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Post by Graeme on Mar 23, 2005 17:03:37 GMT
Anyone investigated Cadwell Park as a 'luging venue? I was speaking to the circuit manager the other day and mentioned it - he wasn't adverse to the idea (and said that someone contacted him a few years ago) but I reckon it could be pricey to rent now it's owned by Jonathan Palmer. Probably would be a technical rather than fast course...
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Post by Ian r on Mar 23, 2005 18:17:25 GMT
Hi Graeme,
that'd be me then.......I talked to some people up at Cadwell about 18 months ago. It was just as it was changing hands. I agree, it could be a useful venue. I will try to make contact again in the next few months. I live about 10 miles away, so no excuse really (there's loads of good hills locally!), just a matter of finding the time........
regards,
Ian Round
UKGSA Secretary
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Post by JasonA on Mar 24, 2005 22:14:06 GMT
I made an enquiry there at the end of July last year.
I used to race motorbikes, so I was thinking of which tracks I used to race at would make good Gravity Sports venues. I thought of Donington Park, Oulton Park and Cadwell Park. Donington would be out of the question due to cost, but I thought Oulton and Cadwell more feasible. When I spoke to Cadwell Park, they were amenable to the idea in principle. They've held mountain bike events there before and charge less to hire the circuit for non-motorised events, but we're still looking at £1,500 circuit hire. They also insist on Public Liability insurance and the presence of an ambulance and paramedic service, so it gets pricey. They are also very busy during the season, with every weekend booked up, so an event would have to be in February or November, something like that.
The chap I spoke to agreed that we could go up there one evening and at least try it out to see if we can make a decent run out of it. I've done many laps around Cadwell and have thought about it long and hard. Because it is valley-shaped, running downhill from two opposite directions, there isn't one very long run but two or three different shorter ones. To use this circuit would be very pricey, so to get enough people along to reduce the losses incurred it would have to be a very compelling run, and I don't know if that could be created at that circuit. It would still be worth going there and having a look. We can always stick some chicanes in to add features to the run.
Oulton Park, the other hilly circuit I mentioned is owned by the same people. With the high cost of using these venues, I think by far the best course of action is to go and check both of them out and choose the best one.
To get the numbers of participants up in order to try and cover the cost of using a venue like this, we'd have to promote the event like buggery, opening it up to any gravity vehicle, canvassing all those who entered the Skate Classic as well as the usual Gurston lot. However, I don't hold out too much hope as frankly Dalby Forest is a far more compelling run at 1 mile long and look how we're struggling to get numbers for that! I don't see how we'd get anywhere near covering the cost of £1,500 circuit hire + insurance + ambulance & paramedic at Cadwell.
If any of you who live closer are planning to go and have a look, then let me know and I'll give you my ideas as to where on the circuit we could look at creating a run. I'll probably come with you too.
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Post by Graeme on Mar 25, 2005 8:49:03 GMT
Wonder if we could race at the end/lunch break of a car/bike race meeting - medics and everything would already be in place.
Don't think Oulton would be hilly enough - it's more a series a dips...
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Post by BOS on Mar 25, 2005 12:45:36 GMT
Racing in a lunch break/end of the day seems the most feasible plan! Dalby figures are looking higher than shown on the 'whos coming' page. We are now getting an influx of lazy f***kers who didnt pull there finger out before, its all good!
BOS
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Post by Graeme on Mar 29, 2005 16:40:27 GMT
Wonder if Lydden Hill circuit could make a passable hill - the hairpin downwards... It's limited in how much motor racing it can hold (50 days a year?), so should be available.
Also was thinking about Wiscombe hillclimb in Devon - that could be a corker (if no run-off through the tree-lined section).
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Post by JasonA on Mar 29, 2005 16:56:25 GMT
Lydden - I've raced there, that would be a very short run. Oliver's Mount in Scarborough would be quite something. I think Hill Climb venues have got to be the ones to approach though.
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Post by BOS on Mar 30, 2005 15:56:08 GMT
Olivers mount! Ive heard of that! Its used in rallies right? Is it tarmac? Is it in a forest!
BOS
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Post by JasonA on Mar 30, 2005 16:20:10 GMT
Oliver's Mount at Scarborough - I raced there in 1994. Very hilly, on tarmac, part of the track goes through forest, yes. It's held on closed public roads but they do it frequently so it shouldn't be too much of a problem to get the hilly part of the circuit closed.
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Lee
Beginner
Posts: 23
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Post by Lee on Mar 30, 2005 16:30:57 GMT
Olivers mount is fabulous, but to get the best out of it you need to carry on off the formal race track and further down the hill towards the lake on the public road. (trying to avoid the drop on the outside of the corner!)
Not too sure but I think the roads just provide access to campsites etc.
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Post by Graeme on Mar 30, 2005 17:22:36 GMT
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Post by Ian r on Mar 30, 2005 18:18:17 GMT
Hi Graeme,
would be very interested in any opinions on Oliver Mount. My father visited a couple of years ago and unfortunately concluded that it was impossible to carry enough speed around the hairpin (after a 60mph straight!!!) to make it down the rest of the frustratingly 'almost fantastic' course. He was freewheeling on a ZX1100 at the time! There may, of course be another option, which Lee may know of? Would be a fab venue if we can make it work. And only 15 miles from Dalby. A double header perhaps.......
Great to see Graeme so keen. Could you perhaps attend our commitee meeting this saturday, at peterborough? I should perhaps know where in the country you are, but if I did, I can't remember. Anyway, we always welcome keen folk along.
Regards,
Ian ;D
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Lee
Beginner
Posts: 23
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Post by Lee on Mar 30, 2005 20:06:42 GMT
Chris Beard magnificently organised a day at Olivers mount after he was approached by Phil Tuffnel (well a member of his production team) as they wanted him to try some luging as a bit of light relief for a DVD he was releasing.
We didn't really have permission to use the actual race track and instead started the day off going down the hill from the outside of the hairpin down toward the lake. After the tightish first corner the hill is really smooth and fairly steep. But we had to have the road closed and there was a police presence at the bottom of the hill.
Of course the curiosity of a run from the very top of the hill of Olivers mount got the better of us and we duly went to the top and launched ourselves off (after strategically putting a hay bale over an annoying gully grate in the middle of the (luge) racing line, on the outside of the hairpin where it transitions into the other road). The approach is fast and the camber of the road at the hairpin launches you in the air when you go onto the other road. This makes it a really technical track as at this stage you need to be braking for a pretty serious corner, if you get it wrong you could end up over the edge and into a big drop or the big trees. Needless to say I got it wrong and ended up ploughing through the hay bales and into the fence - lucky the fence was there.
If we can organise a day there, as a double header with Dalby it will be soooo cool. Just as Graeme said, we could combine it with a day in Dalby, a night out in Scarborough and a day at Olivers mount.
Not too sure who to contact etc etc. Perhaps if Chris reads this he can get in contact (be good to hear from you - hope family life treats you well)
I also think it was in Chalkys, Andy's and/or Jamies back yard so hopefully you guys could come too. Be good to see you again.
Lee
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Post by JasonA on Mar 30, 2005 20:53:01 GMT
Ben BOS Bewley - Don't you live near Scarborough? Could you check out the actual venue?
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Post by BOS on Mar 31, 2005 11:45:30 GMT
Keep up Jason! I lived near Scarbrough 4 years ago! Now live in penrith/stoke! A scouting mission maybe in order though to add to Lees information! I keep on driving through the south lakes and i see many good roads(many from the M6) I keep on meaning to check them out but never do! I shall endeviour to do it next semester!
BOS
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Post by Graeme on Mar 31, 2005 17:14:30 GMT
Sorry - I do tend to get over-interfering in activities I get interested in! I haven't actually been to Olivers Mount (was meaning to watch some 'bike racing there this year). 'Afraid I can't make a meeting this weekend (away in France trying out for a place in the Nurburgring 24 Hours - actually, that would make a great 'luge track - 3 miles+ downhill runs ;D ), but I probably do know some of the organisers for the hillclimbs if that helps - Auto66 would be the guys to talk to about Olivers Mount.
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Post by JasonA on Mar 31, 2005 17:43:03 GMT
It's not interference Graeme, it's the kind of help we need!
Trying out for the Nurburgring 24 hour what?
If you know Hill Climb organisers then that could be very useful!
I used to race with Auto 66 club - Cadwell Park, Langbaurgh, Three Sisters...
Also did both Nurburgring circuits in May 1992. Great experience.
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Post by Graeme on Mar 31, 2005 19:20:32 GMT
Trying out for the Nurburgring 24 hour what? It's on four wheels, I'm afraid! They also organise a 'bike hillclimb at Dalby - www.auto66.com/circuitshill.htm - same as the 'luge course?
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Post by Graeme on Apr 13, 2005 14:57:17 GMT
Two more ideas which occurred to me - Isle of Man and (okay, a bit wacky) could you run a streetluge on a unfrozen concrete bobsleigh track
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Post by Ian r on Apr 13, 2005 17:50:29 GMT
Hi ;D,
Yeah, the road down into Ramsey,l on the Isle of Man looks awesome! Went for a drive round the TT course last autumn and discovered it. Will definately be taking my buttboard next time I'm out there! Also, 'cos it a race track, no cats eyes!!!!!
I belive the yanks are talking to the ice lugers about using an un-frozen concrete run in the summer, but not heard 'owt lately. Does anyone know of such things in the UK?
Keep the ideas coming!
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