Autumn Autotest
By Barry Lindsay
The Autumn autotest was again held at Longpark, Scaleby. With use of the large stubble field all ten tests were setup the day before so that competition could follow on. A good entry turned up with several newcomers wishing to take part. John set things off going first on the first test marshalled by Michael, John getting 1m 04 a time that wouldn’t be beat, Neil T and Barry were watching each others times for the autotest championship both got 1m 06 on this one then Nigel on 1m07. On the rerun Barry was quickest with 1m 00 only 1 second ahead of Neil, then Peter who gave the Megane Sport a demonstration run of 1m 02, James Coulthard a newcomer getting 1m 03.
Tests 3 & 4 marshalled by Caroline. Peter was quickest with 59 sec followed by Jerry, Geoffrey and Barry all on 1m00 then Neil on 1m01. The repeat test Neil & James were quickest on 55sec followed by both Barry & Alex ( newcomer) just behind on 56sec then Jerry on 57.
Positions after Test 4
| 1st | Barry Lindsay | 4m 02 |
| 2nd | Neil Thomlinson | 4m 03 |
| 3rd | Jerry Hettrick | 4m 09 |
| 4th | Geoffrey Harkness | 4m 24 |
| 5th | John Ross | 4m 27 |
| 6th | Helen Gibbon | 4m 31 |
| 7th | Neil Varah | 4m 32 |
| 8th | Nigel Harkness | 4m 32 |
| 9th | James Coulthard | 4m 34 |
| 10th | Dean Graham | 4m 35 |
| 11th | Alex van Steijn | 4m 35 |
| 12th | Peter Taylor | 4m 35 |
| 13th | Jason Hettrick | 4m 37 |
| 14th | Luke Asbridge | 4m 53 |
| 15th | James Snaith | 4m 57 |
| 16th | Callum Young | 5m 04 |
| 17th | Dan Knight | 5m 10 |
Test 5 & 6 was a route used before, called the “ 50th” but has lost the “h”! ( If you’ve driven it you’ll know what I mean) the reversing into a garage was marshalled by Yvonne Petry. Barry got 55, Neil getting a 59 then Alex and Peter on 1m00. Luke and Dean getting WT. For the rerun Peter was quickest on 54 then Barry again on 55, Alex on 56 and Geoffrey on 57 a time that Neil also got but added to it a hit cone dropped him more valuable time.
Test 7 & 8 were a new test with more reversing in and Joe Thomlinson was keeping his eye on that part. Barry was quickest with 1m00 followed by Jerry on 1m02, Alex on 1m03 and Neil on 1m06. WT’s for Helen ( Nigel navigating her the wrong way!), Callum, Luke, James S and Peter. For the re-run Barry got 59, Alex 1m00, Neil 1m02 then Nigel & James C on 1m03.
Test 9 & 10 were the finale, on the same sites as 5 & 7 with a longer route joining them. Alex was fastest with 1m 34 just ahead of Jerry on 1m 35, Geoffrey on 1m 39 then Nigel on 1m 41. Where were the title contenders? Neil trying too hard slid into the finish cone and picked up his second cone of the day, while Barry struggling with gear linkage trouble dropped time.
The last test Nigel & Neil both got 1m 29 then Alex on 1m 32, James C on 1m33.
With Jerry getting a 1m 36 and Barry a 1m42 this meant that Neil took the 2010 Spadeadam Autotest Championship on the last test.
Final Standings
| 1st | Neil Thomlinson | 11m 28 (Fastest on 1st Test) | ||
| 2nd | Jerry Hettrick | 11m 28 | ||
| 3rd | Barry Lindsay | 11m 34 | ||
| 4th | Alex van Steijn | 11m 40 | ||
| 5th | Geoffrey Harkness | 12m 09 | ||
| 6th | John Ross | 12m 10 | ||
| 7th | Nigel Harkness | 12m 15 | ||
| 8th | Jason Hettrick | 12m 38 | ||
| 9th | James Coulthard | 12m 43 | ||
| 10th | Helen Gibbon | 12m 47 | ||
| 11th | Dan Knight | 13m 14 | ||
| 12th | Neil Varah | 13m 23 | ||
| 13th | Luke Asbridge | 13m 36 | ||
| 14th | Callum Young | 13m 56 | ||
| James Snaith | Withdrew after test 8 | |||
| Peter Taylor | Withdrew after test 8 | |||
| Dean Graham | Withdrew after test 8 |
(Photos © Helen R. Gibbon/ Spadeadam Motor Club)
