Tel's Tales Issue 038-Curborough figure of 8- Aug 2014
Entry posted by Terry Everall
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Tel's Tales 038– Curborough 23rd August 2014
This event marked a change for everyone, I think, as it was an introduction to the newish figure of 8 layout rather than the single or double lap course. There was a full entry and hence it was likely to be a slow day but hopefully the new challenge would make up for the anticipated low number of runs. The weather was also promising to be unpredictable but that’s not unusual and the promise of 100 points for this 1.6e event made up for the downsides. I was up at 0500hrs and it was still dark and raining a bit so things could only improve as I set off to meet my brother Steve near Ferrybridge on the A1. As we approached Curborough on the A38 I spotted John Roberts in a layby going the opposite way to me and he had missed the turning for Fradley Park but eventually he turned up and admitted to getting lost. I suggested he might need a sat nav to find his way around the new track layout but he was preoccupied with repairing a broken cycle wing stay before the scrutineers arrived…. A bit of plastic and duct tape cured that successfully. The track itself seemed to be full of drivers looking at the new layout and the crossover area in particular which looked very tight and to be treated with caution unless you were a Cateringvan driver as they had apparently practiced previously! The paddock looked quite full and there were 16 Westfields in the speed series there and Adrian Clinton Watkins finished his preparations by cleaning his wheels whilst I checked tyre pressures and got my wets ready as the clouds were already building.
As it happens we all had a dry practice as the rain held off but the track was cold and grip levels low which may be the reason why Howard Gaskin and a few others had spins. There runs were taking a long time and towards the end there was a big off by a Cateringvan who attacked the trees after dropping a wheel onto the grass at the crossover. Luckily he was ok but the cars suffered a lot but not as much as the poor paramedic who fell out of the ambulance on the way to help and ended up in hospital with facial injuries so we wish him a quick recovery. Eventually it was decided that due to a “force majeur” we would only get one practice as we were running out of time due to the delay. So we all got ready for T1, Mark Schlanker changed his plugs due to a misfire and I had a chat with Mark Stanton and Richard Hoyland (Tricky) who were spectating as was, Sandra, Julie and on this occasion Gary Bunn after his op.
T1 strated in sunshine and a dry track but after about a third of the Westfields had been out the rain started and the track got very wet and this somewhat threw the times and places into chaos. Dave Cleaver had a dry run and posted a quick 59.12 secs to lead the Westfields but for most of us we were just praying that the 2n,d, and has it happens last, run would be dry as it had stopped raining and the track was at last drying with the sky clearing fast. So this beacame a one run evnt in terms of posting a good time so it was all or nothing for many drivers. In class A the winner was Craig Spooner on 64.96 secs followed by Dave Richings, David Reed and Steve Wilson. In Class B Matin Harvey had an excellent smooth run to take the points from Phil Nicholls (maybe trying too hard) who recorded 63.96 secs and 64.84 secs respectively. In class C Graham Frankland was quick with 64.85secs from Martin Hepworth on 69.08secs. Steve Everall and Howard Gaskin were expected to take the points in class D but they both were judged to have had all four wheels off as did Mark Schlanker (but it was a bit dubious!) and so Mark Schlanker snook off with the points on his first run of 65.76 secs which was DRY!!!!!! Whilst Howard and Steve’ runs were wet. ACW drove very aggressively touching the grass a couple of times and recorded 59.47secs to take the points in class E. Dave Cleaver improved to 57.87secs in class F and was fastest Westfield on the day. I had a good run with 59.05secs and then Del Hodder in H went well with a 58.26secs and finally John Roberts stopped spinning and was happy with his 69.62 secs.
In summary this was a great new track to drive but progress was slow and a bit frustrating..
I wont be at Loton Park but will see you guys at Ty Croes 5th & 6th Sept so lets hope its DRY
Terry Everall
Speed Series Correspondent
Class G competitor
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