the acorn · sprint (brighton speed trials) brighton and hove mc contact len wooler email:...
TRANSCRIPT
THE ACORN
AUGUST 2012
OLYMPIC EDITION
Sevenoaks and District Motor Club Ltd
PRESIDENT: John Symes VICE PRESIDENT Vic Elford
The Editor, Committee and Club do not necessarily agree with items and opinions expressed within Acorn
magazine.
Officers and Committee
CHAIRMAN, Andy Elcomb,
MEMBERSHIP SEC [email protected]
SECRETARY: Tracey Niel, [email protected]
TRK: Chin [email protected]
TREASURER Clive Cooke, [email protected]
ACORN EDITOR Sue Jessop
COMPETITION SEC, Ian Crocker
WEBMASTER [email protected]
SPEED LEAGUE Russell Giddings,
CHAMP CO-ORD [email protected]
RALLY SECRETARY Iain Gibson,
CHIEF MARSHALL Chris Scudder,
chris [email protected]
SOCIAL SECRETARY Rosemary and Nigel Mead,
PRESS AND PR Steve Thompson,
CPO Dawn Travers,
COMMITTEE MEM. David Balderson,
WITHOUT PORTFOLIO Darren Tyre,
WEB ACORN Ralph Travers
Website—www.sevenoaksmotorclub.com
Welcome to August’s Chairman’s Chat.
A month ago I was remarking on the tediously poor weather and that continued for nearly
another month until, joy of joys, I can report that following a great day’s autotest / slalom
courtesy of Maidstone & Mid Kent MC I am now sporting a rather red nose, top head and
neck. Yes, the sun finally came out on Sunday 22nd July and long may it last.
As time whizzes by so fast we have now finished our evening autotests with the last one held
in pouring rain at Brands Hatch – but that didn’t stop a quality entry of nearly 40 hardy com-
petitors. Let’s also not forget the even hardier band of marshals that steadfastly made it all
possible in ‘orrible conditions – your club thanks you!
That means that autotest-wise we just have the all day autotest on Sunday 12th August to go.
Please get your entries in quickly for this or at the very least let Stacey, myself or preferably,
Chris Judge know that you are intending to come and play so we can plan ahead accordingly.
We can only manage so many entries and as the last evening test was just about full on the
night we wouldn’t want to disappoint anyone if they turn up on the day and we have to say
“sorry mate, full up!” You’ll be fine if you get in touch beforehand though so as soon as you get
this, get your entry in!
Talking of splashing about in the rain, we also suffered a bit of that at Barney Lower’s AutoSolo
at North Weald but at least there we were able to give the startline marshals some cover. De-
spite some large puddles all went very well and a great day’s motorsport was had by all –
hopefully Barney will be giving us his thoughts on the day elsewhere, but we certainly thank
him and his stalwart mates for making it happen. Same again next year Barney?
On the social scene we went bowling in Maidstone recently and I think I can safely say that we
are all far better motorsport competitors than bowlers! We had a good laugh though and quite
simply those that didn’t come missed out. Next up we will be playing Bat & Trap at The Bell,
Kemsing on Saturday 18th August and this comes complete with a BBQ so will be a nice after-
noon for all – family & friends are welcome but do please let Nigel & Rosemary Mead know if
you are coming so we can cater for the numbers.
As suggested in last month’s Chat I did go to Goodwood Festival of Speed on the Saturday and
helped at the Rally Stage stop line in the morning along with Sue Jessop and Glyn & Sam Wil-
liams. It was Willie & Sam’s first experience of this and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. If
you would like to get involved next year then do please pipe up now as they are inundated
with marshals at Goodwood and this is a good opportunity to get an “in”. What is more, you
then are free to explore the event as a spectator for half the day - for free.
Talking of helping out at other events, Chelmsford will also be running another stage rally at Brands Hatch on 27th August - Bank Holiday Monday. It’s the day after our sprint at North Weald so why not make a weekend of it and get your kicks competing or helping at North
Weald and then offering to marshal at Brands. I certainly will and I hope to see a goodly num-
ber of fellow 7Oaks do the same. If you are a competitor but aren’t sure how to go about help-
ing, don’t be shy just give me a shout and I’ll readily point you in the right direction.
If you can’t be bothered with any of this helping out lark then think on these three points:
1. You are missing out on learning quite a lot about what it takes to run these events.
2. You can actually learn a heck of a lot by seeing up close others making errors or getting
something right and that might well help your own performance.
3. Just be aware that one day the regular marshals / helpers might also say “I can’t be both-
ered” and you find that your event doesn’t take place….
Let’s all have a sunny August, some terrific motorsport and here’s to the soon to be forthcom-
ing darker evenings when those strange rally-type come out to play.
ANDY ELCOMB
SUMMER AUTOTEST FINAL – SUNDAY
12TH AUGUST The final of our summer (don’t laugh too much….) Autotest series takes place at Brands Hatch
on Sunday 12th August. Signing on from 10.00am. Stacey Thompson has taken a well earned
holiday, so Chris Judge is the Entries Secretary. Let him know if you want to take part on 07765
663 258 or email at [email protected]. Entry fee is £18.00 and regulations are on the web-
site.
CHRIS JUDGE
ENTRIES SECRETARY CHANGE
SDMC Competition Calendar 2012
For more information on SDMC events, contact Ian Crocker, Competition Secretary Tel 01892 546006 email: [email protected]
Speed League contact: Russell Giddings Tel 01732 762111 email [email protected]
DATE EVENT ORGANISING CLUB / CONTACT LOCATION STATUS
1 Aug 12 Evening Autotest Maidstone & Mid Kent For entry re-
quests email [email protected] Headcorn CS
4 Aug 12 Sprint
Brighton and Hove MC Contact Len
Wooler email: [email protected] or len-
Goodwood NB
5 Aug 12 Sprint
Borough 19 Motor Club Contact John
Sharp Tel: 01206 728272 email
Hethel NB
12 Aug 12 Autotest
Sevenoaks & DMC: Contact Stacey
Thompson Tel: 02083002609 email
Brands Hatch CS
12 Aug 12 Regularity 12 Car Eastbourne & RAM MC
Contact Tim Smith Tel: 01424 222662 Map 199 CS
15 Aug 12 Evening Autotest Maidstone & Mid Kent For entry re-
quests email [email protected] Headcorn CS
19 Aug 12 Conrod Grass Au-
totest
Eastbourne & RAM MC: Contact Derek
Webb, Tel 07818 206265.
TBA CM
22 Aug 12 Evening Autotest Maidstone & Mid Kent For entry re-
quests email [email protected] Headcorn CS
26 Aug 12 Sprint
Sevenoaks & DMC: Contact Keith
Crocker Tel: 01732 860099 email
North Weald NB
29 Aug 12 Evening Autotest Maidstone & Mid Kent For entry re-
quests email [email protected] Headcorn CS
2 Sep 12 Wings Autotest Maidstone & Mid Kent For entry re-
quests email [email protected] Headcorn CS
8 Sep 12 Sprint (Brighton Speed
Trials)
Brighton and Hove MC Contact Len
Wooler email: [email protected] or len-
Brighton NB
9 Sep 12 Regularity 12 Car Eastbourne & RAM MC
Contact Tim Smith Tel: 01424 222662 Map 199 CS
S&DMC SOCIAL EVENT CALENDAR
(Contact Rosemary or Nigel Mead, Tel.No.: 01892 832420)
e-mail : [email protected]).
Please contact The Bell if you will be purchasing food, Tel.No.01732 761550
WEDNESDAY 15TH AUGUST
NOGGIN AND NATTER
At The Bell, Kemsing
A chance to bring along photos from Crystal Palace and other events to
swap and share with other club members
SATURDAY 18TH AUGUST
BAT & TRAP WITH BBQ
At The Bell, Kemsing
For all the family on Saturday afternoon.
WEDNESDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER
NOGGIN AND NATTER
At The Bell, Kemsing
A chance to meet with other club members and
swap and share photos from your recent events
FRIDAY 5TH OCTOBER
VISIT TO CROSSWAITE AND GARDINER
At their premises in Buxted, Nr Uckfield 3.00pm
AUTHORS CUP
Steve P here,a.k.a. Chugalug would like to comment that the jury will have a very hard time this
year,deciding who should be awarded the Authors Cup. This latest Acorn had superb articles by
Andy E., Andy W, and V. Elford Esq. Top that any other motor club in the south if you can.
STEVE PATTISON
SPECIAL SOCIAL EVENT Visit to the workshops of Crosswaite and Gardiner
based in Buxted, Nr Uckfield in Sussex
Friday 5th October 2012 at 3.00pm (Please note date changed from 07/09/12)
An opportunity to see behind the scenes of one of the world's leading manufacturers and
suppliers of parts to the historic motor racing industry. Established in 1969, the company is
built on a wealth of knowledge and experience gained through over 40 years of producing
parts for some of the most famous and important racing cars the world has ever seen.
Numbers are limited to 10 places by prior booking only and a charitable donation would be appreciated on the day HURRY ONLY 4 PLACES LEFT
Contact Nigel Mead Tel: 01892 832420 or [email protected]
SUMMER BAT AND TRAP WITH BBQ
At The Bell, Kemsing
Saturday 18th August 2012 starting at 2.00pm £5 per person—Kids under 16 accompanied by parents FREE
Please register your interest for this so we can confirm numbers
The traditional Kentish pub game of Bat and Trap has always been a popular and fun event on our social calendar and we have arranged this one on a Saturday afternoon, reasonably priced to include BBQ food and another good opportunity for members to come along and socialise.
Please support the club in what will undoubtedly be a good fun afternoon
Please contact Nigel or Rosemary Mead Tel: 01892 832420 or [email protected] to reserve your place
Please share the following information with your friends. I don't know WHY I didn't figure this out before!!!!!!
I wash my hair in the shower and the shampoo runs down all over my whole body.
Printed very clearly on the label is the following warning; FOR EXTRA VOLUME AND BODY.
No WONDER I have been gaining weight over the years!!!! Well, I have gotten rid of that shampoo and I am going to start using Dish
Washing Liquid instead. Its label reads, "DISSOLVES FAT THAT IS OTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE."
Problem solved! If I don't answer the phone.....I'll be in the shower!
NORTH WEALD SOLO JULY 8TH
What a weekend, where do I start. First step was grouping a team of volunteers together, I man-
aged to gather up a few good friends to help me out, Dan and Ash were amazing and on hand
for whatever I needed.
Just as we were getting ready to leave and packing the van and cars, I thought it would be a
good idea to adjust the handbrake on the BMW, leaving Dan to finish the sorting of the van. I
went to work, then just as we got in the cars we noticed a little extra induction noise from the
Pug of Ash’s, out came the welder and back to work having to make new brackets for the air
filter.
Right this is it I thought we are on our way with nothing to stop us. Let’s go. Now that was not
the case, we got to Tonbridge and through down to Brands. We even followed the Sat-Nav to
no success. We took the wrong turning 3 times it lead us to a housing estate. So with just a pic-
ture of the entrance we set off, after spending around an hour getting lost and heading back and
forth on ourselves, we eventually got bored of turning the convoy around and getting lost, so
we called David and he led us to the container. Thank god, what a hero. So off we went loading
the van between Dan, Ash, Chin, David and myself, we now have the van and chins car loaded.
Now a nice careful run over to North Weald.
Following Dan who claimed to know where he was going with Ash behind him and then myself.
We took the turning off of the M11 and followed Dan off of the wrong turning back onto the
M11, so that put us 20 min off of target. Then when we took yet another wrong turn and ended
up in a lovely little village where we found a much needed and welcome co-op. This meant we
were going to be having dinner tonight and maybe a cheeky drink.
On approaching the airfield we noticed that there was no movement on the runway at all. We
where alone and we had been promised that there would be people here, we called all of the
phone numbers we could find around the venue, the security phone number, the control tower
phone the flying school and all of the hangers. No one wanted to talk to us. I eventually went
to find a loo and to see if I could find any life at all, I found nothing. It was only when Dan went
to use the loo after I had told him where to find it that he caught two peoples voices chatting.
He screamed over the radio that we had with us that he had found a man with the code. And
that was it we were in.
So first things first, we get to work pitching the tents, the BBQ goes on, and off we go to set out
the cones in the dark and out of the back of the van. And now to sit down and eat.
Then before we knew it, it was 2.30AM and we were out in the gazebo on our knees praying for
the rain to stop so that we can get to sleep.
7.30 I was awoken by Dan shouting “Barney there is someone out here making noise. It is proba-
bly Chin” so up I got and appeared out of the tent. The burger van was already there and it was
all go. I went off to re arrange the course and put out some cones that we had forgotten about,
and not put out. And place all of the pointers out and rearrange gates and gaps and put tape
where necessary. On my return to the paddock the time keeper’s gazebo and signing on was all
set up. And even Dan and Ash where out of their tent and moving around, all be it zombie like.
There were more and more cars and people coming in throughout the morning, the turnout of
cars was a very welcome sight.
So with everything under control off I went to find myself some marshals and gather them up.
Now time for a drivers briefing(Ed very impressed with that), then we did a convoy run rather
than walking the first test and lined up for the first runs, just as the spitfire pulled up on the start
line the heavens opened and off we went. The event was underway.
We had to move the start and finish box closer to the gazebo so as not to get the time keepers
wet. But while this was all going on I made the effort to run around and make sure that everyone
was having a good time. Everyone had a massive smile and were all congratulating me on the
wonderful tests.
Lunch. The rain stopped just in time for us to go out and lay out the course for tests 3 and 4 and
lunch was underway for the drivers, then just after lunch the first car was back on the line for yet
again more rain. We ran test 3 but then ran low on time and could only get 2 runs in, so there
were no times to count on test 4.
It wasn’t until the end of the day that I had a chance to put my dry shoes and socks on. My socks
where heavy with water, and my feet looked like I had put them in the bath all day and left them
there.
As we gathered to do the awards the rain disappeared and left us with the clearest sky’s and sun
shine for packing up and the drive home.
Awards where done and thank you to Mr Ian Mepham for entertaining us all day with some ex-
cellent driving and his FTD in his BMW E30, and also to the novice drivers that came up to do the
event, the MX5OC, and the Biles family it was lovely to see new and old club members and non
club member experts and novices all having a good time together and all being competitive.
After the awards were done it was just the last bits of packing up to do. And thanks again to Dan,
Ash, David and Chin for all of your help in that department.
The run home. Now the fun begins, we left North Weald following David in his Duel fuel MGF all
the way to Dartford crossing where the convoy was split up, I managed to catch up with Dan still
being followed by Ash but David was nowhere to be seen, so we went on regardless,
David knows where he is going. But just on the exit of the M25 a Seat Leon lit up in front of us.
They pulled Dan in his van over onto the side of the road, so all of us piled in David included.
They think the van is well over weight, they call for another car to come and have a look. They
want us to go to the weigh bridge, we had to leave Ash in the lay by and head off across Seven-
oaks to a weigh bridge. We got there and the van weighed in 260kg over its limit. Luckily it was
under 10% over so we got a fine, Dan got off of the bridge and I got on. The police lady recalcu-
lated the figures and said that if Dan was the same weight as me they would seize the van and
there would be a court summoning. But as it was we just had a 40mph limit all the way back
along the motorway to the container. Which was fine by us in the end because it started to rain
so hard that we could not see where we were going. So back to the M25 slip to pick up Ash and
then to the container where Chin and David were awaiting our arrival. Right that’s it no more
problems we are here now I said to Dan there is nothing else to go wrong... but one last thing
had to bite us, the container that we had taken the flags, tables, fire extinguishers and some
other bits out of had vanished. So off went David to find it but it was too far away and now
damaged so we unloaded all the equipment into the one container and got going home.
Wow what a weekend. Thank you to everyone who made it possible to put on such a good and
successful event, thank you to the marshals we could not have done it without you and of
course the competitors who came and had their fun without you there would be no event full
stop, it was a pleasure to Clerk for a change and I hope I can have another go soon.
Thank you for my support from everyone who helped especially Dan and Ash for helping get the
cones up there and setting out the courses. And thank you to David and Chin for all the help at
the container. And thank you to Andy Elcomb for the
pointers and advice.
Thank you all and I hope to see you all in September.
Yours
BARNEY LOWER
Clerk of the Course.
JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT YOU DID AN AMAZING JOB, THE
WEATHER WAS TOTALLY AGAINST YOU, BUT YOU PUT
ON A REALLY GOOD EVENT, LOOKING FORWARD TO
YOUR NEXT ONE. ED
"Bloody hell, those pies must be hot by now...I left em on the manifold and hid them from Giddings ages ago." "Graham Pryme learns how to achieve 40 winks while trying to shake off Webber and Gid-dings." "Matra-monial blues from Graham Pryme."
CHRIS JUDGE
JULY’S CAPTION COMPETITION REPLIES
HANDBRAKE TURNS
OK boys and girls you might pick up a few tricks us 'rally boys' use on the stages, and you need a strong stomach.!! OKAY boys and girls. Turn up the sound, sit back and relax and watch this few minutes of an unbelievable ride!! UNBELIEVABLE !!! Driving the Ford http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=4TshFWSsrn8&vq=medium#t=35 You can smell the rubber burning as you watch. Must view on full screen. What a ride! What a driver!!! You’d have to wear Depends to ride with this guy!
Betcha can't watch just once. It sounds like the little car is running bad.....one reason it sounds like it is cutting out is because the rev limiter keeps the R.P.M. from going too high and blowing the motor........the other popping sound is the wastegate on the turbo.
Also note at the very end, the sparks coming from the rear wheel rims as the tires burn down.
RUSS BURTON
SOGGY SOLO 08-0-7-12 The AutoSolo was great fun! Plus it did stop raining...... for a bit.......at some point.......I think? It was good to have Barney Lower putting together some original tests too. I dual drove with my sister in her Golf, as I changed into the Golf for my last run on test 3 I spotted the engine light was on, uh-oh! Fortunately it wasn't me that made it come on. By the time I'd cleared the en-gine light test 3 was already being changed to the layout for test 4 so my chance of getting down to 3rd overall was scuppered, I was only 0.07 seconds behind after test 2. I won my class of 2, beating my sister Libby in her car; I'm not sure I'll get offered a dual drive again! That said Libby was pretty quick too as she won the ladies award. [The ladies award is worked out as the lady with the closest % from the time of the class winner]. Ross Martin dual drove with his girlfriend Kate Garbett in her Honda Civic. It was Kates first event, not so much a baptism of fire, more a baptism of shower! Ross won the Next Best Seven-oaks award and Kate seemed to get to grips with the event and seemed to have really enjoyed it, I'm sure she'll be back for more in September. All in all a good performance from a somewhat depleted Team Kemsing. I was grateful to get home & start drying the wrinkles out of my feet in front of the recording of the British Grand Prix with a decent cup of tea. Silverstone was bone dry all race, jammy sods! It was also good to see some faces that I hadn’t for a while & as ever another Autosolo that was popular with the ladies. Given the nature of having so many runs over the day (for just £30) it was hard to keep track of how other people were performing, but well done to everyone for sticking on through the best that British Summertime had to offer. A massive Thank you to the marshals, timekeepers, Barney and friends, and the other officials including Keith who does a great job of getting the results out so fast! Also thanks to the cater-ers; a constant stream of hot drinks & the odd burger helped make the wet weather a bit more bearable. Looking forward to September already! Hopefully a few more Team Kemsing mem-bers will out to play!
RUSS GIDDINGS
A not-too-bright but beautiful blonde was driving home one night when she was caught in a
terrible storm. The hailstones were as big as golf balls, and her car was dented badly.
Next day at the garage, a repairman decided to have a little fun at her expense. "To fix the
dents in the body," he said, "drive home, park the car, and when the tailpipe is cool, get down
on your knees and blow really hard into the tailpipe, and the dents will pop out.
Later, a girlfriend of the blonde is driving by and sees her friend on her knees, blowing hard into
the tailpipe. She asks what's going on and is told the story. The girlfriend laughs. "Well, duhhh!
You need to roll up the windows first, silly!"
ONE LINER Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says "If an emergency, notify:" I put
"DOCTOR". What's my mother going to do?
THE IRISH MILLIONAIRE Mick, from Dublin , appeared on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' and towards the end of the program had already won 500,000 euros. "You've done very well so far," said Chris Tarrant, the show's presenter, "but for a million euros you've only got one life-line left, phone a friend. Everything is riding on this ques-tion. Will you go for it?" "Sure," said Mick. "I'll have a go!" "Which of the following birds does NOT build its own nest? a) Sparrow b) Thrush, c) Magpie, d) Cuckoo?" "I haven't got a clue." said Mick, ''So I'll use my last lifeline and phone my friend Paddy back home in Dublin ..." Mick called up his mate, and told him the circumstances and repeated the question to him. "Bloody hell, Mick!" cried Paddy. "Dat's simple it's a cuckoo." "Are you sure?" "I'm bloody sure." Mick hung up the phone and told Chris, "I'll go with cuckoo as my answer." "Is that your final answer?" asked Chris. "Dat it is." There was a long, long pause and then the presenter screamed, "Cuckoo is the correct answer! Mick, you've won 1 million Euros!" The next night, Mick invited Paddy to their local pub to buy him a drink. "Tell me, Pad-dy? How in Heaven's name did you know it was da Cuckoo that doesn't build its own nest?" "Because he lives in a clock!"
AUTOSOLO 8TH JULY AT NORTH WEALD
What a day we had. Hats off to Barney Lower who was clerk of the course, his first time do un-dertake this role, and to his friends Dan and Ash who camped on Saturday night to prepare the course having already collected the equipment from the container using Dan's van. The story goes, that the Airfield was closed when they arrived so they had to climb over the fence to get in. It rained heavily all night so not a pleasant time for them. David and I and others arrived just after 7am to help with setting up the course, but Barney and co had already done this. It rained for most of the day until it was time to come home then the sun came out. The rain did not deter the enthusiasm of the 40 entries. and we were able to complete 3 out of the four tests. The competitors times were very good despite the inclement weather. No injuries, a few three-sixties, and a number of wrong routes, David being one of the offenders of WR. Altogeth-er it was a very successful day and I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. However there was further excitement to come. Chin David and I had arranged to meet up at the container to empty the van. Along the M25 just at exit 3 we drew alongside Barney in his BMW Ash's Peugeot and Dan's van with a police car 'flashing lights in from of them having stopped Dan as he had a soft tyre. The Police directed us to the little lay-by and examined the van maintaining the it was overloaded. I was very impressed at the politeness of Barney and Dan towards the police. Some could have been hostile, especially since the police seemed to be officious. The police stated that the van must go to the weigh bridge near the Bat and Ball pub in Sevenoaks and this could take an hour or so. Since Chin was already at the container depot, Da-vid and I went to tell him what was happening. This is where this tale gets more surprising. The lower container was gone! there was a muddy spot where it had been. We found Chin scratching his head in wonderment. Fortunately there was a man around who told us that it had been moved, and we had to hunt around for it right to the top of the enclosure . When we eventually found it and got in, the roof had been dam-aged in the move and was was leaking. The three of us hung around and had delightful intellectual conversation whilst we waited for a phone call from Barney to let us know what was happening at his end and what time he ex-pected to arrive. Also at this time we saw a double rainbow. I took a picture of Chin against this backdrop to bring luck. They did arrive about an hour and a half later having been to the weigh-bridge in Sevenoaks, and fined £60 for being marginally overweight. Fortunately Dan was driving the van. If Barney had been driving, since he is a little larger that Dan it could have been serious! Van emptied and home to a cup of cocoa. What a day Well done to everyone.
CHRISTINE BALDERSON Who was secretary of the meeting
MAIDSTONE & MID KENT SLALOM 22ND JULY 2012
Following weeks of torrid weather that meant that Tunbridge Wells MC weren’t able to run a single one of their planned autotests and Maidstone could only run one of theirs, I’m pleased to report that Maidstone’s planned multi-venue slalom event took place in glorious sunshine. 08:30 at Headcorn Airfield a very strange mix of machinery some 40 strong met for signing on and scrutineering and we soon learned that they had planned a total of 30 tests at four different places in the area. Most of the tests (all forwards by the way) were to be on the relatively smooth airfield grass but we were also to go to Pluckley for “The Old Brickworks” and Brockton Farm and these would be on dusty / gravelly concrete and also to Park Farm for more tests on grass. Sue Jessop & I were double driving my MX5 and we had quite a lot of competition in our class with a number of other 5s, MGBs, a Westfield and a BMW. Starting around 10am we found the grass to be jolly slippery and I had a wild spin on one of my earlier tests that taught me to knuckle down and concentrate harder! There were four tests laid out at Headcorn but we were to only do each test once, with the se-cond run at these to take place later on our return. From there we went through the lanes to the Brickyard and Brockton tests. These were just a single test at each location and that’s when things started to go wrong logistically as it meant that there were very long queues at each and it was taking an age to get everyone through twice. All I’ll say is that it was clear to most com-petitors that it could have been possible to save a good 40 seconds on every single car that did each test, but friendly suggestions to help make that happen were not heeded. That said the tests were fun, if a bit tricky in places, and as ever it was hard to resist the tempta-tion to drive the MX5 sideways everywhere. Fun it may be, but quick? Not always! From there we moved on to Park Farm where there were a further three more tests on grass and these went off fine with minimal queueing. However it was clear that the organisers were never going to get through the whole programme and when we got back to Headcorn Airfield for the second run of the first four tests we were a good hour later than planned so not surpris-ingly a number of the afternoon tests had been cut out. Shortly after a number of cars had left to go back to the Brickyard and Brockton the organisers decided to cut them out too – but did-n’t manage to tell the marshals at those tests (!) so some people did a bunch of tests for noth-ing. The good thing was that it meant there were fewer cars at the airfield in the meantime so those still there (which was most of the double-driven cars) we were able to press on with the grass tests. By now the sun was high in the sky, as were the parachutes, helicopters, biplanes and sundry other aerial machines and the airfield was a great place to spend time at. The grass had dried properly, grip was now plentiful and times were tumbling.
By 17:30 we were just about finished, the BBQ was well under way and we had completed 21 of the planned 30 tests. Ok, it was a tad disappointing not to be able to get through the rather ambitious whole programme, but what we did was excellent. Results weren’t announced at the end which was a bit surprising, hopefully they will be out very soon. All in all though a cracking day’s motorsport, well worth the £25 entry fee and perfectly non-damaging too. Well done Maidstone, we hope that this will encourage more competitors to enter the Weald Trial in October. Lots learned by the organisers – I’m sure they regarded the event as successful and next year it will be spot on.
ANDY ELCOMB
THANKS Having returned to Sevenoaks and district after six years I have dabbled in Auto tests and the auto solo at weald all of which are very good fun even if I am coming last most of the time (don’t worry Mr Hall Your title is not under threat....that is until baby Stig reaches fourteen). The thing that really does make it worthwhile is the time and effort that is put in by members to make all of this happen. I say this not just because I have been in the same boat with Kent advanced motorcycle group having served on their committee for seven years. But because of the passion for motorsport and the willingness to give up so much time to create a really com-petitive fun day out as myself and Karen (co-pilot/navigator) had at the multi venue auto-test at Headcorn Aerodrome on Sunday 22nd July organised by Maidstone and district. Not only was their some really good circuits on grass and Tarmac but a fantastic BBQ thrown in as well..(sorry if ate all the sausages). I think Andy Jenner and family need a pat on the back for staging such a good event for the first time and to admit that things could be done better shows some commitment. Thanks
MARTIN STEVENS
ONE LINER
Little Billy and his Dad were down at the autotest
watching the Spitfires zipping through the cones.
Little Billy looks up to his Dad and says, "Dad, when
I grow up, I want to be a Spitfire driver."
His Dad looks down at him and says, "You can't do
both, son."
DUCKSPEED RACING AT CRYSTAL PALACE 2012
Some of you have probably read the title and though oh no not another crystal palace report
but bare with me as I try to wrIte one every year and I always seem to miss the June and July
issues.
What can I say that has not already been said about Crystal Palace? Not much so I will repeat
what has been said. Lovely weather very well organised excellent event and everyone I have
spoken to has thoroughly enjoyed it. A prime example of that was a gentleman in a jaguar
leaving the car park whilst myself and my dad were on car parking duties. He said he had to
drive back to west Wales having just driven from there but it was well worth the 5-6 hour drive
each way and will definitely be back next year (and I thought we drove a long way from Liver-
pool!).
On the Friday we turned up a about 9am to join Chris Scudder and Andy Elcomb to help set up
for the event this was the first time we were able to help on the Friday and we thoroughly en-
joyed putting out 68 sets of five high tyre barriers All the way around the circuit. Just after we
finished putting the tyres out we were told to have a break so it was good timing that whilst
sitting by our car, my competition car should turn up fresh from being mot-d by Oliver Thomp-
son.
The following day was up early and the usual sign on, scrutineering then drivers briefing and
waiting for the mob.. I er mean the family to arrive from Rotherham namely my sister, her
other half Mark and nephew. As I turned away from the drivers briefing I was suddenly pre-
sented with a car mad enthusiastic 2 year old! I walked back to the car which he instantly rec-
ognised as being the same as the one as a he fell in love with in our garage at home. I suggest-
ed he sat on my knee in the car well little did I know he would spend almost as much time in
the car as I did during the day. That was interesting as I was the first out of the day so I ended
up driving toward the start area with him on my knee he tried to steer but it unfortunately the
steering was a bit heavy for him. Throughout the day every time I came back from a run he
wanted to sit in the car and go for a drive which we did a couple of times.
So the sprinting, I knew there was a reason we went there! It was an excellent day with me in
my full and legal helmet overalls boots and gloves for the first time I felt like a full racing driv-
er! Overall over the day I went quicker than last year thanks I’m sure to anti-roll bars my quick-
est time of the day was 58.53 2 hundreth’s of a second difference to last year. I keep saying
this every year but hopefully next.
I will be competing in the Vanguard at Goodwood at the start of august then hopefully a 3
sisters near Wigan the following day with hopefully a trip to North weald a the end of August.
In between the car and my luxury 6 will once again be displayed at Toys for Boys event in Wa-
terloo in mid August. Going to this event has made my nephew mad about Minis and now
knows the difference between the original and the BMW impersonation of a mini!!
RICHARD SCOTCHMER
AUGUST CAPTION COMPETITION
ONE LINER
Did you know that dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train
people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish?
THOUGHTS OF A FIRST TIMER So, I have finally realised a long held ambition and have taken part in my first competitive event, the recent Autosolo at North Weald, and I though I would share my experiences as first timer. I have wanted to get involved since being introduced to the club by Suze a couple of years ago but have only recently been able to buy a car specifically for competing and track days. I picked up a Ford Puma 1.7 VVT for a bargain price when my brother's ex-girlfriend couldn't sell it. The car was really sound mechanically but the bodywork was in a bit of a sorry state. The usual rust on the rear arches, combined with the fact that car had been keyed along both sides and across the bonnet was putting off other buyers. However, that suited me just fine! Since buying the car, it's been through an almost full respray, had all the rust repaired, new wheels, Wilwood 4-pot brakes and an induction kit! Those at the recent Autosolo may also have noticed the not-so-subtle graphics (see the photo)! Well, it is going to be primarily a track car! I had a set of Gaz coilovers on order but the date for the Autosolo came around my suspension was not ready. I decide to take part in the Autosolo anyway to give the car a good shake down and, more importantly, because I couldn't wait any longer to drive the car as I had been intend-ing since buying it 4 months earlier! I must admit to being disappointed when I woke up at 6am on the morning of the event to find it already raining, with a forecast that suggested it wouldn't get much better. I really shouldn't have worried though. Yes, most people spent the morning taking shelter when they were not driving, but the rain made the event quite lively and a lot of fun. The heavy rain meant there was a fair bit of standing water! Having never done this before, I was glad to meet a few other first time Autosolo competitors on the day. I joined in the novice convoy of the first test to get a feel for the route but, when the time came to line up for my first run, the adrenaline was pumping and I was panicking that I would not remember the route. In fact, that's exactly what happened! I flew off the start line, driving the car harder than I ever had done before and not really knowing how it would respond, and I got close to the end of the test when I went the wrong way around a cone and messed up my run! That was really disappointing but it turned out plenty of people had the same trouble through-out the day and that was not to be last time I went the wrong way! By the end of the day, I had managed to get 6 timed runs in and finished 6th in class (out of 14) and 13th overall (out of 43), which I was really pleased with for my first event. The Puma felt great too. For an almost standard car it was nimble, revvy and a lot of fun to drive! My brother double entered the Puma with me for the event, so the car had a tough day but it didn't miss a beat. Both my brother and I found using the handbrake to get the Puma sideways near the end of the tests irresistible! Having now experienced the type of event I have want-ed to do for the last couple of years, I can't stop telling people about how great it is! I agree with my wife's sentiment, that everyone
should try this once, if only to better understand the limits of their own car in an entirely safe
environment. I am writing this 6 days after the event and I am still getting that feeling of adren-
aline thinking back on the day. That's one experience that certainly lived up to my expecta-
tions! Next up ... get ready for some sprinting!
SCOTT PORTER
ETRETAT-BENOUVILLE HILL CLIMB.
I read "Wonder-boy" Andy W's write-up of his French trip, which he obviously enjoyed a lot, and thought I'd remind club members of another French event which takes place each year (normally on the late-August Bank Holiday weekend) and which attracts loads of Brits (in fact Brits always greatly outnumber French entrants). This takes place at Etretat, a lovely little town on the Normandy coast, only half-an-hour's drive from Le Havre and an hour from Di-eppe, thus very easy to get to. It's a reasonably fast 1.5 kms, open to cars manufactured before 1976: there are only a few safety regs (eg up-to-date FIA harness) which differ from those for Sprints and HillClimbs in the UK, so that shouldn't produce too many probs . (There is also a category for 'post-historics' , but the FFSA requires cars in it to conform to full FIA spec). You'll need a National 'A' Speed licence. You get one untimed practice run, one timed practice run, and two or three timed runs. The atmosphere is very relaxed. Scrutineering takes place in Etretat's main square, which al-ways attracts a lot of interest. The class structure is ( deliberately,I think) extensive: so, for ex-ample, if you've got a black two-seater sports car with a twin-cam engine,built by a man called Colin Chapman, there's probably a class specifically for you....... There's something for every competitor to take home after the event. And yes, it's organised by a Sevenoaks club member, Michel Deldon, who speaks good Eng-lish. There are still entries available for this year's event, which takes place on 25th and 26th August. For more info you can call Michel on 00332 352 70660 (evenings and weekends best) or me on 0207 736 2046.
TONY GOMIS
THE MARSHALS POST / BEYOND THE GRAVEL TRAP
Well It’s been an extremely busy few months for me and the sprint at Crystal palace seems so
long ago! It was an enjoyable couple of days though (because of college I couldn’t make it up on
the Friday) with some very quick runs being topped by a fellow member of Christians in Motor-
sport Gary Thomas. The weather was good and the company was even better as per usual, I
had a lot of fun riding as fast as I could round the top paddock/ camping area on a penny far-
thing on Saturday night! The next event for me was a much drier autotest at Brands. A couple
of silly mistakes which included trying to merge tests two and three meant that I didn’t do par-
ticularly well, but never mind.
My last event for a little while was a BRSCC meeting at Brands, I could only do the Saturday but
with Caterham’s racing it was always close and exciting. Unfortunately the day was cut short
after a big incident in the second to last race as a Clio and a Leon hit the barrier at high speed
coming past the pit entrance. Fortunately there were no serious injuries although there was
extensive barrier damage. With the repairs likely to take a few hours the last TVR race was
pulled and all the marshals were stood down.
And then it was placement, on Monday the 11th me, Melina and Anthony travelled up to Leices-
tershire to work at Elohim Church in the quiet little village of Barlestone. The Church was any-
thing but quiet though and the next five weeks proved to be very hectic with us doing every-
thing from building a patio and decorating in the church to running after school kids clubs for
primary ages (yikes, never done kids work before!) and doing youth work (yikes, never done
youth work before!) For a very small church of about 50-60 (Kingdom Faith Horsham has
around 450-500 members) they did a lot in the local community from running minibuses to
take the Elderly from the surrounding villages up to the supermarket in Coalville to helping peo-
ple with gardening work that needed doing. We got stuck in through and though it was very
difficult at times God proved Himself faithful time and time again.
I did manage one event while I was away though, the British Grand Prix. I’m sure most of you
know how wet it was throughout the weekend and going into the race I genuinely had no idea
of who was going to be in with a shout. It was good to see Mark Webber win again though, he
is definitely a crowd favourite. I was posted at the flag point on the entry to Copse and alt-
hough when Webber passed Alonso for the lead it didn’t happen in front of us the crowd be-
hind went absolutely mad.
Getting out of the campsite proved to be tricky for some, especially those with caravans but the
organisers laid on tractors and opened up the entrance at the bottom of the field and I was able
to make my way out with no real problems into the one way system. The journey back up to
Leicestershire only took a couple of hours which was good considering it took me almost an
hour and a half to travel down on the Thursday.
The next Sunday proved to be a challenge as for our last day there we were asked to bring the
word which was a little daunting for all of us, I’ve never spoken for that long in front of a con-
gregation that big before (I have spoken in Tinsley and Brook house before but there’s normally
about 20 or so people there) Melina is Swiss and Anthony is French so they also had to over-
come the problem of not speaking in their Mother tongue, both did very well though. The fol-
lowing day it was hard to believe that the five weeks were over but the car was packed and we
were soon heading back down the M40 towards Roffey place.
I’ve another busy month ahead of me as Kingdom Faith prepares for Faith Camp but I have got a
few events planned including the Autotest, so I hope to see you there!
PHIL FAWCETT
CRYSTAL PALACE IN AMERICA
I subscribe to a very good American historic magazine called Vintage Racecar. They don't cover just North America, but Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Well the current July edition has many Crystal Palace references in it. First there is the big 2 page photo. This is of the Syden-ham Trophy Race at Crystal Palace, May 20th 1939. This shows Prince Bira in his ERA chasing Hans Ruesch's Alfa Romeo 8C35 going up to South Tower Corner. Ruesch, beat Bira in the heat, but Bira won the final. Also there is a feature on ERA R11B which was raced at Crystal Palace in 1939 by the Honorable Peter Aitken. There is also an interview with the very quick Sixties lady racer Christabel Carlisle (now Lady Watson). They cover her race at the 1961 Crystal Palace Whitsun meeting, where she was lead-ing the 2 works Mini Coopers, till her clutch failed on the last lap. The works cars had modified clutches, which they got for the next race. Later in the year there was a big saloon race at Brands Hatch in October. This saw Christabel leading actor Steve McQueen who had flown in from the States, Les Leston, and someone called VIC ELFORD, all in Minis. QUICK VIC did exactly that, and won the race, with Christabel second. Vintage Racecar's UK office is 9 Green Lane, Wootton, Northants, NN4 6LH, Tel 01604 766645. Also the August Racecar Engineering maga-zine has a 2 page feature on Sam Collins class winning drives at Crystal Palace, in the Nissan Leaf NISMO.
CHRIS DENNIS
Paddy and Murphy in a forest, they spot a sign saying "TREE FELLERS WANTED", Paddy says to
murphy "Shame there's only two of us"
3 SISTERS SPRINT, WIGAN 1ST JULY 2012
I guess I’m not your typical member, living just north of Nottingham – that’s “up norf, norf of
Watford Gap even”. We have some splendid venues so if you ever fancy making your way up
into uncharted territories you could do worse than visit the 3 Sisters kart circuit. This is a tight
and twisty track, not suited to the power boys, but somewhere a bit of finesse can go a long
way. For the rest of us, it’s simply a great place to go beyond the limits in a safe, grassy environ-
ment.
The day started in glorious sunshine and a fabulous early morning blast through the Peak Dis-
trict National Park. But dropping down into Stockport the weather began to turn and by the
time I hit the M6 I was in heavy rain, traffic and spray. Not nice in the TR3.
Scruntineering was a very wet affair and by the time the first cars lined up for the first practice
runs, the track had pools of water all over it. Clearly nothing was to be gained by pushing on in
such conditions and most competitors took it very steady.
Except, it’s fun. True, speeds aren’t very fast and grip is almost non-existent, but that simply
means the car slides about a lot more. So whilst I was throwing my little car all over the track
and having a whale of a time, many of my fellow competitors wore sour faces, cursing the
weather.
The good news is that things gradually got better and we finished the day in bright sunshine. As
the track dried, times improved and I managed to record my personal best on the circuit. Then
to cap a splendid day the scrutineers awarded my car the “Best Prepared Car” award.
KEVIN BRYANT
R.I.P
JOHN RICH
It is with great regret that I have to inform you of the death of John , he was a real character,
he loved his rallying and cars. He was one of the owners of Fourways Engineering in Borough
Green, which is now owned by his partner Geoff Jackson.
I remember his E Type well, going out with friends, and me having to drive the car back, with 4
of us in it. Bit of a squeeze!
Good times, Rest in Peace John.
John doing what he loved
Picture courtesy of Geoff Jackson
SEVENOAKS & DISTRICT MOTOR CLUB
NORTH WEALD SPRINT
Sunday 26th August 2012
Incorporating championship rounds of the
Essex Extreme Bodywork AEMC SPRINT Championship,
ASEMC Speed,
ACSMC Sprint Challenge
and
Sevenoaks Speed League
The entry fee is £60 for
Sevenoaks & DMC members and £65 for all others. All entries must be made on the official en-
try form
and be accompanied by the appropriate fee. Cheques made payable to: Sevenoaks & District
Motor
Club Ltd.
All entries should be returned to entries secretary:
Keith Crocker
82 Ridge Way
Edenbridge
Kent
TN8 6AP
Tel: 07766020934 no calls after 9.30pm
Email: [email protected]
To volunteer to maeshall please contact Chris Scudder on [email protected]
REGS NOW AVAILABLE
Hutton Kitchens Brands Hatch Summer Stages
Following the success of the TRS (Essex) Ltd Brands Hatch Stages in January, Chelmsford Motor
Club is very pleased to be able to announce the Brands Hatch Summer Stages on Bank Holiday
Monday August 27th 2012.
In a most unusual turn of events and possibly a first for clubman rallying in the UK, particularly
given the problems most rallies have securing venues, Chelmsford Motor Club has been ap-
proached by MSV and asked to organise a ‘summer’ rally at Brands Hatch on Bank Holiday
Monday 27th August 2012. After careful consideration we have decided to proceed with plans
for a second Brands Hatch rally in 2012. There are no obvious local date and venue clashes
and as these opportunities do not come along often we are hopeful the rally will be well re-
ceived and supported by the rallying community. Spectator viewing will be improved with ac-
cess to the ‘rally stage’ area, Druids including the inside viewing area and all of Paddock Hill
with a stage crossing point at the top.
Regs are now online and entries are almost full
See http://brandshatchstages.co.uk/
TONY CLEMENTS Clerk of the Course
Registration is open now for marshalling at the Summer Brands Hatch Stage Rally. See http://
chelmsfordmc.co.uk/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=26
Remember you MUST be registered to be able to marshal, as we need to post you the entry
pass. You can NOT turn up to marshal on the day, regardless of experience.
Great weather (hopefully!), great rally cars, a great marshals goodie (best for years) and free
access to one of the best stage rallies in the Sout East. Remember members of the public have
to pay to get in......
Any questions post here, or email me on [email protected]
Many thanks to those who have already registered
Cheers
MATT ENDEAN Chief Marshal
Hutton Kitchens Brands Hatch Summer Stages
The Tom Watson 2020 Rally
Having done less than 500 miles in the Corsa since its rebuild last year I was itching to get out in the lanes again and, following the sad demise of the Marsh Mists 2020 (why didn’t people enter this?) I was really looking forward to the Census MC 2020, especially as our fine and excellent chairman had volunteered to do the hard bit. I had added a few refinements to the car in the shape of extra power points and a big time display. In order to try out the time display, which I though might be a bit too bright we had a little trundle round the lanes near Andy’s place a cou-ple of nights before the event and deemed all OK apart from the engine management warning light which was going on and off all by itself with no pattern and having no effect on the perfor-mance – strange things these electrons.
As you’re all probably aware the weather has been unseasonably inclement of late and the lanes of Sussex were not immune to its vagaries but this was no worry as little Vauxhalls cope well with water and so it proved on the night despite a few flooded bits of road. The start and finish were at the Pease Pottage services on the M23 and sixteen crews including three and a half Sevenoaks made the start with Paul Sharp helping out marshalling. Kevin Ablitt was out in his 106 with ex-member Nick Clarke on maps, Adam Snow had Paul Wickes calling and Dick Ath-ow was in the hot seat for Mike Shotter. The start was a happy reunion with friends I’d not seen for too long and we were all looking forward to a good night out under the clerking of Matt Fowle, a rival of Andy’s on the London to Cape Town Rally. Matt has a lot of experience having run the Nightwatchman Rally for many years and one of his eccentricities is to issue ‘standing instructions’ at the beginning of the event which you have to remember to comply with during the rally, happily there were only a few of these for us to get our aged brains around. Off we set on the fairly long run out to TC1 near Billingshurst with the route set out by tulips to TC2 and on with a variety of navigation, some more tricky than others but all pretty straightforward if you were careful and accurate all the way to the finish at TC20. My driving was not very quick (I must be getting old!) and we dropped a fair bit of time but worse were the five Code Boards we missed which put us well down the results list at 14th on 5 fails and 24 minutes. Kevin and Nick were 3rd on 2 minutes and Adam and Paul were 11th on 3 fails and 33 minutes. Dick Athow was 16th despite his driver trying to melt the rear of my Corsa and set fire to the surrounding wood-land with his set of wholly illegal lights which was a cause for concern for the organisers.
The lanes on 197 aren’t often used these days but Andy and I had memories of the old Night-watchman Rally in happier days for the sport and I remembered not getting round some of the hairpins we didn’t round this time. The flooded bits and narrow lanes, including one short white didn’t seem to deter anyone and I think we all had a good night out with mixed fortunes.
Thanks, Andy, I enjoyed that.
CHIN
2012 SO FAR [AT LEAST WITH CARS]
January: well after a quietish New Year in Milton Keynes with Preston Ayres and a few others on the driving front not a lot happened, the annual pilgrimage to the HRCR open day, where a lot of talking went on!! The week after I was meeting Dave Town at Brands to chat about the stage event where a few of us did what seems to have become ‘our job’ running the finish control! That all went well, no watch problems this year so we didn’t get the massive queues of 2011! On the 27th I spent the day at Longcross doing a bit of driving for Rogue Traders with Melinda Messenger, the idea was to prove a Daihatsu Matiz was dangerous be-cause it had a bent panhard rod, which it wasn’t really [well no more than any other Matiz]. Very nice lady, who knew how to get filming done.
February started with the as good as usual Sevenoaks award night, then on the 18th the equally good HRCR awards and dinner, again a lot of talking went on!! [and some alcohol was drunk] Wednesday the follwing week it was off to Heathrow, to catch a Transaero [was Aeroflot!!!!] flight to Moscow, we landed at 9pm local, to be met by our ‘guides’ who said the bus would be 5 minutes so we should go outside, after 35 mins standing in below zero, it arrived, this seems to still be the way of life over there, they took us to a typical restaurant, where there was a sort of tapas no one really understood the workings of[and in any case having been up for a long time sleep was more important. We had a good hotel [Radisson] which did good breakfast which was handy as the rest of the food was just inedible, and of course the 1pm lunch turned up at 2.30, and was watery soup…. I lived on twix and bananas during the day, a burger in the hotel was £20 and beer £10 a pint. The shows went well, Citroen supplied 6 brand new C1s for car football…. They looked a bit sad after 4 shows…. The venue was awkward, and tight for the Focus/JCB routine so we did 2 days of 13 hours in rehearsals, and only got 4 hours free time to look at Red Square. I did take Putin’s Press secretary and his family for a spin though.
The following weekend I serviced for Dick and James Slaughter on the Mid Wales, at a cold and horrid Sweet Lamb.
On the 8th I was back driving for Paul Swift doing an Ad for Alfa Romeo at Rockingham, went up the night before and stayed with Cat Lund who runs the place, so a pleasant evening and along days filming and drive home after.
A week later off to Stockholm for Top Gear Live, at least the food was good, the beer was still expensive, and the city strangely characterless. I don’t seem to have many photos of note even, one good thing was a live advert for Audi where I had a TT RS< Paul an R8, Gordy an A1 Quattro and Sam an S5, all were dammed quick, and the TT with traction off could be driven sideways with a classic Quattro roar.
Took a boat trip which was bloody freezing!!
Back for a week and off to Copenhagen, which was a nice city, with clean efficient under-ground system, what would appear to be good night life [never can sample that as we need a clear head], a Peugeot ad this time, I didn’t want to be the one that broke this 1500 kms from new example, as there are no spares, so Paul drove it!!
Of course when the lunatics that do tricks on motorbikes are in town they get bored easily… and as Copenhagen has more pedal bike than any city I have ever seen…
Somewhere around here I did Lydden sprint and then Debden, where I should known better than to use worn out 1b tyres and had a really bad day….
Early May a bit of night work came up, making an advert for the Mini Olympic limited edition. A surreal experience driving sideway out onto the Mall with a coppers watching, and stopping the traffic…
A pedestrian underpass under Park Lane
Dougie Lambkin was the biker, a real nice guy, on one take I was right behind him onto the Mall, he laid the bike on the ground and I had to stop in a hurry, there was a pedestrian walking across…. And bloody push bikers just ignore the police traffic stop…
Drove the red mini in this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuQZtqNNrZU
Making of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1JF6LGiiWo
WE jumped a 7 metre gap and were all in shot together that was a new experience!!
June the 11th back at Heathrow ro fly to Durban, after my previous experience of South Africa [Kyalami last year] I wasn’t looking forwards to it much, but in fact it was a nice city, the crowds were amazing, 4 shows with 16000 a show, and a standing ovation in the middle of a routine!! Superb football standium built for the world cup, and hardly used. There was also a street cir-cuit set up, it is a 3 year deal so hopefully we are going back! For once the crew party was after all the shows so we could have a few drinks, and let our hair down…
From my hotel window The Stadium
Then back to UK, and a few days surveying followed by 4 days at the Festival of Speed, on the Thursday we were minding journalists driving the new Focus ST up the hill [nice quick motor and £4k less than a Golf Gti] then on the other days we did 2 Sweeney tribute shows with me in a Hag XFR and Swifty in a Focus ST,
J turn a jag..
and Swifty getting round in a couple of tight spots
Goodwood is such a nice atmosphere, if you haven’t been you should go, we also got full access to the drivers restaurant etc…
Not got a lot planned at the moment although there is mutterings of doing the Sweeney thing again at Car Fest
STEPHEN STRINGER
TRK Report
For me July has been a bit busier and
I’ve actually competed for the first time
in a while (see elsewhere herein) and
have officiated at the two events we
ran in July. Pity the unseasonal
weather has curtailed a lot of what we
normally do in the summer but we’ve
been lucky and not had to cancel any
so far—let’s hope the weather gurus’
prediction of an improvement by the
Date Name
22-Jan-12 Roger Holmes Memoriall Trial
22-Jan-12 TRS Brands Hatch Stages
11-Feb-12 South Down Stages
16-Feb-12 D cup Scatter
03-Mar-12 East Kent 2020
04-Mar-12 Golden Springs Car Trial
18-Mar-12 Basil Elkington Trial
18-Mar-12 Basil Elkington Trial
22-Mar-12 MMKMC Scatter
01-Apr-12 Drake Car Trial
01-Apr-12 North Weald April
01-Apr-12 Great Bustard
02-Apr-12 Cross Trophy Trial
13-Apr-12 Blackpalfrey 12-car
15-Apr-12 CSMA Concorde Autosolo
19-Apr-12 SDMC April Scatter
25-Apr-12 CMC Honington Stages
03-May-12 SDMC Autotest 3 May
06-May-12 Warwickshire Trial
13-May-12 Middlewick Stages
23-May-12 MMKMC A/test
26-May-12 Crystal Palace Sat
27-May-12 Crystal Palace Sun
27-May-12 Hughes Rally
31-May-12 Evening A/test 2
14-Jun-12 Evening Autotest 3
16-Jun-12 TWMC Sprint Goodwood
20-Jun-12 MMKMC Atest 20 June
01-Jul-12 CMC Javelin Gymkhana
04-Jul-12 MMKMC Autotest 4 july
08-Jul-12 July Autosolo SDMC
14-Jul-12 Census 2020
Organisers and marshals
lists:
The Chalky White Trophy for
marshalling on our events is
seeing more names on the list
as is the Trog Trophy for those
who organise them. This is
Member Points
Sue Jessop 30
Chin 26
Andy Elcomb 24
Chris Scudder 22
Christine Balderson 22
Julie Clayden 20
Clive Cooke 17
Iain Gibson 17
Stacey Thompson 16
Andrew Neil Gibson 15
Philip Fawcett 15
Colin Billings 14
Darren Clayden 14
Colin Shipway 14
Roy Dawson 14
Nigel Mead 13
Brian Kirby 13
Tracey Neil 12
Andy Kilby 12
Martine Kilby 12
Chris Judge 12
Tim Loftus 11
Rosemary Mead 11
Russell Giddings 11
Sarah Lane 9
Neil Phillips 9
Shelly Albrow 9
Sue Billings 8
David Balderson 8
Gee Dawson 8
Jason Andrews 7
Darren Tyre 6
Chris Dennis 6
Richard Scotchmer 6
Anthony Scotchmer 6
Clive Letherby 6
Jim Giddings 6
Tom Harewood 6
Andy Laing 6
Sam Williams 6
Peter Johnson 6
Russell Burton 5
Keith Crocker 5
Andy Foyle 3
Derek Lane 3
Jon Loftus 3
Hales Vaughan 3
John Kemp 3
Kevin Ablitt 3
Martin Stevens 3
Karen Stevens 3
Tarna Ablitt 3
Nathalie Aldridge 3
Dick Owens 3
Gerry Rolston 3
Karen Webber 3
James Silk 3
Ralph Travers 3
Simon Greenwood 3
Peter Heron 3
Adam Snow 3
Lee Champion 3
Roger Sawyers 3
John Rawlins 3
Steve Medhurst 3
Richard Scott 3
David Scott 3
Ross Martin 3
Mike Knapman 3
Diana Knapman 3
Mike Druce-Smith 3
Sue Blanks 2
Paul Wickes 2
Richard Wickes 2
Daren Hall 2
Graham Pryme 2
Clive Scott 2
Barney Lower 2
Steve Pattinson 2
Jeffrey Wiltshire 2
James Wiltshire 2
Chalky White Trophy
Glyn Williams 6
Ceri Hurford-Jones 6
Philip Russell 6
Andy Webber 5
Trog Trophy
Member Points
Andy Elcomb 780
"Chin" 650
Chris Scudder 640
Stacey Thompson 540
Karen Webber 500
Colin Billings 500
Christine Balderson 500
Andy Kilby 440
Nigel Mead 420
Rosemary Mead 420
Shelly Albrow 400
Ralph Travers 320
Keith Crocker 300
Neil Brooks-Johnson 360
Steve Pattinson 280
Iain Gibson 260
Tracey Niel 200
Sue Billings 200
Simon Greenwood 200
Paul Wickes 180
Timothy Loftus 180
Colin Shipway 160
Barney Lower 120
Sarah Lane 80
Sue Jessop 60
Sue Blunt 60
Chris Judge 40
Trog Trophy (cont.)
“Just Being There”
The Basil Tye Trophy is
awarded to those who compete
under the SDMC name on any
event with points awarded
irrespective of performance or
Member Points
Chris Judge 23
David Balderson 21
Andy Elcomb 21
Daren Hall 20
Kevin Lower 18
Chris Penfold 14
Glyn Williams 13
Lee Champion 12
Sue Jessop 12
Kevin Ablitt 12
Robert Sharpe 12
Brian Sharpe 12
Zach Lower 12
Chris Fulke-Greville 12
Austen Laing 11
Jim Giddings 11
Adam Snow 11
Stephen Thompson 11
Andy Laing 11
Clive Cooke 10
Sam Williams 10
James Kelly 9
Russell Burton 9
Andrew Gibson 9
Iain Gibson 9
Julian Pring 9
Billy Kavanagh 8
Dave Cook 8
Jonathan Histed 8
Toby Cook 8
Chin 8
Chris Smith 7
John Potts 6
Derek Lane 6
John Hunt 6
Mark Brown 6
Maurice Fitzgerald 6
Darren Tyre 6
John Cresswell 6
Colin Shipway 6
Jim Corby 6
John Calder 6
Mark Cheevers 6
David Seaton 6
Colin Robbins 6
Andrew Foyle 6
Chris Beresford 6
Andy Davies 6
Steve Fox 6
Jake Champion 6
Philip Fawcett 6
Bob Hoare 6
Alan Faggetter 6
Andrea Cater 6
Andy Webber 6
Simon Taylor 6
James Silk 6
Tim Gourmond 6
Paul Oliver 6
Sam Collins 6
Russell Giddings 5
James Smith 5
Ross Martin 5
Graham Child 5
Tim Loftus 4
Elliott Sharp 4
Tom Harwood 4
Paul Wickes 4
Simon McCarthy 4
Mark Calder 4
Martin Stevens 4
Matthew Tubey 4
Barney Lower 4
Christine Balderson 4
Sophie Snow 4
Geoff Jackson 3
Graham Pryme 3
Iain Black 3
Gareth Hurford-Jones 3
Gerry Rolston 3
Clive Letherby 3
Adam Tait 3
Andrew Actman 3
Andrew English 3
Andrew Jackson 3
Andrew Lovett 3
Andy Pecover 3
Clive Scott 3
Chris Dennis 3
Emlyn Hurford-Jones 3
Daniel Bramwell 3
Darren Clayden 3
David Leigh 3
David Wylie 3
Deborah Roblin 3
Derek Pearce 3
Dick Owens 3
Chris Alston 3
Robert Wadsworth 3
Michel Edwards 3
Ian Crocker 3
Nicholas Wade 3
John Deveuve 3
Nigel Mummery 3
Nigel Patten 3
Peter Heron 3
Peter Vlasak 3
Richard George 3
Richard Scotchmer 3
Rob Hume 3
Matt Endean 3
Robert Cobden 3
Murat Halil 3
Roger Hodgson 3
Russell Crampton 3
Steve Hales 3
Suze Endean 3
Tony Booth 3
Tony Gomis 3
PLEASE SEND ME
YOUR RESULTS
The Rose & Crown Trophy
Having no great ambitions other
than club level motor sport this
trophy has always meant a lot to
me and each year the winner has
had to work really hard to make
it. We have a leader with quite
Member Points
Chris Fulke-Greville 316
Sam Collins 260
Chris Beresford 253
David Balderson 247
David Seaton 234
Darren Tyre 228
John Cresswell 217
Bob Hoare 215
Julian Pring 206
Jim Giddings 206
Chris Penfold 204
Daren Hall 203
John Potts 195
James Kelly 185
Andy Webber 182
Colin Robbins 181
Maurice Fitzgerald 165
Andy Elcomb 163
Lee Champion 162
Simon Taylor 152
Mark Cheevers 151
Andy Laing 150
Kevin Lower 150
James Smith 147
Sam Williams 133
Ross Martin 131
Chris Alston 130
David Leigh 130
Peter Vlasak 130
Ian Wright 130
Jason Andrews 130
Andy Davies 127
Chris Judge 122
Austen Laing 121
Paul Oliver 121
Jonathan Histed 119
Roger Hodgson 117
Richard George 108
Ian Crocker 108
Adam Snow 106
Jim Corby 105
Clive Scott 104
Geoff Jackson 104
Russell Giddings 103
James Silk 101
Mark Brown 100
Andrea Cater 100
Tony Booth 95
John Simiter 93
Dick Owens 93
Robert Cobden 93
Nigel Patten 93
Andrew Foyle 92
Sue Jessop 91
Alan Faggetter 89
Ken Young 87
Clive Cooke 83
Robert Chambers 78
John Devereaux 78
Chris Smith 77
Daniel Bramwell 76
Tim Gourmond 75
Andrew English 74
Andrew Lovett 74
Jo Hodgson 74
Adam Tait 74
Brian Sharpe 73
Billy Kavanagh 69
Derek Lane 68
John Hewat 65
Andrew Actman 65
Michel Edwards 65
Glyn Williams 65
Jeffery Wiltshire 65
Lee Forster 65
John Hunt 62
Kevin Ablitt 60
Toby Cook 60
Steve Fox 57
Stephen Thompson 57
Kevin Bryant 56
Dave Cook 54
Iain Black 47
Rosie Snow 45
Martin Ockenden 44
Yvette Knight 43
Tony Gomis 43
John Deveuve 43
Scott Porter 40
Andrew Jackson 39
William Jackson 39
Bill Biles 38
Malcolm Sanders 37
Peter Heron 37
Philip Fawcett 37
Colin Shipway 36
Elliott Sharp 36
Andrew Porter 36
Steve Hales 35
Christine Balderson 33
John Calder 32
Libby Giddings 30
Jake Champion 30
Chin 29
Tracey Niel 26
Rob Hume 26
Deborah Roblin 26
Martin Stevens 25
Robert Sharpe 25
Trevor Griffiths 24
Sophie Snow 23
Simon McCarthy 21
Paul Sharp 21
Michal Momot 21
Mark Calder 20
Matthew Tubey 20
Richard Scotchmer 19
Jill Russell 19
Jonathan Wright 16
Tom Harwood 15
Graham Child 15
Paul Hebden 15
Dean Edbrooke 15
Murat Halil 15
Stuart Giles 15
Russell Burton 14
Robert Wadsworth 13
Daniel Neuwert 13
James Pughe 12
Gerry Rolston 10
Lee Claydon 10
Nicholas Wade 10
Kim Charnley 10
Kate Garbett 10
John Pickersgill 10
Graham Pryme 117
Mark Wojtanowski 115
David Wylie 111
Darren Clayden 111
Zach Lower 110
Clive Letherby 52
Nicholas Wilkins 52
Derek Pearce 52
Russell Crampton 52
Chin
LOT'S WIFE
The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar
of salt, when little Jason interrupted, 'My Mommy looked back once while she was driving,' he
announced triumphantly, 'and she turned into a telephone pole!'
GOOD SAMARITAN
A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan. She asked the
class, 'If you saw a person lying on the roadside, wounded and bleeding, what would you do?'
A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, 'I think I'd throw up.'
DID NOAH FISH?
A Sunday school teacher asked, 'Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on
the Ark ?'
'No,' replied Johnny. 'How could he, with just two worms?'
HIGHER POWER
A Sunday school teacher said to her children, 'We have been learning how powerful kings and
queens were in Bible times, but there is a Higher Power. Can anybody tell me what it is?' One
child blurted out, 'Aces!'
MOSES AND THE RED SEA
Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School.
'Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission
to lead the Israelites out of Egypt . When he got to the Red Sea , he had his army build a pon-
toon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he radioed headquarters for rein-
forcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.'
'Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?' his mother asked.
'Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!'
SAY A PRAYER
Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his grandmother's house. Everyone
was seated around the table as the food was being served. When Little Johnny received his
plate, he started eating right away.
'Johnny! Please wait until we say our prayer.' said his mother.
'I don't need to,' the boy replied.
'Of course, you do.' his mother insisted. 'We always say a prayer before eating at our house.'
'That's at our house.' Johnny explained. 'But this is Grandma's house and she knows how to
cook!'
SARAH LANE
Photos courtesy of Colin Shipway