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News & editorial
JANUARY 2003
Unfortunately I must open this New Year edition of Tappits with some sad news about one of our old colleagues, Charles Golding, who died recently.
Charles will be remembered by many for his exploits on our Stages Rally over many years. Back in 1996 and 1997 he achieved first place in the Robin Hood Classic Forest Stages Rally in the Triumph TR8 and began a brilliant run of successes in the Historic Class in 1998 with a win in his Ford Escort. I'm sure I speak for us all when I say he will be one character that we and the competitors will miss seeing around on this year's event.
New Year - new challenges
At least it was last Saturday when Geoff Boud and five more of us braved the cold of Rother Valley Country Park and the Dukeries Sherwood Forest area complexes to do a full Recce of the Stages in preparation for the Robin Hood Forest Stages. Most of the time things ran smoothly although on one section in Clipstone it was a smooth backwards motion even with the handbrake on ……. that's
how icy it was. The first problem came with the Clipstone South stage still blocked by fallen trees. A left over from the weekend of the Dukeries Rally in October whilst I was at Le Mans with Ian Wright. That's an item for the Forestry crew to tackle. The next more serious problem is one too common nowadays in the North Notts. Forests. As we entered Watchwood we came across a burnt out pocket rocket not far from the start. This in itself didn't prevent us from travelling the stage but will need clearing before March. What we came across further into the stage did stop us in our tracks. Not one, not two, but four burnt out hot hatches were blocking the stage. Whoever had been here had used the vehicles in a demolition derby. All had serious frontal and rear damage - a direct result of ramming each other. Having had severe spinal cord damage myself as a result of the crash in Rogers Escort Cosworth, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the occupants attended the A and E at Mansfield after their games. (See the "What's On" events page for photo.)
Thankfully Mark Booth, Sue Rylatt's Deputy Safety Officer, had come along with us in his Discovery - so with a towrope attached and the gearbox in low ratio Mark managed to drag one of the cars on it's belly just clear enough for us to get by and finish the recce.
Now comes the task of persuading the authorities to have them removed. Still if anyone can it's Geoff.
I know I said it last month and some of you are already deeply involved with Geoff Boud as Officials. But for those of you who are not could I please ask you, if you haven't already been asked, to volunteer your services in helping to run the Rally as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Dave James is looking for as many Off Stage Marshals as he can get and would welcome any assistance you or your friends can give. The more people involved the better as it means each person should have less to do thereby making it a more enjoyable challenge. It also gives everyone an opportunity to watch as well as work.
So if you yourself could spare some time over the weekend of the 2nd / 3rd March, or you know others who can - please let Dave know as soon as possible. Give him a ring on 01302 818626 or see him on Club Nights. Thank you………..
Editor
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