Rounds 11 & 12 - Epynt, Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th June
Get Back on the Horse
As we made our way along the billiard table smooth service roads to the second day’s hillclimb deep in the MOD Sennybridge Training Area, we were momentarily held up by a battalion of troops yomping along the road. The drill this morning was clearly medevac training, marching in double time while carrying an ‘injured’ colleague on a makeshift stretcher. As we idled along behind them, the nominally ‘unconscious’ passenger was duly dropped from the stretcher, jumped up in a panic, looked sheepishly around and leapt back on it again. |
From friends who’ve been in the forces, I understand the p*ss-taking of such events is only second in nature to that of the Speed Championship paddock. Thankfully, this was only practice, and hopefully, under live fire those troops will recall the experience and hold on tighter. For us hill-climbers, the events of yesterday resonated; Moggy’s big ‘off’ on his final run, caused embarrassment, a sprained shoulder, and a requirement for some new bodywork and a nearside wishbone. But with the help of squaddie Rob, Steve will be back on his horse again very soon.
The billiard table analogy is very apt – while the tarmac is pristine within SenTA, it is also laid ‘on top’ of the surrounding countryside, so the drop-off is significant. The hill requires, speed, precision and above all bravery. The track is barely wide enough for a single vehicle, the passing places which are used for the chicanes are added on lego-block-style to the edge road, meaning the apex has a wheel-bending drop if you try and steal too many inches of track. |
Mr Watson was blessing his decision to arrive in the ‘Blue Griff’. What can only be described as constant drizzle, which left most of us mildly moist, could have resulted in Pete repeating his oft experienced drowneded-rat impression. However, with less power than the Red Beast, and a roof(!), Pete enjoyed the weekend rather more than he might have done.
In a reversal of most of 2016, AHD this year offered a double drive in his newly acquired Griff 430 to Mark ‘Captain Chaos’ Everett. Speed and precision have never been lacking in Chaos’s arsenal, and his bravery levels were also somewhat higher than they should have been whilst driving someone else’s car. He beat AHD both days, with a win on the Saturday and a 2nd place on Sunday, possibly losing time due to the spin on the long right hander – the only part of the track wide enough to accommodate such antics safely. AHD was only marginally behind; 0.3s on Saturday and 0.2s on Sunday. |
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On his first visit here, Moggy applied the due speed, precision and bravery. However, trying to chase the times of double driven Griff 430 was to be his downfall. Carrying more speed out of the top chicane and attempting to brake later for the last big right-hander in the damp drizzly conditions was a little too ambitious, and the subsequent tank slapper and spin proved that most of the track isn’t wide enough for such antics. Fortunately, no stretcher was required.
It transpired during the weekend that Dave Barrowclough has an unfair motivational force acting on him when sprinting: due to a limited understanding of the “simple” handicap system, “Mrs B” won’t let him back in the house unless he gets at least 24 points. A final banzai effort saw him clinch 24.04 on Saturday, and a more considered approach on Sunday saw him claim the big 25. His resting place assured for the coming weeks!
It transpired during the weekend that Dave Barrowclough has an unfair motivational force acting on him when sprinting: due to a limited understanding of the “simple” handicap system, “Mrs B” won’t let him back in the house unless he gets at least 24 points. A final banzai effort saw him clinch 24.04 on Saturday, and a more considered approach on Sunday saw him claim the big 25. His resting place assured for the coming weeks!
This really is one of the most sociable events of the Speed Champ calendar, and there are some particularly hospitable establishments in the area that make it all the more enjoyable. Moggy drowned his sorrows. Chaos tried to ply AHD with more beer to guarantee success on Sunday. Shunter just drank coz the beer was nice. The quality of our hostelry was proven as we breakfasted on Sunday morning: the pub bar was filling up with loyal Welsh rugby fans arranging their pints ready for the Lions match.
In the Chimarsala battle, Jo’s speed, precision (clipping a wing mirror on the corner marker) and bravery on the marginally moister Saturday saw her finish 2.5s ahead of stable mate Shunter. Maybe because Sunday was just ‘damp’, or maybe because of the excellent beer the night before, Shunter got within 1s of her on Sunday. Possibly points to be dropped come the end of the season, but getting back on the horse, we’ll be back next year if only for the delightfully sociable nature of the weekend.
In the Chimarsala battle, Jo’s speed, precision (clipping a wing mirror on the corner marker) and bravery on the marginally moister Saturday saw her finish 2.5s ahead of stable mate Shunter. Maybe because Sunday was just ‘damp’, or maybe because of the excellent beer the night before, Shunter got within 1s of her on Sunday. Possibly points to be dropped come the end of the season, but getting back on the horse, we’ll be back next year if only for the delightfully sociable nature of the weekend.
Go on, put some numbers on it.
Shunter
Shunter