Squizz

Just so you lot know - I've been considering organising an airfield based "Driver Improvement Day" ( ) locally. This would hopefully involve members from more than one club and would consist of a track layout using the runway, supply roads and coned areas. The day would probably be run in sessions to allow track and drift driving...

I've spoken on the telephone to the manager of the estate business that owns the airfield, and after giving her a brief insight into what was planned and who might be attending, she seemed rather interested.

However, she did stress that they were just finalising details on a new lease agreement, which should be completed within a couple of weeks.

Obviously, the final details of the lease will see which parts of the airfield are under the control of the new lease-holder and the estate office. The new lease-holders might have to be negotiated with accordingly, unless there is sufficient runway/roads/access available from the estate office.

So, She took my contact details and says she'll let me know...

Just to add credence to the cause, I shall formulate something of a business plan for this endeavour over the next few days and send it to her for her consideration.

I'd appreciate it if you'd post your intention to attend such days (ignoring cost for now), as I can use this to gauge the interest and possibly revenue I can generate to pay for the events. (on a non-profit basis).

One requisite of being allowed in to this event if it kicks off, is that I'm going to insist you're a paid up member of a recognised club. Eg. SIDC, SXOC, GTROC, MAC, etc. There's another good excuse to join the SIDC, then!

BTW - I don't know what the surface of this place is like yet... It may yet prove to be totally unsuitable.

However, as they say "He who dares, wins. Rodney"

Cheers,
Squizz

scooby_si

if surface & costs are up to it i should be able to get a few from MRC (mazdarotaryclub)
Si

Squizz

Found a great map of the layout. Dunno whether this is from WW2 and how much of it is still in existence though. Neither do I know the quality of the surface.

Bully3176

iTrader: (1)

Hows the driver improvement bit going to work? instruction or self limits? Or is that a sales ploy? Im up for it? :Thumb:

Squizz

Sales ploy...

SiDHEaD

I would most definately not be wanting to do something so fun

miles25

Count me in

WRX_Rich

iTrader: (5)

i'd be up for it - im thinking its not near pershore is it i ve been down a air field down there to many times to remember but would never take the scoob its like a mine field

but some parts are barriored off so they might be better

SiDHEaD

Yup Barrrrrrrrrst if surface is poo... Not that I'd be interested in that sort of rawkuss behaviuor!

gljam

I'd be in as well



:Jam pootles off to form a little club all of his own :

big MO

I'm there too

SiDHEaD

My friend Rob is interested

Graz

Sounds ace if the surface is good and its local. However which airfield is it? The one in the picture above is owned by QinetiQ and is used as some sort of listening base / satellite tracking station. There is definitely no public access, and from what I remember of it there wasn't much by way of runways etc. left.

For those of you who know the area it's the place you can see with all the "golf ball" type antenna radomes from the top of Bredon hill.

The big airfield near Throckmorton, Pershore, looks good. It says disused on the map, I think it's another military job but not idea what they use it for these days or who owns it.

Squizz

QinetQ must own some of the land or lease it off MOD. The rest is owned by the Croome Estate. Having seen a aerial view, I was surprised to see QinetiQ bang in the middle of the bloody airfield.

Anyway, I'll see what it's like.

Throckmorton? Yeah, that was another likely venue - Right up until they dig the whole thing up and used it as a dumping ground for cattle infected with Foot & Mouth!!
Dunno how it stands, now...

Click here to see an aerial view of the airfield inc. QinetiQ !

Bully3176

iTrader: (1)

Throckmorton is also used by the MOD for testing things? Things you wouldnt want to be near! Plus West Mercia Police do their skid car and stinger training there? Its not the most amazing runway surface anymore? Or at least the bits you can get on??

gljam

well i'm only about 10mins down the road from both of them, is it worth me popping over and having a sniff round/take some piccies???

SiDHEaD

Is that wise if it's MOD

pnbond007

iTrader: (1)

The plan is to hill climb my RA next year, so I may be interested in coming along, I'll keep an eye out for further news.....

PNB

gljam

hmmm, good point, don't really fancy being picked off by an Army sniper

forget i said anything

Squizz

gljam = Solid Snake (That's a computer game reference! I wasn't being smutty!! )

Just so you all know, I'm having to check out public liability insurance, as I'm hoping to be the organiser of these 'ere shindig.

Squizz
(Probably guilty )

SiDHEaD

Would we need PLI if we all just happened to turn up and it wasn't organised?? LOL

Squizz

Like our normal events? LOL!

Squizz

Right - I've just been on a jolly jaunt in the sunshine to scope out the airfield.

Erm, it took me a while but near the Croome Estate entrance is a turn-off called Rebecca Road. I tried going down there and found gates with an official secrets act warning. However, the road continued on left away from the gates so I followed it and found myself in front of the two big antenna dishes!

One is called Merlin and "supposedly" forms part of a UK radio telescope network

The other was behind locked and probably guarded QinetiQ gates.

Basically, I was right in the middle of that aerial photo! And didn't get to see anything of tyhe rest of the airfield. I'm wondering how much it would be possible to use after all...

Squizz
(Secret Squirrel )

ScoobyDoo555

More like "Inch-high private eye"

Squizz

What have I told you about speaking to my wife, Dan?