Rounds 13 & 14 - Epynt, 16th & 17th June
Five competitors met in the pub in Trecastle on the Friday evening to catch up, discuss tactics, and generally have a good time. As it was Steve Dennis’s first trip here, everysteve wound him up about how tricky the hill was.
Conversation got around to who was racing, |
to which Steve Davies said he’d seen Steve Mogg and Steve Barrowclough on the website entries. This was news to Steve Hunter and Steve Briars who had put the
timesheets together based on Tuesday’s emailed entry list. Furthermore, Steve Blacklee said he’d just seen Steve with his motorhome at the hill when he went for a
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recce. Steve Thomas would also be joining the gang for Sunday’s round.
Steve, Steve, Steve, Steve and Steve breakfasted and headed along the 9 mile route to the hill, trying to avoid the sheep and the unexploded ordnance as described in the final instructions. Upon arrival, Steve emerged bleary-eyed from his camper, to |
greet everysteve, while Steve had made the traffic-free trip across from Worcestershire that morning.
Six competitors joined the convoy run up the hill, to see just how severe the chicanes would be this year, and to scope the shortened hill (minus the tricky right 90 at the top due to “right of way” issues). New to the hill, and first up, Steve hadn’t clocked the severity of the first chicane, and |
took the barrier out with an impressive approach speed. He looked a little sheepish as he asked the marshals for his
headlight surround on the way back down. This meant Steve got a rerun, which he put to good use, gaining fourth place.
Steve was leading after first practice, but surely the competition would heat up in the afternoon, even if the weather didn’t. With three timed runs on the cards, everyone pushed as far as they could on the dampening course. Unsurprisingly, when it |
counted, Steve set the pace, trying to ignore the scene of his big “off” last year. Steve was down to second, with Steve, flying solo this year, battling hard in third. Steve, Steve and Steve made up the other places.
Final run, Steve put in a blinder to extend his lead, everysteve bar Steve made an improvement, and the points were decided. Steve had just held onto second place from a flying Steve. Steve got a trophy for first place. Steve got a trophy too for first in class A (despite finishing fifth!). |
Saturday night was another joyful evening, this time in Sennybridge. With Steve handing over driving duties of the Chimarsala to Steve the next day, he proceeded to consume much beyond the
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regulation two pint limit on a school night. Steve had cycled from the hill to join us, and girded himself for the journey home avoiding sheep, staff sergeants and landmines.
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Sunday saw the arrival of Steve from Hereford, and everysteve joined in the morning convoy run to re-familiarise themselves with the hill.
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Although the chicanes hadn’t changed, Steve’ cycle home must have left him even more bleary-eyed, as it was his turn to hit the barrier in practice. Steve was happy that she got a rerun to help get her eye in for the day. Everysteve was quicker than yesterday in the drying conditions. And everysteve improved further in second practice.
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With no driving duties today, Steve went for a walk up the hill with Steve’s mate John (that’s going to cause a little confusion) to get some photos. They avoided the sheep, some of whom sauntered onto the circuit – which in equal measure both scared the bejezuz out of the competitors while giving them the delight of having a rerun. Steve and John agreed, it really is a steep hill!
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The top three planted themselves in the same positions as yesterday. The new field saw the fourth place battle refreshed for Sunday. Steve and Steve seemingly ignored the fact they hadn’t competed yesterday, and put times in appropriate with the changing conditions. Steve decided his second timed run was as fast as he could go, presuming second place was secure,
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and declined a third run. Steve put in his fastest time of the day, but missed out on second by 0.03s!
Steve went slower on each run in the afternoon, clearly feeling guilty about racing |
in deepest darkest Wales on his wedding anniversary. A lovely meal in Brecon’s Gurkha restaurant that evening would
assuage his guilt. Steve won again, and picked up his second trophy of the weekend. And Steve got a trophy too for
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first in class A (despite finishing fifth!).
Epynt’s great. Especially if you’re Steve or a sheep. Steve |