Tyres limit at Brands.

It is not our intention that Mono Championship Regulation 5.13.3 should apply at this event.

This will be covered within an official bulletin to be issued by the MSVR team in accordance with MSA procedures.

Entries Update

Silverstone GP

We are currently at 74 entries for a 54 car grid. (make that 73… a reserve just benefited from someone else being forced to cancel)

There aren’t any creative solutions to the over subscription at this meeting. This has been the case historically for this popular event although usually the reserves who decided to run on the day did get into the race even if they were waiting until the last moment strapped in their cars to find out.

In the past Mono have even qualified with more than the 20% over number of cars (with the creative solution of splitting the reserves so there were never more than the extra 20% on the track at one time)

As ‘natural wastage’ results in cancellations approaching the meeting we will keep the reserves informed and they can make their decision.

Any reserve who qualifies but is not then allocated a confirmed slot will receive an 85% refund from the club.

Snetterton 300

With the way the entry numbers have fallen, we have decided to use the same grid structure as at Brands Indy. This will allow all those people who were initially advised they were a reserve to now be contacted and offered a confirmed place.

Grids will be (but not necessarily in this order!)

Grid 1 = 2000, 1800, 1600 & Dtec

Grid 2 = Classic & Moto

Brands GP

With the addition of F3Cup and once again the way the entries have fallen, we plan moving from our previous default grid structure as this will allow all our current entrants to be confirmed.

Grids will be (but not necessarily in this order!)

Grid 1 = F3Cup, 2000, 1800, 1600 & Dtec

Grid 2 = Classic & Moto

Our intrepid Administrator had ‘a bit of an off’ at Shelsley Walsh while competing in a hill climb yesterday, resulting in some nasty injuries to her hand, a stay in hospital and some further surgery planned.

Naturally all at Mono wish her well.

PS e-mail sent to all Brands entrants (well those with e-mail accounts!) with an update.

Monoposto Championship

Cadwell 16/17 May 2015

Rounds 3 & 4

 The 2015 Monoposto championship comes to Kent after a strong initial two rounds at the lovely Cadwell Park circuit where many racers expressed delight at both the challenging nature of the circuit and the competitiveness of the racing.  With the less confined nature of the Brands Hatch Indy circuit the racing is potentially going to be equally exciting this weekend as we enjoy 2 capacity grids covering the Monoposto classes.

MSVR information inc TIMETABLE

Brands Hatch Indy 16052015 Garage Plan

Brands Hatch Indy 17052015 Garage Plan

Entries Round 3. Brands Hatch Indy 16.05.15

Entries Round 4. Brands Hatch Indy 17.05.15

See e-mail from TSL copied below.

We do have a few Transponder info gaps in our registration database so do expect a chase up to ask for your number if we haven’t got it.

Hi Steven

It is good to hear from you.

Yes we do have some transponders for hire but as you may be aware drivers are supposed to have their own transponders as per MSA Blue Book.  If any are needed they are £30 cash only, drivers need to go to the timing room early on Saturday morning.  If there are a large number as it is the beginning of the season can you let me know as we will need to make special arrangements.  Transponders can be purchased from our website as below.

Please ensure that your drivers put their transponder numbers on their entry forms and that MSVR have an excel spreadsheet of all your entries including transponder numbers which they then send to us before each event.

Any queries do not hesitate to contact me

Best regards

Rita

Rita Ashman
Administration

There will be three grids at Cadwell Park to ensure that people get the opportunity to race.  Cadwell is only permitted 24 starters per grid and this was the best combination to ensure everyone gets to race.

• Grid 1 – Mono 2000 Classic, Mono 1800 and Mono DTEC
• Grid 2 – Mono Moto and Mono 1600
• Grid 3 – Mono 2000 + a few 2000 Classic’s who are topping up the grid with a half-price non-championship extra race.

We have been allocated the best area of paddock, but there is limited space so to be fair to all competitors, could trailers, caravans, motorhomes and other non-essential vehicles be parked out of the main paddock area and for those with large awnings to consider sharing.   With approx. 60 racing cars we need to work together.

During Sunday’s lunch break there will be a grid shot of all competitors cars.    We will be lining cars up, three abreast to get as many cars in the shot, and the cars will be gridded up in no particular order to highlight the variety of cars within Monoposto.    We would also like to get a ‘class of 2015’ photograph of drivers, suited and booted if possible (helmets not necessary for this).

This means that Mono2000 Classic, Mono1800 and Duratec cars may need to go straight to assembly area afterwards whilst the others go back to the paddock.

• Timetable 18 April Cadwell Issue TWO (revised timetable)
• Final Instructions Issue One
• Paddock Plan 18-19 April CP Issue ONE
• SR’s Issue ONE CP Full
• MSV Testing on Friday 17th

MSVR are able to offer a further day of racing on the Silverstone GP circuit on 12^th Sept.

This would NOT be a championship event and might be commercially organised by Monoposto or MSVR (to be decided)

Probable format would be one grid with 1 x quail and 2 x races.

Very aware the date is only a week before our Donington GP Championship weekend, as a non champ event it isn’t being ‘forced’ on anyone.

This might have a more ‘flexible’ approach to eligible cars than a normal meeting… so maybe a chance to bring out something/someone different  (Sorry Lou, can’t accept your F3000!)

At this stage ‘expressions of interest’ are invited so that we can see if there is a demand.  Please phone or e-mail me.

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.

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 28^th 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.

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.

See here for details: