HP Firenza 40th Anniversary celebration

[droopsnoot]

The DSG is organising a get-together on the weekend of May 17th and 18th to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the launch* of the HPF, and would like to invite anyone with an interest to come along to the Saturday event. May 17th (Saturday) is in the Heritage Centre in Luton, and May 18th is for DSG members only at Millbrook. The exact timetable and details are not pinned down yet, but just wanted to get the dates out there for people. Obviously the Sunday is of less interest, though of course if anyone wanted to take part, all they have to do is join the club on the day.

I am aware that the DSG committee has formally sent an invitation to the VVOC, but this post is really aimed at those forum users who aren't members of either club.

* Yes - I know it was announced at the 1973 Motor Show, but we're calling it 40 years since the launch at Thruxton and the year cars became available.

[bedfordha82]

Just to add for sunday.
For those who are interested, they are planning on meeting at 9.30 ish at luton, then doing a road run to millbrook.
Once there, as far as the club is concerned, please could you bring your membership card,(or at least have your membership no.) as that would be helpful.
If you're not a member, then for the cost of 25 pounds you get to participate at millbrook, as well as a full years membership, so that means magazines etc usual stuff really, which is a good deal if you ask me.

Cars-
Well really, pretty much anything of old vauxhall sorts are welcome, not just hpf's. So chevettes, vivas, you get the gist.
Millbrook-
The day at Millbrook will consist of being able to go around the high speed ring, the hill route, and the Alpine pass ( )
The information is still vague as to what you need regarding helmets etc, but we are finding out. I'd bring your liscence though as a matter of coarse though.
Any more info will be updated.

[dann01]

So no need to pre-book a place on this then. Can just turn up on the Sunday at Luton, pay the £25 membership, and then join you guys for the Milbrook event, yeah?

Thinking about this... Wondering if Darth would be up to it?

Dan

[pbottomley]

The information is still vague as to what you need regarding helmets etc, but we are finding out. I'd bring your liscence though as a matter of coarse though.
Any more info will be updated

Many moons ago when I was test driver there, helmets were not required below 130mph for pro test drivers and 100mph for visitors.... Also all external visitors were limited to lane 4 not allowed in lane 5 and limited to 100mph on the bowl (50mph on the hill route if i remember right).. anyone who broke those rules was escorted off site without fail and told to never return (which at time involved literally pulling them out of the car in the middle of the track and frog marching them into a security vehicle, then thrown out of the van at the front gate)... . so I doubt helmets are required as 1/. you will not be allowed to go that fast & 2/. The cars are not that fast anyway...

I know from exsperance that having some idiot thinking hes "ALL IT" in demo car moving into the 5th lane when he is doing 100mph and your the other side of 160 mph comming up on him from behind, it wakes you up

The high speed bowl is a two mile track and at 100mph you get about 4 -5 second of rearward visability before the curve of the track takes cars out of sight.... at 160mph + it takes only a couple of seconds to cover that distance. The rule of the track is Fastest car has right of way, the oposite of the highway code where cars in front of you have right of way. I know drivers who had to use lane 6 to avoid a crash and lane 6 doesnt exist!!!

I am sure it will be a fantastic day for those going and novel but remember drivers are doing a job and they maybe exploring the outer limits of a cars abilities and one careless visitor can get a black eye very quickly

[droopsnoot]

I think the idea of Millbrook is to let people have the experience, not set records. We've all got to get home afterwards.

Dan, I don't know whether pre-booking is needed. I think we'd like to have some idea of how many will turn up, but we'd like to get a decent turnout. I will ask the question though.

[dann01]

umm...100 MPH actual, or indicated, cos really.

Dan

[droopsnoot]

OK, I've checked and it would be preferred if people could pre-book and join the club in advance if they want to take part in the Sunday activities, membership@droopsnoot.net is the address to contact. It gives some idea of how many to expect, and saves someone having to deal with cash or cheques on the day, remembering he'll want to take part in the festivities as well.

(Mods - if there's an issue with me putting the membership email on here in plain sight, feel free to remove it and I'll PM Dan directly - don't want anyone to think I'm being blatant about anything).

[droopsnoot]

PLEASE NOTE - if you are intending going to the Sunday thing at Millbrook, we were told yesterday that you'll have to show your driving license before you'll be allowed on the track.

[droopsnoot]

A lovely day on Saturday, and a great turnout of 13 HP Firenzas, and a lot more. Anoraks such as myself enjoyed poring over the selection of folders full of photos displayed by Andrew Duerden, with some very interesting unseen stuff in there. Roy Cook made a short speech covering the development of the car, and took questions from the floor who included Barrie Williams and Gerry Johnstone. Many of the faces there were people I didn't recognise, so hopefully someone will come in and add some for completeness. I know Chris Coburn and Will Sparrow were also present.

Anyway, some photos. Blue sky has not been added.





When did you last see this many?



Silver Bullet, Silver Aero and Colin Burton's unique Astra Quicksilver



Roy Cook cuts the Firenza cake:



A hint of the interesting photos on display:

[fouronthefloor]

Yes, a good day with superb weather & some great friendly people. The cars weren't bad either!

Just one small niggle.....it's a shame there was no appreciation or acknowledgement made of other cars/clubs that attended by the person from the DSG who made the speech at the start of the presentation. (no idea who it was, possibly even the president/chairman). We were invited after all & did nothing but enhance the event.

Otherwise, a big thank you to the DSG & Vauxhall Heritage Centre for hosting such an enjoyable day.

Oliver