Croft Nostalgia Weekend – 6th-7th August 2011

The Nostalgia Weekend brought large off track displays and some of the fullest grids seen at Croft for some considerable time.

There were classic cars and buses as well as trade stalls and a considerable military presence – some parts of it less menacing than others.

Many people showed little resistance to dressing for the occasion

and a smile and a song carried us through the morning showers.

There are times when you might wish for the weather forecast to be inaccurate but unfortunately on Saturday afternoon it was spot on. There was a deluge of Biblical proportions which left large areas of the track totally awash.

It looked as if the afternoon was lost but not so. Sterling efforts were made by the circuit staff, marshals and unsung heroes of all varieties including one neighbouring farmer with his ‘sludge gulper.’ The result was that the track was reclaimed from beneath the water.

Under a leaden sky, racing began with the Guards Trophy,

and three more races were fitted in

before the rain finally halted the day’s racing.

That wasn’t the end of the day’s activities however because festivities continued in the marquee with an excellent pie and pea supper

and music performed by the excellent ‘Jump, Jive and Wail.’

Sunday dawned to much better conditions although the sodden ground meant the Chaffee tank couldn’t perform. Nevertheless there were parades of military vehicles, classic buses and classic cars.

Although we had lost flying activities, which included the Battle of Britain Flight, one small craft was able to perform for us beneath the low cloud ceiling.

Then the racing began. At first the accent was on single seaters with some superb racing including the David & Goliath struggle at the front of the Derek Bell Trophy races. The thunder of a Formula 5000 car certainly stirs the memories.

More heavy metal thunder from the Touring cars who entertained in fine style.

It was good to see E-types well represented, especially this year.

Later in the afternoon, the sun began to light up proceedings with what they call summer sunshine.

The second Touring car race was as exciting as the first with disparate groups battling right through the field. How good to see four Lotus Cortinas all sideways at the front . . .

although, sadly, I could only fit three into shot at once. As an aside it was also excellent not to hear expressions like ‘rubbing is racing’ and ‘love tap’ used for such close and entertaining racing.

With visiblity restored to as far away as Darlington and beyond, the meeting closed with the sights, sounds and smells of the 500cc Formula three cars. Some very entertaining driving styles, with drivers clearly visible as they tussled with their cars. More images can be found at the following link