The News
A selection of reports, photos and videos
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2015
Awards Dinner, Studley Castle, Saturday 21st November
Well done to all of our 2015 award winners, and especially to our multiple-times champion, Jes Firth.
Competitors and other halves joined for a night of celebration, joy and mirth on Saturday 21st November in the stunning Studley Castle. Huge thanks to Ali Stallard for doing the organising (you're a superstar) and to Micro for being our Master of Ceremonies. It was great to see friends old and new, especially Steve "Sideways" Lyle in his swansong year - you will be missed and hopefully we'll see you proudly wearing your new TVR cap after you've gone to the dark side! |
Dinners...
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Our charity this year is the Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity. Dawn Fidler, who lost her son Josh to this terrible disease, founded the charity in his name. She made an emotional speech about the fabulous work the charity does for children with brain tumours and the support it gives to their families. We raised a fabulous sum of over £500 on the night, and donations can still be made on the website.
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Round 25, Castle Combe, Saturday 25th October
In the week that Marty McFly came back to the future, a bunch of British-built, rear-wheel-drive sports cars (thankfully without stainless steel bodies) arrived at a very wet Castle Combe. Despite Doc’s forecast that the rain will stop in 5 seconds, weather forecasting in 2015 does not yet live up to what was predicted and the rain stayed with us virtually all day.
Reminiscent of Biff’s encounter with a truck full of manure, Jes took delivery of a lorry load of soil for his garden, which was dumped in front of his garage the night before to cries of “there's something very familiar about all of this.” |
The media had spent the week telling us which predictions had come true (video calls, contactless payment) and which hadn’t (hover boards, Jaws 19). However, the prediction of flying cars actually came true at Castle Combe – standing water and track day tyres make for an interesting combination with many of us wishing hover boards actually had been invented.
Practice, unusually, was used for practice. The Ultima immediately ahead of our batch discovered that he couldn’t get up to the required speed (88mph I believe) for aero to overcome the lack of adhesion on slicks. All the TVRs got round, most following the right course, some faster than others, everyone happy to make it in one piece.
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3 Nuts Watson had decided to come in the road car (road tyres and a roof!), and was chuffed to bits to be lying in third place after P1.
Second practice, some were out to prove they weren’t “chicken”, some span (Jo’s triple salko got a “ten from Len”), and some were just pleased with figuring out which way the track went. Despite staying on the black stuff, Gerald decided this weather was playing havoc with the appearance of his car. To everyone else’s eyes, it was still immaculate, but that didn’t stop him polishing it one more time (apparently the wax means the dirt comes off easier!). |
Prizes if you can guess who?
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The long lunchbreak saw a break in the clouds, and hope that the track would dry for the timed runs. The pessimistic amongst us imagined a thunderstorm with lightning striking a clock tower. The real time-line just gave us more rain.
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Iain not learning his lesson...again!
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A few had the ideal combination: Captain Chaos Everett (lower power, Rainsport tyres, airline pilot) drove the slippery circuit all day as if there wasn’t any rain, embarrassing most of us into our worst points of the year; iStallard (even lower power, Rainsports, Playstation generation) was the only one to stay with him – actually quickest on scratch, and potentially creating a time paradox, achieving Fastest Time of Day of the whole meeting after the first timed run.
In the Cerby-Derby, Mr Horsfall used his knowledge of the track and R1R tyres to beat James and Harry, finishing in 3rd place – his first ever placing and silverware to go with it. Unusually, Trev’s local knowledge and Rainsport tyres didn’t work for him today – too much power? Maybe banana skins and beer cans would have been a better power-source today!
In the Cerby-Derby, Mr Horsfall used his knowledge of the track and R1R tyres to beat James and Harry, finishing in 3rd place – his first ever placing and silverware to go with it. Unusually, Trev’s local knowledge and Rainsport tyres didn’t work for him today – too much power? Maybe banana skins and beer cans would have been a better power-source today!
Half the field figured that there was very little to be salvaged from the day, and packed up before T2, wishing we’d been knocked out by the “alpha rhythm generator” so we could forget about the entire day.
The rain stopped, but with Combe notoriously doesn’t dry very fast. Of those that ventured out for T2, only James didn’t improve (but was thankful for the track time); Chaos cemented his win; HoBa span onto the grass and was later heard saying “I hate manure” as his pulled the clumps of earth out of his wheels; and the pesky Audi Quattro (only just) stole FTD from iStallard – duly recorded in the Grays Sporting Almanac.
Back to the future, go on, put some numbers on it.
Shunter
The rain stopped, but with Combe notoriously doesn’t dry very fast. Of those that ventured out for T2, only James didn’t improve (but was thankful for the track time); Chaos cemented his win; HoBa span onto the grass and was later heard saying “I hate manure” as his pulled the clumps of earth out of his wheels; and the pesky Audi Quattro (only just) stole FTD from iStallard – duly recorded in the Grays Sporting Almanac.
Back to the future, go on, put some numbers on it.
Shunter
Round 24, Debden, Sunday 4th October
Tales of Myth, Half Truths and Intrigue
Preparations had gone swimmingly. The journey to darkest Essex had been a breeze. The evening was bright and calm. Our walk of the “exciting new course” layout where “£thousands” had been spent, revealed a magnificent track resplendent in super smooth tarmac. We enjoyed great food and fine wine as we watched England beat Australia and progress to the quarter finals of the rugby world cup… |
… but then, emerging from the shower, in the chill morning air, to the familiar rumbling sound of a TVR V8 parking up next to us… Oh dear, it had all been a dream!
Reality kicked in – England had lost the rugby, I had a mild hangover, and Debden was much the same as it always was: rough surface, lots of weeds, more cones than usually seen on the M4 on a bank holiday weekend, officials arriving late delaying signing-on and chaos ensuing with instructions to competitors to get scrutineered in parallel… Have you heard that I don’t really like Debden? At least the breakfast wagon was up and running early. |
With the formalities over, Steve Lyle and I revisited the course layout, attempting to memorise the best lines to avoid hazards, obstacles, cones, potholes and the like. Iain Stallard remained in the warmth of the van. He reckoned that he could remember it ok just from the night before!
He was not wrong! P1 saw him at least 5 seconds quicker than the rest of us, but of course we were just being cautious weren’t we? We did all improve by the required margin in our P2, however, Iain responded rather better, improving by yet another 6 whole seconds!
Much muttering and tutting about this being a ‘poor scoring round’ was heard in the paddock but maybe this was a bit premature; we hadn’t got to the timed runs yet and all was to play for.
T1 saw a big improvement by Mike Roe. Iain was on a mission to push the bar further from our grasp but caught up with the car in front necessitating a re-run. Unfortunately, making several mistakes in his re-run, left him 2 seconds shy of his previous best, while the rest of us could only match our practice times.
T2 saw Mike Roe improve by almost another second and this was now looking very close indeed. Iain, desperate to protect his slender lead, overcooked it and spun out on the last chicane. Sideways Steve stuck in his best run and sensibly left for home (his car had been sold during the week and understandably he was keen to avoid any damage).
Remarkably, considering the delays at the start of the event, the organisers had made up sufficient time to allow a 3rd and much needed timed run that was taken by all remaining TVR competitors but only I improved on my time.
Mark Harris and Iain cranked out the results which gave Mike Roe the win, Iain 2nd, just 0.05 seconds behind and Steve Lyle a close 3rd.
He was not wrong! P1 saw him at least 5 seconds quicker than the rest of us, but of course we were just being cautious weren’t we? We did all improve by the required margin in our P2, however, Iain responded rather better, improving by yet another 6 whole seconds!
Much muttering and tutting about this being a ‘poor scoring round’ was heard in the paddock but maybe this was a bit premature; we hadn’t got to the timed runs yet and all was to play for.
T1 saw a big improvement by Mike Roe. Iain was on a mission to push the bar further from our grasp but caught up with the car in front necessitating a re-run. Unfortunately, making several mistakes in his re-run, left him 2 seconds shy of his previous best, while the rest of us could only match our practice times.
T2 saw Mike Roe improve by almost another second and this was now looking very close indeed. Iain, desperate to protect his slender lead, overcooked it and spun out on the last chicane. Sideways Steve stuck in his best run and sensibly left for home (his car had been sold during the week and understandably he was keen to avoid any damage).
Remarkably, considering the delays at the start of the event, the organisers had made up sufficient time to allow a 3rd and much needed timed run that was taken by all remaining TVR competitors but only I improved on my time.
Mark Harris and Iain cranked out the results which gave Mike Roe the win, Iain 2nd, just 0.05 seconds behind and Steve Lyle a close 3rd.
So, off to the results tent we went, only to discover that the scores on the doors had been amended to include “cone penalties” as judged by the weary-eyed marshals. It transpired that during T2 all but Steve Lyle had been judged to have incurred at least one cone penalty (2 in my case!) This technically gave Iain the win and demoted Mike to 2nd. Foul play was called and challenges mounted (by many and not confined only to our class). Prize giving was aborted and delayed for the mandatory seven days to resolve any protests.
Provisional results were confirmed later with Mr Roe a 25 point winner, Iain 2nd and Steve Lyle 3rd. Iain also bagged himself the Class A record for the “exciting” new layout and Steve Lyle the new Class B record.
Roll on the season finale at Castle Combe on the 24th October 2015.
Relived by Geoff Stallard.
Provisional results were confirmed later with Mr Roe a 25 point winner, Iain 2nd and Steve Lyle 3rd. Iain also bagged himself the Class A record for the “exciting” new layout and Steve Lyle the new Class B record.
Roll on the season finale at Castle Combe on the 24th October 2015.
Relived by Geoff Stallard.
Round 23, Shelsley Walsh, Sunday 20th September
Shelsley Walsh, this most mystical and ancient of racing
venues, was cloaked in fog as we arrived for our last hillclimb of the
season. Would the mystical phenomenon
see us slithering over, around and up the hill, leaving the championship
placings unsolved?
The TVR family was out in force – 16 contenders, 2 “special
friends”, and numerous relatives, friends and supporters immersed themselves in
the fog, hoping for a magical day’s motorsport.
A walk up the hill before signing on revealed that the track was still
there, the rhubarb was flourishing in the misty dell, and the gradient was as
steep as ever.
Unique to Shelsley, competitors “select” which practice batch they want to be in, with most scrambling to secure the last batches in the mistaken belief that this will result in better times in the afternoon. Those that “accepted” the earlier batches were rewarded with an extra sighting run following the course car in an attempt to disperse the fog. (https://youtu.be/dyGSAHTilVo) |
The seemingly random practice batches meant, like the fog,
the view of who was leading in practice wouldn’t clear until lunchtime. Everyone had used practice for practice, and
improved on their second runs, much to the delight of their support crews. At the front, Moggy’s local knowledge held
firm (good to see you Rob), with the Stallards (good to see you Ali), Firth
(good to see you Mel) and McMaster (good to see you John) in the mix. Just off the pace were Briars-Hunter,
Horsfall and Pack (good to see you Emma, Dan and Sharon), and Watson (with his
mojo back after misplacing it last weekend).
Great to see Bob Naismith, who enjoyed his day on photographic
duties. And Harry Harris brought his
mother along to spectate – hope you enjoyed the day Jean, and that the journey
home wasn’t too nail bighting.
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The idyllic surroundings lulled us into a long sleepy
interlude, and by the time we were shaken from our slumber, many of us had
forgotten what we’d learned in the morning, so improvements were few and far
between. Of note, Hastle (good to see
you Helen, Eric and George) was faster at the bottom, through the Esses and
quicker over the line. Then bang! The
front of the car dropped, the car squirmed around under the heavy braking
required to stop before the tarmac curves away, and Neil’s vocabulary becoming
very Anglo-Saxon. Thankfully, he stayed
on the black stuff, identifying a failed wishbone as the cause of his
unwelcomed drama – son George’s understated observation afterwards: “Daddy
broke his steering”!
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Gerald sneaked away before his second run as he was on cooking
duties for the family evening meal. The
Stallards had also contemplated banking their 3rd and 4th
places and departing, but decided there was more fun to be had. That didn’t
last long, with a(nother) broken diff at the start line; but it will offer a
father-son bonding opportunity – their 40 minute diff change record could well
be broken this week!
Howell (nice to meet you Imogen) was back for his second outing with the championship – bagging some good points at what is very daunting venue.
Howell (nice to meet you Imogen) was back for his second outing with the championship – bagging some good points at what is very daunting venue.
Everyone else improved in their second and final run. The Ashes augmented the stunning scenery with
the glorious soundtrack of their Griff.
The V8Ss were represented by Moakes (enjoy your retirement Paul) and first
of our “special friends”, our erstwhile leader Coxy (whose time would have put
him 6th) (www.classic-marques-speed-challenge.com). Using the trusty
power (66bhp) to weight (1450kg) algorithm, Dr Jeff, our second “special
friend” would have scored a credible 15.75 points in his electric Miev. For his final run, the start line marshal donned
a pair of ear defenders to protect himself from the deafening silence of the
electric motor.
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At the front, there was a battle for chief lunatic. Congratulations to Moggy who got the fastest
start and the win, McMaster peaked at 100 across the line to retain 5th,
but prime lune, and 2nd overall,
was Firth – 110mph approaching Bottom Ess defies all natural laws
(physics, logic, sense). I’m sure if we examined
the inside of his head, there would be a sly strip of fog slithering over,
around, and through it, making everything look ancient and unsolved.
Shunter (photos: bobbox/harry) |
Round 22, Blyton Park, Sunday 13th September
He’s done it. Iain
Stallard has got his first win! Blyton Park is no stranger to debutant wins –
Big Al got his first win here in 2012; Jo got hers here last year.
Iain’s spin in practice (going over the line backwards and
still posting a competitive time: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9e95mKgCmE)
seemed to bolster rather than knock his confidence. He improved all day, and went into the third
and final timed run needing to find 0.3s to beat HoBa, who had led all
day. HoBa improved by 0.7s, but that
wasn’t enough to fend Iain off, who found 1.1s to take the win, stealing the
class A record from a disconsolate MicRo, and beating Geoff in the same car by
over 2s.
On the surface, everyone was delighted for Iain, but the book
of driver’s excuses was well thumbed afterwards:
HoBa: page 3, “it was my first time at the circuit”
Pete: page 47, “I couldn’t hook it up through the first chicane”
HoBa: page 4, “I braked too late for the first corner”
Geoff: page 5, “the track wasn’t as grippy as last year”
Stevie D: page 11, “the finish line was tighter than last year”
HoBa: page 4, “I braked too early for the last corner”
Tony: appendix B, “I came along for a nice day out”
Jo: page 33, “I shouldn’t have had those chips at lunchtime”
HoBa: page 7, “I had a misfire through the chicane due to low fuel”
MicRo: appendix C, “us oldies should have an extra allowance on the handicap”
HoBa: page 14, “I was in the wrong gear though the wiggly bits”
Shunter: page 1, excuse no 1, “he was faster than everyone else”
HoBa: page 3, “it was my first time at the circuit”
Pete: page 47, “I couldn’t hook it up through the first chicane”
HoBa: page 4, “I braked too late for the first corner”
Geoff: page 5, “the track wasn’t as grippy as last year”
Stevie D: page 11, “the finish line was tighter than last year”
HoBa: page 4, “I braked too early for the last corner”
Tony: appendix B, “I came along for a nice day out”
Jo: page 33, “I shouldn’t have had those chips at lunchtime”
HoBa: page 7, “I had a misfire through the chicane due to low fuel”
MicRo: appendix C, “us oldies should have an extra allowance on the handicap”
HoBa: page 14, “I was in the wrong gear though the wiggly bits”
Shunter: page 1, excuse no 1, “he was faster than everyone else”
Well done Iain – don’t keep us waiting as long for the next
win!
PS It was great to see such a fabulous turn out of support
from South Yorkshire – Tony, Graham, Max, Trevor, Peter, Roger, Duke, Martin
and Kev – and from East Midlands – Jeremy, Alan and Lawrie. Your cars looked stunning lined up in the
sunny paddock. They would look even
better if you put some numbers on them!
Shunter
Shunter
Round 21, Harewood Hill, Sunday 30th August
A rare day at Harewood as we enjoyed a warm, if not sunny,
breathless start to the day that would only get better.
An 11 strong contingent from our TVR Speed Championship graced the hallowed hill. All set for what promised to be a perfect day to go sprinting.
An 11 strong contingent from our TVR Speed Championship graced the hallowed hill. All set for what promised to be a perfect day to go sprinting.
BARC, who have done this once or twice before, had a well
organised paddock and slick call up for our first practice run. Two cars and
three drivers were in the ‘Vixen’ class as it has become known though Steve
Dennis’s 1600M was as always a visual treat, as are all the Vixen type cars,
their preparation second to none. The other car driven by Geoff and Iain
Stallard. myself and brother Jerry making up the numbers in this class in our
S3C Cosworth (beautifully prepared if I do say so myself) but not in the same
league as the little Vixens.
Fastest first practice went to Steve, with Iain lulling Geoff in to a false sense of security lagging behind, this he would put to rights on his first timed run by trouncing all in the class with a stunning 66.54 run which earned him 2nd in class (see times for full details). |
On what has been known as a Vixen course (tight and twisty)
Simon Cole returned to his favourite hill climb and promptly beat his own class
record by a full second and in the
process beat all comers to a fine win with a 63.03 run. Purely on time (see
algorithm adjusted times in results) Steve Lyle in the venerable V8S (for sale
by the way) was the best of the rest on a 69.07 with Pete Watson 0.2 of a
second behind – such are the margins in sprinting. Purely on times again Simon
Smith (that’s me) put in a credible 71.19 to take 4th (on time
only), beating more powerful V8s in what
must be a sign of things to come from this young driver...
Nigel Ward beat his previous best by 3 seconds. While in the Blackpool Region’s own “Zimmers & Zoomers” competition, rookie Andy Lynch got the better of veteran Dave Welton. |
No real dramas presented themselves on this fine weather
day, Mr Watson collecting the only damage the writer was aware of when he cut a
corner and buckled a soft spider (wheel not an arachnid); this caused the
balance weights to knock against the brake calliper, soon cured by removing
them. To no detriment as he promptly put in his best time of the day – good job
he was trailering home as a wobbly wheel and a 175 mile trip would not be too
much fun.
No third run on this occasion with hold-ups due to a couple of offs but mainly a spectator needing assistance from the on-site ambulance (meaning there was no cover for the competition for about an hour).
A great day out and clearly the best way to ‘waste time’ in a TVR.
Looking forward to our next outing.
Simon Smith (Photos courtesy of Kev Dunnington)
No third run on this occasion with hold-ups due to a couple of offs but mainly a spectator needing assistance from the on-site ambulance (meaning there was no cover for the competition for about an hour).
A great day out and clearly the best way to ‘waste time’ in a TVR.
Looking forward to our next outing.
Simon Smith (Photos courtesy of Kev Dunnington)
Rounds 19-20, Loton Park, 8th & 9th August
Imagine the scene: late night at Loton Park. The crowds thronging the terraces. Simon Cole; feet planted at Triangle bend,
head adorned with the traditional flat cap.
After the opening guitar riff, Simon’s raspy voice bellows into the
microphone:
Cause I’m back in the swing and I’m beating the King
Nobody’s gonna catch me I’m the real thing So look at me now, I’m just makin’ my way Mogg tried to push his luck, just get out of my way At the back Micro’s back Dave is back Hastle’s back Shelagh’s back back Well I’m back on black Yes I’m back on black Outta sight |
(with
thanks to Malcolm, Angus and Brian – read it while listening to Back in Black
turned all the way up to 11)
(Photos courtesy of Rob Merry and Pete Ash)
(Photos courtesy of Rob Merry and Pete Ash)
Round 18, Hethel, Sunday 2nd August
Our five competitors were meant to consist of Jes, Gerald,
TN Watson, Shunter and Jo, so that would be 25 points for Jes, and the rest of
us enjoying the sunshine and scrabbling round for the minor placings.
But Jes cried off with “clunking” noises discovered at the
Classic Marques Goodwood event the day before, so the potential for good points
and trophies was back on the cards for the remainder of us.
However, HoBa made a meteoric rise up the reserve list (coming from 17th place to 2nd the day before the event) and was advised to turn up anyway. With Jes’s retirement, he made it onto the entry list. So that would mean 25 points for HoBa, and the rest of us enjoying the sunshine and scrabbling round for the minor placings.
Everyone used practice for practice. Gerald was thankful he had been made to walk the, very lengthy, course in the morning as it meant he knew where the chicanes were. TN Watson was cursing he’d not walked the course, as the big 2nd gear chicane he’d remembered from two years ago is now a less severe 3rd gear in and out. At least he’d improve on the next runs.
However, HoBa made a meteoric rise up the reserve list (coming from 17th place to 2nd the day before the event) and was advised to turn up anyway. With Jes’s retirement, he made it onto the entry list. So that would mean 25 points for HoBa, and the rest of us enjoying the sunshine and scrabbling round for the minor placings.
Everyone used practice for practice. Gerald was thankful he had been made to walk the, very lengthy, course in the morning as it meant he knew where the chicanes were. TN Watson was cursing he’d not walked the course, as the big 2nd gear chicane he’d remembered from two years ago is now a less severe 3rd gear in and out. At least he’d improve on the next runs.
Shunter and Jo were within the obligatory 1 second of each
other with Shunter just ahead. While
HoBa was out in front, but already reciting the Racing Drivers’ Book Of Excuses
– apparently his car was only running on 7½ cylinders.
Everyone improved for second practice. TN Watson didn’t need the sat nav to find his way round this time, Shunter and Jo found 3 seconds, and were still within 1 second of each other (Shunter just ahead), and HoBa was up front, but now complaining that his experimental 888s were not as good as the Kumhos.
We all spent a very pleasant lunchtime soaking up the sun, discussing the merits of spam done on the barbeque (try it, you’ll be pleasantly surprised). The conditions were perfect for the afternoon’s timed runs, and spirits were high.
TN Watson was staying locally with friends, and I think he was already looking forward to one or three pints of the local brew in the beer garden of their local pub. All sense of “getting a banker in” seemed to slip from his mind as he proceeded to spin at the awkward last chicane, taking out several cones, only to press on trying to make up time through the wiggles, which wiggled too much, meaning he found out that the gravel does what it’s meant to – preventing the car from hitting the barrier when he left the track. Thankfully for Pete, no damage. Thankfully for the rest of us, they made him drive back on the grass so the collected gravel didn’t drop onto the circuit.
Everyone improved for second practice. TN Watson didn’t need the sat nav to find his way round this time, Shunter and Jo found 3 seconds, and were still within 1 second of each other (Shunter just ahead), and HoBa was up front, but now complaining that his experimental 888s were not as good as the Kumhos.
We all spent a very pleasant lunchtime soaking up the sun, discussing the merits of spam done on the barbeque (try it, you’ll be pleasantly surprised). The conditions were perfect for the afternoon’s timed runs, and spirits were high.
TN Watson was staying locally with friends, and I think he was already looking forward to one or three pints of the local brew in the beer garden of their local pub. All sense of “getting a banker in” seemed to slip from his mind as he proceeded to spin at the awkward last chicane, taking out several cones, only to press on trying to make up time through the wiggles, which wiggled too much, meaning he found out that the gravel does what it’s meant to – preventing the car from hitting the barrier when he left the track. Thankfully for Pete, no damage. Thankfully for the rest of us, they made him drive back on the grass so the collected gravel didn’t drop onto the circuit.
Shunter and Jo found another 2 seconds and were now within
0.1 seconds (Jo just ahead), and HoBa was up front, now claiming the 888s were
pretty good as they break away more progressively than the Kumhos.
The last timed run came round quickly, with everyone still focussed. Gerald improved again, eventually knocking off a massive 11 seconds from his first practice, and gaining his second highest points of the year, which for his first time at this tricky circuit is a fabulous result.
TN Watson got his “banker”, but would have been cursing his double-off while enjoying the beer that evening.
The last timed run came round quickly, with everyone still focussed. Gerald improved again, eventually knocking off a massive 11 seconds from his first practice, and gaining his second highest points of the year, which for his first time at this tricky circuit is a fabulous result.
TN Watson got his “banker”, but would have been cursing his double-off while enjoying the beer that evening.
Shunter and Jo found another 2 seconds, and were within ¼
second (Shunter just ahead), and HoBa was up front to claim the…no, wait, he’s
third! The Hunter-Briars rivalry had
momentarily passed him by, so Jes’s retirement meant a “miserly” 24.85 points
with the trophies going to Shunter and Jo.
Hethel really is the best of venues when the weather’s like this. Enjoying the sunshine, and scrabbling around for the (not so) minor placings. Go on, put some numbers on it. Shunter |
(Post Script – HoBa continued his Racing Drivers’ Excuses afterwards, claiming that we had distracted him at lunchtime, so that he didn’t put his faster Kumhos on. Competitive? Not ‘arf!)
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Round 17, 3 Sisters, Saturday 1st August
3 Sisters,
our TVR bash to the ‘The Jewel of the North' as described on the 3 sisters
website; the go kart track near Wigan takes its name from the coal mining slag
heaps it was developed from.
We are on the
full circuit 1500m, exiting the pit lane and finishing on Cowards Summit, a fun
sprint suiting the class A cars and just short of mile or so, a tight twisty
course.
Sitting there at breakfast, listening to the TVR banter I was kindly reminded by the members present, what happens on tour stays on tour! I think that’s a gagging order in journalistic terms, but one item worth listing and noting was the clerk of the course warning of the different types of tarmac used on this circuit and keeping it on the black. The weather started out promising and the forecast we thought to get better still, how wrong we were and the ensuing challenge to heed the clerk’s advice.
Sitting there at breakfast, listening to the TVR banter I was kindly reminded by the members present, what happens on tour stays on tour! I think that’s a gagging order in journalistic terms, but one item worth listing and noting was the clerk of the course warning of the different types of tarmac used on this circuit and keeping it on the black. The weather started out promising and the forecast we thought to get better still, how wrong we were and the ensuing challenge to heed the clerk’s advice.
With a damp track from
overnight rain P1 commenced with Mike Roe showing us how to do it with Geoff Stallard
following up to give the Vixens a one-two followed by Dave Barrowclough and
Dave Welton.
With Dave Welton suffering electrical gremlins we were not to see him return to the track till T3. P2 commenced with the track no drier and the weather looking to be deteriorating by the minute, but still with Mike and Geoff both improving times and with a small field of entrants Longton and District club did a fine job of running the event, enabling T1 to commence before lunch, however now with a steady drizzle coming down it did not bode well. The track in the wet is a real challenge with only the final Conrad Straight and associated bend on and off giving a modicum of grip, this was starting to look like a rally stage. T1 completed in the rain and Mike Roe showed his skill knocking time off his runs as he would on all subsequent outings, credit due on this circuit with the grip available. |
Dave B taking 2nd
place followed by Geoff, with Dave W in the pits chasing down the gremlins still.
Mr Stallard indicating he was saving himself for the forecasted weather improvements
and did not want to peak too early.
Over lunch it was clear the improving weather conditions we had all hoped for were very unlikely to occur so after some more TVR banter in the pits and the gagging order still in place for this writer we all faced the fact of more of the same conditions. T2 and T3 taking place with total efficiency by the organising club. Dave Welton coming out only for the final T3 but with an ensuing spin not bettering his P1 time. None but Mike Roe making improvements to their times allowing Micro to take a well deserved 25 points in the wet slippery conditions, with the rest following along understeering, over steering and generally I think it’s called messing up. Fingers crossed for better weather at Loton. Dave Barrowclough (Photos: Dave Cahill) |
Round 16, Curborough, Sunday 5th July
Curburgring AKA Curborough.
Well, after an iffy start to his day, Jes Firth was set for a blinder. Jes forget to set his alarm clock for his early start, arriving uncustomarily late. A few sprinters were walking the course, weighing up the new tarmac and the now wider entry into the hairpin. Sideways and HoBa concerned that the marker boards indicating the right hand return loop, and therefore assisting in judging your late (or too late) braking points for the second lap of the course were missing. Perhaps it was gamesmanship by another competitor overnight? Meanwhile back in the paddock, Moggy scaring us all, when one of the ramps from the trailer detached whilst unloading his car. No harm done, thankfully.
Well, after an iffy start to his day, Jes Firth was set for a blinder. Jes forget to set his alarm clock for his early start, arriving uncustomarily late. A few sprinters were walking the course, weighing up the new tarmac and the now wider entry into the hairpin. Sideways and HoBa concerned that the marker boards indicating the right hand return loop, and therefore assisting in judging your late (or too late) braking points for the second lap of the course were missing. Perhaps it was gamesmanship by another competitor overnight? Meanwhile back in the paddock, Moggy scaring us all, when one of the ramps from the trailer detached whilst unloading his car. No harm done, thankfully.
First practice and first ‘off’ of the day, Pacman,
emboldened by the new tarmac came off at the first corner, careering across the
infield. Returning to the paddock with a
few clods of earth in the cabin and on the bonnet. Earning the nickname ‘clod
of the day’. A photo opportunity missed, where are you Hugh when we need you!
First practice set the scene for the day, with Mr. Firth quick straight out of
the box. HoBa was a very close second, with Moggy uncharacteristically off the
pace. Perhaps, due to the trailer incident? The rest of the field getting a
feel for the available grip, Pacman stating that there wasn’t any grip to be
had, muttering about changing tyres/springs/geometry. Peter 3nuts Watson having
a scary moment, with his foot getting stuck behind the brake pedal as he
crossed the finishing line. Maybe add a pair of racing boots on to the
Christmas list Pete? Team Dennis’s time splitting the two Stallards, with the
King ahead of the Prince.
Second practice started, and soon was halted by an almighty accident. John Roberts performing a series of barrel rolls in his electric Westfield. He was trapped under the car for a short while, the marshals and medics doing a sterling job in extracting him and tending to him. Much to our relief and amazement, John returned to the paddock soon after, only suffering a grazed elbow. John’s car now in a sorry state. Note to self; rollcage/race seat/hans device now added to my Christmas list.
Much to my surprise, when second practice resumed we all went a little quicker. I guess we are all racers at heart, with little or no imagination.
After lunch, first timed runs. We all again posted quicker times, Shelagh Ash knocking a full three seconds off her best practice time. Shelagh, can you pass on any tips please? Prince Stallard, knocking the King from his throne for a second time this year. Jes, once again taking first place, followed by HoBa, then Moggy, now getting into his stride. Unfortunately, whilst waiting for our next timed run, the heavens opened. At the start line, the single seaters’ sitting on slicks, scampered back to the paddock for full wets. After a short discussion in camp TVR, it was decided that as none of us were likely to post improved times, we would all pack up for the day (all but one). A brave Steve Dennis taking to the course, and declaring ‘it’s mostly dry out there’. But nobody was convinced, as Steve was slightly slower than his first timed run.
So after fighting for and earning his eight red twenty fives, so early in the season, Jes Firth is now our 2015 championship winner. There are some really talented people competing in our championship, so it wasn’t easily won. A heart felt congratulations Jes and his ‘Frankengriff’ from all of us.
Roll on the next event. It really is “the best way to waste your time”!
Mark 'Harry' Harris
Second practice started, and soon was halted by an almighty accident. John Roberts performing a series of barrel rolls in his electric Westfield. He was trapped under the car for a short while, the marshals and medics doing a sterling job in extracting him and tending to him. Much to our relief and amazement, John returned to the paddock soon after, only suffering a grazed elbow. John’s car now in a sorry state. Note to self; rollcage/race seat/hans device now added to my Christmas list.
Much to my surprise, when second practice resumed we all went a little quicker. I guess we are all racers at heart, with little or no imagination.
After lunch, first timed runs. We all again posted quicker times, Shelagh Ash knocking a full three seconds off her best practice time. Shelagh, can you pass on any tips please? Prince Stallard, knocking the King from his throne for a second time this year. Jes, once again taking first place, followed by HoBa, then Moggy, now getting into his stride. Unfortunately, whilst waiting for our next timed run, the heavens opened. At the start line, the single seaters’ sitting on slicks, scampered back to the paddock for full wets. After a short discussion in camp TVR, it was decided that as none of us were likely to post improved times, we would all pack up for the day (all but one). A brave Steve Dennis taking to the course, and declaring ‘it’s mostly dry out there’. But nobody was convinced, as Steve was slightly slower than his first timed run.
So after fighting for and earning his eight red twenty fives, so early in the season, Jes Firth is now our 2015 championship winner. There are some really talented people competing in our championship, so it wasn’t easily won. A heart felt congratulations Jes and his ‘Frankengriff’ from all of us.
Roll on the next event. It really is “the best way to waste your time”!
Mark 'Harry' Harris
Round 15, Silverstone Stowe, Sunday 21st June
As it was the first time here for the majority of our
worshippers, we had to discover the lay of the land. Studying the activities of previous years on
ye olde t’internet hadn’t helped because this year the start and finish were in
different places; probably something to do with alignment and stones. In fact, close attention was paid to the
“stones” during the early morning saunter around the track – were the barriers
solid (and to be avoided) or where they sacrificial (and part of the escape
route if you overcooked it)? Actually, they were made of polystyrene and foam,
reminiscent of the 18” stones in Spinal Tap.
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No virgins were sacrificed (although I’ve heard it’s tricky
to find one in Northamptonshire), but Mr Firth had decided to sacrifice the
final corner in pursuit of a couple of tenths (the finish line was just before
the apex of the last corner, so completing the corner afterwards was an option
that Jes decided against).
Practice was therefore for practice – find the layout (no
handy English Heritage guide books to tell you which bits you can go on and
which bits you can’t), work out the lines, work out the braking points (roughly
a hundred yards past the “Brake Here” board!) and work out which gears. Jes had four wheels off…twice – once at the
chicane and once at the finish. Sideways Lyle proved local knowledge was
paramount, leading after first practice.
Shunter was unusually ahead of his rivals Briars and Harris. In the class A battle, Micro led the way, the
Stallards were having their own personal tussle, while Mr Dennis was leading
the ‘whiter than white’ battle in his newly restored 1600M that looks like it’s
come out of a Daz advert.
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The first timed run was before lunch, and as is often the
case in this situation, was the fastest run of the day for many (Dennis, Shunter,
Firth, Simonds and Bradfield – who actually posted an identical time in
T2). The Stallards had trouble with
fuelling, diagnosed it as heat sink, and were occupied for the rest of the day
lapping the bonnet up and down for cooling purposes in similar fashion to
wafting your pagan robes to get air to your vital parts on a hot summer’s day!
A little bit too much relaxation at lunchtime (great to see competitors old - Paddy - and hopefully new - Richard). |
So only a handful of improvers in T2 (Roe, Stallard, Stallard, Briars) while Everett followed Firth's lead and also banzai'd the last corner to get a stunning time. On other occasion, the last run of the day would have been in darkness (TVR headlights don't normally help much in this situation). But as it was the longest day of the year, no fear, so we all went out for a final bit of fun. Fastest times were posted by the majority of our pagans, Blacklee improving by 3s, Harris jumping to 6th, Briars pipping Shunter, Iain beating his Dad (on Father's Day - how could you?) Lyle, Roe and Everett shoring up 4th, 3rd and 2nd.
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Rounds 13 & 14, Epynt, 13th & 14th June
Rounds 13
and 14 saw 9 drivers head off for our double header at the Epynt hillclimb,
organised by the Brecon Motor club. There was much speculation prior to the
event as to where exactly Epynt is. If you try and google it, there is very
little information as to its whereabouts, probably due to the fact it is
located somewhere within the several thousand acres owned by the Ministry of
Defence, forming part of the Sennybridge training Area (SENTA). Even the
directions in the final instructions were somewhat vague - ‘turn right off the
A40 near Trecastle and follow the orange flags to the paddock’. So test one is just to arrive at the place.
The
Hunter-Briars clan had decided to book a guest house in Builth Wells, thinking
this looked like the closest town to the venue. Following their advice, Howard ‘HoBa’
Barnard booked a B&B in the same town. As the crow flies it probably was
quite close, but to follow the instructions to get to the hill in the morning
meant nearly an hour’s drive. Thankfully signing on didn’t begin until 8:30
with convoy runs at 10:00, so HoBa still found time for a full ‘English’ before
hitting the road.
Neil Hastle, Jeff Ames and Dave ‘Rainmeister’ Barrowclough all decided to camp on site for the weekend. Shunter got a call from Neil sometime after 10 on Friday night saying ‘we’re lost, where is it’?’. Apparently they had turned off the A40 and after driving a mile or so in the rain and fog, expecting to end up in the paddock, decided they must have taken a wrong turn and turned round. Actually, they hadn’t taken a wrong turn. What was not clear is that you have to follow the orange flags for approximately 8 miles along single track roads! Thankfully the military make very smooth roads. Steve ‘Sideways’ Lyle decided to set off early so had the help of finding the place in daylight hours. And Richard Blacklee and Pete Watson sensibly booked their accommodation on the correct side of the ranges. So test one passed. Just. |
The second
test was finding out where the track went. Again, try and google it and there
are no maps of the hill anywhere.
Thankfully all drivers got a convoy run on both days although there was
still much muttering as everyone tried to remember it before practice started.
The hill is allegedly the longest steepest hillclimb on the UK mainland. It is approximately 1 mile, consisting of one sweeping left hand bend, a long tightening right hand bend, a slight sweep to the left, two very tight chicanes and a long straight over a brow into a tight junction right with the finish just after. Height gained is approximately 130 metres, an average gradient of 8%. A new piece of tarmac at the top of the hill allowed the drivers to be held until the end of their batch and to return back down the hill, to save having to make the 4 mile trek down the old return road. So test three ‘will I have enough fuel for the weekend’ was looking more secure. |
So onto the practice runs. Although the military
tarmac was vey smooth, it was extremely narrow and wet from all the overnight
rain, it was still drizzling, and there was the added hazard of avoiding the
sheep on the way up. So test four was whether we would all stay on the tarmac. On
1st practice everyone was being a little bit circumspect, and just learning
or re-familiarising themselves with the hill. 2nd practice saw
everyone’s times start to come down, but thankfully we all managed to stay on
the black stuff. So test four passed.
My predictions of the top 3 places, in no particular order, was as expected. After practice Steve ‘Sideways’ Lyle was in top spot, followed by Dave ‘Rainmeister’ Barrowclough, with HoBa taking 3rd, all separated by just 0.3 handicap seconds.
My predictions of the top 3 places, in no particular order, was as expected. After practice Steve ‘Sideways’ Lyle was in top spot, followed by Dave ‘Rainmeister’ Barrowclough, with HoBa taking 3rd, all separated by just 0.3 handicap seconds.
Onto the times runs, and with the rain clearing
away, times started to tumble even further. This really is a power hill, so the
2 vixens of Neil and Jeff were having their own battle in class A. Jeff’s
ongoing engine woes meant he had put his spare ‘hairdryer’ engine in for the
event, but even with the favourable handicap he couldn’t match the pace of
Neil’s vixen. So at the end of day one it was Neil picking up the class A
trophy.
In class B, with the improving, although damp, track conditions, it looked as though the positions would be decided on how brave you could leave your braking for the last corner. The first timed run saw HoBa take top spot from the ‘Rainmeister’, then ‘Sideways’. On the 2nd timed run though, Hoba couldn’t improve, braked too early for the last bend, and kicked his foot in frustration resulting in a suspected broken toe! ‘Sideways’ found nearly 2 seconds but not enough to take him from 3rd spot. But Dave lived up to his name and the ‘Rainmeister’’s improvement saw him jump into top spot, take his first ever 25 points and the class B trophy. Apparently he had scared himself so much he was still seen shaking 10 minutes later! |
Saturday evening
As Howard, Steve Lyle and Richard were only entered for Saturday, they all headed home. This time it was ‘Sideways’ turn to live up to his namesake as he allegedly took a spin coming off the M50! The Hunter-Briars clan went exploring alternative routes back to Builth Wells, Pete headed back to his sensibly placed tavern near Sennybridge, and the Hastles, Barrowcloughs and the Ameses looked forward to a nice evening listening to the live firing over the military ranges. |
Sunday 14th
With an equally relaxed start on Sunday, and the sun starting to come out, it was promising to be a good day for the remaining 6 drivers. Unfortunately for Jeff, his spare engine had an ignition problem, which meant an early withdrawal. So 6 became 5. After 1st practice it was Pete Watson who took the top spot, from Dave, then Shunter, Jo then Neil. Unfortunately for Pete this was to be his quickest run of the day, with subsequent runs resulting in big lock ups braking for that notorious last corner. Neil made the biggest improvement in 2nd practice, but the class A car wasn’t a match for the B’s. Dave and Jo both improved by nearly 2 seconds, so positions switched with Dave leading from Pete, Jo, Shunter and Neil at the end of practice. |
Onto timed runs, and further improvements were made
by all on every run with the exception of Pete who dropped into 4th
place and here the positions remained.
Neil picked up his 2nd Class A trophy of the weekend and Dave collected another 25 points and proved that come rain or shine he is one to watch. No longer just the ‘Rainmeister’, but more ‘King of the Mountain’!
Jo Briars (Photos: JMSPhotographic, Helen Hastle, Dave Barrowclough)
Neil picked up his 2nd Class A trophy of the weekend and Dave collected another 25 points and proved that come rain or shine he is one to watch. No longer just the ‘Rainmeister’, but more ‘King of the Mountain’!
Jo Briars (Photos: JMSPhotographic, Helen Hastle, Dave Barrowclough)
Round 12, Abingdon, Saturday 6th June
Abingdon, with its 8 runs on 2 different tracks , has
always been well supported by TVR drivers so I was surprised that the entry
list showed just 5 cars and 6 drivers, all in Class B . Knowing the tracks,
cars and drivers I’d written the report before leaving home. Just had to fill
in the weather, track conditions and a few times – job done. Of course this
changed immediately on arrival. Ian
Horsfall in his Cerbera replacing James Howell’s Cerbera which lacked an exhaust. Oh well, that’s page one torn up.
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The organisers’ admin is second to none, as it has to cope
with over 1200 timings in a short space of time. The entry is copybook club motorsport. It’s
worth strolling round the paddocks just to see entrants ranging from a modern
Mustang convertible through hordes of Sprites, MGBs, a couple of lovely Renault
Alpines and a whole week’s production of Lotus Elises and Exiges plus some very
entertaining three wheeling Escorts and of course, 5 TVRs. The weather was forecast to be stinking hot
and whilst it was dry and sunny, a very strong South Westerly kept the
temperature down as well as Ian’s tent. Still it ensured the track was grippy,
except where concrete changed to tarmac and back to concrete.
Pictures courtesy of: horsfalli, firth, shunter, bobbox
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Scrutineering, driver’s briefing and a painfully slow convoy
run over, the sprint really gets going with P1 being completed by 10 am. TVRs were on the Bentley course in the
morning which favours powerful cars and late brakers. Sophistication is not
required as it’s a set of straight lines joined by right angles. Jes Firth was
in his element. First runs were uneventful but second practice rapidly proved
otherwise. I broke my throttle cable for the second time and Jes smote most of
the barriers at the end of the first straight. Despite this he had a slender
lead over Jo Briars in the shared Chimeara , Mark Harris in his well campaigned
Cerbera , Ian in his Cerb and Jo’s partner Steve Hunter, the other driver of
the Chim. Straight onto timed runs. T1 had Mark leading Jo ahead of Jes. Both Jo and Jes improved in T2 so Jo took a
slight lead at lunch break of 0.2 secs over Jes. Mark third and Ian and Steve
catching up. Oh well that’s page 2 torn up.
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A windy break for obligatory bacon baguettes was quickly
followed by the Abingdon course. Now this is something else, being fast and
furious and favouring the brave or crazy, depending on your desire to live a
while longer. From the start it’s pedal to the metal , sorry fibreglass, round
a long left hand into a slightly shorter right hand by which time you are
probably foot down in fourth, before braking hard into the left, right, left of
the elongated chicane, then flat again down a long straight into the fast left
turn through the finish line. After P1,
it was the considered opinion of some that Jes may have taken a short cut as
his scratch time was 5 seconds faster than anyone else. The gap was closed a
touch after P2 and then it was time for the serious stuff of timed runs. I
crossed the prairie which is Abingdon where it’s not tarmac, to the only
spectator viewpoint which happens to be the chicane. Mark was really on it ,
rushing up to the left, scrabbling round that, then the right starting to apply
the Cerbera’s power, through the exit lifting the inside front wheel on full
power and then ever so slightly sideways, more sideways and whoops! all the way
round . Had the photographers snapping, that one did.
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Not to be out done, Mr Firth arrived at 115 mph. He has a
technique, developed over the years of thinking about braking, thinking again
about braking and then actually braking. It’s very effective but no one is
really sure how he gets round the ensuing corner, least of all Mr Firth. Jo was deceptively fast, meanwhile Steve had
woken up and crept up the leader board whilst Ian was taking on board my advice
to brake later. Sugar coated doughnuts were dispensed to boost flagging energy
levels as the final run of the day started.
The results of the day are decided on adding together the
times of the Bentley and Abingdon runs. Another duff run by Mark would ruin his
day as he wouldn’t have a time from Abingdon. No pressure then. Just take it
easy but go as fast as you can which he duly did and so did everyone else. In
the end, on handicap, Jes took the 25 points followed by Jo, Mark, Steve and
Ian all covered by just over 1 second. Exciting stuff and you can join in. Just
put some numbers on it!
T.N.Watson |
Coventry Motofest, Sunday 31st May
The TVR Speed Championship was kindly invited to take part in this year's "non-competitive" sprint event at the Coventry Motofest. This event took place on the Coventry ring road - closed to the public, with a temporary removal of the speed limits to allow for the fun and action.
A number of Speed Championship competitors and local Tivvers entered for the event, but several suffered mechanical and other "challenges" to get there, so it was only Ian Horsfall, Jo Briars and Steve Hunter that braved an early morning start to go and check it out. |
The Sprinting wasn't due to start until lunchtime, so we went for a wander around Coventry town centre, where virtually every open space had a static display of cars. Lots to see and do, loads of enthusiasts to talk with, and the most fabulous breakfast baps from the Ace Cafe.
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The event timetable was packed, and being in the paddocks, we got to see the other "performers" up close and personal. The drift cars were truly spectacular (even some of our more sideways competitors could learn a thing or two from them), and to see the stock cars use the Coventry ring road as a mini-oval was brilliant.
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The "Sprinting" started at 12.15, just as a minor shower wetted the previously drying surface. The three amigos started caustiously (Steve's first run) but enjoyed it nonetheless. We found ourselves in a field of classics, rally cars and American muscle cars. As we got to learn the circuit (multiple chicanes to slow us down, and going round the last roundabout "the wrong way" to get back onto the other carriageway) we all started getting quicker, and learnt where to step the back end out to please the crowds, (Ian's last run).
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All in all, a fabulous event, and what a great opportunity to legally hoon it around Coventry ring road. Looking forward to doing the same again next year!
Round 11, Prescott, Saturday 23rd May
One of the reasons HoBa joined the TVR Speed Championship
was because he broke the target time system at Prescott in 2013 – once you’ve
set a startling time, it’s very difficult to get good points afterwards. So he arrived today, hoping to benefit from
the not-at-all-complicated Speed Champ handicap, (a simple power:weight affair)
that equalises everyone’s chances of winning.
But it was always going to be tough with five past-champions and a whole
bunch of very capable drivers in the field.
The joy of this handicap is that you have to beat your
fellow competitors on the day.
Regardless of conditions, previous achievements or future potential,
it’s all about putting a time in on the day.
Oh, and entertaining the crowds.
If you haven’t been to Prescott before, it is one of the most enjoyable days out in the world of sprints and hillclimbs. Especially if you get the un-bank holiday-like sunshine that we delighted in today. The crowds were out in force, and 21 TVRs were all revved up (but, not before the morning curfew, honest) to put on a show. |
As always the little cars were out first. Neil got baulked as the car in front spun –
with reports coming back that it was “still very slippy through the
Esses”. So Neil got a re-run, went up
very cautiously, and still lost it through the Esses, to the pleasure of the
early spectators. Minor grazing ensued,
but nothing to spoil the day.
Howard put down a marker from the start, with the usual suspects (Moggy, Captain “Everett” Chaos, Sideways Lyle, Jes and GetCarter) keeping him honest. Micro and King Stallard were just behind on identical handicap times showing just how competitive our lot are, (whatever happened to “practice is for practice”? |
Jes went for it in second practice, having a massive
tank-slapper in the Esses, and narrowly avoiding disaster stopping short of the
barriers. Upon return to the paddocks, with no sign of Jes, Moggy casually
enquired “has he gone to change his pants?” Mrs Harris came to the rescue, presenting
Jes with newly laundered “pants” left behind in Anglesey a few weeks ago (it’s
a long story – ask Jes next time you see him).
Everyone else managed to improve their times – the top runners by a smidgen (showing just how “on it” they were from the beginning), while others were easing into the day taking chunks off (most notably Gerald who took another second off with every run). |
Howard was king of the “Barnard” Castle, followed by Chaos,
Sideways and Micro. Rob Pack headed up the
midfield battle, with seven separated by a just a second (Pack, Stevie D,
Bradders, Barrowclough, Jo, GetCarter and Harry).
A two-hour lunch ensued. In equal measures – frustrating for the competitors, but fascinating for the gathering hoards. Demonstration runs of old and new Bugattis, turbine bikes, and members of the public doing parade laps (and obviously not exceeding the 50mph limit, not!)
With cold tyres, full bellies and off-the-boil brains, our competitors had to do it all over again in the afternoon. A mixed bag of improvers, and snoozers, with Neil and Pete Ash making the biggest gains, while HoBa and Pete W left it all to do in the final run. The top 8 were separated by less than a second: Moggy, Chaos, Jes, King Stallard, Cole, Sideways, Micro then Barrowclough.
A two-hour lunch ensued. In equal measures – frustrating for the competitors, but fascinating for the gathering hoards. Demonstration runs of old and new Bugattis, turbine bikes, and members of the public doing parade laps (and obviously not exceeding the 50mph limit, not!)
With cold tyres, full bellies and off-the-boil brains, our competitors had to do it all over again in the afternoon. A mixed bag of improvers, and snoozers, with Neil and Pete Ash making the biggest gains, while HoBa and Pete W left it all to do in the final run. The top 8 were separated by less than a second: Moggy, Chaos, Jes, King Stallard, Cole, Sideways, Micro then Barrowclough.
Pete W’s throttle cable had snapped after Pardon – which
attracted a host of competitors, spectators and generally “thoroughly nice
chaps” busying themselves around Pete’s car once back in the paddock. Local hero Keith spent at least 30 minutes
upside-down in the footwell at one end of the replacement cable, while Bradders
and others sorted out the bonnet end. A huge thanks to Keith, and I hope you
managed to extricate yourself from the car before Pete took it up for the final
run!
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HoBa had pushed hard, a little too hard, and got a tank
slapper coming out of Pardon, which spat him off the track and down the hill,
coming to rest between two trees. In car
footage proves he has a good grasp of Anglo-Saxon language, and we still don’t
know whether his precautionary visit to the medical tent was to clean out his
mouth or his underpants. With a clean
bill of health, he would have to put in a blinder on the second timed run.
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The commentator announced the last runs, and brought the
crowd’s attention to the imminent entertaining finale courtesy of the
TVRs. Who were we to disappoint? Neil couldn’t quite catch up with Mr Moakes,
but they both finished with over 20 points (amazingly, 18 out of the 21 runners
achieved this).
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Clearly not happy about going home with anything less than
25 points, Jes tried even harder (is that possible?). “Safely” around Orchard and Ettores, a big
cloud of tyre smoke telegraphed his imminent entry into the gravel at Pardon. However, his front splitter acted like a surf
board, and instead of coming to a hasty stop, he ploughed on into the tyre
wall, ripping off said splitter (which ironically looked like a surfboard when propped
up behind his seat for the journey home).
The marshalls rushed up to him, asking if he was OK? Response: “Yup, I’m
used to this!”
Moggy pushed hard, went 0.1 quicker, but only enough for 2nd. Chaos also found another 0.2 (and a PB), but only enough for 3rd. Sideways went sideways (and beat his PB) to pick up the final trophy. Lots of other PBs too: Micro, Barrowclough, Jo, Shunter, Harry, Pack and Cole. |
But the honours are all Howard’s. He beat his fellow competitors on the day (congrats
Howard – this red 25 really is yours this time!), and entertained the crowds
too.
The competitors had a great time, as Rob summed up: “the weekend was one of the most enjoyable rounds I can remember, everybody pushing to the limit and sometimes beyond…glad I'm part of such a great championship”. And the spectators were enthralled, as Ian Horsfall said: “A magnificent show, the TVRs where the most committed and spectacular act of the day”. |
A big welcome to all the local regions who came along. I
hope you enjoyed the show we put on? We look forward to seeing you next time – hopefully
with some numbers on it!
Shunter (Photos courtesy of Jeff Ames, Ian Horsfall and Bob Naismith)
Shunter (Photos courtesy of Jeff Ames, Ian Horsfall and Bob Naismith)
Photo Gallery and Video Links
HoBa off:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G4sI7zet7A&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0uB82D6n0Y&feature=youtu.be
Jes, wild then off:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy8r7IEfhto&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N7SklBdFfA&feature=youtu.be
Photos from Bobox:
http://s10.photobucket.com/user/bobs4c/slideshow/TVRCC_Sprints/TVRCC_Speed_Champ_Prescott_2015?sort=2
Photos from Jeff Ames:
https://plus.google.com/photos/102570178137875540657/albums/6152758800593426449
HoBa off:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G4sI7zet7A&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0uB82D6n0Y&feature=youtu.be
Jes, wild then off:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy8r7IEfhto&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N7SklBdFfA&feature=youtu.be
Photos from Bobox:
http://s10.photobucket.com/user/bobs4c/slideshow/TVRCC_Sprints/TVRCC_Speed_Champ_Prescott_2015?sort=2
Photos from Jeff Ames:
https://plus.google.com/photos/102570178137875540657/albums/6152758800593426449
Rounds 9 & 10, Wiscombe, 16th-17th May
A Tale of Two Fuel
Pumps
It was a relatively small field of just 8 TVRs that contested the Saturday at Wiscombe with only two cars in Class A, Harriet Temple in her wedge and me in my Vixen. My wife joked (rather cruelly I thought) that at least I was guaranteed a top three place in the class! Turns out I didn’t even manage that…On Sunday only four cars put down timed runs. Wiscombe can bear the brunt of some very mixed weather so we were lucky to see clear skies and no rain all weekend. This meant the hill was dry and conditions were good. Perfect conditions to threaten the TVR course record. |
After practice on Saturday, Steve Mogg was in the lead,
closely followed by Trevor McMaster. Mark Everett on only his second outing of
the season came up with the win. After great
consistency in the practices (only 0.1 of a second between runs), he produced
the goods in the afternoon. This was
despite an incident in the top paddock during practice that involved Mark’s
keys and a long screw driver. Thank
goodness TVRs are easy to break in to.
Between the group, we came up with four or five options, by which time
Mark had opened the car and retrieved the keys.
Steve Mogg came second, with Simon Cole moving to third. Rob Pack in his
Chimaera 400, Paul Moakes in his V8S and Harriet Temple in the Tasmin completed
the field.
My car had not performed well during the practices, with zero acceleration. A problem with the fuel system was diagnosed. Tinkering during lunch made little difference and my first timed run was a disaster. But somebody had a spare fuel pump so I spent Saturday evening fitting that, but unfortunately the fitting was slightly different so off it came again. Removing the fuel filter seemed to make some difference so the plan was to sprint on Sunday like that.
My car had not performed well during the practices, with zero acceleration. A problem with the fuel system was diagnosed. Tinkering during lunch made little difference and my first timed run was a disaster. But somebody had a spare fuel pump so I spent Saturday evening fitting that, but unfortunately the fitting was slightly different so off it came again. Removing the fuel filter seemed to make some difference so the plan was to sprint on Sunday like that.
Rob Pack also did some repairs to his car overnight,
replacing the shocks and springs.
Christopher, Harriet’s brother, provided some useful skills. More used to fixing tractors, he noted there
were many similarities between tractors and TVRs. The change paid off as Rob improved his
points on the Sunday.
Amazingly, a man called Barry The Pump in the next part of the paddock along from the TVRs had heard our discussions about fuel pumps and kindly brought one from home for me to fit on Sunday morning! So armed with fuel pump number two I drove back up the hill to top paddock as part of first practice. Thanks to Trevor for supplementing my tools with his. After several hours of effort, pump 2 still wouldn’t fit so it was car on the trailer time and I enjoyed watching the afternoon’s sprinting. |
After the morning’s practice sessions, Steve Mogg was in
first place with a time of 44.92 before handicap, with Trevor in second place.
All four drivers produced slightly faster times than Saturday in the afternoon’s runs, with Steve Mogg taking the win on Sunday, followed by Trevor McMaster, then Simon Cole and Rob Pack. Unfortunately, Harriet’s Tasmin suffered, I believe, a fuel pump problem on the start line and had to be towed up the hill to the top paddock.
Back to the garage for me now to try and fix the car before Prescott on Saturday!
Neil Hastle
All four drivers produced slightly faster times than Saturday in the afternoon’s runs, with Steve Mogg taking the win on Sunday, followed by Trevor McMaster, then Simon Cole and Rob Pack. Unfortunately, Harriet’s Tasmin suffered, I believe, a fuel pump problem on the start line and had to be towed up the hill to the top paddock.
Back to the garage for me now to try and fix the car before Prescott on Saturday!
Neil Hastle
Round 8, MIRA, Saturday 9th May
Top Secret - Private
& Confidential – For Your Eyes Only
MIRA is the UK’s secret vehicle testing centre (just off the A5 near Nuneaton!). Five plucky Speed Champ agents sneaked past security when they weren’t looking to go and reconnoitre the site. Stealth suits were adopted to protect from the relentless wind and the TVRCC gazebo survived to provide a modicum of shelter from the howling gale.
Gerald failed to notice an attempted assassination, finding out his bonnet wasn’t secured down as he attempted to reach top speed down the middle straight in first practice. That will go in the mission report and won’t be tolerated next time. Micro claimed it was the first time he’d run out of petrol (unlikely given how competitive he is), coasting across the line on fumes. He later claimed that redacted had done it repeatedly at redacted to gain some sort of advantage, but told your reporter “don’t put that in the report”.
MIRA is the UK’s secret vehicle testing centre (just off the A5 near Nuneaton!). Five plucky Speed Champ agents sneaked past security when they weren’t looking to go and reconnoitre the site. Stealth suits were adopted to protect from the relentless wind and the TVRCC gazebo survived to provide a modicum of shelter from the howling gale.
Gerald failed to notice an attempted assassination, finding out his bonnet wasn’t secured down as he attempted to reach top speed down the middle straight in first practice. That will go in the mission report and won’t be tolerated next time. Micro claimed it was the first time he’d run out of petrol (unlikely given how competitive he is), coasting across the line on fumes. He later claimed that redacted had done it repeatedly at redacted to gain some sort of advantage, but told your reporter “don’t put that in the report”.
Steve “Sideways” Lyle went very “sideways”, finding the
limit of his experimental tyres at the fastest corner. HoBa went all out for the speed trap record,
resulting in 50p-piece shaped tyres and a new pair of redacted instead of a time.
In the short break before T1, talk turned to the impending expiry date for his well-used helmet (Micro – “don’t put that in the report”) and what protection it gives your redacted while been thrust about inside your redacted . |
Our allies at the Bentley Driver’s Club managed to get T1 in
before lunch while everyone was still on form, and all our agents went quicker
with the exception of Sharpy who somehow managed to spin on a straight bit,
taking a flesh wound to his near side from the enemy’s strategically located
cone, but returned to the paddock shaken but not stirred. HoBa overcompensated on the straight and
braked waaaayyyyy too early to get a time that would trouble Micro.
A very lengthy, almost civil service length, lunchtime followed, with discussion about Micro’s new spectacles. A few quid saved on a new television set as apparently it wasn’t “on the way” and was in fact now perfectly in focus. What he went on to say about how his new vision made his redacted look, really was astonishing, and if your reporter really wasn’t anonymous, he or she would not get away with putting “that in the report”.
A very lengthy, almost civil service length, lunchtime followed, with discussion about Micro’s new spectacles. A few quid saved on a new television set as apparently it wasn’t “on the way” and was in fact now perfectly in focus. What he went on to say about how his new vision made his redacted look, really was astonishing, and if your reporter really wasn’t anonymous, he or she would not get away with putting “that in the report”.
T2 eventually came, with everyone walking with a substantial
pitch to starboard to compensate for the wind, but at least the dark clouds
didn’t shed any rain on the circuit. The
lunchtime lull had clearly taken its toll. Only Sharpy went faster to make up
for his morning spin, and HoBa managed an impressive 360 with another brown- redacted moment.
T3 saw everyone (apart from HoBa) get their best time of the day, Micro by a micro-scopic 0.01s, but enough for a Class A record and 25 points. Well done to Gerald for his first points in the Championship. Lyle’s points won’t count as he’s still he’s still deciding whether to go for soft or hard redacted . If you need to see the un- redacted report, please send beer tokens to…oh no, hang on, I’m anonymous, darn it. |
Go on, put some numbers on it. Agent 13 3/4.
(Photos courtesy of Bentley Drivers Club) |
Rounds 6 & 7, Ty Croes, Anglesey, 2nd-3rd May
“Orville, who is your very best friend?” “You are!”
Heaven was crying over Ty Croes (very heavily) at the thought of Orville becoming an orphan again. His guardian Keith Harris had sadly passed away earlier in the week, and despite our best efforts, his brother Mark (car 37) wouldn’t accept any responsibility for Orville, the heartless sod. |
The Stallards arrived without young Iain (apparently this
was intentional, they hadn’t just forgotten to pick him up), and Jeff Ames
arrived with a new engine that he hoped would break his duck (pun intended) of
heading home early with a broken car at this his favourite circuit. Get Carter was out to get a first finish this
year, armed with a van to sleep in rather than the flimsy tent he attempted
last year. Nice to see Dave Barrowclough
for his third outing this year (actually it was great to see Anita who brought
another amazing cake, and it was nice that she brought Dave along too). The regular Hunter-Briars tussle was all set,
and current leader Jes was out to prove why he’s on top.
Saturday’s early briefing was almost as amusing as the Keith Harris Show. “There’s standing water on turn one, two inches of water at three, and a river running across Rocket.” As some of us were questioning the sanity of spending a Bank Holiday weekend in Anglesey, the organisers ushered us to our cars, and the ridiculously soggy proceedings commenced.
Saturday’s early briefing was almost as amusing as the Keith Harris Show. “There’s standing water on turn one, two inches of water at three, and a river running across Rocket.” As some of us were questioning the sanity of spending a Bank Holiday weekend in Anglesey, the organisers ushered us to our cars, and the ridiculously soggy proceedings commenced.
Everyone teetered around the National double lapper
tentatively, exploring where the grip might be, and to our surprise, discovered
that the designers of Ty Croes’s circuit recognised where it is located and laid
a surface that works remarkably well in the wet. No major dramas, just a few wide lines (Dave
and Shunter at Rocket), and spins on the tarmac (Jeff at Rocket, Jo at
Corkscrew). Although it would appear
that Jes was having “moments” at virtually every corner, but that happens
whether it’s dry or wet.
Dave demonstrated noteworthy skills in the wet, leading after the first timed run, with everyone trailing in his wake (pun intended). Jes paddled harder in T2 to wrestle the lead back, and this effectively decided the results of this particularly sodden event. Orville would have been jealous as we were all flying down the straight: https://youtu.be/xJUJHdQoqMs. |
Everyone went for their third go, barely noticing that the
rain had got considerably heavier. The
two inches of standing water was now more like four, and the lines we had been
taking earlier to avoid the puddles were no longer available. Somehow, Orville’s uncle Harris put in his
best time of the day, but everyone else was more cautious. But thankfully, no need for help mending
broken hearts, (or body work or suspension), as everyone made it safely back,
with Jes at the top of the leaderboard, and Dave getting his second trophy of
the season,
Saturday evening was a jolly affair – a toast or two raised to Keith and his adopted ward Orville, and recollections of Big Al’s rendition of “I wish I could fly…” from last year. Multiple pizzas were consumed while Jes gave us 15 minute updates to the weather forecast (Jes – it won’t change and it will be what it will be in the morning).
Saturday evening was a jolly affair – a toast or two raised to Keith and his adopted ward Orville, and recollections of Big Al’s rendition of “I wish I could fly…” from last year. Multiple pizzas were consumed while Jes gave us 15 minute updates to the weather forecast (Jes – it won’t change and it will be what it will be in the morning).
Awaking on Sunday, Jes’s prediction of “clouds clearing to
sunshine” could well have been true, if it wasn’t completely obscured by
mist! Onto the faster International
circuit, things seemed to be proceeding well, with cars released at 20 second
intervals and the whole field completed in record time. Second practice came around in only 45
minutes, but then it all came to an unforeseeable (literally) halt. Visibility!
The mist had got so dense that the marshals couldn’t see each other
(particularly important for when they start waving red flags), so it was one
car on track at a time and requests to “put your headlights on so the marshals
can see you coming”. The lack of
visibility also didn’t help trying to spot the braking points, but thankfully
everyone emerged from the mist unscathed.
Just a lot later than planned.
Which worked out well in the end, as the mist cleared during the lunch
break, and the best weather of the weekend shone through.
|
First timed was still a little damp, but everyone pushed
hard, and drying conditions in T2 saw Shunter jump to second place (yep, Jes
was quickest again), with a level of smugness not seen since Bitter Holloway
got three baulked practices last year.
For T3, the track was almost entirely dry (although Jeff decided that it
was too dry and tried watering it with coolant for the rest of us, but he still
managed to complete his weekend for the first time), and virtually everyone put
in their best time of the weekend.
Shunter’s smugness had disappeared as Get Carter, King Stallard (new
class A record) and Jo all surpassed him, with Jo picking up the second place
trophy.
|
As Orville said, “I wish I could fly way up to the sky but I
can’t.” Maybe not, but there’s one thing ducks are good at – swimming. And Jes proved to be to the swimmingest of us
all this weekend. Get Carter was
overheard mumbling “I hate that duck”.
Go on, put some numbers on it. Shunter (Photos of courtesy of Neil Lambert: www.lambosport.co.uk ) |
Round 5 Gurston Down, Saturday 18th April
We all lead busy lives, and often weekends
can be consumed by domestic chores. Our sprinters have chosen to avoid
domesticity, and spend their weekends relaxing in the wonderful British
countryside, enhancing nature’s soundtrack with their glorious V8 rumble.
Gurston Down is nestled in quintessential rolling hillsides, the perfect antidote from housework and DIY. But for some reason, our sprinters this weekend decided they couldn’t avoid the chores.
Gurston Down is nestled in quintessential rolling hillsides, the perfect antidote from housework and DIY. But for some reason, our sprinters this weekend decided they couldn’t avoid the chores.
A warm welcome to new sprinters, Gerald
Simonds (Chim 450) and James Howell (AJP Cerb), who discovered that we are a
friendly bunch and more than willing to help out with household tasks. James’s Cerb sprung a minor oil leak, which
resulted in the marshals sweeping cement into the track on the start line
throughout the day, and Rob Merry (Moggy’s pit crew) polishing the underside of
the Cerb to get James to the line each time. Gerald wasn’t quite so lucky; a
graunching sound changing up on his launch in P2 was tracked down to a diff
problem. Everyone scurried around to help Gerald pack everything away to get
recovered from the public car park.
Amazingly, Micro hasn’t been to this hill before, and he quickly discovered that despite the tricky Karousel section in the middle, the long “straights” do favour the higher powered cars. He claimed his little Vixen had less power than Mrs Roe’s vacuum cleaner, but no-one was listening as they munched away on her delightful fruit cake. |
It was great to see local competitors Mark
‘Captain Chaos’ Everett and Paul Moakes out for the first time this year. Mark was having a good day until his final
run, when clearly he hadn’t put a new 50p in the meter, as his electrics
died. Alan Hugh diagnosed the problem as
a tripped inertia switch because of doing Karousel too fast, so he dived into
the darkened cupboard under the stairs to reset the switch, much to Cheryl’s
delight who was looking forward to getting out of the wind. Paul had to do a
bit of housekeeping, resetting the front suspension, and had a good day out.
In the Stallard household, Iain had the job of warming the tyres up for his dad. This didn’t quite go in Geoff’s favour though, as Iain bagged a time in T1, before the transmission failed, leaving Geoff unable to sweep up any crumbs.
In the Stallard household, Iain had the job of warming the tyres up for his dad. This didn’t quite go in Geoff’s favour though, as Iain bagged a time in T1, before the transmission failed, leaving Geoff unable to sweep up any crumbs.
Although Shunter has pipped Jo at their two
previous outings, she was absolutely flying today, so it looks like Shunter
will be doing the cooking tonight. Harry
Harris got a free pass from Jan this weekend, so wasn’t concerned about odd
jobs at all – putting in a fabulous performance and taking home some great
points.
The battle for 2nd was between Moggy, Trev and HoBa. Moggy had a bit of an oil leak, requiring some mopping up, but he wasn’t quite on it today. Trev and HoBa were nip and tuck all day, but HoBa forgot to fuel up for T1, so was playing catchup in T2 with Trev cleaning up by six hundredths in the end. |
Jes was on the pace from the start, proven
in P2 with the traditional “Mat Oakley” across the line: lawn mowing promptly
followed by lots of dusting (it’s incredible how much dust gets in the car,
especially when the lightweight plastic side windows don’t quite form an
airtight seal). Jes is nothing if not
practical, and made use of his spare socks to wipe up the dust, but I do hope
he binned them on the way home, and didn’t ask Mrs Firth to run them through
the washing machine! Another win for Jes – congratulations, that’s three out of
four this season.
A great day out for our domestic gods and goddesses, and a fabulously close close result – the top 10 all getting over 22 points.
Go on, put some numbers on it.
Shunter (Photos courtesy of Bob Naismith)
A great day out for our domestic gods and goddesses, and a fabulously close close result – the top 10 all getting over 22 points.
Go on, put some numbers on it.
Shunter (Photos courtesy of Bob Naismith)
Round 4 Harewood, Sunday 12th April
Harewood has
long been a popular venue for the TVR Championship, in fact there has been a
close connection between the marque and the hillclimb going back over 50 years.
Arnold Burton was a TVR owner, buying one of the very early cars, and he became a director of the company following an investment into the company in 1960. He was very keen on motorsport, having competed in autocrosses, hillclimbs and rallies including internationally on the Tulip, Alpine, RAC and Monte Carlo rallies. He also organised speed trials and sprints on the private roads around his family’s Burton clothing works in Leeds. Apparently these were popular with the entrants but not with local residents or the factory managers. With this background, when he bought Stockton Farm he immediately saw the opportunity to create a hillclimb on the farm site.
Arnold Burton was a TVR owner, buying one of the very early cars, and he became a director of the company following an investment into the company in 1960. He was very keen on motorsport, having competed in autocrosses, hillclimbs and rallies including internationally on the Tulip, Alpine, RAC and Monte Carlo rallies. He also organised speed trials and sprints on the private roads around his family’s Burton clothing works in Leeds. Apparently these were popular with the entrants but not with local residents or the factory managers. With this background, when he bought Stockton Farm he immediately saw the opportunity to create a hillclimb on the farm site.
Photos: JCB Photography www.jcbphotography.co.uk
|
The first meeting was held on Sunday 16th September 1962 and attracted 104 entries including 4 TVRs. The course was then 1006 metres long, starting near Chippys and finishing after Quarry as it still does. Competitors had to drive down the hill in class convoys, to a holding area near the start. In 1992 the course was extended to its current 1448 metres, with an access road from the paddock to the start which made for easier organisation and allowed the slick running of events which we still enjoy today.
So to the first visit of 2015, 10 competitors comprising 7 Class A and 3 Class B cars arrived on a breezy, but dry morning. First practice was generally cautious, with drivers feeling their way into the conditions. Despite being over two years in gestation the 1600M of Steve Dennis had only been finished at 11pm the previous night so the first run was completed with fingers crossed. Only John Carter in his V8S got under 70 seconds, which was perhaps just as well, as it was the only run he got, a broken driveshaft on the startline for second practice ended his day. |
In second practice, although John didn’t get very far, and David Barrowclough had a failed run in his Chimaera 500 everyone else woke up a bit. Improvements were made ranging from 2 seconds by Simon Smith in his 2.9 Cosworth engined S3 to over 10 seconds by Iain Stallard in the Vixen he was double driving with Geoff.
After practice on scratch it was Mike Roe from John Carter then Geoff Stallard, but factor in the algorithms and it was Mike from Dave Sharp then Steve Dennis. Harewood has a policy of trying to get 3 timed runs at all events, so the first timed run was completed before the lunch break, just as well as it turned out. Most people improved slightly on their practice times, putting in banker times with another two runs to look forward to. However the forecasted ‘showers’ arrived during the lunch break and despite a stiff breeze doing its best to blow them away it stayed wet. The difference between wet and dry times is at least 15 seconds on this hill, so as far as points go that was it for the day. The driving on the second and third runs was cautious and incident free. |
Mike took the win and 25 points with Geoff second and Steve third, it seems Class A still rules at Harewood!
Steve Dennis
Steve Dennis
Round 3 Croft Monday 6th April
Costa del Croft - Strangely the only opportunity in the year to take
part in a Sprint on the full BTCC circuit at Croft, attracted only 6 entries
from the TVRCC Speed Championship.
Perhaps it was the thought of having to venture as far as North
Yorkshire that put people off, or other family commitments on an Easter Monday,
but whatever it was, they missed a cracking day's motorsport. Contrary to popular belief that it's always
“grim up t' North”, we even had blue skies and bright sunshine all day, so they
really did miss a treat at a fantastic track.
All TVR competitors were involved in their own close battles throughout the day. Multiple champion Jes Firth made the trek up from Buckinghamshire in this be-splittered and multi-diffused lightweight Griff (most of the interior now having been removed in an effort to reduce mass) looking to add to his victories at rounds 1 and 2. Hoping to give him some competition was Simon Cole in his 2007 Championship winning wedge 480 which has been dusted off to make a few appearances this year.
Our esteemed Championship Co-Ordinators, Steve Hunter and Jo Briars were again doing battle in their shared 4.5 litre Chimaera. Jo had the upper hand at Croft last year by some margin but as they say past performance is no future guarantee. Both Nigel Ward in his 4.0 litre Chim and Andy Lynch in his very pretty blue 4.5 litre Chim were visiting Croft for the first time, and this was in fact Andy's first ever event.
All TVR competitors were involved in their own close battles throughout the day. Multiple champion Jes Firth made the trek up from Buckinghamshire in this be-splittered and multi-diffused lightweight Griff (most of the interior now having been removed in an effort to reduce mass) looking to add to his victories at rounds 1 and 2. Hoping to give him some competition was Simon Cole in his 2007 Championship winning wedge 480 which has been dusted off to make a few appearances this year.
Our esteemed Championship Co-Ordinators, Steve Hunter and Jo Briars were again doing battle in their shared 4.5 litre Chimaera. Jo had the upper hand at Croft last year by some margin but as they say past performance is no future guarantee. Both Nigel Ward in his 4.0 litre Chim and Andy Lynch in his very pretty blue 4.5 litre Chim were visiting Croft for the first time, and this was in fact Andy's first ever event.
In first practice, despite not having been to
Croft for about 15 years, Jes made his intentions clear and immediately posted
a cracking time. Jes announced that,
despite the brand new hardcore suspension designed to cope with the aero
downforce, his car was handling like a pogo stick. A quick fiddle with the damper settings
produced an improvement and in second practice he proceeded to knock another
2.5 seconds off. Simon was not so quick
out of the blocks and trailed by about 1.5 seconds on handicap time.
In the Chimaera Camp, Jo was again leading the way from Steve, with Nigel and Andy both quickly acclimatising and knocking large chunks off their first practice times. After the lunch break spent applying sun cream and basking in the sun, we were down to the serious business of the timed runs. In T1 Jes could not quite match his best practice time and was a tenth or so down. Simon pushed the white Wedge harder than was probably sensible but managed to hang on and just sneak ahead. As perhaps could have been expected, Jes was not going to accept second place willingly – he duly decided that for T2 it might be possible to take the chicane flat out. The resulting 720 degree spin onto the infield (fortunately with nothing to hit) proved that this was perhaps a tad optimistic but by then the chance was gone. |
Photos: Shirley Lynch
|
Jo was still holding onto the Chimaera honours
after T1 by over a second from her co-driver. Andy continued to improve and in
T1 knocked off another 10 seconds and snatched fifth place. However it was “all change” after T2 – Steve
managed to find over 2.5 seconds and secured the List 1A tyre victory from Jo
by a mere 0.05 seconds. Meanwhile Nigel
made his greater experience count and made a big improvement on his last run to
regain fifth place. After the fun at
Croft, Andy is now looking forward to his second event at Three Sisters next
weekend (part of Blackpool Region’s “Zimmers & Zoomers” Championship).
Simon Cole Photos: Chris Perks www.chrisperksimages.com |
Round 2 Rockingham Sunday 22nd March
Rockingham Castle was built by William the
Conqueror on an earlier site, and remained a royal property until 1544 when
Henry VIII gave the now mainly Tudor building to the Watson family. Things turned a bit weird in the early 18th
Century, when second son Barry Watson inherited the property whilst away
researching the indigenous tribes of the Americas. On his return, he decided to erect a temple
to the little known southern American tribe of Nascar in the form of an oval
shaped arena. It was mainly constructed
from asphalt, almost 100 years before Edgar Purnell Hooley’s Scottish builder
re-laid his drive in a bituminous surface, prompting the now famous line “tar
MacAdam”.
Many years later, the good people of Corby realised that this temple to an indigenous American tribe would actually be pretty good as a motorsport venue. And so, in 2005, the circuit had a spectacular inauguration, when 500 TVRs arrived to celebrate the Car Club’s 40th anniversary, proving that the temple was indeed suitable. Subsequently, a bunch of guys turned up in flabby left hand drive cars to unprove the location’s suitability as a race venue.
Many years later, the good people of Corby realised that this temple to an indigenous American tribe would actually be pretty good as a motorsport venue. And so, in 2005, the circuit had a spectacular inauguration, when 500 TVRs arrived to celebrate the Car Club’s 40th anniversary, proving that the temple was indeed suitable. Subsequently, a bunch of guys turned up in flabby left hand drive cars to unprove the location’s suitability as a race venue.
Photos courtesy of Steve Gray
|
Which is brilliant for us sprinters,
because it means we can go and hoon around the temple’s asphalt looking to win
a shiny red 25. For all except Jes, it
was the first outing of the year, with the most noticeable upgrade of Dave B
changing to the sticky 1b tyres. The
highlight of the driver briefing was that turnone (the concrete-edged banking)
was particularly slippy, so maybe Dave’s switch to stickier rubber was wise.
Practice 1 then, the endangered TVRatecs went to explore. It was Jes’s first trip here, and as normal, he was on it from the start. But HoBa wasn’t about to let the new pioneer get away with it, almost matching on scratch, and 2 secs ahead on handicap. Indigenous Lyle was close behind, then back-Pack next and Dave B proving the stickies work, even if you’ve never been here before. Then it was all 1a tyres – Shunter ahead of Jo and Sharpy demonstrating the lack of grip with a spin. |
Armed with nothing more than a trolley jack and a hammer, Jes set about “adjusting” his rear diffuser to get more grip. HoBa huffed and puffed (less pressure in the fronts, more in the rears). And back-Pack went in search of breakfast.
A second practice before lunch, and everyone went quicker. The top 3 remained the same, Sharpy showed he knew how to do it in 4th. Dave B stayed 5th, while Jo jumped ahead of back-Pack and Shunter.
The sun reached its peak in the sky, ritual celebrations (back-Pack 40-something, Jes no-longer-40-something) were marked with cakes, Sharpy discovered a strange new type of food at the burger bar called “salad”. And Inca data loggers were examined: Jes had managed 1.5 Gs (even though he claimed his tyres would only do 1.3) and 10ths of second were sought for the afternoon.
After lunch, the top 3 lost and found 10ths, but no change. Despite his fear of being bitten by the scary turnone, Shunter closed his eyes and surprised everyone going 3.5 secs faster and jumped into 4th. Dave B stayed in his now customary 5th, with back-Pack and Jo next, and Sharpy last because he Maya spun again.
The sun lay low in the sky for the final runs, with some looking forward to the long voyage home, while others were intent on discovering unexplored times. HoBa, was the only one of the top 3 to improve, securing the treasured Red 25. Sharpy perfected his route and leapt to 4th, pushing Dave B down to 6th. Jo was intent on claiming some of the treasure, but span on the first corner!
Thanks Barry Watson for your temple. The Nascar tribe may be extinct at Rockingham, but the TVRatecs have secured their survival – HoBa takes the treasure (and Jo took the extra cakes!).
Go on, put some numbers on it.
A second practice before lunch, and everyone went quicker. The top 3 remained the same, Sharpy showed he knew how to do it in 4th. Dave B stayed 5th, while Jo jumped ahead of back-Pack and Shunter.
The sun reached its peak in the sky, ritual celebrations (back-Pack 40-something, Jes no-longer-40-something) were marked with cakes, Sharpy discovered a strange new type of food at the burger bar called “salad”. And Inca data loggers were examined: Jes had managed 1.5 Gs (even though he claimed his tyres would only do 1.3) and 10ths of second were sought for the afternoon.
After lunch, the top 3 lost and found 10ths, but no change. Despite his fear of being bitten by the scary turnone, Shunter closed his eyes and surprised everyone going 3.5 secs faster and jumped into 4th. Dave B stayed in his now customary 5th, with back-Pack and Jo next, and Sharpy last because he Maya spun again.
The sun lay low in the sky for the final runs, with some looking forward to the long voyage home, while others were intent on discovering unexplored times. HoBa, was the only one of the top 3 to improve, securing the treasured Red 25. Sharpy perfected his route and leapt to 4th, pushing Dave B down to 6th. Jo was intent on claiming some of the treasure, but span on the first corner!
Thanks Barry Watson for your temple. The Nascar tribe may be extinct at Rockingham, but the TVRatecs have secured their survival – HoBa takes the treasure (and Jo took the extra cakes!).
Go on, put some numbers on it.
Round 1 North Weald Sunday 15th March
Our season opened today at North Weald, with just 2 competitors Jes Firth (1st) and Mark Harris (2nd). In Jes's own words: "A good day out. Inevitably bloody cold. The times were all over the place because it kept drizzling so the grip levels were all over the place!"
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The only warm place was the toilets!
The first event of the TVRCC speed championship each year is held at the least hospitable place on earth - North Weald airfield in Essex. Warwick Gray very sensibly stayed at home leaving Mark Harris in his trusty Cerb and me in my mongrel Griff to battle it out. The forecast was for drizzle. By coincidence the word drizzle describes the place perfectly. It is flat, cold, windy, featureless, has more varieties of surface finish than your gran has had hot dinners and more humps and bumps than a herd of camels. It is a horrible place to drive BUT because it is an airfield there is absolutely nothing to hit when you run out of talent which makes it one of the best events of the year. It really is an absolute hoot. |
Photos courtesy of www.InMotionImages.co.uk
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You can arrive, eat your bacon butty, walk the course to try and work out where to go, ( a feat the Aston Martin driver failed miserably to do all day) then take you brain out and hit the accelerator for the first practice.
Mark and I both had a few big moments on P1 due to cold damp tarmac, cold tyres and general ineptitude resulting on 3 spins for me and 1 for him. I even managed a complete 360 spin within 50m of the start much to the amusement of the spectators. Mark’s problems were compounded by his choice of tyre for the day - a nice set of rock hard road tyres dating back to the Stone Age which had less grip than a Teflon non slip frying pan. He was muttering about a new set of R888's as we retired to the toilets to warm up where the heaters were blasting away. Despite his tyres Mark had however judged the conditions perfectly and was a good couple of seconds faster than me on handicap in both P1 and P2. Again we visited the facilities to thaw out. Then the marshals came in for lunch and it started to rain. Deep joy. Under hard acceleration the rear wheels are going to spin up even more over every bump making the cars dive left or right at random and the slippery grass beckoned. The stage was set for a first timed run showdown. Amazingly on timed R1 we were both relatively sensible and got round without mishap so we each had a time in the bank. A quick visit to the heaters in the loo. Then the drizzle stopped and the track started to dry out. The temperature rose to a balmy 6 degrees. Time to switch the brain from sensible to red mist mode and join the queue for R2. We both attacked the course like it was dry. This was a mistake because it wasn't and we both had rather wild but quick runs. It was my turn to have judged the conditions perfectly and I got within 0.2 seconds of the Caterham R500 and FTD. Mark also put in a good time beating most of the Lotuses which on a tight and twisty course was going some. Yet more coffee and toilet visits. By now it was starting to get dark and we were called for the third and final run. It was drizzling again so the chance of improving on the previous run was slipping away as the track conditions worsened. We gave it everything we had. Whilst it was great fun viewing the world through the side windows it was pointless and we along with everyone else went slower. Time to head for the loo to warm up, pack up the car and pick up the trophies. All in all a good day out with a win for me and good points on the board for Mark. Roll on Rockingham on 22 March. Hopefully they have warm toilets there as well. Go on, put some numbers on it. Jes Firth FrankenGriff 500 |
2015 Season Preview
As I sit down to write, it’s hard to believe that we’ll be
racing again in just over a month. The
winter break is always a challenge. The excitement of our last round at Castle
Combe is quickly overtaken by the frantic organisation of the awards dinner (a
fabulously rowdy affair, this time held in the historic setting of Studley
Castle). Then the sudden realisation that there is a life outside of sprinting,
and that you have to pay more than a little attention to family and loved-ones
over Christmas and the New Year celebrations. Then it’s back to work to shake
off the hang overs, when you realise there aren’t many weeks left to get the
car sorted, buy some new goodies that should, but won’t, make you go faster,
and get around to “putting some numbers on it”.
Following another nail-biting end to last season, where Moggy ignored the inclement weather at Combe to take the win and relegate MicRo to the runner up place, we look forward to a magnificent 2015. Steve and Mike’s battle is likely to continue under the added pressure of previous champions returning to the fold. After a year off, Jes Firth has jettisoned even more bits of his Griff that aren’t needed, lowering his weight, and increasing his handicap, but I’m sure he won’t let that affect his results. After a couple of years of “guest” appearances, 2007 champ Simon Cole will be demonstrating just how sorted his Range Rover-engined 350i is in full competitive mode.
As well as an exciting driver line-up, we have some interesting modifications to the calendar too. Along with most of our favourites, a double-header at Epynt in the Brecon Beacons will entice our Welsh and western contingent, while the Stowe circuit at Silverstone should prove to be very competitive.
It is with great pleasure that we can announce that the TVR Car Club, in its 50th anniversary year, has chosen to support entry level motorsport, and will be sponsoring the Speed Championship, providing branded equipment, trophies and a prize for this year’s champion. As always, club members are more than welcome to come along to the events and chat with our competitors. Most events are free to spectate at, and for the ones that charge we try to get club discounts.
So why not come along to see us, or even better, put some numbers on it and join in?
Following another nail-biting end to last season, where Moggy ignored the inclement weather at Combe to take the win and relegate MicRo to the runner up place, we look forward to a magnificent 2015. Steve and Mike’s battle is likely to continue under the added pressure of previous champions returning to the fold. After a year off, Jes Firth has jettisoned even more bits of his Griff that aren’t needed, lowering his weight, and increasing his handicap, but I’m sure he won’t let that affect his results. After a couple of years of “guest” appearances, 2007 champ Simon Cole will be demonstrating just how sorted his Range Rover-engined 350i is in full competitive mode.
As well as an exciting driver line-up, we have some interesting modifications to the calendar too. Along with most of our favourites, a double-header at Epynt in the Brecon Beacons will entice our Welsh and western contingent, while the Stowe circuit at Silverstone should prove to be very competitive.
It is with great pleasure that we can announce that the TVR Car Club, in its 50th anniversary year, has chosen to support entry level motorsport, and will be sponsoring the Speed Championship, providing branded equipment, trophies and a prize for this year’s champion. As always, club members are more than welcome to come along to the events and chat with our competitors. Most events are free to spectate at, and for the ones that charge we try to get club discounts.
So why not come along to see us, or even better, put some numbers on it and join in?
2014
And so, another Speed Championship season is over. Yet again, it came down to the final round –huge
congratulations to Steve Mogg for pipping Mike Roe at the line.
282 attendances, over 6,000 points awarded. Lots of adrenaline-fuelled trembling at the top of another completed hill. Many furrowed brows trying to work out how to go faster. Hundreds of bacon butties consumed to provide energy and traction. And 45 beaming and grinning competitors looking forward to doing it all again in 2015. Go on, put some numbers on it.
To see a summary of our antics in 2014, click here: http://youtu.be/32Dt2N94ClE
282 attendances, over 6,000 points awarded. Lots of adrenaline-fuelled trembling at the top of another completed hill. Many furrowed brows trying to work out how to go faster. Hundreds of bacon butties consumed to provide energy and traction. And 45 beaming and grinning competitors looking forward to doing it all again in 2015. Go on, put some numbers on it.
To see a summary of our antics in 2014, click here: http://youtu.be/32Dt2N94ClE