Jonathan Palmer and the PalmerSport Motorsport Sensation

[JohnBM01]

This thread is out of curiousity. It's a thread about the Palmer Sport Experience. Plus, I want to have a discussion just on who Jonathan Palmer is and of his career. You may have heard of this if you have played "ToCA Race Driver 3." Web information here:

http://www.palmersport.com/

The thing I love about the Bedford Autodrome is that there are a variety of courses to use with a various number of cars. Some of you probably know my favorite of all the cars- the Palmer Jaguar JP1 { http://www.palmersport.com/cars_jaguar.htm }. How can you not love this thing? It's sexy as hell, powerful as hell (350 bhp), and just a treat to race in ToCA RD 3. It's capable of about 180 mph or just over 300(?) kph. It can also be found in Project Gotham Racing 3. Even then, you'll have to choose between this car and the Radical SR3 in PGR3. Speaking of ToCA RD3, I don't think you get to race a Nissan Pathfinder or the Porsche 911 JP3. But participating in this track's events is as much of a dream as being able to compete in the Valvoline Runoffs here in America.

As I briefly learned about Jonathan Palmer at { http://www.bedfordautodrome.com }, Jonathan Palmer is an ex-F1 Racer who has his track driving experience at the Bedford Autodrome. Some of you racing fans may know what's so special about Leicester, England. That's where you can find the wonderful Donnington Park circuit (it is a very tricky course with a combination of undulating corners with different speed ranges as well as the SLOW hairpin it has).

Care to talk about this deal? That's what this thread is for. So go right ahead.

 

[Jonerz]

186mph=300km/h. Therefore 180mph is just under 300km/h. On the topic I have no real opinion. As I understand it part of PalmerSport is to take young British race driving talent, liscence them and then they can move on to train for their desired field, be it open-wheel, sports prototype racing, GT, Touring Car and the list goes on. It's a pretty impressive deal and I think someone needs to start thinking about these kinds of deals in North America.

 

[amp88]

Not only has he been a Grand Prix driver, but he's also won one of the most prestiguous championships in the world (the British F3 Championship in 1981). He's also driven a huge variety of cars in his career (Formula One, Formula 3, Formula Two, Group C, Le Mans, World Sportscar, BTCC etc). He's a doctor (a proper one, not a pHD ) and he was brought into the BBC commentary team after James Hunt died in 1993.

 

[kart racer]

Anything that helps a young racer a start in their career is a big boost.They have started something like that here.(in Canada)It's called Star Racer,they get the best from karting,solo races,motorcycle racers,drag,stockcar etc and they compete for a full ride in the Mazda class.Derick Daley and Paul Tracey are just 2 of the judges that will decide their fate.You can watch this on the Discovery channel up here.👍

 

[Jonerz]

I've heard of Star Racer. It is essentially a way to boost popularity of Champ Car and Star Mazda in Canada (and Jim Russel Racing School, my soon to be Alma Mater). Unless this show goes on for season after season and provides a stable club/team like environment for winners or even all participants it really wouldn't compare to PalmerSport. Not to mention PalmerSport doesn't just focus on open-wheel (Palmer Audi) they are an everything and anything place for young Brits to go to further their racing abilities, start to specialize in certain motor racing areas and even prepare for furthering their licencing let alone getting an initial club licence. Very comprehensive and impressive deal they have there and one is certainly needed in Canada, the States or any country with a motor sports following strong enough to produce International quality drivers.

...

That reminds me, what are Jagues Villeneuve and Ron Fellows phone numbers. Heck, Ron has a karting series that takes it's veterans and puts them in Formula Bridgestone to try and kick start an open-wheel career, we are part of the way there with that!

Regards,

 

[Scaff]

Another, generally less publicised, side of JP is that he is MD of MotorSport Vision, the company that owns and operates four major UK circuits, which are:

• Brands Hatch
• Oulton Park
• Snetterton
• Cadwell Park

MotorSport Vision

They also operate the Bedford Aerodrome facility as well, its not far from the true to say that without his backing and input some of these circuits would not be open today.

JP is probably one of the most important figures in British motorsport at the present moment.

👍

Scaff

 

[GilesGuthrie]

I was fortunate enough to be a guest on one of the Motorsport Sensation days about 5 years ago. I drove a VX220, two Caterhams, a Lotus Exige, Lancer Evo 6, A couple of karts, and a fully-prepared Renaultsport Clio Cup car (complete with sequential gearbox and full-throttle-upshift) and a detuned Formula Palmer Audi single seater.

Needless to say, it was an awesome day.

Palmer's business acumen was always his primary talent, and he's really applying himself to bettering British Motorsport. If he was a member here, I'd +Rep him.

He was also chief test driver for the McLaren F1.

 

[Jonerz]

Giles, I drooled as I read that post!

 

[kart racer]

What ever happend to the Red Bull program in the states?

 

[Jonerz]

I believe you are referring to the Red Bull Driver Search. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.) The Red Bull Driver Search was essentially a quick way for Red Bull to get their plan of taking over the world into action... er, start their (most notably) Nextel Cup program (and a now defunct Champ Car program) going. A.J. Allmendinger, Buddy Rice, and Scott Speed were the benefactors and Scott seems to be the luckiest catch for Red Bull of the bunch as look at how his career is going (though as I understand it Robert Doornbosch is threatening Scotty's F1 seat.)!! As for how it compares to PalmerSport, it was merely an overhyped tryout for a brand new big money program. They were looking for talent for various international programs including Rally, F1, NASCAR, and at the time Champ Car. I'm not sure if most countries/regions had a Red Bull Driver Search per say but Red Bull spent some serious dollars on scouting international talent in various fields. Quite an interesting assault on the racing world.

That's all for now,

 

[kart racer]

That's the one.Thanks

 

[Milliethemutt]

Dr Palmer was also instrumental in the development of a Cateham JPE (Jonathon Palmer Evolution) which had a (very) slightly detuned touring car 2 litre engine from a Vauxhall Cavalier and was the fastest accelerating car in the world for a while IIRC.

http://www.caterham.co.uk/downloads/portfolio.pdf

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