Anglesey Circuit set to host 24-hour race
THIS weekend Anglesey Circuit hosts a truly unique event - the 27th 2CV 24-Hour Race. One of only two 24-hour motor races in the UK, and by far the longest running, the showpiece returns to Anglesey Circuit for the third year running.
It is the 10th and final round of the 2016 2CVParts.com Championship and is sponsored by award-winning local dealers Elim Citroën.
For a car designed by Andre Citroën more than 60 years ago, the ‘tin snails’ as they are sometimes called, are great fun to drive and put on a great show.
Each car has three or four drivers, who change when the cars come in to refuel, around every two hours.
Every team has mechanics who fettle the cars and some are said to be able to change an engine in seven minutes. They run on standard Toyo road tyres. Teams set up camp behind their garages to cater for the drivers and the pit crew.
Alongside the classic 2CV’s, there are invitation classes for cars from the Belgian 2CV series, which have a standard 2CV windscreen, but otherwise look like full blooded racers.
There is also a class for classic style Minis, tuned to match the 2CV’s speed. And expected for the first timeis a couple of Citroën C1’s, running in bog standard form and with full MSA safety equipment.
This year, the cars will be testing all day on Friday, and in the evening they will be qualifying and setting grid positions. They will emerge from their pit garages about 8.30 on Saturday morning, ready for the massed rolling start at 9am, and then it’s flat out twice around the clock, through the darkness until the finish at 9am on Sunday.
There’s always a special atmosphere at this unique 24-hour race – Wales’s own take on Le Mans. It’s all very friendly and spectators are invited to walk into the back of the pit garages and watch the crews at work. If you are lucky, you might just see a speedy engine change.
Admission is £12 for one day, but why not enter into the full spirit of the event and stay the night – there is plenty of space to pitch a tent, caravan or motorhome and all expected facilities are on site – electric hook-ups (limited), water stand pipes, showers, toilets, chemical disposal point, cafe and bar – weekend tickets are just £15 per adult. Under-16s are admitted Pic: NEIL LAMBERT free of charge. No animals allowed.
The Classic 2CV Racing Club site is: www.2cvracing.org.uk where you can also listen to the continuous live commentary, with live video, from 8.30am on Saturday. When you come to the circuit, bring an FM radio so you can listen to the commentary on 2CV 24 Hour Race Radio wherever you are around the circuit.
Go also to www.tsl-timing.com where you can watch live race timing on your screen and also listen to the commentary. Look for the BARC section.