Magic Moments Blog
ACF Rally Experience Bristol
Posted on: 28 October 2009
Rally driving experience with ACF Hospitality & events at their Bristol forest stage venue,
This was a taste of a REAL forest stage and with the addition of a lot of rain it was certainly the type of thing you would get on the wales rally, (held on the same weekend),
Because of the rain part of the driving experience was canceled so the all of the driving would be on the small but ticky and slipery stage,
The stage, whilst not long it was full of water spash, off camber bends through trees in a real forest, in places it was quite ruttted and driving peugeot GTI`s it gave you a feeling of how little grip thier was, this was all about car control and it got my adrenaline flowing.
The format was three laps, pace notes and instructions were called by a instructor, the first lap was a relitivly slow recce, so with a feel for the stage and conditions it was ok to push a little on the second and harder still on the third, after that it was back to the rest erea where the others were waiting for their run, we then drove the stage again in one of the other cars,
The climax to the morning was a seat in a SUBARU IMPRETZA STI full rally spec driven by MARK CARROW who demonstated the cars ability and his driving skills very well with a few laps on the stage, For some this was a White Knucle Ride ! but having built and driven various cars and bikes for motor sport in years past this was an experience to saver.
View photographs: 24 oct 09
Wiscombe Park NHCA Hillclmb
Posted on: 13 September 2009
The Arnold Gimblett Speed Hillclimb
Wiscombe Park 13th September 2009, A bright and dry day with good weather forecast is a great recipie for hillclimbing at wiscombe park,
This was the final event of the year and hosted by the NHCA (a very friendly and relaxed bunch) round 16 of the national hillclimb championship, and it was also the 40th all bike hillclmb to be held at wiscombe park, a large and varied field of competitors readied themselves in the paddock area in front of the house over looking the start and parkland section of the hill,
The Hill was in great condition, for those familar with wiscombe park it has a split personality, the first part from the start is in a parkland setting, as you turn right through gate turn it is shaded and tree lined and bright sun light streams through the trees but this also stops the track from drying and can be very slippery, not good for two wheels or even four for that matter.
With about 130 bikes, trikes and side cars competing the hill record of 40.78 seconds could well be beaten, so as they all took to the hill for their first practice things were looking good that was until rider 870 Matt Edwards on his honda 1000cc got a lot of air under his front wheel going up castle straight, he tried to bring the wheel down but had drifted to the right edge of the track, it looked like he had it under control when the front wheel tucked and he went sliding up the track unfortunatly this impact resulted in a suspected broken collar bone and needing the attention of the medics and then a trip to hospital, this was the end of his days racing and caused a 45 min delay, Get Well soon.
There were just a few competitors for the rest of the day who had small difficulties either with the minor off track excersions or machine trouble, there was a hard fought battle for the fastest time of the day which went to number 1 Paul Jeffery on his honda cr in a time of 41.77 sec not the hill record but still very quick. It was also good to meet and photograph Ben Wilkins a road test editor from PERFORMANCE BIKES, this was his first time at wiscombe park and with his SUZUKI GSXR1000 he got second fastest time in his class, most people get some air as they crest bunnies leap but he had the bikes front wheel in the air before he crested bunnies ! a large amount of both skill and bravery. I`m certainly looking forward to seeing the photographs and report on his experience of wiscombe park in a future edition of PERFORMANCE BIKES.
So as this was the last meeting of this year the safety barriers and equipment were packed away for another year, It`s been another busy year for me photographing at Wiscombe only missing the wild life event for the birth of our baby boy !
I have only uplaoded a small selection of the 1800 + photos from this event so please contact me if you dont see your self or would liked to see all of the photos I took of a particular competitor
It`s been a great season, cant wait for 2010, over the winter months i shall be photographing some rallying so keep an eye out for this, Martin
View photographs: 13 sept 09
Mamhead Hllclimb May 2009
Posted on: 01 June 2009
The second year of this newly established event Run by Torbay Motor Club and set in the grounds of Mamhead House Near Exeter in Devon. It is a fine English Heritage country house with magnificent view of the Devon Countryside sweeping across the Exe Estuary and across to Exmouth and the east Devon coast.
View photographs: 30 may 09 | 31 may 09
Wiscombe Park Hillclimb April 2009
Posted on: 28 April 2009
New Season, New Year of Motorsport 2009
Wiscombe Park Hill climb – Woolbridge Motor club 25th/26th April
We hope you all had a good winter, time to fix and tweak your cars ready for the new season and some nice new paint jobs on display.
Saturday’s event was part of the Channon Trophy meeting:
We arrived bright and early on Saturday morning not knowing what the weather will be doing the forecast said rain and wind all weekend so we all had our fingers crossed they had it wrong.
Saturday morning was cloudy but the track was fairly dry a few mossy patches under the trees through the Esses and up to saw bench, so the first practise runs will be the drivers getting used to the hill again or for some this was their first time at Wiscombe park so a real learning curve.
We placed our-selves on the Hill at Wiz the first bend ready to capture the action, the weather was looking hopeful; during the course of the morning we worked our way up through Gate turn and up to Saw bench taking different photographs from each area.
The first batches went through with no problems or incidents just good steady times ready for the afternoon timed runs.
In the afternoon we headed for the top paddock to capture the runs up from castle straight up to Martini the final hairpin and the finish line.
All started well when car 149 went into Esses to fast and lost control hitting the bank rolled and ending in the bank opposite luckily with no injury to the driver, just his Peugeot looked worse for wear.
The afternoon carried on until again in the Esses car 111 Sylva Striker hit the bank and ended upside down the driver walked away with no injuries.
The fasted time of the day was John Forsyth on his last run of the day in 39.63 in his Pilbeam MP58.
Sunday’s event was part of The Mark Salter Memorial Trophy meeting
Sunday started very grey and with a dampness in the air, with wet weather gear on we headed for the hill, the dampness soon cleared leaving a cold but dry morning.
Sunday morning practise batches went with no hitches as competitors were taking it steady finding the grip on the track and a good race line.
The weather cleared leaving a bright morning; first batches were done by 11.30am with no incidents so we had a long lunch break which gave us an opportunity to have a look around the paddock and to talk to the competitors, there were quite a few new faces that were really enjoying the hill and the challenge.
After lunch we parked up by Gate turn and started with photographs of the cars coming over Bunnies leap up to the Esses, the afternoon started well with good timed runs.
One incident which occurred at Gate turn was car 174 a Triumph TR7 V8 going straight rather than turning into gate turn and went into the Rhododendron bushes but no real damage done, later he made it up the hill with the front repaired with tape for the final run of the day!
with only a hand ful of cars to run car 33 broke its rear suspension after clipping the bank on the exit on sawbench,
the afternoon was interupted with timing faults so not many spectators stayed for the final runs.
The best run time of the day was Dave Gardner in the Pilbeam MP58 in 37.98
Overall a very good weekend and a good start to the season.
Please have a look at the Woolbridge website for results and a selection of photos.
We hope to see you at the next event but we have a new arrival due any day and so is just a waiting game!!
Over the weekend we took lots of photographs so i have uploaded some of the best, if you dont see your car please contact me via e-mail.
View photographs: 25 04 09 | 26 04 09
Mamhead Hillclimb August 08
Posted on: 05 August 2008
View photographs: 03 aug 08
Longleat Tipadel Speed Hillclimb
Posted on: 10 July 2008
Longleat Tipadel speed Hillclimb July 05/06 2008 This Year’s Hill climb event has moved from September to July so the summer weather should be good for the event!!
This was the annual weekend of speed hill climbing organised by WOOLBRIDGE MOTOR CLUB. Over the two days the events included: Porsche speed hill climb championship: Pirelli Ferrari hill climb championship: A.C.S.M.C. Sprint & hill climb championship: A.S.W.M.C. hill climb championship
Saturday we woke to a very windy morning, we got to Longleat House which was looking amazing (as the scaffolding had been removed from around the house from last year), at 7.30am just as everyone was signing on for the day’s events.
Today the Porsche club were attending the meet as part of the day’s events.
We headed for the hill and started from the middle of the hill panning the cars as they went over hope rise this was going to be a challenge in the very strong cross wind, the track was dry which is always an advantage.
The wind was causing the weather to be very changeable lots of readjusting camera settings. We worked our way up the hill up to Prospect bend on up to the hairpin and ending at Syretts leap before lunch.
After lunch we took some good photographs off the start line with Longleat House in the background. The weather stayed dry until just after 4pm most drivers had a good run in by this point.
The day went off with no incidents and accidents but with good run times the fastest time of the day was 38.54 achieved by Dave Gardener in his Pilbeam.
Sunday morning we woke to lashing rain and we know this would be a tricky run for the competitors today as the track will be slippy with not much grip especially up past the hairpin.
Today the Ferrari club were attending the meet.
We drove up to the hairpin for the first of the practise runs the rain was sheeting down so we covered the camera in waterproof equipment and ourselves and took good action shots with lots of spray from the road, the drivers were driving with more caution on the practise runs trying to find a line with any grip on the track.
We moved down to Dodds and got some good action photograph from here and then climbed back up past the hairpin.
The rain continued until just before lunch, the house then had blue skies looming from the hills behind we all had our fingers crossed.We had a walk around the paddocks and talked to some of the competitors over the lunch break..
After lunch we took photograph from just passed the start line, the rain clouds had loomed again and the weather was appalling unfortunately only 1 or 2 classes got to do a timed run then the clerk of courses deemed the track unsafe due to the amount of water sitting on the track so the event was stopped for the day.
Overall a good weekend a real challenge for drivers and we achieved some interesting action photographs.
View photographs: 05 july 2008 | 06 july 2008
Mosterton Summer Ball 08
Posted on: 11 June 2008
Haselbury Mill - Moserton Summer Ball 2008
The Moserton Summer Ball this year was held in the stunning new Tythe barn just opened this year at Haselbury mill.
The Ball is in aid of the Somerset and Dorset air ambulance raising much needed funds for their appeal.
The weather is perfect and the barn has been set up inside beautifully with 22 tables all decorated with balloons and sparkly confetti. ( See photo on link below).
A band has set up on the stage ready to play later on in the evening and also a harpist to play whist the guest ate.
An auction has been arranged with local companies donating gifts from a balloon flight to a ferrari track day also a raffle through the local school.
We arrived and set up our laptop and on site printer in the foyer of the barn ready for the arrival of the guests, a few last minute camera settings and we positioned our selves opposite the red carpet ready.
We took photographs of each couple when they arrived looking stunning in their posh frocks on the red carpet walking up to the barn entrance and then a group photo of everyone on their table (well 2 or 3 photos to make sure all eyes were open and everyone was smiling!).
Once everyone had arrived and had sat down for their food we took all the photographs off the memory card and set up ready to print.
A steady flow of guests viewed and purchased photographs, our on site printer was a big hit, (Perfect to take on home on the day).
The evening was a great success from 8.30pm until 1am we were printing photographs and slotting them into Strut mounts with very pleasing results and happy guests, the printer produced a photograph every 8 seconds dry and ready to go.
A good evening was had by all with lots of money raised which I will be photographing the cheque handing over on a later date.
Martin & Sarah
View photographs: mosterton summer ball 2008
Mamhead Hillclimb
Posted on: 01 June 2008
NEW EVENT for the motorsport hillclimb calendar, Torbay motor club hosted an event at the spectacular Mamhead House set in the beautiful devonshire countryside. A privately owned estate which has opened its doors for this event thanks to the owners the Harper family.
We headed for Mamhead early saturday morning the weather looked to be a beautiful day a little bit of fog in the valleys but it didn't take long to clear.
Mamhead was going to be a learning curve for all the drivers today, the course is short but very techinical. The start line is in front of the house leading to a sharp left taking the drivers up to Castle straight round to castle out quite a steep short climb into a tight bend then a fast staright into deers leap to the finish line and then brake hard to the top paddock.
The first runs drivers took at a steady pace trying to find the right line to take as the course starts of dry up to castle out which then goes under trees and the track becomes very wet and not very grippy, (a little like Wiscombe Park.)
Nobody knew what times would be run today so it was more of a challenge to set the days best time which in the end was set at 25.07 seconds by Robert May.
Saturday went very smoothly until the last run when unfortuantely car number 15 a Sunny GTir driven by Den Conibear lost control near the finish line and hit a tree at wrote off his car but he walked away unharmed this stopped the racing for the day so the track could be cleaned for sunday.
The Harper family kindly then held a hog roast feast in aid of the local church on their terrace which rounded off a perfect day for everyone.
Over the course of the 2 days many photographs were taken so I have upload a selection of the best photographs if you can't see your car please contact me.
Looking forwards to the next event at Longleat, Martin.
View photographs: mamhead may june 2008
Wiscombe Park May 10/11 2008
Posted on: 12 May 2008
Another weekend of Hillclimbing at Wiscombe Park with two different events, amazing weather and a great turn out of Cars and Motorbikes.
Saturdays event was run by the 500 OWNERS ASSOCIATION which was also a tributie to HARRY FOSTER. There was a mixture of cars, bikes, sidecars and also "Curly" on his trike.
The weather started off a little bit cloudy but by midday it was perfect and not a cloud in the sky which gave drivers and riders the opportunity to push their machines a little bit harder which caused a few delays as some of them struggled at Sawbench or didn't quite make the Martini Hairpin. The worse incident of the day was when car number 18 a Proteus C Type Replica driven by Andrew Scott went round Sawbench losing control on the exit of the bend hit the bank and slide back across the road ending up in the trees with substainal damage to car but luckly Andrew was fine.
Sundays event was run by the Vintage Sports Car Club who were celebrating there 25th year at Wiscombe. Which including an erray of beatiful cars including a Frazer Nash, Lagonda Tourer, Bentley Derby, 1929 MG M Type and an Alvis.
The run times were improving from each practise run as drivers familarized themselves with the hill. As with Saturday as the day went on drivers were pushing harder and harder and Sawbench caught a few drivers out which caused a bit of a delay as Sawbench barrier was rebuilt! A few good photographes were taken at Martini as drivers hit the bank just before the finish line the most spectacular being car number 129 which had its two front tyres right up on the bank! he managed to gain control and fly over the finish line!
The crowd turn out on Sunday was in the hundreds and a good day was had by all.
I took over a 1000 photographs on each day from various places on the hill and I have selected some of the photos to put on the website. If you dont see your car or would like to see all the photos of a particular car or bike then please contact me throught the contact me page,
Looking forward to the next event next weekend.
View photographs: 500 owners association | vscc wp08
Wiscombe park hillclimb April 2008
Posted on: 27 April 2008
The season opener at Wiscombe park got off to a good start with good weather except a little dampness on sunday afternoon, a good selection of cars and drivers determined to put in a fast times made this meet a perfect season opener.
Have all the modifications and tweaking over the winter months made any improvements to the timed runs, well over the past two days the cars on the whole performed really well and sounded in tune, with the exception of one or two and this is only the first round so plenty of time to get the bugs sorted.
Looking forward to a busy season of hillclimbing events and photographing the action.
Over the weekend i took a lot of images! To many infact to upload all of them, so over the next few days i will be uploading a selection, So if you can`t see your car then drop me an e-mail as i`m sure i will have photographs and would be happy to e-mail proofs.
View photographs: wiscombe park | 27 apr 2008 | 26 april 2008
