Donington Historic Festival 2023 - 29/30 April

[Farmer42]

A good day yesterday & good to catch up with a few people. Good drive to & from the event apart from a couple of people wanting to knock me off the motorway!My thanks also to the organisers and congrats to the prize winners. Some pics that I took attached.

 

[Jason McIvor]

A good day yesterday & good to catch up with a few people. Good drive to & from the event apart from a couple of people wanting to knock me off the motorway!My thanks also to the organisers and congrats to the prize winners. Some pics that I took attached.

Those GT40s were just amazing to see together in one place

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Glad everyone enjoyed the weekend. It's so good meeting face-to-face and seeing each other's cars.

I'll comment more tomorrow but thanks for supporting the event and as I'd hoped the weather was dry all the time.

 

[Graham Palmer]

A good day yesterday & good to catch up with a few people. Good drive to & from the event apart from a couple of people wanting to knock me off the motorway!My thanks also to the organisers and congrats to the prize winners. Some pics that I took attached.

Great shot of @Rob Gaskin enlightening me on all things Z'd ..

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Well what a great event again. Jonathan Kinghorn (JK240) started these and now they are a well established annual meeting.

As usual Saturday was the busiest day for us (and most other Clubs) so we should perhaps think how we could boost Sunday attendance.

On Sunday we had 6 Zs and a lovely Datsun Cherry. Of particular interest to me on Sunday was Paul Atkinson in Paul Stafford's 'battle scarred' early 240Z race car. I've seen that car (originally modified by Spike Anderson) race many times in HSCC races (300 races in all I think?) and I liked the way Paul used to drive it to the circuit and just before his race empty the car of spares, tools etc and passenger, race it, have a cigar, fill it up again and drive home. a 'proper' club driver of his time. He could 'pedal it along' too especially considering it's specification and all steel panels and chrome bumpers still on. The history file with the car is huge, it contains race programmes, receipts and even Spike's invoices. Amazing. The car is soon to be restored but I hope it doesn't lose it's character - have a vote on here Paul?

On Sunday I also saw 'Chef's' wonderful 280ZX 2+2. What a lovely personalised car that is too and he's had it 35 years! I just had to give it an award! Richard Parker's Fairlady got the Best Cars of the Day - I tried to avoid giving him another trophy for his cupboard but my conscience wouldn't let me.

Special mention needs to go to Mr Ex Jnr (Christian) who travelled down from Holmfirth on both days, got there really early and was full of enthusiasm as always. I've know Christian and his Dad's very original Samuri for a very long time - when Christian was in short trousers so to speak.

Must go more to follow.

 

[chef]

Thanks Rob, had a great day & nice to actually meet you after 30 odd years in the club & catch up with everyone in real life. Also thanks for letting Charlie sneak in the zclub with his little cherry, he had a great time too, although I was a bit miffed because his cherry always seems to get all the attention ,
P.S the weather seals are great,
thanks again
chef

 

[grb184]

I would like to thank everyone for such a great time on Saturday, especially Rob for doing all of the organising etc.
It always amazes me the variety of S30’s in the club from American V8s pushing out 600bhp, to RB engined modded, to Sams, to very original spec cars, to 2+2s, to 280zxs, to 300zx’s and that’s just what I saw on Saturday. And what a great bunch of owners to talk to and swap stories and information and get ideas and help from.
Donington has become a must go to event in my calendar.
So thanks again to everyone for such a great day.
Was also nice to pass a couple of z’s on the way back south at one point we had 3 z’s across all the lanes of the M1 wish I had a picture of it.

Graham

 

[chef]

Here’s a few pictures, I’ll get some more off Charlie, the one of Charlie in the gt40, it’s our friends car who we bumped into, we didn’t know each other were going so was weird to meet them as we live a few houses away from each other, we could have gone together but I think he didn’t want to be shown up by a couple of Datsuns
also last mile to home and the heavens opened, so we had to dry them before we put them away

 

[Paul Atkinson]

Thanks Rob for the write up on DaZ (wife's name for car). I will be seeing Paul Stafford very soon with a Donnington report and showing him your write up and photos. As for a restoration vote, I am happy to receive comments but the rot does need cutting out to maintain it for future use. The car will be repainted in same colour scheme and the interior be kept as Paul raced it (including a cigar butt of Paul's found under the seat). I am hoping to have car out on track days at some point soon to maintain its racing heritage. Once I have gone through all the paperwork Paul passed to me, I will produce an information board to go with the car at future events.
Thanks for the opportunity yesterday to meet and make new friends.
Paul
PS, the cherry was sweet and nice to see, should always be welcome at Z meets.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Ok Saturday now. What a great collection of cars, many I haven't seen before. It amazes me how Z owners want individuality in their cars and very few want standard cars. If you look around a Jaguar club or an MG club or a Porsche club they don't appear to venture far from stock or each other. What is it about Zs (even the later Z32s) that encourages this?

I used to criticize owners for fitting fuel injection saying that you wouldn't find that on classic E Types or Lotus Cortinas for example. Then there are the bumpers - how many other cars have just a front bumper, but it happens a lot on S30s. Then engines - how many E Types or MGs or Fords have engines from other manufacturers? On Saturday I saw lots of variety and they all seem to work. There is a growing trend these days towards originality but with our cars it's often too late for that so no point in trying and because of the rarity of our cars the parts are hard to source anyway.

When I joined the Club in 1996 most owners like me would have grown up knowing about Zs and just started to think about buying one, but the idea of fitting an engine giving more than 200bhp was quite rare. There were a few but now it's quite common. I suppose the power of our modern 'daily' cars means that owning a less powerful 'fun' car seems crazy.

So many great cars and no two the same meant that my job of trying to present just two awards was far too difficult. I asked many people what cars they thought worthy and that didn't help. In the end I went to opposite ends of the spectrum - I chose the wonderful and outrageous 240Z that Steve Stonehouse brought along and the very tidy standard blue 240Z. Steve's car attracted a huge amount of attention - so many people admired the 'daring' of building it (e.g. 12.5" rear wheels!) and also the workmanship and attention to detail. Amazing.

The standard 240Z was beautiful and was a great benchmark for members of the public to see how these cars started life in the 70s. The engine bay of a 240Z had the 'wow factor' in the 70s but not now when parked next to one with an RB or LS engine or George's Turbo conversion.

Wheels - these days even 7" wheels seem narrow but our cars started out with 4.5/5.0" depending on the market. I returned one of my cars to standard steel wheels with the 'dustbin lid' trims but they were quite embarrassing to be seen with really.

So I'm sorry if you thought your car should have won an award - they all should and were a credit to you.

Finally I had a great time meeting such a super bunch of owners and most of you found time to talk to me. Your enthusiasm and skill/workmanship admirable.

When everyone had gone I went to the chicane to watch the racing - what a shame we didn't have any Zs racing this year. However from discussions over the weekend we may have some more cars on race grids soon.

 

[TB24O]

I would like to thank everyone for such a great time on Saturday, especially Rob for doing all of the organising etc.
It always amazes me the variety of S30’s in the club from American V8s pushing out 600bhp, to RB engined modded, to Sams, to very original spec cars, to 2+2s, to 280zxs, to 300zx’s and that’s just what I saw on Saturday. And what a great bunch of owners to talk to and swap stories and information and get ideas and help from.
Donington has become a must go to event in my calendar.
So thanks again to everyone for such a great day.
Was also nice to pass a couple of z’s on the way back south at one point we had 3 z’s across all the lanes of the M1 wish I had a picture of it.

Graham

 

[TB24O]

Hi that was me and I thought exactly the same as you what a great photo
Ps I think someone must of been well over speed limitor was it all 3 of us

 

[Pondo]

Hi that was me and I thought exactly the same as you what a great photo
Ps I think someone must of been well over speed limitor was it all 3 of us

@TB240 is yours the V8? That has some impressive acceleration! Was a nice little finish to the day. Thank you to all involved…..beautiful cars and the sun shone.

 

[TB24O]

I wish, I was just admiring the spectacle in the slow lane
Tim

 

[grb184]

Hi that was me and I thought exactly the same as you what a great photo
Ps I think someone must of been well over speed limitor was it all 3 of us

well it was me in the outside lane, got back to hertfordshire (with a load of speed restrictions on A1) averaging 64mph max was...well better not say. Passed a couple of Z's on the way home

 

[TB24O]

well it was me in the outside lane, got back to hertfordshire (with a load of speed restrictions on A1) averaging 64mph max was...well better not say. Passed a couple of Z's on the way home

View attachment 57653View attachment 57654

That’s great, so funny, the camera never lies
Brillant

 

[ALN]

Thank you to everyone on the meet on Saturday, especially to Rob for being an amazing host and organiser.
I had a great time talking to members and hearing some of the great stories of how their journeys started with Z Cars, and their impressive build stories.

I will definitely be adding Donington to my calendar moving forward.

The trip back on the motorway was great fun to the end of the day!

 

[Mr Ex Jnr]

Enjoyed the whole weekend really was a good weekend

Nice turnout of Z

Sunday morning got upto track for a spy

Also caught the sun well

 

[Mr Ex Jnr]

Well what a great event again. Jonathan Kinghorn (JK240) started these and now they are a well established annual meeting.

As usual Saturday was the busiest day for us (and most other Clubs) so we should perhaps think how we could boost Sunday attendance.

On Sunday we had 6 Zs and a lovely Datsun Cherry. Of particular interest to me on Sunday was Paul Atkinson in Paul Stafford's 'battle scarred' early 240Z race car. I've seen that car (originally modified by Spike Anderson) race many times in HSCC races (300 races in all I think?) and I liked the way Paul used to drive it to the circuit and just before his race empty the car of spares, tools etc and passenger, race it, have a cigar, fill it up again and drive home. a 'proper' club driver of his time. He could 'pedal it along' too especially considering it's specification and all steel panels and chrome bumpers still on. The history file with the car is huge, it contains race programmes, receipts and even Spike's invoices. Amazing. The car is soon to be restored but I hope it doesn't lose it's character - have a vote on here Paul?

On Sunday I also saw 'Chef's' wonderful 280ZX 2+2. What a lovely personalised car that is too and he's had it 35 years! I just had to give it an award! Richard Parker's Fairlady got the Best Cars of the Day - I tried to avoid giving him another trophy for his cupboard but my conscience wouldn't let me.

Special mention needs to go to Mr Ex Jnr (Christian) who travelled down from Holmfirth on both days, got there really early and was full of enthusiasm as always. I've know Christian and his Dad's very original Samuri for a very long time - when Christian was in short trousers so to speak.

Must go more to follow.

Thanks Rob Love the Z cars

Nice drive down

I have a photo of you sat in Your track car looking young

Hopefully get the Rb FairladyZ there in few years am cracking on into it making good progress

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Guys, please can you feedback what was good and not so good. You can PM if you like.

So consider location, facilities, awards, catering and also of particular interest to me is why Saturday was far busier than Sunday.

How can we boost Sunday attendance or should we just make it one day?

Thank you in anticipation.