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Anglesey 2010
(The Novice’s View)
Friday
Finally got the car back with a new head and are off to Anglesey, which in road mileage terms is nearer from Dublin than Mondello. Car was loaded and packed the night before and we were up bright and early for the 8.20 ferry - weather forecast ok. Ferry was packed and like a floating crèche (memo to self book Stena Plus early as it was full). We learned from another driver that it is not a good idea to bring your own petrol on the boat with you as sometimes it can be taken from you. We weren’t asked about petrol so we said nothing. A few bob saved.
Found “Trac Mon” without difficulty registered for Friday afternoon laps. Great - anyone have a map of the circuit so novice driver knows where he is going? Got chatting to a marshal who offered to drive us around the Coastal Circuit in his road car during the lunch break. It helps if you have a vague idea of what the circuit configuration is. Quite windy so we decided not to put up the gazebo.
Laps went ok until driver was black flagged for “4 wheels on the grass” twice. Never heard of that one before. Pulled in and got a nice warning. If you do that three times in one session you are out for the day, but start with a clean slate for the next day. Having dealt with that we retired to the hotel for the night.
Saturday
Up bright and early and fortified by a large fry we headed off. We put up the gazebo and sorted ourselves out for qualifying. The object for the day was “to keep of the grass” (this being the team motto) and to finish the race which would make it 6 races and the “X” would be taken off the back of the car. A few pointers for future visits to Angelsey. They don’t use a safety car. You are not allowed on the pit wall until after the race has started (they’d never enforce that one in Mondello). Race was completed 3 laps behind but it’s a finish. Met the friendly marshal again who was having a busman’s holiday at the circuit with his grandson. He said to take the gazebo down as the wind was going to increase that night. How much stronger could it get? He also said to walk across the circuit during lunch break and that there was a church on an island which was well worth a view. If there is a service there on a Sunday racing is suspended for the duration. After prize giving we packed up and retired to the hotel for a nice glass of wine.
Sunday
Another lovely sunny day (for about 10 minutes). The rain goes sideways at Anglesey and there is absolutely no shelter anywhere. Even the big awnings were frantically being strapped down to cars, petrol can and tyres. A few smaller gazebos were beyond salvage. We couldn’t unpack tools, etc and my wet gear (right behind everything) from the boot. By the time I found it I was like a drowned rat. Nightmare weather. I always thought that there was nowhere as evil as Mondello on a wet Sunday morning but it’s only trotting after Anglesey. In order to get the petrol tank filled we had to go into the scrutineers’ shed as it was just blowing all over the place. Nice and sheltered in there so using a few packets of chocolate biscuits as bribery I moved in there for the morning between qualifying and race. Mind you most of the Leinster M.C. officials had the same idea. I decided that before I headed for the ferry I was going to plug in my hair dryer to dry my hair in there, despite the notice “notice for public use” on the plugs. There are a lot of new rules here. Ignition gone on car needs a push start more than once. Thank God for other helpful drivers and friends who have got us out many difficulties throughout our first season. There was more messing around with race times which angered the people who were on the 14.30 ferry home. One driver carefully lined up his trailer and having completed about 4 laps raced off straight up the ramps and off to the ferry which, as he wasn’t seen again, he must have made. They held the cars for ages in assembly in the lashing rain. The drivers in open cars were soaked to the skin. Race over a delay in post-race scrutiny as they couldn’t find a scrutineer. This delay meant another team, who were in all honesty cutting it a bit fine, missed the ferry but managed to get on the 20.30. By this stage the sun had come out but there was no let up in the wind. We decided to pack up and skip the Invitation Race. We were wet, knackered, ignition gone and car not running at its best. But mission completed to finish a 6th race.
Wandered off for the ferry taking in the RAF base at Valley but couldn’t persuade the driver to go in – well the gates were open. Why not?
Arrived at Holyhead and HM’s Customs and Excise, to the great amusement of all gathered, were dipping for illegal diesel. As if anyone from Ireland would do that. The ferry was a bit late but we arrived home at 1 a.m. and treated ourselves to a glass of wine. Grateful that we didn’t have another 3 hour drive ahead of us like so many who were on the ferry. Very long day for all.
There were some rumours going around the paddock that there was a very late night party with disco lights and a glitter ball and that the guests were only allowed go home at daylight. Having been tucked up in my hotel bed well before midnight I can’t substantiate this rumour. Mind you there were some very tired looking people around.
All in all it was some experience, tiring, wet, frustrating but all the Welsh people we met were lovely and the setting for the circuit is fantastic, just a bit short on shelter. By the time next year’s visit comes around the memories of the wind and rain may have faded and I may even travel again. Who knows?
If you want results and technical details try someone else as all my sheets of results got soaking wet!
Signed “The Novice”
(Note: All names have been omitted to protect the innocent)
© The Druid
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