VSCC: Cadwell Park - Tackling Lincolnshire’s very own Nürburgring
VSCC regular Rebecca Smith is on track with a problematic Mord at Britain’s answer to the ‘Green Hell’ – Cadwell Park
Robert Moore in action at Cadwell.
Paul Down
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Cadwell Park, dubbed by many as the ‘mini Nürburgring’, is one of my favourite circuits. Sadly, I missed out last year with a broken Mord, so I was even more excited to get out on track this time around.
First of all, getting there was quite the adventure. Having persuaded my parents to lend me their 1973 Winnebago Brave camper van for Glastonbury the following weekend, Cadwell came as the perfect opportunity to practice driving it – a huge challenge in itself! Arriving safe and sound, after a mere four and a half hours, we set up camp for a BBQ.
Rebecca and Mord in full flow, despite some recurring axle tramp.
Mark Ballard
Entered in the VSCC Specials race again I was hoping to improve my times from my last outing at the track; however, practice showed that may be harder than first thought. The axle tramp that plagued us at Silverstone last time out struck again, this time feeling much more severe. Induced on the incline at Coppice and triggered even more on the exit of Charlie’s, I found myself on the grass, bum thrown in the air due to the roughness. I completed my three laps, pulled in and had a ponder with Dad on what we could change. A decrease in tyre pressures and a tighten of the shocks (these were new and much bigger than we had on previously). I was lucky there was the opportunity of a free practice before lunch. Equipped with some spanners, off I went, prepared to stop and tweak the shocks more in the pits if required. To my delight, the axle tramp was much more manageable. I came in feeling a lot more confident for the race ahead.
Despite Mord’s mighty start, I got boxed in off the line and couldn’t make up any places. However, I did have a fantastic race with Dennis Bingham in his Riley Falcon Special and Mathew Moore in his Austin 7 Ulster. Mat and I changed positions a few times while Dennis was able to just keep ahead, although I was very pleased to see I had managed a faster lap time on my way to eighth. Unfortunately, the race was cut short by a red flag, but thankfully everyone came home safe and sound. Still a perplexing performance from my side though… Anyone got some tips on axle tramp management?
Classic Cooper F1 duel was a highlight
With my race completed, it was over to watch the rest of the afternoon’s races with massive highlights from both the fast and slow Frazer Nash races (49 cars in total across two grids) and a big win for a close friend, Robert Moore, in his Ford-powered GN. Not to mention the Historic Seaman and Flockhart trophies involving pre-1966 racing cars; it was ace to see friends Charlie Martin and Tom Waterfield dice the whole way for the lead in Justin Maeers’ Cooper T51 and T53, until gearbox issues and a wily Charlie got the better of Tom towards Mountain.
It was another fabulous VSCC event where the sun shone… right until the last race when the heavens opened, but we’ll push past that. As always big thanks to the marshals and organisers.
Next up is Donington Park for another special race in Mord and the bonus of the Longstone Light Car Race, where I will be competing alongside my boyfriend, Louis, in an Austin 7 Chummy.
Next month:
Donington-bound for the Light Car Race