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Thanks for all of the comments guys. As mentioned a HANS device would of been a wise investment prior to the accident and one thing I would advise anyone who competes to have whether it be mandatory or not is a full cage and a HANS device. The cage probably saved my life and a HANS device may of prevented some of the neck pain that I am still suffering from. The only bits that were really salvaged from the car were the engine and gearbox which will go on to race another day but unfortunately not by me. Castle is a dangerous hill and an equally dangerous local hill is Werrington if anyone wanted to look it up there are some really nasty granite wall and posts. I had a spin there in the wet and by a complete miracle didn't hit anything. At the time of competing I was so fixated on winning nothing else really mattered but since the accident it seems silly to risk your life and a very expensive car with out insurance to win a £10 trophy. I'm not trying to discourage any fellow competitors and I had a great time prior to the accident but a friend of mine who would only do sprints said to me, "You should give up hill climbing and just do sprints with me" to which I replied "No I like the added danger and adrenaline of hillclimbing' which in hindsight seemed like a wise statement from my friend and one I wished I followed. Obviously all forms of motorsport are dangerous and that is part of the attraction. I could of taken up chess or golf but always loved the adrenaline rush. At Castle and most hillclimb events you often come off a wet or damp muddy grass field then blast it up the hill with cold tyres. Even if tyre warming doesn't get a huge amount of heat into your tyres it cleans off all of the mud and grass. I personally feel tyre warming should not only be allowed but encouraged for safely. The Westy I crashed had a 305bhp motor and was on road tyres (road going class) and since tyre warming has been banned I think it was to much power for cold road tyres especially when the car got light at brows of hills. Really slicks should be a minimum on a vehicle like that and that is what I was planning to do next season but obviously I didn't make it that far. Coming from a Megabusa the extra torque of a high powered durance was something I was still getting used to but I think I must of had some lead in my right race boot. I'm still planning to watch events and marshall next year but won't be doing any competitive driving for quite sometime. Mainly due to the money I have lost but also to be competitive you need to be to brave and I think I will of lost that now. Not only that but my body really couldn't handle another impact, I think a 5mph knock would finish me off at the mo Did I mention my wife would have a melt down if I put her through that again. Since the accident the MSA have done an investigation (so I was told by the clark of the corse) and they have made the organisers put bails in front of that wall. It is a shame there weren't any there before but what is done is done and if it helps someone else in the future it won't be a bad thing. Someone asked how long I was trapped in the car for and on the full length video it was 42 minutes. I remember talking got you at Wiscombe Howard I believe you had an accident of your own that day. Is that correct? Thanks again for all of the messages. If this video helps anyone in the future or just show cases the amazing job the mainly unpaid medics, marshalls etc do for us every weekend through the summer months I'll be glad and don't be annoyed at fastidious scrutineers they are only there for your safety.

I thought that I was the luckiest girl in the land today, with the autumn sun bouncing off the burnt orange leaves, as I could hear Dave's engine powering behind me, but Sue beat me to it. Martyn arrived in Matlock Bath and could not resist the wet, slippy tarmac....donut time!!! Sue was giggling away as she went round and round. Matlock Bath, Trevor, Dave, Martyn and Sue met us. We drove past Chatsworth house, the deer in the parkland and arrived at Chatsworth Farm Shop Cafe, with it's spectacular views over Edensor Church Chatsworth Cafe Car Park We travelled right through the middle of the Peak District, getting an exciting clear run up the Curbar Gap, until we found the horses, over Surprise View and up the Snake Pass. The views are fabulous at this time of year, because the shadows exaggerate the 3D effect of the hills. We arrived at The Snake Inn Martyn was getting some good photo's 4 cars were soon to become 6 As we ate our lunch the landlady announced that another car had arrived, then shortly after she announced that a pink one was now here, that could only be Bagpuss Now we were a 6 car convoy, Bagpuss, in good working order hooray, and the brand new factory built GBS Zero came with us too. Not before we had a photo shoot in front of the pub. We got a second run at The Snake Pass and found some other great roads with not a single car on them AND NO COW POO, to fetch us out at Tagg Lane Dairy With a bowed head, Trevor begged not to be thrown into the hedge bottom by Glen Dave and Ian were trying to find the cuddly toy Bagpuss Trevor, Dave and Ian - otherwise known as the Westfield Running Club - did the panorama photo dance in order to build an appetite up for the cake and ice cream that was to follow next We all went our separate ways from here, our journey home was in a pink/orange sunlight, freezing, but pretty. Thank you to everyone for making today fantastically exciting, it's been great and the Bakewell Pudding Ice Cream wasn't bad either! Next week it's the snickers ice cream for sure xxx

Wow, that was some impact. A superb job by all the responders and great news your on the mend mate. On a lighter note, im sure TVR Glen will have it down as light bodywork damage and an easy repair shortly on Ebay

Just got home and sorted from a very enjoyable weekend at the show. Think the Dorset Group put on a good stand, but I'm probably biased! Big thanks to Colin for organising us. Started for me at 06.20 Satuday morning, donned waterproofs and ventured out of the garage into a rainy dark early morning, with no "lid". Took it very gently, never having driven the car in the dark or on a wet road. Soon found that as usual on the. Somerset levels fog was also added into the mix! Really glad I knew the road, a lot of standing water everywhere. Soon discovered that over 40mph, I stayed fairly dry, however wipers are mediocre, and the inside soon got fogged up, so regular wiping with a cloth required. Had a warm peaked hat on, but even so, every time I had to slow down below 40, started to get rain on my specs, which then started to steam up! "Baptism of fire" for my Westfield ownership, but still couldn't help smiling! Anyway made it to Podimore services and meet the Dorset crew crew, some of whom had to travel further than me in the s--t conditions! Left there just after 7.00 and our little convoy "paddled" North to the B&W Show ground, and straight into the welcome shelter of the kit car shed. Cars positioned in our area and cleaned our "pride and joy's", never seen so much polish! I was pleased with how dry the inside of my car stayed, despite the conditions, no sign of water in the footwells, so sealing can't be too bad! In fact was pleasantly suprised with how dry the entire inside of the car was, no soggy carpets or seats, big relief. Our stand covered a good spectrum of Westfields of various models and engine combinations, plus an immaculate Xl in an an advanced stage of build. We removed/opened our bonnets and it was fascinating to see the variety of engines, layouts etc in five externally similar looking cars. Enjoyable day spent in good company, and chatting with a lot of interested visitors. Retired to Podimore, (luckily one of us had a 7 seater vehicle, so the cars could stay secure and dry for the night) relaxing evening spent drinking beer and eating. Even though we had to sit outside the pub and wait for it to open at 6.00 pm, good job they had a picnic table outside, at least the rain had stopped. Crisp clear start this morning, back to the Showground for 8.30 and another day of chatting with interesting visitors. Couple of photos of the Dorset stand first thing this morning, before show opened, in case you're wondering, was told to put my car in front, along with Xl! Show finished, packed up and ready to head homewards just after 4.00. Drove out of the shed, to find grey clouds over us and a few drops of rain, b----r! Anyway good trip home with intermittent light rain, nothing compared to Saturday morning thank goodness! At least it was daylight, just, even some sunshine (low and looking straight into, but mustn't complain), and no fog. Car now tucked up in the garage, wash and freshen up tomorrow. A great weekend all round, good to meet lots people, think we flew the Westfield flag successfully, both as make, and as a club. Apologies for lengthy post, thought it may interesting to give my take, as "newbie" to the Westfield scene.

Wow. Really pleased you are ok. As it went in I didnt think it was going to be so bad but how wrong I was. Cage certainly helped alas I fear this is the worst case impact for a seven style kit car with very little distance to absorb and deform. Certainly hats off to the marshalls, medics and rescue team Hope you continue to improve. Ash

Looks and sounds a great day was had Not jealous in the slightest,no really,not one bit.....

First to post....

Wow that's sobering. I remember chatting to you at Wiscombe, Mitch, at the beginning of the year and admiring your car. I heard recently of your accident but had no idea of the extent of your injuries. Truly horrific. Glad you're on the mend. And as you and others have said, what a testament to the calm professionalism of the marshals, medics and fire crew. Having watched the video I've just sat staring out the window in thoughtful silence for 15 minutes.

Thanks again for another great day out. Just..only just managed the trip on 1 tank of fuel. I also managed a snooze even after all the coffees

Yep, another fantastic day, and for much of it, relatively mild and wintery sunny. Mind you soon started getting chilly as the Sun got lower around 4pm.

I agree that the future isn't our little cars. We pretend to meet MOT emission legislation with an occasionally fitted catalyst, but in reality are miles away from current legal requirements for high volume manufacturers, and that's before you consider the diagnostic legislation and the next phase of particulate-based emissions where filters become commonplace even on petrol cars. We definitely need support in Government for low volume manufacturers and the whole kit industry or it will sink without trace. Jumping to full electric solves the exhaust emission problem immediately and actually might fit our typical usage really well. If you told me I could never drive further than 200 miles without charging my Westfield ever again, I'd be fine for the whole year other than the Stoneleigh pilgrimage - I wonder when we'll see a creative company start offering electric conversion kits. Plenty of opportunity here I think - just look at what @gee_fin and Dan have achieved already...

Mmm, Snickers flavours ice cream, with what tasted quite like chunks of actual snickers bar in it! Well, it was absolutely pouring leaving home at 8.30 this morning, and with just a little occasional light rain in the air a few times on the way home, I needed wipers, but didn’t have to stop to put the hood up. But the five or six hours in between were dry, and often sunny. Your weather booking came through in the end Another great Sunday in the Peak District. We even gained @IanK (Bagpuss) half way round, along with a nice couple who’d just picked up their new GBS Seven earlier in the week. (One that I’d been admiring the colour of at the recent GBS open day.)

This video is a testament to the marshalls, medics and fire crew!

Excellent sum up of a good show and very enjoyable day. It was great to chat and meet you in the 'flesh' and see your immaculate car which is a great credit to your skills.

That's very scary, but glad your Ok, phew.

Nice write up and I am pleased you enjoyed your baptism in the rain.

from a dry-ish run later in the day

Easy, Don't fit an Ecoboost and you don't need traction control. I wonder how many of the 46 work in the parts department.

My SBFS half hood & half doors arrived last week, ordered them in early September so approx 8 weeks lead time but worth the wait, quality is is excellent just need to get it all fitted now I’ll be utilising he existing door studs for the half doors so just need to line up the sockets on the half doors to fit. interesting tip re the door upper stiffener, will need to keep an eye on how much it flexes. Finger crossed farther Christmas arrives on time with yours

One reason that we removed Olivers Mount, Scarborough, from the speed series calendar was that in one weekend we had 2 very serious crashes. One involved the fencing spearing a Westfield and just missing the driver and the other was a car going backwards off track and bursting into flames as a fence rail punctured the fuel tank. Quick drivers are not afraid of hills but the collateral damage to car and driver seems to be disproportionate to the risk taken. ( and just for the record I did hold the hill record for 3 years so I know what its like to drive it and blank out the dangers.) I still do Harewood which is probably as safe as it can be with gravel traps and armco barriers etc Pleased to see you are recovering from the crash

And how muddy were the “pits” or “shove the punters here” area ? Here’s my shoes a day later

It is a good illustration of why a lot of (probably most of) the quicker Speed Series competitors won't do hill climbs and just stick to the sprints, which tend to be on tracks which are more forgiving and have greater margin for error. One exception being Harewood, up to a point.

Looking again at the footage of the first run, it seems to me that the safety of that course is on a par with GP circuits of the 1950s. Call me chicken if you wish, but I don't think I'd be going Hell-for-leather up there with all the trackside obstacles largely unguarded. It's reminiscent of some of the tracks in the 'Nine Days in Summer' footage of the 1967 F1 year viewed from Lotus's viewpoint.

Good man, Dave, I need an accomplice for the ice cream bit at the end. My route will finish at Tagg Lane Dairy, again, oops how did that happen! Not that I have been thinking about it much, but I will be having the Bakewell Pudding flavour ice cream, I spied it last week

How strange, could have sworn I’d post3d in this thread earlier in the week. Should be there too!

Thanks Pete, It was the first time I watched the video today (4 months later) after seeing it I paced the house saying f**king hell for about 15 minutes before I could event start editing it. It felt like it's taken me a long time to get kinda back to normalish until I watched the video today and now it feels miraculous that I'm even able to walk. I'm not hundred percent just yet but it could of been worse so I'm glad to be able to do some things that I used to take for granted. Thank god the Medics, Marshalls and Fire Crew were there. Cheers Mitch

just seen this I have a plan for some background music... but i'm not doing a "peter kaye" car share with @Mrs Panda

For fixing through GRP body work I usually apply masking tape, measure and mark up before drilling through the tape. I'm probably over cautious and drill a tiny pilot hole that I gradually open up until I get to the diameter I want. I find this reduces cracking of the gel coat. For pop riveting I use "peel rivets" these are longer than standard rivets and do what their name suggests they peel outwards to create effectively a four point star to spread the load over a decent area to give a good grip and reduce the chance of pulling back through the body work. I've got rivets from "About Town Bolts" and "Kayfast". I hope that helps Gary

I punched the holes into the half doors, basically one each corner, then offered the door up to the car. Marked the first stud location through the hole in the door into the car, fitted the stud to the car and socket to the door and offered door up. Then repeated for the other three. Got a good tight fit. Getting the door lined up so it looks right took the longest, I used an inside seam in the door and lined it up to the body line of the sill. The half hood straps, fitted to the studs I already had for a standard roof, and they were pretty much from the build book for locations. But they aren't as critical as the door ones. As you have wiggle room on the straps. Decent pop rivet gun, where the end of the head can fit I to the sockets would be my main concern, mine was a bit big, so I do have one or 2 sockets that aren't perfectly tight.

Dont have a half hood but do have Soft Bits half doors. I found that the plastic strip that Soft Bits fit as a stiffener along the top of the doors is not stiff enough and the doors flop in along the top. I unpicked the stitching at one end and slid wooden dowel along the top, this keeps the top of the door rigid. I fitted the body studs with small nuts and bolts which you can buy in a box from Asda for £1. The head of the bolt has to be small or the press stud will not locate properly. After I fitted the studs to the body I marked the head of each one with chalk, got the door in the correct position and pressed it against the chalk on the stud , this gave the correct position when fitting the press stud to the door , I did them one at a time to ensure the position was correct. Hope some of this may be useful ,