GOODWOOD REVIVAL MEETING (UNITED KINGDOM)
September 2011
Zowieeee . . . We are back in the office from Goodwood and the great Revival Meeting races... we are missing the fresh scones and clotted cream and that will clot more than cream... the event was again a big, huge, and successful event and the biggest historic motorsport event (a completely sold out event at 140,000 + race fans and exciting. We were featured in a long interview by the BBC. There was an endless stream of fans that stopped by and chatted with Elaine and the team... whew . . . and most fans in stunning period dress...an awesome sight and in addition to the biggest collection of original Spitfires in formation in the skies about the Goodwood circuit - and Westhamptenett in the center of the track was the small historic military airport during WWII campaign.
We went to a flower shop in Chichester in Sussex to buy three floral arrangements to take to the Bruce McLaren Memorial area at the Goodwood Circuit… one each for John and Sandy…as your Uncle Bruce was more than special to you both… and one from Elaine and I as we laid the flowers at the marble memorial to Bruce.
More later - but brief summary for now . . .
 |
|
|
|
Mike of Emsworth had the OYII at his Lillywhite Brothers Automotive garage and took care of the car. Erik Van Der Schaff of Netherlands joined us again as crew and he joined us first in 2000 at GW. Wow…you just cannot believe the speed and HP of all… yes all the cars, as there is a great Race Series throughout Europe for our class of cars… and their goal is to win historic races throughout European circuits and Goodwood is the “Crown Jewel”…so their cars are very “dialed in. First in Qualifying I wanted to make sure the brand new Buick motor was fine and wanted to “stretch out the legs of the Buick motor”… my helmet was buffeting around so much it was hard to see on the back straight …but from the very first turn the cloth black tape started to peel off (nose number) and was flapping on the nose and half of my new Bell helmet top rear `spoiler broke and was rattling on my helmet… and came in after a few laps as the flapping was worse and thought I would get black flagged… and when I was in the pit lane a red flag came out as a Lister hit the Shell building… I was using 4th throughout the course and ready to start using 3rd in two or three turns but had only a lap or so only as qualifying was delayed by the time the crushed car was taken off and the Qualifying session was shortened.
Elaine was her usual best Goodwill Ambassador for the Balchowsky Special as she knew Max… and she could roll out information on the 1959 Buick Nailhead 401 motor along with the best.
Jolanda and Marcel came with Erik from NL and they took our commissioned canvas art banner with the official Goodwood Marshals Club logo (we have been made honorary members of GWMC) in the center… and they took the art canvas around and got as many drivers signatures with comments and thanks from the drivers… as well as some very notable drivers such as Jackie Stewart… as we presented the banner as a team…to the GW Marshals in the paddock.
The special invited 30 car grid was spectacular and Sussex Trophy race was the last and feature race on Sunday… it rained hard during the TT race that was just ahead of us in the race schedule …(Cobras- GTOs- Aston Martin- E lightweight Jags- Daytona and a rare Maserati Coupe) and sun came out but standing water is parts of the track (could not see the water or slippery surfaces at times)… standing start and got passed three cars but the torque was too much to handle and used 4th throughout the course as instant wheel spin and hydroplaning… first lap and out of the chicane and powering up down front main grandstands and front straight… I did three massive “fish tails” which the fans loved I am sure and it sucked the air out of my lungs… and three more smaller fish tails in later laps as water or slippery half way down the front straight.
The fender to fender racing is always thrilling. We expected much more from our new setups …but it is what it is… as was at limits of sideways moments at more than a few turns…but the prize was the “cool off lap” after the checkered flag at the end of the race… as around the entire circuit there were fans on the elevated grass bunkers behind white wood fences all along the GW circuit…so many waving their hands high to the Old Yeller II (thanks to Elaine and magnificent PR with 25 lbs of USA Hersey Kisses and lollies… and special pins and cards for fans) …and the Marshals clapping their hands high… and the huge grandstands with fans waving… it was “goose-bump” moment as I had a small American flag in my hand and the sun was setting at Goodwood late in the afternoon as we were the last and feature race of the event.
We wanted to have the new 401 Buick motor last and it did… the crews and motor guys did a good job…Thanks to John Dishman of Pep Supply as we wore our different Team shirts each day…time for good English Tea and fresh scones… with of course “clotted cream” and jam. More later and to be continued later.
Goodwood is an amazing event with all the pageantry, period costumes, fast cars, and even faster aircraft and of course . . . . the fans! Visit the following links to view photos taken at Goodwood 2011.
Newsflash: Following the Goodwood Revival Meeting Races, the historic and famous Prescott Hill Climb event wanted to feature the Old Yeller II Buick Special at their event, as the theme was "American Cars and Race Cars"…and Mike Lillywhite took the car to the event and it made some “Celebrity” Hill Climb passes. http://www.prescott-hillclimb.com/october2011.aspx
The great Hill Climb event was on October 1-2, 2011 and Prescott sponsored the OYII with accommodations and full support for the Old Yeller II team…and with PR coverage by the Prescott Organization. Phillip and Margaret of the Bugatti Owners Club were hosts for the team and they even bought a big box of chocolates to maintain the style of Elaine and PR fan PR work.
Philip Parkes has placed photos of the event at this link.
Ernie and Elaine
|
