By Barry Lindsay

The annual Xmas event always attracts a good entry and with 90 crews lined up to start the 50 mile event on Croft Racetrack and side roads. The event was the first round of the AS Performance North of England Tarmacadam championship. SMC members at the event were, Peter Taylor with Jack Morton in the Focus WRC at 3. Barry & Michael Lindsay in the 106 at 15, and Geoffrey Harkness & Caroline Lodge at 61.

Following the overnight gales the morning dawned dry and quite calm. The track was cold & damp as crews took to the start. Geoffrey & Caroline were in trouble before the event started. Whilst at Scrutineering they checked the fire extinguisher pull cable and the handle came off. With a new one fitted and the scruitineer happy they made the start.

Stage one Peter got 7m50 (5^th Overall) while Barry & Michael were really happy with the 106 running on wets on the drying greasy track getting 8m07 (16sec class lead) then Geoffrey & Caroline also on wets got 8m 50.

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By Barry Lindsay

The final round of the SG Petch ANECCC championship, The Grizedale Stages based in Coniston with 40 miles in Grizedale Forest. I was in with a mathematical chance of winning the championship and after already clinching the North of England Tarmacadam could I get the double.. To win the championship all I had to do was get maximum points and have neither Steve Bannister or Richard Cook get any points. For some reason neither of them entered this round, now all I had to do was get maximum points.. With Peter Stephenson entered in his Focus then also John Bainbridge & Darren Martin both in 4wd cars could also get into the equation.

Stage 1 & 2 ran at the small Dunnerdale stage. Stage 1 We had a good go, and despite a couple of little moments got 3m01. Continue reading →

By Barry Lindsay

The Cheviot rally was the final round of the North of England Tarmac championship. Six crews went to the Otterburn based event with a chance of taking the title. SMC’s Barry & Michael Lindsay armed with their 106 were in the mix. The 106 crew trailed Durham’s Chris Anderson & Chris Thurling by one point. So the calculations were with a lot of permutations but basically SMC crew had to finish ahead of Durham Crew. Simples…. If they both crashed out…. Then whoever was best of the 4 would be champion.

Recce was two runs over the stages, Barry was happy with the wet stages and with his nephew Graham reading and altering the notes everything was ready for the showdown.

As the sun rose on the morning, it then disappeared again. What is happening, the hill beside service was disappearing into fog! Yes!!

First two stages saw Barry & Michael return to service 10^th Overall and 18 seconds ahead of rival, going to plan so far. Peter Taylor & Paul Hughes were the only other SMC crew at the event were in 2^nd Overall, 7 seconds behind Leader Damian Cole.

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By Barry Lindsay

The Pendragon is always a popular event with the Spadeadam crews and this year was no change. With the event over subscribed by 25 entries at one point. Peter Taylor & Andrew Roughead started at Car 1 following last years win, again in the Focus which was sporting new Border Caravans Livery. Barry & Michael Lindsay were at 12 in the 106. At 36 Darren Martin & Martin Steele brought their new Evo for a test to get some seat time in the new car. Geoffrey Harkness & Caroline Lodge wheeled out the Corsa following a summer rebuild, they started at 44.

A dry morning at Warcop as crews lined up to start the event, the tarmac was still damp but would dry quick and a warm autumn day followed. Peter & Andrew launched into the 8.5 mile stage but would soon come across ‘a sheep and three birds’ standing on the road looking at him! Sure they would soon move. They got 9m 14 after a steady start. Barry & Michael were taking a different approach, try and take some time from the front wheel drive rivals on the greasy opening stage. The 106 was on the edge of grip in several places but were happy with 9m21, 7 seconds behind the Focus in 6^th Overall. David & Fiona were in trouble as they hit a black bale at the split, the damage looked minor but the impact had pushed the radiator back onto the fan, and not wanting to damage the engine called it a day. Stage two was slotted in at 30sec but only a few cars got through before it was cancelled when several cars were off in stage and one was blocking the split junction. Both stages 1 & 2 were now cancelled and crews returned to service and notional times given to those not competed. Continue reading →

By Clive Alcock

Helen Gibbon is doing a sterling job as the club magazine’s new editor, but does depend on other people, club members, actually writing a few articles for it from time to time. So she asked me:

“What shall I write about?” I said. “Don’t know… “ She replied “up to you. What events you’ve done this year, maybe, but don’t worry…You don’t have to mention the tree!”

Well, we’ve done quite a lot, tree or no tree. Wife and I on the SMC Summer Treasure Hunt, for instance. Starting out on a fine evening from under the ancient oak and beeches of Rickerby Park, Carlisle, in a Lancia Fulvia owned for nigh-on 20 years. Once our 2^nd family car, baby seats in the back, the Fulvia might be a familiar mount but navigating by committee never our forte. So we didn’t do very well at all and, whizzing round, the clues got harder to find: “You’re barking up the wrong tree…” I’m sure she said once, but at least we found the bar OK, out in the wilds of Smithfield. Continue reading →