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PADDOCK PERAMBULATIONS
(or ramblings)
Sunday 9th October 2001 – Final Meeting of the Season
Fun Meeting
Friday afternoon in Tescos at the check-out the girl asks me how many children are going to the party? What I think? Now I get it. The trolley is full of sweets, biscuits and crisps. I just say quite a few as it would be too difficult to explain that the sugar hits are for grown up, as I use that word with care, children. They even have their own giant size babygrows. In fact they are Historics but still need all the E numbers for that extra bit of energy. They will be so hyperactive by the end of the meeting. The wine in the trolley is for me! This is followed by an emergency run to Ashgrove Interparts as “someone” forgot to get something.
Lots of talk of double driving, pits stops, re-fuelling, how qualifying will be done, etc. I hope our horticulturist has brought an abacus (or excel spreadsheets) as the permutations are akin to Honours Algebra and it’s along time since I did that! I can’t even work out how much petrol we will need.
As usual my three weather forecasts are different. The only thing not forecast is snow I hope they are correct on that one as there was sleet in Donegal on Thursday. Vinnie is threatening an end of season burning of the gazebo but on mature reflection I think another trip to Anglesey and it will just blow away. Note to all hungry Historics I won’t be there. I am planning to do a bit of reporting from the Helmand Province as it has to be less stressful than Trac Môn.
A very early start on Saturday as there was an important match to watch. The less said about that the better. There were very few cars testing and the only incident was a spectacular engine blowout in Alan’s Porsche the smoke from which obliterated the pit lane for some time, and brought the fire truck racing up to it. John Cardoo had a new mini for the weekend which developed a mysterious oil leak and had to be sent home for bad behaviour.
Everyone was bright and breezy on Sunday with scrutiny and sign on at 08.30. Alan had organised an extra garage for us (on a first come first served basis) and it was packed to capacity. As the day wore on the insults flew with greater speed than some of the cars. Some of the garage occupants’ antics were akin to junior school holding the door shut so someone else couldn’t get in – really grown up. There was a small domestic in the paddock as someone (hint: silver car) forgot to pack the table. All sorts of depravations were threatened – he won’t forget again.
Qualifying had only one incident with Ken now taking the title of agricultural contractor for the meeting, taking his exhaust off as well. The assistance of Johnny Flynn sorted that out. The instructions for driver change, 1 minute stops, re-fuelling and car change were explained by Alan in the clearest possible manner. It was amazing to watch how some “mature” drivers could not work out when to come in for fuel and kept forgetting that the clock decreases during the race. It was worse than listening to teenage girls trying to decide what colour lipstick to wear. Liam and Wolfgang discovered that their transponders were riveted in; so following an age of discussions they decided to complete the 30 minutes individually. More fuel discussions.
The pit lane was swept by the gofer with severe warnings to all about dropping litter in it. Only one litter violation was issued. Alan provided some very unflappable (and nicely co-ordinated in red race suits) guys for re-fuelling and they did a great job. The race itself went well and all the action in the pit lane went safely. Mind you, it was quite frantic. It was a bit like watching spider crabs running all over the place. Dave Moloney was going apoplectic when Johnny held him in pit lane for the minute as he was the second car with Ken. Well done to Alan for legendary organisation and who, despite severe provocation with loads of stupid questions, did not loose the head. I would have handed out 10 second penalties to some people!
Jackie Cochrane/Jonathon Fildes won first prize unfortunately neither were able to stay for the prize giving. They should have got a special prize for the driver change – very athletic. Jackie had to dash back home as Patricia had a meeting at 18.30. Someone suggested to him if they were running late just unload the Tiger and let her go ahead in it. I don’t think that happened.
With thanks to the marshals for all their hard work, in all weathers, over the season.
Quote of the weekend: Mr. V.X. O’Reilly who told Noel “that he would be better off making the ** sandwiches and let the girl drive his car”!
One HRCA member (you know who you are) recently called me a “petrol head” – “get my head examined” might be more appropriate as I survived a second season.
© Druid
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