By Barry Lindsay
The Summer grass Autotest saw 12 drivers battle it out over 10 tests, it had been planned to run 12 but the weather turned so bad there was no fun for everyone standing around. For the first time we had a BBQ after 6 tests to try and attract non competitors along also.
The field was dry for the majority of the tests. Test 1 Nigel Harkness & Barry Lindsay equaled on 1m27, Andrew Graham on 1m28 then Helen on 1m30. For the re-‐run Nigel was quickest on 1m24, John Ross got 1m26 then Barry on 1m27 again the Geoffrey Harkness on 1m28 in roadcar class Fiesta.
A quick move of cones and test 3 was ready. Neil Thomlinson was quickest with 1m26 but was suffering from a heavy night out the night before! Nigel got 1m 28, close behind was Helen on 1m29 then Barry on 1m30. Geoffrey Harkness got a wrong test.
On the re-‐run as test 4, Kenton Pattison also suffering from a heavy night out managed a quickest time with 1m 20. Followed by Nigel on 1m21, Andrew & Geoffrey on 1m 22 then Barry on 1m23. Wrong tests on this one were for John Ross and new to Autotesting Mandy Talbot.
Another quick route change which barely gave the marshals time to sit down. Test 5 Kenton & Barry equaled time with 2m21, Richard Clark got 2m25 in the Mini then Neil got 2m26. Whilst Eric & Linda had the burgers sizzling Test 6 was run. Richard and Kenton shared the honors with fastest time of 2m 09, Nigel got 2m10 then Geoffrey & Barry on 2m11.
Crews gathered round the easy-‐ups where Eric & Linda, Caroline Lodge & Kay Lindsay were on bread rolls, salad and drinks. Many thanks for some great food.
Back to the tests. Test 7 1m 54 was a popular time, Nigel, Andrew, Richard & Barry all got it, with Geoffrey & Neil just behind on 1m56. On the re-‐run as Test 8 it was starting to rain. Nigel was quickest with 1m52 then Geoffrey on 1m55 followed by Barry on 1m56 as times started to slip.
Test 9 would be the head to head . Richard was quickest with 1m 07 followed by Kenton & Geoffrey both on 1m09. Then Barry on 1m11. Nephew Graham was quick to work out that taking the 3seconds out of Nigel now made it a tie for the lead going into the last test.
Test 10 was now pretty wet and getting wetter. Geoffrey was quickest with 1m12 ahead of Andrew on 1m13, then Richard, Nigel and George Edmondson who all got 1m 15.
Thanks go to Michael Lindsay & Ian Robinson for Marshalling. Caroline Lodge for results and supplying all the BBQ food & equipment. Eric & Linda Ritchie & Kay Lindsay for catering. Joe & Neil Thomlinson for the use of the field.
Results
1st Nigel Harkness 16m 35
2nd Barry Lindsay 16m 42
3rd Andrew Graham 16m 51
4th Richard Clark (road)16m 58
5th Kenton Pattison 17m 15
6th Helen Harkness 17m 16
7th Geoffrey Harkness (road)17m 16
8th Neil Thomlinson 17m 28
9th Mark Talbot (road) 18m 15
10th George Edminson (road)18m 21
11th Mandy Talbot (road) 19m 27
