As I am typing these notes after we have experienced the wettest July and August in living memory, it will be no surprise that the ground conditions for the two most recent events made for some very interesting sport although the rain did hold off for the majority of the actual competitions.
Chew Valley Gymkhana 3 August
This was held at the same venue as in previous
years, near Winford in the Chew Valley, ten miles south of Bristol. It is a real
non damaging fun event and this year the slippery long grass did cause much
wheelspin but the field did dry out by the afternoon. Fortunately the rain held
off until the traditional head to head was completed and then the heavens opened
with everyone rushing to put hoods up! The main test is a long timed run but
with plenty of twists and turns to keep speeds down. The other two timed tests
consist of a cloverleaf which resulted in a few wrong tests and the traditional
towing the tyre which is generally entertaining unless you have drawn the short
straw to marshal on that test when you will spend much energy replacing cones.
There were 17 entries, all MGs ranging from Mike Hawk in his J2, usual Midgets
and MGBs and some front wheel drive MGs. Ian Webb won overall in his Midget and
Phil Archer won the head to head.
Our thanks to Dave Coppock who organised the event as well as those other
helpers and marshals.
Chew Valley Trial 24 August
Another event in the Chew Valley at Pagans Hill
Farm held on a steeply sloping field. The hills are marked out with poles and
markers, and after a dry spell often some ingenuity is required when setting up
this event to prevent every competitor cleaning each hill.
No such problems this year with the heavy rain over the previous weeks (months?)
and although a few managed to clean some of the hills there were many scores
between 8 and 11 on each hill. Due to a shortage of marshals with only one
marshal on each hill, this meant there was much running up and down for each
marshal which would be great if one was young and fit but as I personally am
neither of those there was much puffing and panting from yours truly.
There were 19 entries with Steve Dear’s Wolseley Hornet Special being the oldest
car and the one MMM entry was Jim Burridge in his Dad’s PB. Jim was giving this
car an airing as Gerald was at home recovering from a spell in hospital and he
is now thankfully recovering well although it will be some weeks yet before
Gerald will be driving. Our best wishes to Gerald and Trish.
Front wheel drive cars were well represented with several modern MGs although
first overall in this class was a Citroen ZX which seemed to crawl slowly up
each hill with the engine ticking over!
No less than ten competitors received awards at this event so if the trophy
shelves are looking empty this seems to be event to enter and there is indeed
another trial at this venue on 19 October. This venue must be as near to non
damaging as a trial site can be, and as far as I am aware there was no damage
done to exhausts, so for anyone contemplating having a go at a trial this must
be one of the best entry level trials the club runs. The rain managed to stay
away for the morning of the event and competitors seemed to have a thoroughly
enjoyable time.
Our thanks to Bruce Weston who ran the whole show as well as many other South West Centre Events.
Future Events
October 19 Kimber Production Car trial
Same venue as above i.e. Pagans Hill Farm and similar event. Entry form off the website or contact Bruce Weston on 01963 440 941
October 26 Social Run to Newark Park
This is a new event in the form of a social run to Newark Park, Wotten under Edge, Glos. There will be at least two start points, one being in Bristol/Bath area and another in the Forest of Dean. Newark Park is a National Trust property on a high vantage point with superb views over the Gloucestershire countryside. Your committee have been asked to provide more events with no competitive element and surely come end of October we should be experiencing an Indian Summer and therefore lets put the date in our diaries now and make this event a great success. Further details from John Bird on 0117 956 0175 or email; johnbird@fsmail.net.
Details of the winners of awards at the above events can be found on the South West Centre website www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgccsw
Finally the photo is of Tony Blake’s MG TC with
his daughter driving and Tony thoroughly enjoying being bouncer at the trial at
Pagans Hill on 24 August. Photo by Richard Lucking.
Andrew Owst