Loton Park 14th Aug 2011

We arrived at the venue early evening on Saturday and got a good spot for the caravan. Setting up did not take long and pretty soon we had called the local curry house for a delivery. Well fed we then checked out the track with a well needed walk, it's always interesting finding the occasional black lines heading off the tarmac and leading into the scenery, followed of course by a debate how on the situation had arisen and the possible outcome for both driver and car! At the top of hill we came across maybe 7-6 dear roaming / running around, Jess had some binoculars so we stayed a while to observe. We spotted a massive stag on the horizon with huge antlers, a proper beast, really very impressive.  Mikey (my 3 year old) was running around having a right old laugh at least until he tripped over himself and followed up with a superman dive onto his face, landing on tarmac was never gonna be great and sure enough we had the blood and tears to prove it. I was pretty worried at first but he recovered OK, we then headed back to camp in preparation for tomorrows event.

Scrutineer inspection went well - no problems and we signed on. Last time out I picked up a class win but didn't have chance to hang about for the presentation so I had arranged to collect it at this meeting, I went off to find my trophy from a marshal called Roy - Thanks mate...

It was actually a lot bigger in size than I expected, of course I took great pleasure in making sure Rab had a good look!

I was due to run first this time out, I prepared for my first practise run deciding that I needed to push on to ensure I got into race mode quickly. On cold tyres and first up the hill I was aiming for a low 68, I was happy therefore to see a 67.65 - that's a good start to the day.

I returned to the paddock and swapped over with Rab, this time he manged to remember we had fitted the video camera so we got this one on film:

Rab ran a 67.90 so a good start for him also. I had a feeling it was going to be close today.

Heading toward the 2nd run I have to admit to feeling ......well.....up for it really. I had a good feel for the track and the lines, Grip was not great (cold tyres I suspect) but I wasn't too worried, I certainly wanted to put out a good time - just to keep Rab on his toes !

Started well and had definitely picked up my speed from run 1, late and quick through turn 1, allowed me to carry 3rd faster through loggerheads and felt good about the drive I had in that section - confidence was increasing and I was sure this was building a good time. At triangle I used all the road on the exit as my campaign became more committed - I was enjoying this one....

Well that didn't work did it? Once out and checking out the car it was clear the day was over - in truth I suspected this before I got out of the car. The banking on the left which I drove up lead me to believe I might get away with this one, the rock on the way back down however was not having any of that plan. It hit the towing eye, pushed this back which folded out ward and down, in turn the inner wing twisted dropping the gearbox mounting low, this pushed the engine into the front rhd inner wing and threw the lhd drive shaft apart.

So with a bent car and damaged pride I had the recovery truck drive of shame! Perched up on the flat bed sat in the car for all my would be fans to see! 

Quote of the weekend:

Clerk of the course: What happened?

Bally: Lost it over there, ended up on the bank, and there's a bloody big rock hidden in the grass

Clerk of the course: That bloody big rock is actually called Shropshire mate!

Very funny.....

Apologies to Rab - That was an expensive day for him, 2 hours travelling and entry fee's just to get one 67s  run! whoops - He was'nt too bothered, lets face it we have now had 2 offs each and got away with 3 of them - a damaging off was as they say "in the post"

I admit shouldn't have gloated about my trophy - oh and maybe, just maybe, I shouldn't have tried quite so hard on a practice run!

The rebuild starts:

More to follow........