Classic 2CV Racing Club

Classic 2CV Racing Club Ltd Forum => 24h-Race => Topic started by: Paul Robertson on August 12, 2009, 23:49:57

Title: 20th anniversary
Post by: Paul Robertson on August 12, 2009, 23:49:57
I've copied this from the ten tenths forum
"Well Paul, I was working on the basis that as next year is due to be the 20th anniversary that we should do something really special to gain a lot of publicity for the club whilst possibly setting a new world record for an endurance circuit race and we know that a 25hr race has previously taken place before and you did all have approx a six hour rest this year!!

So how about it?

Terry "
Anyone up for a 30 hr race then?It would appear some of our marshals want to make up the lost time.
Paul
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Ainslie Bousfield on August 13, 2009, 08:58:18
I am guessing that if we start earlier we will cut in to previous days racing so it will cost quite a bit more  :( or if we finish later we cut in to some serious drinking time  :P.

Does anyone know what the current longest enduro race is? If it is 25 hours why not go 26 and really plug it as the longest endurance race in UK/Europe/World

Perhaps we could get some sponsorship from Duracell or Energizer or Red Bull for lasting longer!

If we couldnt get sponsors for the race how about having a charity as the race sponsor. This would not bring money in but would bring so much publicity. Can you imagine what a good story it would make that after 20 years of racing we decide to give something back. Perhaps Snetterton could offer it's entrance fee takings for the day to charity. Perhaps the charity could supply a celebrity to start the race! (I am rambling now)



If the marshalls are up for it, it could be done. An extra 2 hours isnt really going to make much difference to how tiring it is.
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Vickie MacClinton on August 13, 2009, 09:16:21
Hey Paul

If i can be of any assistance in this just give me a shout.
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Paul Robertson on August 13, 2009, 10:17:37
Quote from: Vickie MacClinton on August 13, 2009, 09:16:21
Hey Paul

If i can be of any assistance in this just give me a shout.
That would be great vickie thanks ,and for all your efforts over the weekend .

Paul
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Paul Webster on August 13, 2009, 15:34:10
Let me tell you now, from a marshals point of view I think we would love it. I'm up for this whole 30 hour race that has been mentioned. If it started at 9 am on Saturday and then finished at 5pm on Sunday all that means is that we would all have an extra 4 hours on duty since we change over every 4 hours. Don't forget that when the 24 hours started on Saturday we had already been out on the bank all day.
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Frank Barnard on August 13, 2009, 17:32:04
Now here's a challenge. In the Wikipedia entry for the 2CV it is claimed that: ' (these design features) made the 2CV engine highly reliable and test engines were run at full speed for 1,000 hours at a time, equivalent to driving 50,000 miles at full throttle.' Six weeks of continuous running round Bruntingthorpe or some suitable circuit in the off-season, with a squad of Club drivers plus some celebs? Could be fun, as long as the engine's legal...
PS: The Club sans Panas? Surely not. Please reconsider Steve, your contribution is too valuable
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Russell on August 13, 2009, 23:28:49
Hello,

I'm a bit of a lurker here, but I usually lend a hand to the Hollis team at 24hr time.

It's struck me that as probably one of the best events in the 2cv calendar, nobody outside the racing world seems to know the 24hr race exists, yet Spa, where you can barely recognise the cars as 2cv, and most don't have 2cv engines, there is a huge meeting of roadgoing 2cv owners who brave the snow/sleet/pissing rain to support the race.

I'd be willing to throw some weight into organising a decent sized 2cv meeting/camp at Snetterton, which if nothing else would hopefully bring some money through the gates, and some support and interest in the 2cv racing club.

I talked through the idea with Rich Hollis at the weekend, and he's promised to raise it at the next comittee meeting, Myself and a couple of mates run www.international2cvfriends.com, we have a member base of aroung 300 and we're looking at holding a meeting somewhere next year, it'd be a pleasure if we could arrange with the 2cv racing club to do it at Snetterton and support the (epic) race weekend that the 24hr usually is.

Obviously it's just a suggestion, but we're game to have a stab at it if you/the venue are aswell.

Suggestions regarding the race however, I'll leave to those in the know  ;)
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Martin Harrold on August 15, 2009, 11:30:46
Russell:

That is a really great offer, and please develop the idea.

Snet is ideal for a big 2CV camping meet and Jamie Hopper, Circuit Manager, and his team, would be delighted to work with Classic 2CV Racing Club and your 2CV Friends organisation to arrange things. The more people there are at the circuit, the nicer the overall atmosphere. At the Nurburgring 24hr they get 250k+ and Le Mans gets 230k+. We are not ever going to get those kinds of numbers, but we won't stop trying.

At the moment, all the gate receipts would go to the Circuit. But, the bigger the receipts, the more negotiating strength the club has. Also, we'd work out some kind of weekend ticket for pre-booked attendees. Drop me an email at [email protected] and I'll have you on file.

It's quite possible that Brian Drummond at Citroen Car Club would encourage his members to come along for the weekend. If that all happened and we built some real momentum, we might even get Citroen UK to help things along again.

The challenge at this early stage is to know the date for the '10 race. It now seems to have settled down in early August. Our friend Alan Gow at TOCA now tends to set his calendar in the Autumn, so as soon as that is known, then our date can follow. Traditionally, we have a date that does not clash with a BTCC event. This year their Snet round was the week before.

Keep the ideas flowing.
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Frank Barnard on August 17, 2009, 10:42:44
Unless there's been a change of heart in Citroen UK, Martin, I think hopes of support & interest relating to 2CVs remains slim. For decades they've seemed embarrassed by the beast, believing it undermines their brand image. This instead of being proud of its innovative engineering and role as one of the truly revolutionary utility vehicles that put motoring within the reach of the homme-dans-la-rue...
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Martin Harrold on August 17, 2009, 22:46:24
Frank - if we got enough Citroens to Snet for the w/e, then Citroen UK would have to acknowledge the event in some way. Building up numbers takes time, and getting Friends and Citroen Car Club on side and working with us will help that. It will probably take some quite small thing that catches the new MD's interest that would cause a change of heart in Slough. A 2CV was featured in a recent Citroen ad I saw somewhere.
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Dean Watson on August 17, 2009, 23:36:05
if there is anything the "Cadwell Mafia" can do to help let us know, we will certainly be bigging up the meeting for next year with the marshals at Cadwell and who knows we may even be able to encourage more to Snett.
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Frank Barnard on August 18, 2009, 09:04:30
Martin: I didn't know about the new MD but what you say sounds rather hopeful!
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Derek Coghill on August 18, 2009, 11:37:23
Citroen are using the 2CV in their current advertising; I've seen it in a people-carrier (C8?) ad in the paper and there's the Charleston C3 thingy as well.
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Simon Crook on August 18, 2009, 12:03:15
Unless the New Citroen MD had any interest in 2cv racing or a passion for 2cv's I would think that this is a non starter - we have missed the chance of any interest, being the Citroen Brands 90th Birthday this year :(

I do feel we can attract a sponsor/partner - what do the MSA and BARC think about the 24hr race? It is a huge milestone the 20th anniversary.
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: spanners on August 18, 2009, 19:26:43
I ca nalways try and get something into the "InCitroen" magazine if it helps? They like to hear stories from dealerships/staff.
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Aubrey Brocklebank on August 18, 2009, 20:59:23
I have written to the old and new MD of Citroen UK. Whilst Alfa, Mercedes, Porsche etc spend squillions on building their brand with the help of their past successes Citroen seems to think like Enzo that their best model is the next one. I have not even had the courtesy of a reply from the current MD!

Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Derek Coghill on August 23, 2009, 04:52:36
I was wondering whether it would be better to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 24hr race or the 20th running of it which would be the year after? I couldn't decide which I thought was better, but possibly tend towards the 20th running.
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Paul Robertson on August 24, 2009, 10:38:15
  next year will be the 20th running and the 20th anniversary derek.First race 1990 missed 2000.
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Derek Coghill on August 24, 2009, 11:12:26
Good point....how fortuitous!

I'll go back to my cupboard.
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: David Bain on August 24, 2009, 13:22:34
Interestingly Citroen's latest newspaper ad for vans emphasises their history, with pics of an H, an AK and an earlier one I don't know the name of. It was allegedly in the Daily Star on Friday but I don't read the Star, honest.
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Russell on August 24, 2009, 19:28:13
Quote from: David Bain on August 24, 2009, 13:22:34
Interestingly Citroen's latest newspaper ad for vans emphasises their history, with pics of an H, an AK and an earlier one I don't know the name of. It was allegedly in the Daily Star on Friday but I don't read the Star, honest.

There is a similar one for thier cars too, with a Traction, DS and 2cv in it.
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Martin Harrold on August 24, 2009, 20:21:29
If you visit the Citroen Car Club website, you'll see that Citroen in Chiswick (that's in London) are having a two day display in their showroom devoted to older Citroen cars. We wonder whether this indicates that Citroen are maybe shifting their stance a little on their wonderful engineering heritage.

If anyone has a nice looking 2CV racer and can organise the logistics to get it to Chiswick, then let us now. We'd try to get it 'invited' to the event, and whoever went along might be able to establish some useful contacts within Citroen.

We have good contacts with Brian Drummond at the CCC.
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Derek Coghill on August 24, 2009, 20:27:59
I think all the dealers must be doing this, or something like; the one in Edinburgh's asked (low-key) if some older Citroëns could turn up on the 5th September.
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Simon Crook on August 24, 2009, 20:45:22
Good opportunity - Martin I have emailed Jennifer Spragg at Citroen LW and offered my car to them.
Title: Re: 2CVRC 20th anniversary + Citroen's 90th
Post by: Martin Harrold on August 25, 2009, 21:33:57
It's Citroen's 90th celebrations and they do seem to be doing a few retro things.

Here's a note from Citroen, passed to me by Brian Drummond of CCC. It would be great if you, Simon, could get your car along on Oct 3 - it is one of the best turned out racers. I'll be in touch with Jemma and Katie tomorrow, to sound them out and post more info here. I'll suggest that if they have dealers around the country who are putting on a retro event and who'd like to get in touch, then we'll see if a member can arrange to take a 2CV racer along.

"3rd October 2009 – Ace Café London Citroën 90 Years Celebration

As part of a series of events to commemorate ninety years of the Citroën Company, Saturday 3rd October will see simultaneous gatherings of Citroën vehicles of all ages and road runs through many European capital cities.  Entitled the 'Croisiere Blanche' - referring to the famous Citroën expeditions of the twenties and thirties - these nocturnal runs will be headed by Citroëns illuminated with LED lighting during their tour of each capital city.

Ace Café London

Within this concept, Citroën UK has arranged a gathering at the famous Ace Café on the North Circular Road, London - the venue incorporated a Citroën dealership in the post-war years!  All Citroën vehicles will be welcome to take part, and the aim is to have as many models as possible represented of all those produced over the ninety years. Historic or concept vehicles from the Conservatoire may also be on display.

Plaques and prizes

Everyone attending will receive a commemorative event plaque, and in addition, a judge will chose a winner of one car produced in each of the nine decades from 1919 to the present day. The winners will receive 90th Anniversary souvenir packs containing unique items.

Croisiere Blanche

After some hours of informal chat - and awards - at the Ace, as night falls we hope to be able to invite you to join in the Croisiere Blanche itself - this is subject to confirmation of the route details as we go to press. The run will follow a route from the Ace into and around central London, taking in locations of both general and Citroën interest. A route-sheet will be provided, although we shall avoid complex navigation!

All you need to know!

Please arrive from 4pm on Saturday 3rd October. Due to limitations on space, the café frontage will be reserved for vehicles being entered for judging, but there is plenty of additional parking. To make judging, catering and parking easier, you are required to register for the competition in advance. Please email Jemma Chalcroft or Katie Read at Citroën UK with your name, car model and registration number. ([email protected] or [email protected] )

The Ace Cafe is located at Ace Corner NW10 7UD, just off the A406 North Circular Road, and is accessible from the Abbey Road junction with the A406 (south-west of the A404). (www.ace-cafe-london.com)

Citroën UK will be filming the event.

Thanks

Citroën UK would like to acknowledge the assistance given by the Citroën Car Club, 2CVGB, and the Traction Owners Club in organising this event - join us to celebrate 90 years of Citroën!"
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Derek Coghill on August 25, 2009, 21:45:12
I'd better check my dates then (the information I had was 3rd-hand).
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: spanners on August 26, 2009, 06:41:04
Damn, I can see I'm going to have to re-tax my car at the end of September then! 8)
Title: Re: 20th anniversary
Post by: Simon Crook on August 26, 2009, 07:28:36
Hi Martin

I don't think getting the race car along for the 3rd October at the Ace Cafe (or any other dates/events) will be a problem.

The race car will be on display at Citroen West London Showroom from 11th to 13th September.