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)