BRCA SE 2WD Regional Championship RD3 - Sunday 22 July - Plough Raceway

[brookie]

Apologies for lateness of the 'official' posting, work is getting interesting (!!!) to say the least! But I'm sure you were all aware of this in the calendar anyway.

As the title says, Round 3 (of 4) of the 2012 SE 2WD Regional Off-road Championships. As per usual there will also be an Open class to cater for drivers from outside the SE Region and those wishing to run a 4WD around. There will also be provision for Round 3 of the 'unofficial' SE Regional separate SCT & Stadium Truck Championships for 2WD (ONLY!) electric trucks.

To be held at Plough Raceway off-road facility on Sunday 22 July 2012.

Track WILL NOT open until approx. 08:30 for practice so please DO NOT arrive too early! The track is on private land at the rear of The Plough Inn, Leigh who we do not want upset by excessive early noise, thank you!

NB - PLOUGH RACEWAY HAVE ACQUIRED THEIR OWN TIMING EQUIPMENT, HOWEVER THEIR VERSION DOES NOT SUPPORT PERSONAL TRANSPONDERS AND DRIVERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO USE THE CLUBS HAND-OUT TRANSPONDERS SO PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE THE NECESSARY MOUNTING HOLE FOR THIS UNIT!

See you all there, (maybe!), don't forget FREE entry for ALL Juniors, U13's and U16's.

Oh and don't forget your BRCA Membership details please, Membership application forms will be available for non-members to join on the day!

The Plough is a delightful, 16th-century country pub, which enjoys a quiet location set back from the main road, yet within easy reach of the main transport links. The quaint building is of a traditional, local style with very ornate, original window-panes. There is a well-maintained, private garden outside which is great for al fresco drinking and eating in the summer!!

NB - PLEASE, NO BARBECUE'S or OPEN FIRES, ALSO SMOKERS PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH THOSE CIGARETTE ENDS, IF THERE IS A RISK OF FIRE HERE PLEASE DO NOT BE THE ONE TO START ONE! AND YES EVEN WITH THE WEATHER WE HAVE BEEN HAVING OF LATE!

Address: Leigh Road, Hildenborough, Nr. Tonbridge, Kent TN11 9AJ

Located directly on the B245, just a couple of miles northwest of the centre of Tonbridge

How to find the Plough pub: - If you are coming from Tonbridge, head for Hildenborough (B245). You will see Leigh & Penshurst signposted on the left hand side opposite the Flying Dutchman pub. Take this left turn (once on this road DO NOT take the first right signpost for Leigh), keep going straight ahead. Under railway bridge the road will narrow but keep going. The road can be a bit narrow and windy. There is a sharp bend to the right with another lane going straight signposted for the Powder Mills - follow the road to the right and shortly after this the Plough. The car park entrance is just before the pub.
If you're coming from north of Sevenoaks along A21, take exit off A21 for Sevenoaks and Hildenborough and head for Hildenborough (B245). You will eventually (about 2 or 3 miles down that road) see the Flying Dutchman on the left with a road off to the right signposted Leigh/Penshurst. NOTE: There is a road to the right before this one which is signposted for Leigh and Penshurst but please make sure you keep going until you see the Flying Dutchman.

[Burty248]

Weather report: sunny, 21 degrees at midday.

[brookie]

Yep, looking good right now!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2635703

[simoncook]

Should be a good meeting!! - Setting up on Saturday might get a little damp, but Sunday is looking good.

Oh yeah, probably best to dig out the sun cream too. There isn't much shade as such and it is quite sheltered so can get quite hot.

[Ralls Racing]

looking forward to this one guys. see you all there

[simoncook]

Just got back from the track, and everything is set. Weather still looks to be good for tomorrow too

See you all there !!!!!!

[simoncook]

Guys,

Just uploaded results and laptimes to the internet.

They can be found on the South East website here ->> http://www.brca-southeast.co.uk

[brookie]

And updated Championship tables to follow very shortly too.

As is an official announcement about the cancelled Round 2 of 2WD at FORCC

[crazychicken]

Hi guys don't mean to have a moan but at this 2wd meeting at plough raceway I was very disappointed with the track prep that had been done . I found the grass was still very long and the amount of grass clippings on the track made it very difficult and excessively draining on the cars. I was running a 6.5t and in practice I probably could not get the car to do any more that 10mph down the straight(curve).

We all pay good money to race at these regional events . I feel the track condition should be in as good condition from practice a not have to wait until round 2 until the cars have cleared the race line .

Let's hope that this does not happen again with the coming 4ed regional.

Am I alone with this or do others feel the same

Kind regards
Crazychicken

[brookie]

First off, lets not hide behind User ID's please, real names would be appreciated.

Secondly you could always offer to help out at the very small team that continues to provide this facility which has always been known to be a more traditional, old school type off-road track. As with ANY track, maintenance always takes the precious time of ordinarily a small group of dedicated volunteers and this summers 'interesting' weather conditions have made track preparation challenging for ALL of us that are actively involved in the maintenance of our venues.
It's a simple equation, the more volunteers any track can get the easier that prep may be!

And then all you've got to do is organise the weather!

Steven Brooke

[Team No Idea]

I'm with Mr Brooke on this one. Its very hard to keep up with any kind of track maintained. I know Steve Andrews is a 1 man band up at Plough Raceway, he puts his heart and soul into his track and racing in general when he is not working his nuts off on his day job. It was only a 2 short seasons ago I was up there most weekends helping Steve with getting the track ready and with just the 2 of us it was a huge task. Its a real shame its so far from me or I would still help him out. (it cost me a fortune in petrol driving up there at weekends!)
Yes the grass was a little long out the back of the track but it was still a fun day, and along with the recent weather and work Steve's work commitments i think he does a fantastic job providing this venue for us every year. Without it the south east would only have 2 tracks to play on! Faversham and EPR !

[jim76]

well Said Mr Brooke.

[R666REW]

I didnt enjoy the straight as if u went a little offline u hit the long grass that hadnt been cut down and threw the car, and the track markers were very intresting to see as had sunk buy 2 inches into the grass. hands down to steve he does his best to support the south east with another venue for us to attend but some bits have seen better days like the rumble strip in middle

if he needs any help setting up a track on the day there are many people that have good knollege on track design to try and mix it up abit rather than a beans beans beans track

Ross

[jackeltrader]

There is a good touring car track at Chatham!

[R666REW]

Or a very short pier u can stroll off

[VinceB]

I would just like to say in support of Steve, grass GROWS! with the near constant rain it grows fast. Being a not very good driver I spent a lot of time going off line, I had a great day.
Thanks Steve for your hard work.

[jkclifford]

It grows down at Faversham too.

[R666REW]

I'm glad I just found out grass grows, just want to have a enjoyable time rather than dreading getting up and if people have to point out things to make it better then so be it.

[crazychicken]

Hi all last thing I wanted to do is cause a fuss but I am only highlighing my thoughts and what a lot of people where saying in the pits.

The touring car dig aboveBumps make it interesting long grass is a nightmare for 1/10th off road (thermal) enough said