4th October 1999

Now dere were dese tree fellas. but hang on, there were only 2, and one of those was a lady! No, seriously for a moment, there was a certain amount of off-roading at Loton but both drivers emerged unhurt, and even the damage to the cars was relatively minor. I’ll bet Mike was sitting there, for the first time grateful that his lightweight bonnet is the heaviest and most solid in the known universe. Yes, it was spinner of the year time again and yet more competitors strove for that exalted title. Loton was a funny event altogether. The morning was warm and sunny, as was the early afternoon, with most incidents either over-exuberance or in Mike’s case a throttle jammed open, but come 4.30 and the start of the MG’s second runs, it all went dark and moody and then the heavens opened. The first two double driven cars caught a little light drizzle, then Auntie P seemed to find a bit more damp track under the trees before diving off into the undergrowth, her headlong charge towards the swamp only stopped by a tree stump which took out the bumper and radiator. But we are assured by Diggers that the car is OK and should have been out at Brands this weekend. Immediately after this the rain came down and eventually the event was abandoned without anyone else getting a second run.

Other incidents were Allan Inwood spinning out of a certain 12 points (he beat the record in practice), Piglet man, sans the pink peril, going cone hunting at Triangle in Si Hawke’s car (it was those damn brakes, they work and lock up, unlike the Piglets) and Steve Holford of the Southern series driving like a complete maniac on all three runs.

Anyway, it was nice to get together with the Southern chaps again before the end of the season.

A week later at 3 sisters for the second time, the weather wasn’t a lot better. We started with a damp track with 3 small streams running across it, just on breaking or turn in points, but this dried by second practice for all except yours truly, who was red flagged and on the re-run got caught on the line in a torrential down pour. The event was suspended for lunch at this point, which gave time for a car change to Andy Long’s Arkley, as Piglet developed swine fever and would only run on 2 cylinders. The afternoon followed the same pattern as the morning with a drying track meaning the MGs running as the last class had a relatively dry first run and were looking forward to a completely dry second run when, you guessed it, it started to rain again, just as the first MG pulled up to the line. Fortunately just a short shower but enough to dampen the track and slow all but Andy Long down. Again there were serious attempts for the "Spinner" trophy from Messers Pearson, Revell, Pawlyn, and most spectacular of all Peter Bramble who lost it on the last part of the Esses and crossed the finish line sideways before careering into the swampland. Funny thing this weather, I think there’s a pattern developing here; someone trying to tell us something?

So, with only Baitings to go, Diggers has regained his customary place at the head of the table, and looks uncatchable for the NORWESTER Cup. Second is Lloyd, still on 87, with Andrew Pearson and Tony Mac equal third (82), one point ahead of Tezza’s V8 in 5th. Diggers Jnr is 6th in the MGB on 79 points, followed by Helen Wolf (75), Mike Davies-Colley (74), Jim "coneslayer" Garvey (73) and Michael Marsland rounds out the top 10 with 72 points. Most of this bunch lead their respective classes and look fairly comfortable to finish where they are. The odd one out being Helen who is likely to be caught and overtaken for Acequip honours by Craig Hewett who still has an event in hand.

Several of the other trophy positions are also up for grabs. In the Standard MGBs Jon Beresford is 2nd, but could be caught by Geoff Harrison as neither have completed 8 events so will count all the points they score at Baitings. Similarly, in the MGF class the three way fight for 3rd spot will go to the wire. JT and Richard Saxton are tying with a 2 point advantage over Richard Eaton, but all have 7 or 8 point scores to drop so this could evaporate very easily. In the Road-going Modified MGBs it could also be close as 2nd place driver Colin Pattinson also has a 2 point but with Peter Bramble currently counting a 6 point score, a good finish a Baitings could see him steal the place. Gary Rothwell looks assured of victory in the FWD class, but Ben Carpenter could theoretically catch him if Graham doesn’t do Baitings and Ben does.

All the other prize positions are now settled, with Graham Askew picking up the combined Modified MGF and Racing Specials award, George Pawlyn set to carry home the Modified Midget award and DC due to finish 3rd in the Road-going Specials class.

This now looks to be concluded too, as a further win at Loton has put Helen 12 points in the lead, a total unlikely to be overcome by Pauline at Baitings.

Enclosed is a nomination form for the above two awards which should be completed and returned to SUE GARVEY, at the usual address. As a competitor I shouldn’t really be involved with the discretionary awards this year.

"Spinner" is for flamboyant driving style & falling off, "Chap" is for the driver who best represents the spirit of the championship and is also open to chapesses.

Please could all the winners of perpetual trophies in 1998 remember to bring them to Baitings if you are coming, and give them to David Rainsbury, the Clerk of the Course. That includes the register awards as well and the championship trophies. Anyone who has a bit of silverware and isn’t coming to Baitings, I need the trophies for engraving for this year’s winners by the end of October at the very latest. Please call me to arrange delivery etc.

As is the norm, we will be presenting this season’s awards at the MGCC North Western Centre’s Dinner Dance on 27th November 1999, at the Shrigley hall Hotel and Country Club, just outside Macclesfield, Cheshire. There will also be a driver’s meeting held in the bar in the afternoon, probably about 4.00pm. This is an opportunity to discuss the calendar and regulations for Y2K. Any proposed amendments to the Regs should be notified in writing to Sue Garvey by 13th November 1999.

More details of the arrangements will follow, but it is advisable to book your rooms early. A discounted rate for the week-end has been negotiated by our Treasurer and so please mention that you are with the MGCC Dinner when booking.

And one final point before I leave you, as I sit at my computer hammering out this missive looking out of the window at a gloriously sunny autumn day, I’m think to myself, "WHY wasn’t it like this yesterday!!!!".

Well toodle pip for now, may see you at Baitings, then again may not. But certain to see you at the dinner.