Cadwell Park - Modified Live 2011 Round 5
We’re not entirely sure what’s happening with the UK’s weather. For a third show running there’s not been a cloud in sight – have we secretly moved abroad?! Modified Live Round 5 descended on Cadwell Park over towards Lincolnshire – a very technical track situated in the middle of the woods (a blessing with sun temperatures reaching over 25 degrees). Thanks to its location and adverse gradient, it’s a prime track for viewing with huge sections of the track visible from a single spot.
One of the best viewing spots by far is the infamous ‘Hall Bends’. This s-bend section would hold the European Drift Championship, and with the cars entering at over 80mph before flicking through the bends it was seriously impressive to watch. Thanks to an elevated section over Hall Bends, the view is simply spectacular – just metres away from each EDC car shredding the Pirellis in anger.
As with all Modified Live shows, the EDC actively encourages fans to get up close and personal with both cars and drivers. After each session the drivers stick around for questions as well as explaining just what goes into driving a course like this, and with the pits open it allows a full perspective on what goes into a professional drift team.
With the track open early in the morning it was time for something a little different – the Mighty Mini and Super Might Mini race series. While these cars may have a fraction of the power compared to the Time Attack monsters, they weigh around the same as a cardboard box and on a circuit like Cadwell Park they’re massively entertaining to watch often jumping the kerbs on two wheels. So what’s the difference between the two? Well the Mighty Minis are open to those drivers considered novices or with only a few races experience. The Super Mighty Minis are open to those drivers with a minimum of a year’s driving experience or more, and truth be told if you want to get into racing these are one of the best and most-affordable ways to do it, check out mightyminis.co.uk
Right behind the Time Attack paddock was the show and shine area sponsored by Kleers Car Care. We pride the Modified Live shows on catering for all tastes and scenes, and naturally the Kleers Show and Shine fully represented this. What other show puts a classic Ford Mustang next to a super-smooth VW Golf? How about a concourse-clean Toyota Hilux pickup added to the mix? Kleers Show and Shine literally covered it all. Along with the Kleers stand, Totally Modified Magazine brought along their stand selling latest issues along with providing entertainment throughout the day. As always, Kleers offered a range of trophies for the best cars on the day including Best Euro, JDM, Performance Modified, 70s Classic, Retro Modified, Modified and Best in show.
Every other area surrounding this was full of traders and car clubs – a huge turn out for the location with the likes of the Ford Focus ST owners club having one of the largest displays filling the air with BBQ goodness. Traders were once again out in force offering a huge range of bargains to be picked up regardless of car make and model. Regulars such as Kobe Performance slashed their prices on the day giving punters the opportunity to pick up some true bargains – remember to bring cash to every show or you’ll miss out.
With Cadwell Park being a Motorsport Vision (MSV) track one of the unique features is the public track time sessions. For just £20 you can get yourself 20 minutes of uninterrupted track time around the full 2.1-mile course – cheaper than running a Time Attack car that’s for sure. Track time is the perfect way to improve your skills and see exactly how fast your car really is. What’s more, it gives you a proper feel of the skill and speed involved in the Time Attack series – they make it look easy, but once you’re out on track it’s a whole different story.
Modified Live Round 5 was definitely blessed with some amazing weather which delivered a huge attendance from both clubs and punters on the day. It’s one of the best-equipped circuits around with multiple restaurants and food stalls open all day, and it’s always a pleasure to return year after year for the Modified Live series.
At the end of August we’ll be heading to Anglesey in North Wales for a whole new event – it’s not only new territory for Modified Live, but also the Time Attack and European Drift Championship series. It’s going to be cracking event with plenty of Welsh clubs already signed up, make sure you join up on the 28th.
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