regulations/procedures IN ANY WAY.
FRs complying with MRC regs on ride height and restrictors etc have been eligible for Mono 2000 for several years. The 2015 regs are unchanged in these respects.
Therefore any FR owner/driver is entitled to submit a full championship registration plus entries for as many MRC events as they wish – just like any other MRC member. Since none of our 2015 events are as yet oversubscribed and, with our ‘1st come 1st served’ policy (see policy at www.monoposto.co.uk/forms ), any such entries received would guarantee acceptance into the event.
Cadwell Park
Prior to the news about FR from the BARC, we were forecasting 2 full grids between our classes.
Seeing the predicament of FR owners, MSVR & MRC have offered that, if sufficient FRs choose to enter, a 3rdgrid might be added. In keeping with our normal practice, complete classes would be allocated to individual grids with the additional grid being used for the complete Mono 2000 class.
This arrangement with MSVR is not MRC buying a 3rd grid and will not impose a financial burden on MRC. The 3rd grid will only be run at the discretion of MSVR and MRC
Our existing 2 grid contract remains in force and if it proves that there isn’t sufficient interest from FRs , the meeting will proceed exactly as normal.
Photo: Tim Wood / Norwich Photo
Mono Moto Chassis Clarification
PR3 Chassis (www.pr3racing.co.uk )
The Monoposto Racing Club has approved the addition of the above chassis to the Appendix 6.2 (List of Chassis Permitted for Mono Moto) with immediate effect:
MRC January 23rd 2015
Mono 2000 and Mono 2000 Classic Engine Clarification : Piedrafita Toyota 3S-GE Spanish F3 Engine
The Monoposto Racing Club has approved the use of the above engine with immediate effect, subject to the following conditions:
1. There must be a 25mm air restrictor fitted to the induction system at all times the car is competing in an MRC event.
2. The engine must comply with the current F3Cup regulations on induction vacuum, notably:
“The material for the air box is free providing that it is not porous. The total air box system must be capable of sustaining a vacuum of ‘3 inches’ of mercury when using a pump drawing a maximum of 0.9 cubic feet per minute of free air. In the event of a failure of the vacuum pump test the following secondary test will be offered to the competitor concerned. With the engine at tick over, when putting a plug on the air restrictor of the intake system, the engine shall be stopped in less than 2 seconds. Declining the secondary test will be considered as a failure to comply. Any device or construction that is designed to adjust or alter the size, shape or length of the inlet tract/trumpets, or improve airflow, operated by any manner (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic) whilst the car and engine are in use, is prohibited under all circumstances. The engine shall have no mechanism which is capable of adjusting the valve timing following a mechanical, hydraulic pneumatic or electrical input whilst the engine is in operation.”
MRC January 23rd 2015