Beverley & District Motor Club

Two local crews were out on this event. Andy Beaumont/Danny Robinson, Gav Smith/Mike Ogram. Starting from the Tebay Services up on the M6, competitors had a dry night ahead of them (or was that a ‘dry’ something else Gav!)

Initially doing well on the event, the big moment of the night for Gav and Oggy came whilst negotiating part of the route which went through a field (done a few of those in my time - though not usually as part of the route! - Ed.). The field apparently dropped away and the thoughtful organisers had put a caution out for an unseen hazard. Gav reckons he was doing about 70mph by dint of his 4 wheel drive where everyone else would only be doing 30.

So the sudden looming dry stone wall came as a bit of a surprise to our hero’s. Gav tried all the usual tricks, brakes - no good, cogging down the gearbox - no good. Eventually the handbrake was deployed in an effort to chuck the car sideways and avoid a full frontal (urgh!) crash which would probably have taken out the water and oil cooling systems. The resultant impact wrecked the front wing (just who’s side was that anyway Gav? - Ed.), bumper and wrinkled the bonnet, not to mention taking out most of the lights. Surprisingly they were able to carry on, albeit with only one headlight and finish a creditable 7th overall. Just to add insult to injury, the organisers charged Gav £25 for the dubious pleasure of creating a new gateway for the farmer!

Unfortunately Andy and Danny were unavailable for comment on how their night panned out.