Newsletter 98 - Sports 2000

JANUARY 2013 | NEWSLETTER 98
2013 Calendar
As usual, we have a great calendar in place for 2013. After listening to our
members, we have selected the tracks that most people said they wanted to race
on
27/28 April Silverstone GP
25th May Oulton Park Int. (Double header)
6-9th June Zandvoort (Endurance)
13/14 July Donington Park
21 July Thruxton (Endurance)
24/25 August Brands Hatch GP (Endurance)
14 September Donington Park
26/27 October Brands Hatch (FF festival)
The endurance rounds, and
Silverstone and Oulton
will be combined grids.
Zandvoort will be 2 x 30 minute races
Hot on the heels of the the very welcome news that not only have BIGprofile renewed
their sponsorship of the Sports 2000 Championship, but have increased their
investment significantly, we have another sponsorship agreement to announce
Martin Motor Services will sponsor the Sports 2000 Championship's hospitality by
buying a new hospitality awning, bistro style tables and chairs, coffee machine, fridge
and flat screen tv and bring them all along to each race. No excuses now, a perfect place
for us to congregate, socialise and entertain sponsors and guests. Our profile in the
paddock is set to grow even further! A big thanks to Paul, Jack and Jo at Martin Motor
Services.
www.sports2000-srcc.com

Highlights from the Sports 2000 AGM
Combined races:
Enduro events:
Grids for these events will be according to lap times and not by class. It is also likely that
qualifying will be as required by the MSA namely combined also.
For 2013 starts will be rolling
Duration will be 50 minutes to accommodate a number of cars with limited fuel tanks.
However it is hoped to revert to 60 minute races in 2014
Re-­‐fuelling will be permitted but arrangements will be according to circuit requirements
and will almost certainly involve a separate location and thereby a loss of time
Pinto engines:
Duratec engines:
Engine sealing:
Rolling road:
Finances:
There was strong support for the SRCC engine specification to align with that applying to
Formula Ford 2000. The principal current differences are a lighter flywheel and more
limited cylinder head oil drains in the SRCC rules. The proposal will now be considered by
the Technical Committee with a view to introduction into Regulations in 2014. (Anyone
with strong views is welcome to pass these to Steve Morris).
There is a proposal to allow control steel rods and forged pistons. These will not improve
performance but should improve reliability and reduce costs. This idea is now being
reviewed and potential manufacturers considered. Any change will not be introduced
before 2014.
It is planned to adopt MSA time limits for the inspection of sealed engines. This is as
detailed in the Blue Book but is essentially a 30 day limit during the season that can be
extended by agreement to 50 days but a 30 day limit at the end of the season.
The idea was floated of a mobile rolling road being made available at the start of each
season to help check eligibility. Anyone with experience of this from other series or with
views on the matter is welcome to contact Colin.
Near unanimous support for an increase in entry fees in view of the increased cost of circuit
hire. Amount to be confirmed shortly.
Late entries (ie. within 7 days of the event) should attract a £25 surcharge
(Both for introduction in 2013).
Car passports
The Club is keen to introduce passports for all Sports 2000 cars. Such a system applies in most
historic categories and both helps to maintain the integrity of cars and ensures a reliable history
of the vehicles. It will also help to preserve, perhaps even enhance, the value of Sports 2000 cars.
Initially we will be doing this on a voluntary basis but intend to eventually make it mandatory. The
passports have now been designed and are ready to go into production when the first 10
members have sent their £25 cheques to Mike Fry
www.sports2000-srcc.com

Club survey
Many thanks to everyone who took the time to complete the Club's Driver Survey. We had more than 80 responses and
these were collated and analysed just in time to help shape the 2013 season calendar. A summary of the survey will
shortly appear on the SRCC website but in the meantime here are some of the key findings:
• Three circuits were popular with most drivers who wanted the championships to visit on a regular basis.
These were: Brands Hatch GP, Silverstone Arena GP and Oulton Park.
• Close behind these three in popularity were Donington, Brands Indy and Thruxton
• The circuits least popular were: Lydden, Knockhill and Pembrey
• Views were mixed over whether to combine the sprint and enduro championships
• There was overwhelming support for the annual European race
• There were mixed views over whether there were too many races in 2012 and also over the desirability of
double header meetings
• Most drivers were supportive of having some combined races
2013 Final Championship
positions
Historic series
We are still hoping to be able to run some of the 2013
Historic Championship in tandem with the Historic Sports
Car Club however the illness of the HSCC secretary has
delayed discussions between the Clubs. Nonetheless the
SRCC calendar of events has been constructed in a way that
does not conflict with the likely joint events. We hope to
finalise the position before the end of January -­‐ watch this
space.
Crossle series
Members will recall that at last season's Brands GP and
Silverstone Arena races we were joined by competitors from
the Crossle 9S series that had been left high and dry by the
collapse of the Chevron series. We were pleased to have them
along -­‐ and help to defray the costs of circuit hire -­‐ and they
enjoyed racing with us so much that they asked to join us for a
full season in 2013. This has now been agreed and we expect to
have up to 8 cars joining the Duratec grid for much of next
season.
www.sports2000-srcc.com

Article reproduced with permission from....
Dinner and Dance
Last season's D&D proved highly successful with
everyone who attended and the auction raised an
impressive £4.5k for club funds.
A number of non attenders have suggested that the
event is moved from its traditional December slot to
FebruaryorMarchbeforetheseasonbegins.Anyone
with strong views on the subject is welcome to pass
these on to Colin.
Driving Standards
Discussion at the AGM confirmed the consensus that emerged from the Driver
Survey regarding driving standards, namely that they were generally good in 2012.
Clearly there was the odd "racing incident" but these were isolated incidents and
indeed only one Yellow Card warning was issued -­‐ a record low in recent years.
Nonetheless we are keen to maintain this aspect of SRCC competition and to
recruit a Driving Standards Steward. If you know of a former, or currently not
racing, driver who might be interested then please pass his (or her .... perish the
thought!) details to Colin.
Sports 2000 Racing Car Club
14 Stratford Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2AB
Tel: 01767 689863 (eve) 01707 358666 (day) 07831272606 (mobile)
Email:srcc@dial.pipex.com
www.sports2000-srcc.com