Trials and Tribulations

It is some time since your scribes have put pen to paper, not for want of trying – just lack of events. During 1999 we have managed to lose two BTRDA/MSA events and four ACSMC events. Out of desperation we have now taken up Grass Autotesting – more of that later.

As you will gather since December events have been scarce. As a result we have only managed to compete in two trials. In both cases it was with the 1275GT which unfortunately appears to be just too highly geared to be competitive at National levels.

The first event was the Falcon Southern Autos at Great Brickhill. This event had an impressive 51 entries, 22 of which were Clubmans! It may have been the knowledge that Anglia TV were going to be there, it may just have been down to the Clerk of the Course – John Parsons. As usual it managed to rain which ensured a very challenging but less damaging course.

This was the first serious event for the 1275GT and as with most "shakedowns" the gremlins crept in. The first failure was the lead to the coil, which parted company just in the middle of a section where Nick Pollit intended to take a photo of Michael for the BTRDA News. The second happened on the same hill, but in the last round, where the exhaust decided to part Company – again Michael was the unfortunate driver. The results of 5/6th in class were disappointing to say the least. The good news was that the Team of Andy Clarke; Robin Howard & Barry Parker managed to take the Team Award for the ACSMC. Although not smooth grass – this certainly is one of the more enjoyable trials on the Calendar.

The second event (in March) required a trip to the Midlands. For once we decided to travel in comfort – rather than getting up at 0500 – and checked into a B & B just outside Stourbridge. This turned out to be a real gem. The owners had been really into Motor Sport, with the lady of the house being the daughter of Ken Dellingpole – the co founder of Dellow. Her husband having been into hill climbing in a big way and their son just starting his first season of Formula Ford. As we left they were both off to have lunch with Matt Neal's father who was celebrating his 60th Birthday. For dinner that evening they directed us to their local pup, where the food was some of the best we have ever eaten. The braised lamb was unbelievably tender and the bill fantastically low.

Alas the trial – the second round of the MSA/BTRDA Championship – was very much a replica of the first. The exhaust again fell off – this time before we got to the first hill; it rained and the car/drivers didn't do very well – this time ending up 6/7th in class. Once again it was good entry of 44 cars with 12 of them being Clubmans. The day belonged to Barrie Parker in his diminutive Peugeot 104. Matt Clarke being second. It certainly looks as if we will have to set the car up on 10" wheels to stay up with Arnold and Andrea Lane – we will keep you posted on events in this direction.

With the next three trials being cancelled we decided to take off most of the ballast, lower the suspension and adjust the handbrake in order to tackle the Farnborough Judgement Day Autotest. Recognising that Southern were an invited club it was a pity to find no entries apart from ourselves. Surely when we accept an invitation to a club event we should also make the effort to support the organisers by at least chasing up some entries.

This event was the first round of the ASCMC Grass Autotest Championship and as to be expected was mainly dominated by Mini's. Lack of preparation once again came back to haunt us. On arrival at the venue Colin realised he had left the Mini keys behind.