Gurston Down May 2006

 After another busy week at work I was looking forward to the Bank Holiday weekend meeting which is traditionally held at Gurston at the end of May.  I had a full team on board as Deb was not working, although we did have to wait until Saturday night for Dave & Sue to arrive.

Saturday practice starts early at Gurston and the first car was on the hill at 8.30am.  This meant for an early rise to walk the dog and prep the car ready for our first run.  The track looked in very good condition although a bit damp in places, this would soon dry out and give us a couple of descent runs.  As with every weekend, the first run can be quite interesting, especially here at Gurston where the first time you hit the brakes is from about 120mph +.  The damn things never work too well and it takes a second or two for them to remember what their job is into the first corner.  Practice went well and I posted a reasonable time behind (again!) Martin Groves.  The Groves/Ranson car was flying and Paul was putting in some very fast times and looking good for some solid points on Sunday.  They had a small issue with gear selection and when the rain came just before our third practice runs Grovesy was one of the few to take his run just to check the gears once again.  The forecast for Sunday was looking good and as we have another practice here on Sunday morning Dad & I thought it was a good idea to call it a day and pack up for an early night.  The rest of the evening was pretty relaxing.  Many Happy Returns to John Chalmers and thanks to the Lane/Chalmers crew for their hospitality at John's Birthday piss up (I mean party!).  Entertainment was provided by Deryk Young!

Sunday morning was bright & sunny and we looked forward to our first competition day where the weather has not been an issue.  Our final practice went without any problems.  It is really good to get a Sunday morning practice as it just settles you in before having to go for it under competition.

1st class runs were good with no major problems and I manage to qualify 2nd behind Grovsey with Deano 3rd and Dad somewhere not too far behind.  Dad took his run off and missed a gear up towards the finish.  He posted a 27.70.  This was a little concerning as a missed gear can quite often cause damage inside the 'box and mean you could miss the gear again.  As we have to drive back to the paddock from the top of the hill,  Dad was able to check that he could select all the gears OK.  Luckily all seemed fine and meant I could have a crack at taking the win.  Deano was the car up in front of me and I knew he was back on form and very eager to get some good points.  His year has not been too good to date but he always goes well here so I knew he would be quick.  He storms up in a 26.71 and goes quickest.  I have been up Gurston a bit quicker (although in warmer conditions) so I knew it was on.  Like a muppet I hit the brakes far too early into the Karousel and so have to try to make it up before Ashes and the flat out dash to the finish.  Trying to make up lost time in a Hillclimb, especially somewhere like Gurston is like asking for the moon on a stick - its never gonna happen!  I miss Deano's time by 2 hundredths.  Groves was up next and knew what to do.  26.30 FTD and another 10 points.  Dad ends up a disappointed 7th.

2nd class runs and the weather was still holding up.  All went well, although a lot of people, including me, went slower.  Paul Ranson got to the top and had trouble with the gears.  It turned out, as suspected, to be a clutch fault and so needed to be towed back to the paddock.  Whilst the rest of the next batch took their runs there was a mad panic to get the car ready for Martin.  A quick bleed of the hydraulic clutch and he was set to go.  I had set a time of 27.29, which until Deano ran, was fastest.  Deano posted a 26.77 and fastest qualifier.  Grovesy got the car to the top and qualified 4th.  Dad had qualified well and looked for a better result in the 2nd run off.  He was quicker than before on a 27.50.  This was good enough to finish him up with 4th.  Not a bad end to the day.  It was good in the run off to actually have out qualified Groves and so I had to chase his time for a change!  It didn't help as he posts a 26.37.  I knew this should be possible for me to do but it would be difficult (nobody says winning is easy).  I give it a shot but only manage a 26.85 - slower than my morning run by a 10th of a second.  Deano was last to run and was desperate to get his maiden win.  It was not to be as he crosses the line in 26.76.  Misses the win and beats me by 9 hundredths!  He calls me a Jam Strangler! 

A good weekend for most with particular interest surrounding the new OMS V8 of Trevor Willis.  This looked very good straight out of the box and a 30.25 was not to be sniffed at.  If anyone can pedal it, Trev can!   Another fine performance was given by Chris 'Wid' Pickering who again had a second in the 1600cc Racing Car class.  Good going Wid, keep it up!

 Shelsley next and hopefully Willem will be out again in his mad Pilbeam with unlimited power (although I'm not sure if the methanol fumes will be good parked next to him in the paddock!)  See you all there. 

Scott.

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