With all the months of waiting and planning and getting excited – the opening round at Oulton Park was finally upon us. And what a weekend it was.
To make sure we would get to Oulton Park in good time, we travelled to Northwich the day before. The Anderton Boat Lift is well worth a visit if you happen to be in the area. We can also highly recommend the ‘Fudge Boat’ which moors up from time to time along that stretch of canal selling the most divine fudge! Waking at a very reasonable time on the Bank Holiday Monday (despite staying in a family room with two very excited kids) we had a leisurely start before heading over to the circuit. We arrived just before 10am and the queues were starting to build – but I think we were very lucky and got in with little delay. I’ve not been to Oulton Park before and was pleasantly surprised to find that we parked in-field. We were parked up just along from the Fogarty Moss Centre – and so were perfectly located for easy access to both superb trackside viewing and the Paddock. The supercar display was…well…super – with a fantastic range of modern and old motors – and a strong presence from Ferrari owners. There was heaps for kids to do – but if I’m honest – we were there to see the cars, the drivers and the wheel to wheel racing – so didn’t make full use of all the superb activities that were on offer. In-side the Paddock, I was reminded of just how friendly and accessible it all is. There really isn’t another race series like it as far as I am aware. Within minutes of arriving we had bumped into Phil Keen (Barwell Motorsport) and were asking him about weather conditions and whether that might play into their hands; Phil simply said that Jon Minshaw was very good in the wet – and how very right he was! Having said hello to a few other drivers, had photos taken and ear-defenders signed, we then headed to ‘Dentons’ to watch the first race. It is a great place to watch the action from – close to the cars as they come flying past down to the tricky ‘Cascades’ – and you have a pretty good view up to ‘Hislops’ which caught a number of drivers out. Just before the end of the race we made our way to the Podium. Again – pleasantly surprised – the Podium is accessible from within the Paddock and so we were right at the front cheering on the victors (and ever so slightly envious of their large winner’s Easter Eggs). It is great that you can get so close to all aspects of the racing – it really does make you feel genuinely part of the action. Having had a wonder around ‘Deer Leep’ and taken the obligatory photo under the Oulton Park bridge – we headed back to the Paddock to meet up with Seb Morris (Team Parker Racing) – who had kindly said that he would take us around his garage. True to his word, we met up with Seb and were free to check out his and Rick’s Bentley. It was a genuine privilege to get up close and personal with what is just simply a beast of a machine. It is sooo big – and really quite menacing; I wouldn’t fancy having it bearing down on me in a race! Just before heading out to watch the second British GT race, we went in search of Jamie Chadwick (F3 - Double R Racing). We’ve followed Jamie ever since her Junior Ginetta days (Jamie had appeared on a children’s documentary years ago and the kids were in awe of her). We’ve met Jamie several times now, and she has always made time to chat and have photos taken with the kids. She really is one of the loveliest drivers you could hope to meet. The chocolate Easter Bunny that the kids took along for her went down well – and she even let the kids sit in her race car!! An incredible experience for them; one that will last a life time – so a huge thank you again to Jamie. Having taken up our spot on ‘Clay Hill’ we settled in for the second, action packed race. The viewing from this spot is superb as you have the cars accelerating up the hill below you. You also have an excellent view across to ‘Hislops’ – which again created one or two moments for drivers. Having watched the race conclude under the safety car, we decided to call it a day and made our way back to our car. Whilst all slightly washed out by a day in fresh air, we had all had the most fantastic time. Oulton Park is without doubt an amazing circuit for the fans; superb viewing, great wheel-to-wheel racing, and the number of activities available for the whole family really is incredible. I would highly recommend any motorsport fan making a trip to Oulton Park. We will definitely be going back!
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AuthorHi I'm Jon - an almost middle-aged motorsport fan - blogging for the first time.... Archives
September 2017
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