Beverley & District Motor Club

It's all over now, so what happened in the last three rounds since we all went ditch hooking. Results for round 7 just made the last issue of wheels, but no report or comment.

ORGANISER - CARL BRIGGS.

An enjoyable route on Map 107 saw the novice crews leading the way as the more experienced navigators struggled to plot, then dropping too much time to beat those blessed with much easier navigation. This issue of novices being able to claim a win without the same route will be discussed before the next season. Andy Carter and Mike Lund ended up clean, along with Dave Lowson and Ian Kirk, who had to settle for second place on higher engine capacity. I managed to claw a few points back as Gav and Mike picked up a fail and ended up 7th, leaving Matthew and myself four minutes behind Graeme and Ian. The ‘White’ to the south east of Fitling was good. I couldn’t believe we hadn’t tried to use it before. It was also the final appearance of Jon Binns, on this occasion navigating for Graham Burton in the Subaru. Jon has moved house and job to Lancashire now. "Good Luck" - see you at Massey Stages.

****************************************************************

I was sitting this one out to get my final marshalling round in, so did the route checking for Graeme. If you found the navigation hard, you should have seen it when I got it! I got lost sat in the living room! (wrong slotted at the sideboard-Ed.) Anyway, the event was a tough one, keeping everyone busy. I thought it was going to be too hard as I sat at TC2 watching everyone set off down Arras Hill, then not come to me for ages. I could see the lights all heading off the wrong way. Everyone arrived in the end and the win went to Tim Rogers and Matt Blood using the "Easy Navigation for Novices to Win Technique". We will have to look at this. The ‘White’ on Arden Fleets was yet another incident. Not as bad as the ‘Flat Dog’ one, but the farmer blocked the road with cones, which only had the effect of ruining his lawn as everyone went round them.

The good news for me was only a 5th place for Gav and Mike which meant I could now possibly win the drivers trophy, provided I win the last round. With Gav and Mike having to marshal, it was possible. THE PRESSURE!

****************************************************************

The final round was to be organised courtesy of Paul Rhodes from Border MC, a regular visitor to our events for two seasons now. Map 112 was to be used, starting to the south of South Ferriby.

The pressure was on. If I won, I win drivers title. Second means I match Gavin on points, but he wins on higher scores. Jon Meacock can also match Gav on points by winning, but would come second on lower scores.

We’re off. ‘T’ right, stuck behind car 2, passed car 1 and down to another ‘T’ right. Car 2 pulls over, we pass and carry on to TC2. Into TC2, Gavin’s quite pleased as we have no letterboard to sign for. I fail. Blown it already! Should know better. Car 2 had stopped for the letterboard when we passed it. Gavin could now happily rush back home to the surprise party he was due at. He also won best dressed marshal award!

As ever, carry on and enjoy it anyway. As the navigation was not too hard and timing correct, each section was easily cleanable. Even after having to reverse back for every letterboard! Small board and fast car - missed it! The event was won by the local crew of Brian Moore and John Dimbleby, even though they couldn’t plot the last section, following us into the last control with a clean sheet. We came second with just the fail - BUGGER!

Thanks to Paul and the rest of his team for putting the event on. Apologies for the grief at the finish.

Congratulations to: Gavin Smith - 1st Driver

Matthew Atkinson - 1st Navigator

Gibby finally got beaten! He is now to be seen in the home for retired road rally navigators. Historic rallying - only joking.