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News & editorial
July 2004
Bowing out.
First - a quick announcement to let you know this is my last Editorial. I've carried out the Editor's duties for the last 6 years or so and decided a change is as good as a rest.
I hope your monthly rag has been informative and has amused at times but we've now gained the services of Simon Gratton - (see right) - to carry out the function whilst I move on to another position on the Committee. Simon's enthusiasm for everything he's involved himself with will I'm sure flow over into Tappits. At the moment he'll have quite a bit of time to spare as he's on crutches following a recent Boarding accident at Leeds. |
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HELP
For some time now we've had the threat of losing the use of the McCormick Recreation Club as our base. This is no longer a threat - it's going to happen in the near future so we would like everyone to help to find a new meeting place.
We have until the 31st October to find an alternative as on that date the Club closes it's doors for the last time as the site it stands on is being sold.
Please put your thinking caps on as we would like to find somewhere that is easy for all to get to and has all the facilities we have enjoyed at the Recreation Club. By that I mean we aren't charged for the private room, there's plenty of parking area and in the case of Dave Pope and Malcolm - it's good beer at a good price.
If you have any suggestions please write them down, including contact names and numbers if possible, and hand them in to any Committee member before or on the night of the AGM.
A timely reminder of the Annual General Meeting. The meeting will be on the 21st July and will start at 8.45 prompt. Please aim to arrive for 8.30 so you can get your drink and fight for that front row seat.
Please put it to good use as, if you have a bit of time to spare each month we would appreciate your help on the Committee.
It's nice to see Peter Lythell back in the driving seat and he sure knows how to do it right. It's a while since I saw Peter - whilst crewing for Ian Wright at Montlhery - just sorry we were unable to go and see him in action. At least Gordon was there to pen a report and thanks to Gordon I've been able to add some pictures to Peter's article.
| Talking of Ian, we had a pretty wet trip to Oulton Park on the 3rd/4th July to attend a round of the Cockshoot Cup in the M and G Auto Electrics Midget. The journey there was mostly through torrential rain but when it came to the race proper on the Saturday afternoon it was dry. A good result for Ian - see separate article - and another trophy for the cabinet as well. |
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One thing that was apparent at Oulton were the improvements that have been made there now it's under the ownership of Jonathon Palmer's Motorsport Vision group. The operation not only covers Oulton Park but Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park and Snetterton circuits together with the Bedford Autodrome. For more info have a look at http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk
VISIT TO MANOR MOTORSPORT:
The evening of 7th July saw a large contingent from the Club heading to Dinnington to visit the premises of Manor Motorsport. Unfortunately an absentee on the night was Len Fowkes who kindly organised the trip but had a school trip to look after so missed the opportunity to look around Manor's premises.
We were all greeted by owner John Booth and his staff which included Tony Shaw the Formula Renault Team Manager who gave a good insight into the running of cars. Transportation Engineer John "Nonny" Cooper gave young Adam Paget and the girls a look into the world of race car transportation but flatly refused to let me and Ian Wright take the transporter home.
Manor currently run a two car line up in Formula 3. The drivers are Lewis Hamilton, who was the Formula Renault Champion in 2003 and is currently lying 7th in the F3 championship, and Charles Zwolsman who is in 18th place. Manor also field a four car line up in Formula Renault. Drivers with Manor in this championship include 17-year old Scottish sensation Paul Di Resta, who won his first ever Formula Renault UK race at Oulton Park in Cheshire last season. The other drivers are Irishman Patrick Hogan, 16-year old Josh Weber and the McLaren International contracted Beijing-born Franky Cheng from Hull.Watch out for these names in future - Formula 1 drivers in the making … ????
Next outing for the F3 crew will be the Nurburgring on 30th July. See their website at manormotorsport.co.uk for full details of teams progress and for a chance to win the competition they are running. Full details of the great prize they are offering, sponsored by BBN Media, will be announced before the Formula Renault Championship meeting at Croft.
TREASURE HUNTS:
The recent rounds in support of the Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice Appeal have been enjoyed by those who took part - particularly Lesley Neale who was in the winning crew on her first ever event with the Club. Nick Huntridge has forwarded details of a Sunday Hunt starting from Retford on the 25th July. Please give him your support on this event as the sterling work we did raising money for the appeal at last years Festival of Transport cannot be repeated this year. This is due to most of those who organise and run the Club Stand will be on Epynt for the Wales Rally GB. For anyone not going to Epynt and who would like to attend the Festival at Gainsborough - please see me as I have exhibitor details available.
MARSHALS TRAINING:
New modules are coming on stream to monitor marshals registration upgrades from 2 to 1. See page ii of "Wheels" and visit the MSA website as listed there.
A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY:
The Clubs Annual Dinner Dance will take place at the Golf Club on Saturday 5th February 2005 - more details will be provided by Dave Pope nearer the date.
STOP PRESS - Forest Stages Rally
The date has now been set for the 2005 Robin Hood Forest Stages Rally - this is to take place on the weekend of the 12th / 13th March. It's nice to see that the main sponsor for the event is again to be The Alternative Sign Centre.
Ian eyeing up parts from the pretty well busted, modified class Midget of John Hewitt after the race at Oulton Park
So finally ……. it's goodbye from me and hello to Simon from now on. It's been a pleasure to have been of service and I'll see you around in the future.
John Sayles
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