A couple of pictures to show what it is like from the racers point of view. These were taken in France at Le Treport in 2006 for the Battle of Britain Trophy race.
The line-up shows the starter with his flag raised. That is ten seconds to go, so you have full power and are holding on the brakes. When the flag drops you start. The second shot shows what it is like going round a turning point. This is visible just in from of the wing on the grass. The Brentwood turn at the weekend was similar to this on a grassy triangle.
To give an idea of how fast things are happening, I was using an OM1 on motor drive to try and get a turning point shot for a magazine article. Out of 16 pics only two had a turning point fully in view!
The pilot here is Roger Hayes, who was flying the Pup. The aircraft is the Hong Kong Bulldog from North Weald. Race height then was 500 feet. Now it has gone up to 700 feet for noise abatement.
The Spitfire is the Beverley Snook Trophy. The pilot one is the Battle of Britain Trophy.
The red SF260, Race 1, was flown by Craig Beevers. Last year this won the British Championship flown by Ally Allen, navigator this year.
Pup 150, Race 12, was flown by Roger Hayes (four times King’s Cup winner). This Pup won the King’s Cup two years ago flown by Neil Cooper, who was racing the Bulldog G-CM this time.
The Auster, Race 123, was flown by Rob Callaway-Lewis. He won the championship two years ago. He also makes tents!
The aircraft have dispensation for a stream landing after the finish.
I spent both days as a turning point marshal at the Chelmsford turn.
Thanks for posting the pic of our pairs run and break to land. It was very hazy today so not ideal for air to airs. One taken by my navigator Ian before we got to the Initial Point for the flypast. It was his first formation flight so he was more interested in what was going on than taking pictures! The black and yellow Bulldog was the missing man.
At the going down of the sun. And in the morning. We will remember them.
Certainly a great day and nice to see so many veterans in attendance. I was leading the Bulldog Missing Man Formation.
TJJ
Sign In
