28/02/2011

FCD:MP - My first Mallory day.

Yesterday was my first trip to Mallory Park for their infamous open pit lane, full circuit drift day and what can i say... I've fallen in love with Mallory Park!

To give a bit of back ground on FCD:MP, a guy called Bob Inglis started running drift practice days there in December 2009/January 2010, Chunk kicked it off nicely with his 130mph entry into Gerrards corner!


Unfortunately due to lack of interest the majority of FCD days got cancelled in early 2010 until there was an out cry on the Driftworks Forum for everyone to support these days and not lose this amazing track and ever since they have all been fully booked!!!

So, onto my first experience of FCD:MP.

The night before me and my boyfriend, Sid made the drive up to Leicester via Fabricage in Cambridge to pick up Sid's C33 Laurel, staying with local Mallory drifter Chunk we could get up to the track nice and early (still not early enough to get a garage!)


Kirsty Widdrington and Tom Yates of Team Twisted getting the cars warmed up.

We unloaded our stuff with everyone else in the large open pit area and headed to the briefing. There was a good turn out for the day including 30 drivers and about 10 guests joining in the action, we were warned the morning may get a bit crazy with everyone heading out together... and with the new wet tarmac, there were a lot of red flags out!

Jay from Jims Factory was ready to get out there in his MX5


If you haven't been to a FCD:MP day before you're required to complete three viewing laps to get to grips with the circuit, so myself along with a group of others headed out at 9.30 to get a look at the track and realise just how big the place is!

The straight going into Gerrards corner.

 
So i went out for my first laps and thought I'd take it steady gripping most of it and skidding some of the easier corners like the hair pin until i got used to the fast pace of the track!



The day is so well organised yet unstructured at the same time, come and go as you please and you can go drifting with who you like!

Sid drifting the hair pin in his C33 Laurel


Julie having some fun around Gerrards and making it look far too easy!


The Japspeed lads seeing how good an s14 can off road


Andy Shervington couldn't have possibly driven his little XE powered Starlet harder. Skills!


Paz ironically getting shown up by the under powered Starlet! He won't ever grip Gerrards again haha


By about 4pm everyone was starting to get pretty tired after having a whole day of open track time, so the track quietened down a bit, the perfect time for me to try some different entry techniques.....




It didn't really work out! But Mallory is a great learning curve where you can try new things and do so in relative safety. Thanks to Ammo and Malx for digging me out!



Mallory is a step up from the usual drift tracks currently used in the UK and unfortunately does claim some casualties. Matt and Ian Blackett (new name Stackett) were the unlucky ones on this occasion and Matt is perhaps looking at re-shelling his S14a after some contact with the wall.



The day finished on a total high, the new track pushed me to do things other tracks didn't.
I didn't once feel in over my head, as it's such a relaxed place. If you want to grip the majority of the track and drift the less scary bits you can and there is no pressure to do 100mph Gerrard style entries straight away (although of course that's what everyone aims for!)

There are corners for all skill levels and next time i am determined to nail Devils Elbow!


So, will i go back?? I'm already booked in to the next day on March 31st!

Want to join us? You can find details here.

To end, here are some pictures which reflect the fun and excitement that can be had at Mallory FCD days.











Photographs taken from Drifted.com, Simon Buchanan Booker, Matt Cross and Ammo Photography and others! Thank you!

23/02/2011

Davey Clarke in his 4AGTE KE70

I was shown this video last night of a guy called Davey Clarke in Australia in a turbo powered (4AGTE) KE70 and it impressed me too much, to not show on my blog!!

Smokey - check
Angle - check
Speed - check
Awesome flick entries - check!!!


21/02/2011

BDC 2010 Round 2 - Silverstone

With the cold, wet weather not showing any signs of leaving us just yet, i thought it might be a nice reminder to show how good the weather can be in this country and get everyone excited about the 2011 BDC Season!

I think everyone who attended will remember the insane heat wave at Silverstone for Round 2 of the 2010 Maxxis British Drift Championship. I sure will remember the sun burnt feet for some time!

With freshly laid tarmac the BDC Pro drivers were eager to be the first to put some marks down and that, they definately did!

As i was working for the BDC at the time, i could be found on the start line getting the drivers ready for their runs alongside head marshall Darren Matthews.


Wrong way up Daz! :)

As i was behind the scenes i decided it might be a good idea to show the BDC from my point of view, so here are some pictures from the event. I apologise for the lack of drifting but hopefully these pictures will portray how fun and friendly the BDC really is!

The drift regulars such as Belinda and Steveo could be found causing trouble around the pits!


Chunk decided to give up drifting to pursue a career in Directing Adult Movie's.



Ross Ianson the resident BDC Photographer


Ant in 'doing something' shocker!


The Mint Tyre girlies!


Sid Crowfoot enjoying the SRB Power ladies!!


I'm sure Grant was hoping the pink pants would attract the ladies....


Gav Cummings.... and his nipple!!


Shane Lynch and Declan Munnelly heading for the first corner.


Keith Hammond enjoying a couple of minutes in the shade


Phil Morrison in the Driftworks S15


Tony Fong ready to go in his Honda powered Toyota KE70


Paul 'Polo' Cheshire in his SR20 powered s14.5


Greg Gush in his One-via


Anthony 'Scotty' Scott in his RB30 powered Sil80


Making some flames!!


And to end.. a few more shots from behind the scenes :)









Watch this blog for more updates throughout the 2011 BDC season, i will be doing regular write ups on every round!