1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:17,960 Stories from Super Touring. Welcome to this week's episode 2 00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:20,800 of Stories From Super Touring, which this week will be 3 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:24,600 something slightly different. Today we will be looking back at 4 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:28,200 this year's Super Touring Power event at Brands Hatch, which was 5 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:30,320 a celebration of all things Super Touring. 6 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:33,960 The event was such a huge hit with fans and competitors that a 7 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:37,120 second event has already been arranged for next year, with 8 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:41,200 Super Touring Power 2 coming to Brands Hatch on the 29th and 9 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:45,440 30th of June 2024. The Super Touring Power event 10 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:48,760 this year was supported by a huge crowd who were able to 11 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:52,680 witness a strong field of Super Tours racing around both layouts 12 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:55,560 of the Kent circuit. Super Touring royalty was 13 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:59,080 present there too, as drivers such as Paul Radisich, Alan 14 00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:04,080 Menu, Patrick Watts, Tim Harvey, Andy Rouse, Steve Super and 15 00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:07,240 Charlie Cox were all in attendance at some point over 16 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:10,240 the weekend. Current BTCC racer Jake Hill 17 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:13,040 took all four victories over the weekend at the Brands Hatch 18 00:01:13,040 --> 00:01:17,040 circuit with his 1999 loyal Aiello Nissan Primera, which I 19 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:20,160 have to say was beautifully turned out by the team from John 20 00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:22,920 Danby Racing. And kudos to Richard Wheeler for 21 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:26,960 bringing out three Immaculate premieres for himself, Jake Hill 22 00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:30,520 and Anthony Reed to race. In the first of our interviews 23 00:01:30,520 --> 00:01:33,560 from Brands Hatch at the Super Touring Power event, we spoke to 24 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:36,120 Richard Wheeler, the owner of the three Nissan premieres, 25 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:39,760 about exactly what it takes to keep a Super Tour at running in 26 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:46,120 modern times. Richard, you're really the man 27 00:01:46,120 --> 00:01:49,160 behind all these three Nissans that are running this weekend 28 00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:51,200 from what Anthony says. Yeah, it's been a bit of a 29 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:53,440 labour of love getting through. I mean, obviously I bought one, 30 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:55,120 then another, and then I was because I was running two. 31 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:57,800 I was very fortunate to be offered the third one, the ILO 32 00:01:57,800 --> 00:02:00,080 car, which I was only offered because obviously we're running 33 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:01,640 them. And the person, Derek, who was 34 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:04,400 selling the ILO car, he didn't want it to sit in the showroom, 35 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:06,120 He didn't want it in a collection, he wanted to sit out 36 00:02:06,120 --> 00:02:06,960 racing. So yeah. 37 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:11,080 So what made you purchase the first one in the first place? 38 00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:12,760 Was there a special love for the Nissan in? 39 00:02:12,760 --> 00:02:15,720 Particular or. There is, because I yeah, I was. 40 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:19,280 I started watching touring cars in about 94 and then obviously 41 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:21,160 as I got more into it, it was the kind of the peak when the 42 00:02:21,160 --> 00:02:24,000 Nissans were in 9899. But I did, I actually went to 43 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:27,840 Silverstone Classic in 2018 and they ran a super tour grid there 44 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:30,120 and it was like, that's what I want to do. 45 00:02:30,120 --> 00:02:32,280 That is the thing of, you know, I need to get out there. 46 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:34,280 I bought a car and of course then they stopped doing it and 47 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:36,080 then there was no more super tour grid on Silverstone 48 00:02:36,080 --> 00:02:37,120 Classics. Then you know, what am I going 49 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:39,520 to do now? But then yeah, another one came 50 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:40,880 up. Obviously the values were a bit 51 00:02:40,880 --> 00:02:42,360 lower then because they weren't competing. 52 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:44,680 So I got the pair. Because that's the dream was to 53 00:02:44,680 --> 00:02:47,440 run the team. And yeah, no, I mean, it was 54 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:50,560 great. So what do you think is the the 55 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:52,040 power of Super Touring? Then? 56 00:02:52,040 --> 00:02:55,280 Why is it so fondly remembered? I mean, we're talking some of 57 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:59,160 these cars are 30 years old now. Why are the why are the fans so 58 00:02:59,160 --> 00:03:00,480 passionate still about these cars? 59 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:02,080 What? Do you think is is the special 60 00:03:02,600 --> 00:03:05,040 reason for it? I think it's twofold. 61 00:03:05,400 --> 00:03:08,360 You know, I think one part of it is the simple fact that of the 62 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:11,920 nostalgia, you know, who doesn't love a a trip back down memory 63 00:03:11,920 --> 00:03:13,480 lane, you know, and how amazing it used to be. 64 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:16,000 And I think the other thing is, it is pure engineering 65 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:18,720 excellence, you know, and I'm not not take nothing away from 66 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:21,120 the modern touring cars. They're great cars, but they're 67 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:23,200 400 now. They've got Kyber, they're 400 68 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:25,840 kilos heavier. You know, they're running more 69 00:03:25,840 --> 00:03:28,280 power, more torque. They're 400 kilos heavier. 70 00:03:28,280 --> 00:03:30,960 If we had their tyres, I have no doubt super tours would still be 71 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:34,400 quicker, you know, and that's 25 years of development because 72 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:36,760 it's not because you know, like I said, nothing against those 73 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:38,840 cars. But they've been engineered to a 74 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:42,240 price point because no one could afford to run agree to these 75 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:45,720 cars these days. So you said earlier there you're 76 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:48,760 a you're a fan of touring cars, you started watching in 1994. 77 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:53,080 How does it feel being able to now jump into one of one of the 78 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:55,440 most iconic cars of the year of the Nissan Premier? 79 00:03:55,840 --> 00:03:59,160 And actually race it alongside some really legendary names. 80 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:02,840 It's easy to say it's the dream, but it sort of goes far beyond 81 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:04,360 that, you know, I mean, I can remember queuing. 82 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:06,480 I said to Anthony, it's funny. I can remember queuing up here 83 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:10,120 in 2000 when he was driving the Ford to get their autographs. 84 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:13,160 You know, And you know, just driving a normal car, doing a 85 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:17,680 normal job at the time and Fast forward 25 years, 20, well, 23 86 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:21,079 years, you know it just, you know, I didn't get into racing 87 00:04:21,079 --> 00:04:23,120 until I was 41, like 7 years ago. 88 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:25,880 So it was just never even. It's so expensive. 89 00:04:25,880 --> 00:04:27,760 It was just never even on the cards, you know? 90 00:04:28,520 --> 00:04:31,240 And so you've been out, you've done three races so far this 91 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:32,760 weekend. How's it going for you? 92 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:35,760 I struggled a little bit on the Grand Prix circuit yesterday 93 00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:37,000 because I've not actually done it before. 94 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:39,760 I did one track day to get my eye in, but it went, it went 95 00:04:39,760 --> 00:04:41,560 really, I think I was in the front half of the grid. 96 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:44,920 And on the second race, I had a really good battle with Paul 97 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:47,880 Radisich where we were side by side into Padukill Bend and 98 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:51,640 traded a little bit of pain. And I mean, who to say that you 99 00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:54,160 did that to say, yeah, yeah, you know, I actually went in there 100 00:04:54,160 --> 00:04:57,240 with Radisich side by side and we rubbed a bit and you know, 101 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:00,280 it's it's you can't put a price on that, can you? 102 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:02,320 But today, yeah, I mean, obviously I'm more, I'm more 103 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:04,440 familiar with the indie circuit. And on that second part of that 104 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:08,320 race after Safety Car, I think I went up from 9th to 4th. 105 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:11,640 I really had the bit between the teeth and someone showed me a 106 00:05:11,640 --> 00:05:15,200 video of the my move on read into paddock and apparently my I 107 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:17,880 locked the inside wheel up for about 20 or 30 meters as I 108 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:20,920 literally sailed up the inside with the back end light trying 109 00:05:20,920 --> 00:05:22,720 to keep control of it and get around the corner. 110 00:05:22,720 --> 00:05:25,160 So you know but that's what these cars were designed to do. 111 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:26,680 If you want to put me in a museum, great. 112 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:29,960 But that's not what we're here for you know we want to and 113 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:31,640 there's there's no fun for me in a procession. 114 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:34,680 Dr. You know, it's it's amazing to see the fans reaction to the 115 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:36,760 cars, but you want to get out there. 116 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:39,320 And have a bit of argy bargy, You know, that's where the fun 117 00:05:39,360 --> 00:05:41,040 is. And you say about the fans 118 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:45,160 reaction to the cars, one of the particular reactions from me 119 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:49,320 personally is seeing your whole team kitted out in the the 120 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:53,600 premier team wear that they wore back in the day and you know 121 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:56,320 you've got the racing suits, you've got the hats and it just 122 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:58,280 adds to the ambience for the weekend, so. 123 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:02,040 From us as fans, we just want to say thank you for putting on a 124 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:03,880 great show. We really enjoyed seeing your 125 00:06:03,880 --> 00:06:05,480 cars out there this weekend. Yeah, thank you. 126 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:07,040 No, we we put a lot of effort into that. 127 00:06:07,040 --> 00:06:09,280 You know, when people say to me, you know, would you get out of 128 00:06:09,280 --> 00:06:12,400 it, half of it's the driving and half of it's sharing the passion 129 00:06:12,400 --> 00:06:15,000 with other like minded fans. You know, we've got the flags, 130 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:17,240 we've done the tops, we've done what we've done. 131 00:06:17,560 --> 00:06:21,920 We're trying to recreate how the team was back in 9899 and that's 132 00:06:21,920 --> 00:06:23,360 the way you bring the memories back, isn't it? 133 00:06:23,400 --> 00:06:26,160 You know, So we've really put as much as we possibly can into it. 134 00:06:26,840 --> 00:06:28,160 Absolutely. And one final thing. 135 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:30,720 Obviously you own three of these super tourists now. 136 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:35,120 How hard are they to maintain and and to run in general these 137 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:37,120 days? You know, 25 years on? 138 00:06:37,840 --> 00:06:39,920 Very. It's not. 139 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:43,200 I mean, we've got three cars running. 140 00:06:43,280 --> 00:06:46,040 We've had, we've had a gearbox out twice, we've had a mast 141 00:06:46,040 --> 00:06:50,360 switch go, I've had brake problems, I had an ECU problem. 142 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:52,240 I couldn't get up out of cure. I was not going to crawl up in 143 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:55,080 first and then use the downhill bit to build up momentum to get 144 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:56,520 enough reps to run. It's. 145 00:06:56,800 --> 00:06:59,480 With an EC Eugene, there's there's, you're constantly 146 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:01,520 finding niggles and faults all the time. 147 00:07:02,120 --> 00:07:04,120 I'm very lucky. I've got John Danby Racing who 148 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:05,600 are a great team. You know, they do a lot of 149 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:07,640 historic stuff. They can even manufacture stuff 150 00:07:08,280 --> 00:07:10,760 and they've got a great team of guys on it because without them 151 00:07:10,760 --> 00:07:12,720 there's no way we'd have three cars running. 152 00:07:12,720 --> 00:07:15,360 It's just it would be a mammoth task, you know? 153 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:22,640 As Richard explained there, one of his star drivers in the 154 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:26,440 Nissan was Anthony Reed, a driver who raced the Nissan in 155 00:07:26,440 --> 00:07:36,320 1997 and 1998 in the BTCC. Let's hear from Anthony Anthony. 156 00:07:37,080 --> 00:07:40,640 Welcome back to Graham's Hatch. You're in a Nissan Touring car. 157 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:43,080 Is it? Does it feel like you're in 1998 158 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:45,040 again? Well, it it's really quite 159 00:07:45,040 --> 00:07:48,800 incredible to get this opportunity 25 years after I 160 00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:55,360 raced that actual car in period. It it was a golden era for 161 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:56,760 British Touring Car Championship. 162 00:07:57,200 --> 00:07:59,800 You know all the manufacturers involved, more professional 163 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:02,680 drivers being paid to race in the British Touring Car 164 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:05,840 Championship than there were in Formula One. 165 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:12,640 I was very fortunate to drive for a couple of the top teams, 166 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:16,560 Nissan in particular and then obviously the Ford Mondeos. 167 00:08:20,120 --> 00:08:24,640 Without Richard Wheeler this wouldn't be happening I can tell 168 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:26,120 you. I mean I might be driving some 169 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:30,280 beaten up holes Nissan, but it won't be prepared to to to this 170 00:08:30,280 --> 00:08:34,039 level of preparation. It's a proper professional team. 171 00:08:34,039 --> 00:08:39,400 John Danby Racing Richard's, you know, in a position to make that 172 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:43,440 happen. Three cars and running the three 173 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:49,520 cars here this weekend just reminds me of August the 30th, 174 00:08:50,720 --> 00:08:55,040 1998, where it was the absolute zenith of Super Touring. 175 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:58,880 I I feel, you know, we were on mainstream television when there 176 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:03,720 were far fewer television channels and you know, Murray 177 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:08,360 Walker had been commentating in 19797 and and Steve Ryder was 178 00:09:08,360 --> 00:09:10,680 presenting. We had the big names and touring 179 00:09:10,680 --> 00:09:16,480 cars, clan menu, Rydell and then of course the F1 drivers and. 180 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:21,200 Nigel was at that race, Nigel Mansell was in that race, 181 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:27,840 obviously Derek, Warwick, Morbidelli, they were competing 182 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:33,800 also ex F1 drivers. And I mean I was slightly late 183 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:35,640 getting to the circuit. I got to the circuit. 184 00:09:35,880 --> 00:09:39,440 Well, I got as far as the big roundabouts on the top of the 185 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:43,120 M25 at 7:00 in the morning and the traffic was backed all the 186 00:09:43,120 --> 00:09:47,600 way up there, made a quick call. One of the mechanics had a 187 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:49,680 motorcycle, so he came out and picked me up. 188 00:09:49,680 --> 00:09:53,040 We dumped the car on the roundabout, otherwise I wouldn't 189 00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:57,040 have made the race, but it all that sort of stuff. 190 00:09:57,040 --> 00:10:01,000 And then there was a bit of a frac car between Mansell and 191 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:04,360 Tiffany. Dell had been entered in a third 192 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:07,680 works Nissan for the Top Gear feature. 193 00:10:08,840 --> 00:10:11,880 And there there was a bit of Arji Barji between Tiff and and 194 00:10:13,800 --> 00:10:18,800 Mansell, who'd never been the best of friends, and all of that 195 00:10:18,800 --> 00:10:21,480 sort of ingredients. And the fact that the feature 196 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:23,920 was on Top Gear the following week, too. 197 00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:28,800 And it was live television, massive crowds, all the big 198 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:31,360 manufacturers. It was unbelievable. 199 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:36,760 And you know, the the memories become fonder as time goes by. 200 00:10:37,720 --> 00:10:40,200 Well, the significance becomes actually it becomes more 201 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:43,520 significant. It's, you know, British Touring 202 00:10:43,520 --> 00:10:47,000 Cars is still very popular, but there's so many television 203 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:51,440 channels, it's much more artificial, you know, sort of 204 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:54,440 contrived, you know, boosts, corrections. 205 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:59,880 This was match play. There was no success ballast 206 00:10:59,880 --> 00:11:03,520 reverse grids or anything or digging around with the ECU, no. 207 00:11:04,640 --> 00:11:07,520 You you mentioned earlier the the cars being prepared. 208 00:11:07,560 --> 00:11:10,840 John Danby Racing. I I have to say they are 209 00:11:10,880 --> 00:11:15,640 immaculately prepared and they look exactly as they did back in 210 00:11:15,640 --> 00:11:18,680 1998 nineteen 99. It's incredible and what I like 211 00:11:18,680 --> 00:11:21,120 is the nice touches the team members are wearing their 212 00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:23,680 shirts. Identical shirts as they were 213 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:24,680 in. The 90s. 214 00:11:25,040 --> 00:11:26,760 And you've got your own suits on. 215 00:11:27,160 --> 00:11:30,320 It's it's it's wonderful. It really adds to the to the 216 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:31,640 whole. Team effort. 217 00:11:31,920 --> 00:11:37,920 It's a real spectacle and as I said to the the boys, my 2 218 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:41,600 teammates and said let's let's stage a shot on the first couple 219 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:44,600 of laps of qualifying so all three cars were together. 220 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:49,640 I hope people got for. That, yeah, yeah. 221 00:11:49,640 --> 00:11:54,880 So in many ways the car is very familiar to me, the gearbox, the 222 00:11:54,880 --> 00:11:57,280 engine, the way the engine performs, the handling, the 223 00:11:57,280 --> 00:12:01,440 balance. I mean probably the major 224 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:04,880 differences were running on a control time in period. 225 00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:08,640 We have factory Michelins, which were constructed specifically 226 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:11,600 for the Nissan and that would give you another two seconds a 227 00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:17,440 lap here, you know, just the whole thing. 228 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:20,960 It's it's and to have this opportunity 25 years later, I 229 00:12:22,200 --> 00:12:25,840 mean, you know this is my 48th season of continuous motorsport 230 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:30,720 without a break and if it weren't for people like Richard, 231 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:34,760 yes, and the Goodwood events. Being involved with Goodwood has 232 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:37,520 extended my career with Classics and stuff. 233 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:42,160 I'd be sitting in front of the fire with my slippers on or 234 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:42,480 something. I. 235 00:12:46,560 --> 00:12:48,320 Was going to ask you. Actually, there's. 236 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:52,200 A major difference between this weekend at night and I8, as you 237 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:55,920 mentioned that today, is you're racing on the GP loop in the 238 00:12:55,960 --> 00:12:58,360 premiera. How does the Premiera fare 239 00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:02,360 around the back end circuit? Yeah the with these control 240 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:09,320 tires the difference between the 98 car and the 99 car is we've 241 00:13:09,320 --> 00:13:14,520 got a multi link rear suspension system on the 98 car and for 99 242 00:13:14,520 --> 00:13:19,400 the cars they switched to a beam axle which is gives a very 243 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:22,920 progressive control of the way the rear end behaves. 244 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:26,920 Mine is a bit knife edgy and on this harder control tire it's 245 00:13:26,920 --> 00:13:32,000 hard work around the back you're hanging on so I can't drive with 246 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:34,200 the sort of commitments I could do in period. 247 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:44,440 And also my engineer, chassis engineer, race engineer. 248 00:13:45,440 --> 00:13:49,840 He's currently a missionary in Africa. 249 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:53,480 I think I must have driven him too so hard he turned to born 250 00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:56,760 again Christianity and it's now a missionary. 251 00:13:57,960 --> 00:14:00,400 I wish he was here because he he'd be able to sort that car 252 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:06,920 out, but but all that sort of stuff. 253 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:11,440 I mean the great thing is that I've, I've got Dave Hill here, 254 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:15,320 who in period rebuilt the engines and he's here. 255 00:14:15,880 --> 00:14:19,920 And the curious thing is that the ECU runs on the software, 256 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:24,280 which Windows 98, Yes, and he's one of the few people in the 257 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:27,400 country that has Windows 98 unadulterated. 258 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:32,000 No bugs on his laptop which he never plugs into the Internet 259 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:36,320 and. Yeah, And he's kept, yeah, over 260 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:38,200 all these years, the same computer. 261 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:40,360 Everything. Wow. 262 00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:41,640 And he found out what the problem was. 263 00:14:41,680 --> 00:14:44,640 Today. And so you obviously we've just 264 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:48,200 had race one now you, sadly. Had an issue what? 265 00:14:48,640 --> 00:14:51,960 Was that issue? Yeah, the that was a real shame 266 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:54,680 because I was on for a solid 3rd place. 267 00:14:55,440 --> 00:15:01,000 Jake was flying and and leading the race and with two laps to go 268 00:15:01,760 --> 00:15:05,440 suddenly the engine cut out as I came down pit straight and as I 269 00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:08,640 rolled down Paddock Hill Bend I tried to do a hard reset, you 270 00:15:08,640 --> 00:15:12,360 know, master switch off and on, but it made no difference. 271 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:14,600 The engine was dead. Well, they've just found it, 272 00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:17,320 they've fished it out and it's the wire. 273 00:15:17,320 --> 00:15:22,960 Or something's broken, you know, probably £0.50 worth in 274 00:15:22,960 --> 00:15:26,480 £1,000,000 car. So not only have you been 275 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:28,720 driving the Nissan this weekend, though, because you've also 276 00:15:28,760 --> 00:15:34,160 taken the Mondeo that you raced in 2000 for a demonstration a 277 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:36,280 couple of hours. Well, that was fun. 278 00:15:36,280 --> 00:15:38,800 I mean, there was a few issues with the car and misfire. 279 00:15:39,320 --> 00:15:42,520 The clutch stopped working. I mean the clutch was fully 280 00:15:42,520 --> 00:15:46,640 engaged but the pedal, you know, the hydraulics didn't let go and 281 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:48,760 there was a bit of a kangaroo hop from from it. 282 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:51,960 But I jumped into that car and it fits like a glove because the 283 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:53,920 seat was molded to me. Right. 284 00:15:53,920 --> 00:16:00,840 And it's a carbon seat and very nostalgic to drive that car. 285 00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:04,520 I can imagine the nostalgia. Hits very hard as we get but of 286 00:16:04,520 --> 00:16:08,240 course that car is not prepared to the level of the Nissan's and 287 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:11,800 the the the thing the Nissan's complicated that Mondeo is 288 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:15,640 unbelievable. But the V6 engine Dr. shafts 289 00:16:15,640 --> 00:16:19,920 through the the two cylinder heads of the engine and all that 290 00:16:19,920 --> 00:16:23,240 sort of stuff. They go through the V Bank and 291 00:16:24,800 --> 00:16:26,920 that car is really high maintenance. 292 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:31,200 The thing is that, yeah, it took a team of probably about 40-50 293 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:33,240 people to run the cars. Yeah, in period. 294 00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:35,040 Yeah, you had tried. To run them. 295 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:40,880 Now you had your engine engineer, the chassis engineer, 296 00:16:41,480 --> 00:16:44,960 data person with, you know, printers in those days. 297 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:52,960 Some of the old, you know, bigger cathode ray tube type 298 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:56,400 with a keyboard, so you had to have a flight case and then you 299 00:16:56,400 --> 00:16:59,440 had the printer on top. But it was, it was brilliant. 300 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:02,440 It worked really well because during qualifying they could 301 00:17:02,440 --> 00:17:05,800 just hit the print button and hand it in through the window. 302 00:17:05,800 --> 00:17:08,680 You just have a look, you know, compared with Menu and Rydell. 303 00:17:09,280 --> 00:17:11,960 To compare, that was your real time in the middle of qualifying 304 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:14,240 and you can see where they were quicker or slower. 305 00:17:16,440 --> 00:17:19,040 So yeah, good to be back in the Mondeo. 306 00:17:19,079 --> 00:17:21,839 Even if it was. For a brief hopefully they'll 307 00:17:21,839 --> 00:17:25,599 get those issues fixed for tomorrow, but I'm really looking 308 00:17:25,640 --> 00:17:30,040 forward to driving that car because that was the quickest 309 00:17:32,240 --> 00:17:35,440 Super Tour I have raced obviously at the end of the 310 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:38,200 year. I mean the best handling was the 311 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:41,080 Nissan Primera because it had my DNA in it. 312 00:17:41,720 --> 00:17:45,760 So between Nissan Motorsport Europe, Alec Poole, all the 313 00:17:45,760 --> 00:17:49,720 other engineers like Bob Neville, Derek Gardner who had 314 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:53,200 designed the Jackie Stewart winning Tyrrell and stuff like 315 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:58,240 that, they were a team based in Didcot that helped develop that 316 00:17:58,240 --> 00:18:01,800 car with me and I've been with the program for three years, so 317 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:04,920 it had my DNA and it suited my driving style. 318 00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:09,280 The moment day it was more edgy, it was quicker over the lab, 319 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:14,560 obviously two years younger and a great experience to work with 320 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:18,320 Pro Drive and obviously the Blue Oval. 321 00:18:24,360 --> 00:18:27,160 As always here on Stories From Super Touring, we want your 322 00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:30,520 opinions and we asked yours about Super Touring power and 323 00:18:30,520 --> 00:18:34,160 you didn't disappoint. Don Wary got in touch to say 324 00:18:34,160 --> 00:18:37,160 that his favorite part of the weekend was arriving early on 325 00:18:37,160 --> 00:18:40,160 Saturday morning and walking down to Paddock Hill Bend and 326 00:18:40,160 --> 00:18:42,920 without even looking, being able to tell when the five cylinder 327 00:18:42,920 --> 00:18:46,120 Volvo S40 approached. Meanwhile, Chris Phillips got in 328 00:18:46,120 --> 00:18:48,480 touch to say that he was at the event with his son Tom. 329 00:18:48,920 --> 00:18:50,880 Tom's a new fan of the podcast after the event. 330 00:18:50,920 --> 00:18:54,080 It's a big hello to him and and thanks for tuning in, Tom, he 331 00:18:54,080 --> 00:18:55,880 said his favorite part of the weekend. 332 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:59,760 Well, there was more than one and he said the Andy Rouse and 333 00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:03,760 Paul Radisich reunion on stage was pretty incredible, as was 334 00:19:03,760 --> 00:19:06,240 how accessible all the drivers were in the pit lane. 335 00:19:06,760 --> 00:19:10,000 He loved the sound of the Mondeo Paul was driving and how hard 336 00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:13,360 the cars were driving, including the Orange 323, which certainly 337 00:19:13,360 --> 00:19:15,600 wasn't hanging about. You're right there, Chris. 338 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:20,000 Jake Callahan said the whole weekend is probably the best 339 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:23,080 weekend in motorsport he's ever experienced, but the highlight 340 00:19:23,080 --> 00:19:26,240 for him was the Saturday morning standing at the start of the pit 341 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:29,400 lane with a friend and a few of his Co workers as the whole 342 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:32,160 field went out as one. He said A special mention also 343 00:19:32,160 --> 00:19:34,440 for the hug between Paul Radysich and Andy Rouse when 344 00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:37,120 they met at the stage, which was such a heart warming moment. 345 00:19:37,600 --> 00:19:40,680 Joshua Sumner got in touch to say the whole thing was just an 346 00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:44,240 awesome nostalgia trip from meeting drivers that he watched 347 00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:46,520 and raced against on the PlayStation on TOCA. 348 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:49,160 We've actually seen a few of them get back behind the wheels 349 00:19:49,160 --> 00:19:52,320 of their old cars, it was just something else, he says. 350 00:19:52,320 --> 00:19:54,240 Everything was just so well thought out. 351 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:58,160 Everything from a retro gaming tent playing TOCA to the intro 352 00:19:58,160 --> 00:20:01,480 music from the games like TOCA blasting out as the cars came 353 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:03,920 out on track. Greg Denton told us it was a 354 00:20:03,920 --> 00:20:07,760 great event and that seeing the iconic cars and drivers racing 355 00:20:07,760 --> 00:20:11,400 the cars was amazing. We did meet Greg and he said 356 00:20:11,400 --> 00:20:14,040 that meeting the team from stories From Super Touring and 357 00:20:14,040 --> 00:20:16,320 sharing our passion for Super Touring in person was a 358 00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:19,480 brilliant bonus. Can't wait for the 2024 event? 359 00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:22,960 Well neither can we. Greg Henry Smith said the Super 360 00:20:22,960 --> 00:20:25,840 Touring event was not only the highlight of his year, but 361 00:20:25,840 --> 00:20:28,560 probably the highlight of any historic motorsport event he's 362 00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:31,120 ever attended. It's hard to name a particular 363 00:20:31,120 --> 00:20:33,360 highlight from the weekend, he says, as there were so many 364 00:20:33,360 --> 00:20:37,440 special moments but Alan Menu and Paul Radysich or to coin the 365 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:40,200 Murrayism, rather seech. Meeting them was just 366 00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:42,680 incredible. They say never meet your heroes, 367 00:20:42,840 --> 00:20:45,520 but they were both absolute gentlemen and fascinating to 368 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:47,720 listen to. A lot of love there for Paul 369 00:20:47,720 --> 00:20:50,640 Radysich and we can understand why. 370 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:54,320 He's a very popular driver. During the 90s in the BTCC we 371 00:20:54,320 --> 00:20:56,800 caught up with Paul as he allowed us to spend some time 372 00:20:56,800 --> 00:20:59,160 with his four team, absolutely touring power. 373 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:05,240 Paul, welcome back to Brands Hatch. 374 00:21:05,240 --> 00:21:05,960 Yeah. Thank you. 375 00:21:05,960 --> 00:21:10,320 It's been well, probably close to 30 years since I've run this, 376 00:21:10,720 --> 00:21:13,040 you know, 94 car at Brands Hatch. 377 00:21:13,040 --> 00:21:17,320 So, yeah, great to be back and the enthusiasm hasn't waned at 378 00:21:17,320 --> 00:21:19,000 all. I mean, people just love seeing 379 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:21,440 these cars. Running around, you know, Yeah. 380 00:21:21,880 --> 00:21:25,200 And of course, it's now 30 years this year that you took the 381 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:29,720 Mondeo's first ever victory in the BTCC here at Brands Hatchet 382 00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:31,080 in the August bank holding meeting. 383 00:21:31,320 --> 00:21:33,000 Good memories. Yeah, it was. 384 00:21:33,040 --> 00:21:36,520 We, I think we sort of expect it was early days with the car and 385 00:21:36,920 --> 00:21:40,200 I think it's the first time we changed to Michelin tires and 386 00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:42,480 the car started to really come on song. 387 00:21:42,480 --> 00:21:45,120 So to come here, I think qualified third. 388 00:21:45,720 --> 00:21:47,880 And so a little bit surprised there. 389 00:21:47,880 --> 00:21:51,600 Then at the start I managed to get through the two in front and 390 00:21:51,600 --> 00:21:55,040 held everybody up for what seemed like an eternity and 391 00:21:55,040 --> 00:21:56,600 literally was holding everybody up. 392 00:21:56,600 --> 00:22:00,000 But you know he he in front has has the right away. 393 00:22:01,200 --> 00:22:04,440 That year you then was only your half year in the BTU. 394 00:22:04,440 --> 00:22:07,960 You only did the the the part season there in 94. 395 00:22:08,560 --> 00:22:11,480 The cars changed quite considerably with the addition 396 00:22:11,480 --> 00:22:15,600 of front and rear arrow. After Alfa Romeo's creative 397 00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:19,560 interpretations, we say of the rules and how do you feel the 398 00:22:19,560 --> 00:22:22,440 cars changed when they grew the splitters and the rear wings? 399 00:22:22,680 --> 00:22:26,640 I I I must have been reading something, and not not that long 400 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:30,080 ago then Ty Queenie would say, Oh well, the the splitters and 401 00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:31,560 the wings didn't really make any difference. 402 00:22:31,560 --> 00:22:35,240 But the reality was, I know we we put some wing splitter on 403 00:22:35,240 --> 00:22:38,440 that car 94. And it was half a second quicker 404 00:22:38,760 --> 00:22:42,080 and so half a second would have made all the difference and you 405 00:22:42,080 --> 00:22:46,240 know, the speed, but but that, you know, the car itself from 93 406 00:22:46,240 --> 00:22:50,840 to 94 didn't change much at at all really, I think Cos we've 407 00:22:50,840 --> 00:22:53,800 got a bit more power out of the car, made a little bit more 408 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:58,520 unreliable. But but you know, we we we just 409 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:01,480 didn't quite have the that outright speed that the the 410 00:23:01,480 --> 00:23:03,600 Alpha had. I think that was with us 411 00:23:03,600 --> 00:23:06,200 actually that Gabrielli told us that he said it didn't have any 412 00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:09,280 issue, it didn't have any advantage at all and it was the 413 00:23:09,280 --> 00:23:12,040 diff. But as you say, extra half a 414 00:23:12,040 --> 00:23:16,360 second a lap is is a big deal and and then you moved 415 00:23:16,600 --> 00:23:19,720 eventually to Peugeot. And struggled. 416 00:23:19,720 --> 00:23:21,160 It was a tough year in the Peugeot. 417 00:23:21,760 --> 00:23:25,280 Any any regrets of how your time in the BTCC ended? 418 00:23:25,880 --> 00:23:29,040 No, no, look, it made it when I'm I'm, I'm a guy make a 419 00:23:29,040 --> 00:23:33,480 decision that's the way you go and and it had been what, 4-4 420 00:23:33,480 --> 00:23:36,880 years, five years with with Ford and we weren't really making 421 00:23:36,880 --> 00:23:39,360 that much progress and I thought it's time for a change. 422 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:43,680 Peugeot deal was that they would do one year with the British. 423 00:23:44,960 --> 00:23:47,920 Based car and then they would go for the following year to the 424 00:23:47,920 --> 00:23:50,200 French. So that sort of captioned my 425 00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:53,800 imagination because the French car was with Ayala was extremely 426 00:23:53,800 --> 00:23:56,520 competitive. So I thought one year pain for 427 00:23:56,520 --> 00:23:59,200 for the second year gain, but that didn't work out. 428 00:23:59,440 --> 00:24:02,320 But so that, yeah, that was you know, because then Peugeot 429 00:24:02,320 --> 00:24:06,040 folded up that year the end of 97 and and then there was really 430 00:24:06,040 --> 00:24:10,040 nowhere to go so. I know we're here and you're 431 00:24:10,040 --> 00:24:13,960 racing your car that you won the World Cup at Donnington in in 432 00:24:13,960 --> 00:24:16,520 1994. How did it feel getting back in 433 00:24:16,520 --> 00:24:18,960 the car for the first time? I don't know how long is since 434 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:21,920 you've driven the car last, but does it fit like an old glove 435 00:24:21,920 --> 00:24:24,920 still? It's still it's I was asking in 436 00:24:24,920 --> 00:24:27,800 the driver's briefing where where's the the limits of the 437 00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:29,120 track? Because the only way that car 438 00:24:29,120 --> 00:24:31,760 goes around the corner is you've got to get it on the inside curb 439 00:24:31,760 --> 00:24:36,800 and and get it up on two wheels. So, so we. 440 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:42,400 We, you know, ask you a question about how does it feel? 441 00:24:42,400 --> 00:24:44,280 I mean, yeah, it does feel like a well worn glove. 442 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:47,000 The car's much easier to drive and this guy's because it's got 443 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:49,280 power steering. In the day it didn't have power 444 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:51,760 steering and it was it's something you had to muscle 445 00:24:51,760 --> 00:24:54,520 around. But it's look, it's it's, you 446 00:24:54,520 --> 00:24:57,080 know, the car is uncompetitive here compared to the later model 447 00:24:57,080 --> 00:25:01,000 stuff, but it's just great to be driving such a world class 448 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:02,960 track. Been a lot of upgrades to the 449 00:25:02,960 --> 00:25:04,840 track, that's the surface is much better. 450 00:25:05,440 --> 00:25:08,160 Probably lost the best part of it with the chicane at the back, 451 00:25:08,480 --> 00:25:11,160 but you know it's great. It's great to be here and part 452 00:25:11,160 --> 00:25:14,400 of the scene and and still around and and and driving the 453 00:25:14,400 --> 00:25:16,200 car that I had so much success with. 454 00:25:16,760 --> 00:25:18,200 And when you're out there on track. 455 00:25:18,760 --> 00:25:21,680 Just how competitive is it? I know it's a it's not a 456 00:25:21,680 --> 00:25:24,720 demonstration, it is a race. But how hard are you pushing out 457 00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:26,720 there? Look, I think you know 90% 458 00:25:27,520 --> 00:25:32,560 keeping the 10% up your sleeve for for another day, but you 459 00:25:32,560 --> 00:25:35,280 know the cows are old now 30 years, so you got to drive them 460 00:25:35,280 --> 00:25:38,520 with respect and and and that's what we'll do. 461 00:25:39,040 --> 00:25:45,360 Thanks. One of the star attractions at 462 00:25:45,360 --> 00:25:49,320 Super Touring Power was a visit of Alan Menu, double BTCC 463 00:25:49,320 --> 00:25:54,480 Champion in 1997 and 2000. We grabbed a very brief word 464 00:25:54,480 --> 00:25:56,640 with him. He was a man in demand, but he 465 00:25:56,640 --> 00:26:00,000 has promised that he will be on an episode of Stories From Super 466 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:02,560 Touring very soon. We're going to be holding you to 467 00:26:02,560 --> 00:26:08,440 that, Alan. Allan, welcome back to Branch 468 00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:10,720 Hatch. It's been a good few years since 469 00:26:10,720 --> 00:26:12,640 you've raised a super Tory here. What's your life? 470 00:26:12,760 --> 00:26:14,320 What's the nostalgia for you right now? 471 00:26:15,040 --> 00:26:18,200 Well, it's to be honest, I've had a great time. 472 00:26:18,440 --> 00:26:22,120 It's like it's very nice to be back to see not only the the 473 00:26:22,120 --> 00:26:25,640 cars, you know, because there are like two or three of my cars 474 00:26:25,640 --> 00:26:29,320 here, but also the the public and the fans and like so many 475 00:26:29,320 --> 00:26:32,560 people it's it's amazing and it's quite humbling to see so 476 00:26:32,560 --> 00:26:34,600 many people who still remember and. 477 00:26:35,680 --> 00:26:38,280 Telling me that they had such a great time in the 90s, like 478 00:26:38,520 --> 00:26:42,560 watching us go around, not just me, you know, but so it's like, 479 00:26:42,560 --> 00:26:45,080 yeah, it's been really good. Why do you think Super Touring 480 00:26:45,080 --> 00:26:49,600 is fondly remembered 2530 years on from the era racing in 481 00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:54,160 Britain? Well, I think it was such a big 482 00:26:54,160 --> 00:26:57,720 championship at the time and there was so much competition 483 00:26:57,720 --> 00:27:01,200 and the races were, you know, live on BBC, so I think it did, 484 00:27:01,800 --> 00:27:06,480 it did help to like generate. Massive buzz around it and and 485 00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:09,680 yeah, it's lasting. And one final thing. 486 00:27:10,000 --> 00:27:13,240 Your 97 Renault is here and it's been demoed. 487 00:27:13,680 --> 00:27:16,200 What was it like seeing that car for the first time in probably 488 00:27:16,200 --> 00:27:20,840 many years for you? Was got me emotional, to be 489 00:27:20,840 --> 00:27:22,240 honest. Yeah, because I turned up 490 00:27:22,240 --> 00:27:25,160 yesterday and I saw it and the engine was running. 491 00:27:26,080 --> 00:27:29,280 And it's like, oh, I I didn't cry. 492 00:27:29,280 --> 00:27:31,960 But you know, I was like, oh, it's like, and he brought back 493 00:27:31,960 --> 00:27:33,760 so many memories. So that was really nice. 494 00:27:33,760 --> 00:27:37,640 But I didn't expect to feel, to feel that, you know? 495 00:27:38,240 --> 00:27:43,440 But yeah, so I guess it just shows how much it means to me. 496 00:27:43,440 --> 00:27:45,680 Not just that car, but but those times, you know? 497 00:27:49,640 --> 00:27:52,400 We also sat back with regular stories from Super Touring 498 00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:56,240 contributor Andrew Charman as he was the founding editor of Super 499 00:27:56,240 --> 00:27:58,080 Touring Magazine back in the 90s. 500 00:27:58,520 --> 00:28:01,120 It was great to hear what he thought of Super Touring power 501 00:28:01,720 --> 00:28:04,160 Andrew. Super touring, Power Brands, 502 00:28:04,160 --> 00:28:05,680 Hatch, it's been quite a successful. 503 00:28:05,680 --> 00:28:08,760 Weekend, do you think? I think it's been a success 504 00:28:08,760 --> 00:28:11,040 beyond everyone's wildest dreams, to be honest. 505 00:28:11,120 --> 00:28:12,880 Yeah, it has been, isn't it? I I can't. 506 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:14,600 Believe How many people are here to enjoy it. 507 00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:18,800 No, I was here yesterday Saturday and everyone was really 508 00:28:18,800 --> 00:28:20,520 happy. Then there seemed to be a good 509 00:28:20,520 --> 00:28:23,320 crowd and then we turned up this morning and doubled at least. 510 00:28:24,680 --> 00:28:28,240 So why do you think the Super Touring formula is so widely 511 00:28:28,240 --> 00:28:32,520 celebrated? And why fans hold these cars so 512 00:28:32,560 --> 00:28:34,960 dearly to their hearts still. 2530 years on. 513 00:28:35,640 --> 00:28:38,800 I think because it was such a special era in the history of 514 00:28:38,800 --> 00:28:43,400 the Touring Car Championship, you people often compare today's 515 00:28:43,400 --> 00:28:46,120 championship and that championship then and you simply 516 00:28:46,120 --> 00:28:49,760 cannot because today the BTCC is very much the pinnacle of 517 00:28:49,760 --> 00:28:51,760 British motorsport in those days. 518 00:28:51,760 --> 00:28:53,760 It was basically an international championship that 519 00:28:53,760 --> 00:28:56,600 just decided to hold all its rounds in one country and you 520 00:28:56,600 --> 00:29:00,840 know, you had top works teams. I was interviewing people in 521 00:29:00,920 --> 00:29:04,400 drivers in 95 who two years before had been on Formula One 522 00:29:04,400 --> 00:29:07,400 grids with the likes of Ed. Center and Michael Schumacher. 523 00:29:07,400 --> 00:29:12,000 It was just a very special time. And any particular highlights 524 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:13,440 this weekend? Is there anything that's really 525 00:29:13,440 --> 00:29:15,680 caught your eye or? Anything that's really stood up, 526 00:29:15,680 --> 00:29:18,320 the nostalgia for you. Yeah, just about everything. 527 00:29:20,720 --> 00:29:22,720 It's been great. I mean, I've caught up with so 528 00:29:22,720 --> 00:29:24,480 many people I haven't seen for years. 529 00:29:24,480 --> 00:29:28,440 You know, I haven't seen Alan for quite a long time. 530 00:29:28,720 --> 00:29:31,200 It was quite scary actually. He spotted this yesterday having 531 00:29:31,200 --> 00:29:33,200 a coffee and brought over and introduced me to his 532 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:36,120 granddaughter. Because when we did a feature 533 00:29:36,120 --> 00:29:38,600 with him for the first issue of Super Touring Magazine, there 534 00:29:38,600 --> 00:29:40,920 was some lovely pictures with him and his son who was now who 535 00:29:40,960 --> 00:29:43,680 was then the same age as his granddaughter is now, you know, 536 00:29:44,160 --> 00:29:46,440 so. And there's there's been lots of 537 00:29:46,440 --> 00:29:49,240 people. I even had the fanboy experience 538 00:29:49,240 --> 00:29:51,160 standing out at panic when someone came over to me and 539 00:29:51,160 --> 00:29:52,400 said. You're Andrew Chaff. 540 00:29:54,600 --> 00:29:57,840 So yeah, yeah, no, it's it's been a very special weekend all 541 00:29:58,160 --> 00:30:01,280 all tribute to everyone that's organized it. 542 00:30:01,280 --> 00:30:03,280 Obviously the team of brands action, particularly Peter 543 00:30:03,280 --> 00:30:05,560 Steele, I mean Peter Steele. Who? 544 00:30:06,000 --> 00:30:08,000 Who is a touring car photographer. 545 00:30:08,000 --> 00:30:10,600 He's worked really hard to get the cars and he's, you know, 546 00:30:10,640 --> 00:30:12,880 they they've all done this really special job. 547 00:30:13,560 --> 00:30:16,400 So there's sort of murmurs that this could end up being an 548 00:30:16,400 --> 00:30:18,360 annual event. Is that something you'd you'd be 549 00:30:18,360 --> 00:30:20,200 back in? Oh, absolutely. 550 00:30:20,200 --> 00:30:22,640 Yes. I I mean, I had old super 551 00:30:22,640 --> 00:30:24,840 touring shirts made-up specially for the event because I knew I 552 00:30:24,840 --> 00:30:27,280 wouldn't fit in the ones for about 25 years ago. 553 00:30:27,720 --> 00:30:31,640 So so yes, I I don't want to get just one year's use out of them, 554 00:30:31,680 --> 00:30:35,240 you know, or one weekend's use. So yes, I very much hope it will 555 00:30:35,240 --> 00:30:39,040 become an annual event because this has been really special. 556 00:30:39,040 --> 00:30:42,240 But there's so much more. There's so many directions in 557 00:30:42,240 --> 00:30:54,000 which it can grow. So one of my personal highlights 558 00:30:54,000 --> 00:30:58,160 at Super Touring Power was seeing the Orange Mazda 323 that 559 00:30:58,160 --> 00:31:03,200 was built by Roger Dawson from 1995 to be run by Team Magic and 560 00:31:03,200 --> 00:31:06,480 Slim Borgood. The deal to run the car fell 561 00:31:06,480 --> 00:31:09,160 through and the car was never raced in period. 562 00:31:09,920 --> 00:31:12,920 It raced this weekend and it was the first time that I had 563 00:31:12,920 --> 00:31:16,040 personally seen the car in action, so I was really excited 564 00:31:16,040 --> 00:31:18,520 to see it. The unique cast scored a podium 565 00:31:18,520 --> 00:31:21,760 on the Saturday, driven by James Kellett, who Levi spent some 566 00:31:21,760 --> 00:31:27,160 time with. Been seeing you out there quite 567 00:31:27,160 --> 00:31:28,840 a lot this weekend. How's it been driving? 568 00:31:28,840 --> 00:31:31,640 The Super tourists. Yeah, absolutely mega so far, 569 00:31:31,840 --> 00:31:35,280 really enjoyed the event. So I got called in last minute 570 00:31:35,280 --> 00:31:40,160 to be able to drive the Mazda and really I'm liking it so far. 571 00:31:40,160 --> 00:31:42,520 Obviously this is a car that I've never driven before until 572 00:31:42,520 --> 00:31:45,400 this weekend, so. It's been mega so far. 573 00:31:45,600 --> 00:31:48,480 Yesterday was really good. We had a great qualifying 574 00:31:48,480 --> 00:31:51,400 qualified P4 and I was able to grab a podium in the last race. 575 00:31:51,800 --> 00:31:53,920 Today we'll have a few. We've had a few issues with the 576 00:31:53,920 --> 00:31:57,280 rear anti roll bar link so the pace isn't quite as good that 577 00:31:57,920 --> 00:32:00,640 today as it was yesterday, but hopefully in this last race we 578 00:32:00,640 --> 00:32:02,720 can see if we can go up a few places. 579 00:32:03,200 --> 00:32:05,720 Brilliant and and in terms of, as you say, it's first time even 580 00:32:05,720 --> 00:32:07,480 in the car it's. The first time that. 581 00:32:08,120 --> 00:32:08,800 Really. Anyone is. 582 00:32:08,840 --> 00:32:11,080 During the car in a lot of sense because this actually, whilst 583 00:32:11,080 --> 00:32:13,840 built in period was never raced in the the British showing car 584 00:32:13,840 --> 00:32:15,640 championship. How does it feel to sort of 585 00:32:15,640 --> 00:32:17,680 drive one of? These like lost Unicorn. 586 00:32:17,680 --> 00:32:19,960 Cars, in a way. Incredible. 587 00:32:20,920 --> 00:32:22,680 It's a privilege to drive this I can't thank. 588 00:32:23,320 --> 00:32:26,040 The owner Alan's got enough to to give me the opportunity to 589 00:32:26,040 --> 00:32:28,040 drive it. And yeah, we've been doing some 590 00:32:28,040 --> 00:32:30,720 development development on it. I very much feel like we've gone 591 00:32:30,920 --> 00:32:34,040 kind of gone back in time a little bit and because obviously 592 00:32:34,040 --> 00:32:37,600 it was never developed from a driver's point of view because 593 00:32:37,600 --> 00:32:40,200 it never really raced. So for me to actually do some 594 00:32:40,200 --> 00:32:42,680 development on it, it feels really, really good. 595 00:32:43,400 --> 00:32:45,800 Perfect and. And in terms of your current 596 00:32:45,800 --> 00:32:48,440 race and currently in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB this 597 00:32:48,440 --> 00:32:50,480 year? In terms of difference, 598 00:32:50,600 --> 00:32:52,320 obviously front, rear would draw all. 599 00:32:52,320 --> 00:32:54,200 That what has been at sort of the the. 600 00:32:54,240 --> 00:32:57,320 Uptake on having to learn this car this weekend as a as a one 601 00:32:57,320 --> 00:32:59,320 off. Well, it's, I believe it's 602 00:32:59,320 --> 00:33:02,880 always good to learn a new. A new car and it's it's a it's a 603 00:33:02,880 --> 00:33:06,880 challenge and I like a challenge and obviously it's front wheel 604 00:33:06,880 --> 00:33:10,160 drive, front engine, something that I'm not massively used to. 605 00:33:10,760 --> 00:33:14,120 But in the end of the day it's it's a it's a race car, a race 606 00:33:14,120 --> 00:33:16,120 car's a race car. You jump in it and you you pedal 607 00:33:16,120 --> 00:33:19,280 it as hard as you possibly can and it's proved it proved it 608 00:33:19,280 --> 00:33:22,760 yesterday that the car's capable of doing well and and yeah, 609 00:33:22,760 --> 00:33:30,960 we're having a great front. Levi also caught up with 610 00:33:30,960 --> 00:33:34,280 multiple Bathurst winner Steven Richards, who was driving a 611 00:33:34,320 --> 00:33:37,480 Volvo S40 at Brands Hatch. So, Steven. 612 00:33:38,560 --> 00:33:40,720 Welcome to Brands Hatch. Sorry Steve. 613 00:33:40,720 --> 00:33:43,640 Touring Festival this weekend. How's it been out there and back 614 00:33:43,640 --> 00:33:46,880 in near the Volvo? It's been it's been fantastic. 615 00:33:46,880 --> 00:33:50,600 We really you know to have the commitment from a few New 616 00:33:50,600 --> 00:33:53,240 Zealand guys that are bringing their cars out is is 617 00:33:53,240 --> 00:33:55,600 unbelievable. So I'm I'm just the lucky one 618 00:33:55,600 --> 00:33:57,960 that gets to come out and have a have a drive but. 619 00:33:58,520 --> 00:34:02,520 I've driven this car once before back in New Zealand and it's 620 00:34:02,520 --> 00:34:04,000 pretty, pretty familiar. It's a nice car. 621 00:34:04,000 --> 00:34:09,120 It's a 1997 model. And then I suppose the good part 622 00:34:09,120 --> 00:34:13,600 about that for me is it was then sent to Australia for 1998 and 623 00:34:13,600 --> 00:34:18,639 my my father Jim, drove the car. So, yeah, that's, that's, that's 624 00:34:18,639 --> 00:34:21,520 quite special, yeah. As you mentioned. 625 00:34:21,880 --> 00:34:24,880 I mean in the late 90s as your father Jim and and many others 626 00:34:25,040 --> 00:34:26,639 driving that in in the Australian. 627 00:34:26,679 --> 00:34:30,159 Championship is it? What do you think was made it 628 00:34:30,159 --> 00:34:32,040 such a big thing seem Tory, not just? 629 00:34:32,040 --> 00:34:34,120 In the UK, but in. Australia and in other parts of 630 00:34:34,120 --> 00:34:36,520 the world, what was it that made it such a massive? 631 00:34:36,520 --> 00:34:38,760 Part of the the motorsport world in the 90s. 632 00:34:39,159 --> 00:34:42,639 Well, I think the the, the, the opportunity, the different 633 00:34:42,639 --> 00:34:46,080 amount of manufacturers, the fact that in some ways it was 634 00:34:46,080 --> 00:34:48,960 good that every year the British cheering Car championship had to 635 00:34:48,960 --> 00:34:50,800 update their cars in order to be. 636 00:34:51,320 --> 00:34:55,159 To to be competitive. So therefore the cars became not 637 00:34:55,159 --> 00:34:58,240 as valuable and really they just had to sell them on to get to 638 00:34:58,240 --> 00:35:01,000 get rhythm. So from a from a purchase 639 00:35:01,080 --> 00:35:03,640 perspective everywhere around the world similar to Australia, 640 00:35:04,040 --> 00:35:07,440 if we were running year old cars it was quite economical, the 641 00:35:07,440 --> 00:35:10,120 running costs were quite high but the actual the actual 642 00:35:10,120 --> 00:35:12,040 capital costs were were quite good. 643 00:35:12,040 --> 00:35:15,560 So you know, you had that whole situation where where different 644 00:35:15,640 --> 00:35:17,920 manufacturers and different teams were building. 645 00:35:18,480 --> 00:35:20,920 You know, you had two different manufacturers at Peugeot's, You 646 00:35:20,960 --> 00:35:23,400 had, you know, Audi Sport involved, so you could actually 647 00:35:23,400 --> 00:35:26,040 get these cars and race them in other markets where they were 648 00:35:26,200 --> 00:35:28,880 relevant. So it was a very, it was a very 649 00:35:28,880 --> 00:35:32,040 cool time of touring car racing and we had that. 650 00:35:32,520 --> 00:35:35,600 We had the same thing alongside the V8 Supercars or the V8 651 00:35:35,600 --> 00:35:38,960 Touring cars as they were at the time and and people had an 652 00:35:38,960 --> 00:35:41,160 option. So I think that's why it was so 653 00:35:41,160 --> 00:35:43,520 successful. And just in terms of. 654 00:35:43,520 --> 00:35:45,960 Style compared. To as you say that the V eights. 655 00:35:46,840 --> 00:35:49,200 Now the dominant. Championship in Australia? 656 00:35:49,600 --> 00:35:50,840 What is it solicitly? The. 657 00:35:50,880 --> 00:35:52,200 The. Difference in driving a Super 658 00:35:52,200 --> 00:35:56,200 Tour compared to the the V8 beats that The Commodores and 659 00:35:56,200 --> 00:35:58,680 the Falcons. There's there's some obvious 660 00:35:58,680 --> 00:35:59,520 differences. The weight. 661 00:35:59,640 --> 00:36:03,080 The weight is the first one. Our V8 supercar with a driver in 662 00:36:03,080 --> 00:36:06,160 and fuels up upwards of about 1500 kilos. 663 00:36:06,760 --> 00:36:10,080 These these cars were you know, 975 kilos. 664 00:36:10,360 --> 00:36:12,840 The regulations allowed them to be close to the ground. 665 00:36:13,240 --> 00:36:17,040 They had had a lot more. At the time, they had a lot more 666 00:36:17,040 --> 00:36:20,800 aerodynamic downforce than than the supercars did. 667 00:36:20,800 --> 00:36:23,160 So they were the chalk and cheese to be honest. 668 00:36:23,160 --> 00:36:26,280 You know, you had a big 600 horsepower engine in the front 669 00:36:26,360 --> 00:36:30,920 and then a 300 horsepower highly tunable, very fast through the 670 00:36:30,920 --> 00:36:32,560 corners in terms of a super tourist. 671 00:36:32,560 --> 00:36:34,680 So very different cars. Yeah. 672 00:36:39,120 --> 00:36:41,800 That brings to an end our coverage of Super Touring power 673 00:36:41,800 --> 00:36:44,320 from Brands Hatch. Make sure you'll be at Super 674 00:36:44,320 --> 00:36:47,640 Touring Power Two at Brown's Hatch next June because it will 675 00:36:47,640 --> 00:36:51,480 be an event not to be missed. Thanks again for listening to 676 00:36:51,480 --> 00:36:53,040 stories from Super Touring this week. 677 00:36:53,400 --> 00:36:56,440 Join us next week where we're joined by Mr. Peugeot, Mick 678 00:36:56,440 --> 00:36:58,600 Linford. We talk about his time running 679 00:36:58,600 --> 00:37:01,480 the Peugeot team in the British Touring Cup Championship. 680 00:37:01,960 --> 00:37:03,760 We'll see you next week. Goodbye.