Thanks

[Paul Aspden]

What an end to a great "part season" for me. I've had the fantastic opportunity to drive a couple of great cars over that last few months, helping (hopefully) to develop them, and I have to say a big thanks to a few friends.

Big, big thanks to Mick for letting me use a car that he’s constructed, (to his usual ridiculously high standard) barely driven, and never really competed in. The car is fantastic, especially now all the horsepower is on tap!! Just need to repair it now, and continue the quest for better handling.

I didn’t mean to break it Honest…

Thanks to Tom & Justin for the paddock banter, warming the car up, checking everything is tight, and generally being great fun to be with.

Thanks to Garry Bunn for letting me use the Cosworth car yesterday. Top car, top bloke, and a top driver. Not many guys would let a friend use his car in competition, when he’s just broken one! never mind, let him adjust the cars set up. This was the key to a terrific day for both of us though. The car was not the best in the damp conditions and with set up advice from the guru (GS), and a change of tyres, it all came good, (beyond belief) in the dry. Anyone in the pit when I returned after the second timed run will know I was a bit happy….That one run reminded me why I compete, it was fantastic! I was still running on adrenalin 20 minutes later, what a buzz. The trouble now is I know how good that car is, and the driver, and I have to beat them next year!!

Big thanks also has to go to Gary Smith, a long time friend and the human data logger! The man is a star, providing most of the paddock with advice (that works), and coaching a few drivers, me included. His ability to watch a car in action, and advise on set up, as well as tutor drivers is unreal!

I also have to say thanks to Mark Anson for offering me (of all people) a drive in his car.  Anyone who knows me will appreciate the irony of me being offered a go in a BEC!

I might have been out of the paddock for a while, but it was like I’d never been away, great fun with the best of company. Thank you all. Hopefully I will be there on a regular basis next year. All I need to do now is get into the 32” jeans…

[Scottish Bloke]

Big thanks also has to go to Gary Smith, a long time friend and the human data logger! The man is a star, providing most of the paddock with advice (that works), and coaching a few drivers, me included. His ability to watch a car in action, and advise on set up, as well as tutor drivers is unreal!

All I need to do now is get into the 32” jeans…

Paul,

Great to have you around this year. I too would like to add my thanks to the legend that is Gary Smith. His ability to watch and listen then provide the level of feedback he does is priceless. Having let Terry drive my car at Thoresby last year, without being asked, Gary was acting on Terry's feedback within minutes starting the handling transformation that undoubtably helped in getting the car to where it is now.

Thanks Gary, your a Top Bloke.

ps, If you get into 32"jeans Paul I'll eat my hat        

[mark.anson]

A big thanks from me also to Gary who has given fantastic feedback all season.

Thanks too (I think)   to Andy McDonald who has given me really close competition all season and just beat me to third in class G by less than a point.

Well done mate.

[Asterix]

Well said Paul.

[John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison]

I thought the deal was "you break it you own it"  

[Garry Bunn - Derby & Notts Joint AO]

What a weekend….Saturday was that highly charged with all the possibilities for the Speed Championship outcome. Richard drove outstandingly well to get the class win and the title. Congratulations to you Rich….. what a final run!!

Paul was going really well in Micks Honda powered F class car although he was not a player in the Speed Series outcome.

Not good when Micks car stopped on the final run with what seemed severe transmission failure, better when it was found to be not so bad…but the weekend was over for the powder blue car…..  I offered Paul a drive for the next day, some thing we had often talked about but not got round to doing…..

Sunday was a new day and one of the most enjoyable I have had in motorsport. The morning started out cold wet and windy…great…but it steadily improved.

After the lunchtime set up changes courtesy of Paul and GS and wheels courtesy of Mick the car was so different. A joy to drive….

Thanks for the day Paul…..

[V 8]

And from me, a massive thanks to Howard Gaskin who generously offered me a double drive in his car, even as far as to adjust the seat to fit me, with him needing a bolster.

He drove a blinder on Saturday, managing to beat Tigger and Pete G, who he has battled with all year, thanks once again to some setup advice from the Guru AKA Gary Smith.

A great weekend, congrats to all who won or acheived personal bests, nice to see every one again.

Tommo

[Howard]

Pete G actually did me by four hundredths on the last run on Saturday, so it was close.

Sunday was a different matter. I was 11mph down on Tigger on the long straight/curve.  Need more power or to avoid circuits with such long fast sections. Still, I'll be back because it was so much FUN! Brilliant circuit.

Big big thanks to Tommo for accepting the offer of a drive in a relatively humble car. It was invaluable getting feedback/second opinion on the setup of the car. Thanks also to Gary Smith for the setup advice - yet to be implemented but made so much sense.

Well done Rich. And Garry.  Different league.