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News & editorial
March 2003
WHAT AN EVENT!!! - Just when you thought it couldn't get much better... it did!! ... Classics thrown in for good measure to add to the Historics, Post Historics and Moderns. The Robin Hood Forest Stages Rally is a rally for which Geoff and Sue Boud can be justifiably proud. Yes they have the backing on the weekend of the rally of 600 or so others from Lindholme, other clubs and many organizations backing them, and for many months the event management team are kept very busy, but without their efforts the rally wouldn't get off the ground. There are far too many to thank personally but you all know who you are and for all your help over the weekend of the Rally - Thank you!
My personal thanks go to my Equipment Crews who had the longest weekend that I can recall despite the fact we had one less stage to strip out. Both John and Bill Cottam along with Colin "Ronnie" Barker had a baptism by fire. You can never be sure what problems you'll get as Equipment Officers. This year we had our fair share of frustration trying to keep to a schedule that was tight to begin with on top of losing a van which we'd hoped to utilise for Saturday and Sunday. Thankfully a second vehicle we nearly lost the use of was secured by John Marsh, was it legal - yes just! John along with Ben Jaggard Smith gave their all and flew all over the place helping finish off the longer and more awkward stages. Jeff Yates a hardened veteran at the equipment game doubled up with Colin to ensure the 70 bales were picked up with John and Bill and distributed in Clipstone North and South and John and Ben sorted Blidworths needs. This year on Saturday whilst setting up the rain stayed off - but at Rother Valley in the evening the heavens opened - this doesn't make for a easy clearing session in the dark something I avoided due to a generator failing in Birklands which I had to get sorted out. ( Many thanks to Geraint Thomas and Julian Howitt - Car 134 Hillman Imp - who took fuel to the start area saving me a long walk into the forest ).
The Saturday had started at 6.30am but unfortunately didn't end for the Crews until 12.45am on Sunday morning - bloody tiring that's for sure but, to cap all it, I had to be up at 4.45am to pick up Claire, my daughter, who had volunteered to help and look after the Old Man. We were to set up Rainworth at 6.15 so that Marshals and Competitors were guided to the first stage of the day.
Other set ups were carried out in various locations and by 11.00 we met up with the other crews who had a bit of extra sleep to help get some stamina for the strip outs to come. The worst part ….. when it gets dark. Your speed drops 75% whilst your trying to spot anything hidden at the sides of the Stages.
By the time we returned to the finish at Clumber most people had gone home. The Equipment Crews finally got home around 11.00 on Sunday night. One of these years we might just get to see the Awards Ceremony.
I think that now, as I write the Editorial, I'm finally stopping aching. Enjoyed it ??? - Yeh of course we did !! - I hope.
The competitors who probably had the most pleasant outing on our event was that of Steve Perez and Jonty Bolsover in their 1967 Porsche 911 finishing 1st overall in the Historics. Steve's people took pity on us at Rother and handed out VK Energy drinks to keep us going, and gave us a hat to keep the grey matter ticking over. Now that's what I call good marketing and hospitality. Also nice to see Dave Cobb back in the Fold, coming in third in the Classics in his 1980 Toyota Corolla GT.
Right as there's so much more to read later on in the following pages and winter, although not a bad one, is behind us we've lots to look forward to. The next round of the 12 Car Challenge is on the 26th March and the Autotest Series starts in April. Ian Wright and Roy Johnsons seasons start soon as later articles show. The Quiz League continues under Dave James and for anyone interested - Dukeries Motor Club have invited us to take part in the EMAMC Inter Club Motor Sports Quiz.
This is open to all member clubs and will be held on Thursday 8th May at the Mansfield Rugby Club on Eakring Road, Mansfield. The event will follow a format similar to previous enjoyable events hosted by Matlock MC and Eastwood MC. Clubs are invited to enter teams of 3 or 4 people with no limit on the number of teams from each club. The Quiz will be based on 4 categories: Motor Sport in the East Midlands area / General Motor Sports knowledge / Motor Sport 'history' - [Pre 1980] / and General Knowledge. The evening starts at 8.00pm with a refueling stop during the event and results should be declared around 10.15 followed by presentation of the awards.
Entry is free and there is a free buffet. Interested ?? Have a word with Len Fowkes for further information.
John Sayles
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