The OUMF Newsletter 2023

​Welcome to the latest OUMF update - and the most important news is that we are still going! -
despite the best efforts of Covid, Putin, and the economic downturn to kybosh this amazingly resilient &
resourceful student initiative. This edition of the OUMF Newsletter reflects one pithy bit of feedback
about previous ones: “Nobody wants to read a telephone directory of thanks you’s. We all know you’re
grateful! Just give us the highlights – and make it snappy!” Wise advice, acted on, and we hope you enjoy
the shorter, clearer, more digestible result! If your appetite is not appeased, and you find yourself hungry
for more, please see our OUMF website for further news, detailed race reports, great photos, the roll of
our many great supporters, and much more. So here goes…

The 79 th Goodwood Members Meeting – April 2022

Our long-delayed Sebring Sprite project was finally completed in October 2021, making its successful debut in torrential rain at the HRDC ‘Season Finale’ races at Silverstone GP. It instantly lived up to its nickname, ‘Little BeWT’ (derived from its numberplate), by being awarded the Brian Archer memorial ‘Sebring Sprite Trophy’ at the NEC Classic in November - to the joy of all the OUMF cohorts who have played a part in its build since 2016. Then, to everyone’s astonishment, this honour was followed by the invitation to race it in the 2022 Weslake Cup at the 79 th Members Meeting. As you can imagine, the invitation was accepted by return – and the prep began! The students negotiated many
hurdles to get the grid, including fitting 50 kgs of ballast, meeting the Goodwood Technical regs, new Dunlop L’s from Phillips Tyres - and an engine rebuild!). After expert dyno tuning at Aldon Automotive, the team reached Goodwood and set up camp. When the ice had melted off the tents in the morning (!) the Sebring’s first ever run on a dry track saw it qualify 20 th /28. And then, in the 11 lap race, No 11 fought its way through the field to take the chequered flag..in 11 th place! But as always, this tremendous achievement with a car ‘straight out of the box’ (aka shed) is perhaps less important than the effect the event had on the students, and what one described as the exhilaration of feeling part of ‘Goodwood’. It reflects very well on the GRRC that its inclusive attitude makes it possible for a debt-laden student team to be there, and to be able to gain unequalled all-round trackside experience by competing against the
‘crème de la crème’ of similar cars. The event totally inspired the students, and will doubtless ensure they remain historic motor racing enthusiasts (and Goodwood customers!) for life when they graduate.

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