PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT CLICK HERE

The Editorial 14/45 was issued with a sick-note on the Thursday prior to the meeting (broken engine mounting bolts), and so after a comfortable 'purr' up the M42, I arrived at 9.15 am, said 'Hi' to Ann Rawlings and Keith parked up already in the disabled area with the AW75, and then on our 'pitch' found John Dodd in his motorhome just brewing up. Perfect.

The TOC was positioned a little way down the hill from Redgate exit, and settled down for another great weekend. Amongst many Talbots, there was the 'Smiffy' 105 looking really terrific, nearing the end of it's rebuild, and James Fack arrived in the delightful 4AB. The Whattons, Guy Gregory, Quentin Chases, Len Park, John Robson, the Wards, David Roxburgh and Don Rathbone completed members attending with their Talbots, and we were also joined by Christopher Weston in his AD 14/45 Tourer. Pity mine was suffering in the medical bay as it would have been great to see two AD's together. Oh well.

The Talbots invited to perform the collection/delivery service for the marshals at lunchtime, and I know our help is really appreciated by all on the day. The afternoon was racing along (sorry) and before long we were getting ready for the Team Relay Race, where our erstwhile band of volunteers were on hand to support our drivers (Norman, John, Stephen, and Nick). The paddock was a real sight for sore eyes with the most astounding display of Talbots in addition to 'our' team, thanks to John Ruston. The Talbots competing were LJ9681, PL4, GO51, GO52, GO54, BGH292, BGH21, BGH22, BGH23.  What a spectacle!

 

The Team Pre-War Sports-Car Relay Race - The View From the Pits by David Roxburgh

Having done the same job last year, I knew what to expect and the (rather chaotic) briefing did rather less to reacquaint me with procedures than my memory of that occasion.

Equipped with nothing more technical than a watch, Judges Record Sheet and pen, the team of judges play a crucial role in ensuring that the 25 teams of three or four cars each play by the rules. And the main rules are quite straightforward: minimum time on track per car – 20 minutes; maximum time on track per car – 30 minutes plus one lap; only one car on the track and one car in the pits per team at any one time. All the Pit Lane Judge has to do is keep the timing, write down any infringements and generally try to be helpful and supportive to 'their' team.

The first of the rules I have listed means, of course, that absolutely nothing whatsoever happens in the pit lane for at least 20 minutes. After that, there is a straggle of cars coming in to change over until 29 minutes when all hell breaks loose as cars change at the last possible moment. Cars are coming in, support crews waving frantically to their drivers, replacement cars zooming off with all sorts and conditions of cars and drivers mixed up together. Tiny Austin 7 Specials to thundering Bentleys (or is that Bentlies?), grizzled and experienced ex-professional racing drivers and youngsters in their twenties. It seemed that more accidents were likely to happen in the pit lane than anywhere else!

'My' team of Benjafields Old Boys, Bentleys all, captained by Mr Mann, were clearly very capable. Not so some of the others. Early on, an MG left the track at the beginning of the pit straight, hit the wall and the driver was flung out. He walked away, but the bruises must have been impressive. The car was rather bent too.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that in every handicap relay race, after the first car changeovers it is quite impossible to tell who is winning. Up till that point, a beautiful French blue Alfa Monza was clearly in the lead, but thereafter? Who knows! As is traditional, chaos reigned!

Some cars or drivers stood out for different reasons. One or two drivers were clearly very nervous. I watched one second driver sitting in his car for the full 30 minute wait being reassured the whole time by the rest of the team before getting onto the track. It seemed to work, for when he drove, he drove well.

Car 193, a fine Bentley two-seater, was well driven by a driver who turned out, when she removed her helmet, to be a young lady clearly able to teach her male counterparts a thing or two. Team 17 were conspicuous by their absence as they did not turn up at all.
Through it all, there seemed to be a profusion of bright green cars that, from my pit lane position, seemed to come through quietly and consistently (just as they always did). Canon Lionel Webber in his pre-race stroll through the pits, seemed especially taken by the Talbots. Did he bless their endeavours? Well they all finished safely, but not to win. Perhaps the Good Lord favours the taking part, not the winning.

Talbot no 202 of Nicholas Pellett, sat steaming gently at the end of the race through removing the radiator cap with a very hot engine. Hot water and steam everywhere, but no harm done.

At 6.29, 22 minutes early, the race was red-flagged. A car had gone off badly at the end of the pit straight and the race was over. Who had won? No idea! Off to the finishers enclosure for drinks and results. Eventually the scores were calculated and the 'Dirty Dogs' team of Frazer Nashes and a GN were first with 'Benjafield's Guests' Bentleys winning the handicap award.

 

And Mr Mann? He thanked me for my work. Forelock duly tugged, your ever so humble Pit Lane Judge can’t wait to next year's excitement !!

Following the race, most members repaired pretty quickly to the hospitality marquee where suitable liquid refreshment passed both our lips and the time whilst waiting for the results. We didn't win, but what fun! The B-B-Q had been set alight (luckily) by a careful arsonist, and 'ere long we all wandered back to base for a delicious supper courtesy of Hilary and Martin Bryant. The fact that I managed to dribble (seemingly) gallons of fatty/oily stuff down my new top was down to the subdued lighting rather than personal incompetence. That's my story anyway.

The hotel bar managed to provide a few more nightcaps before most of our crowd spent most of the night trying to find their rooms (what corridors!!), and then following a good if tepid breakfast, we re-appeared at the circuit for 'Round 2', on Sunday morning.

The B-B-Q was resurrected again for lunch good to see what I was doing, after our happy band of volunteers transported the marshals once more, and there was much relaxed chat as the afternoon drew to a conclusion.

So there we have it. Full circle. Great. Many thanks to John, Martin and Hilary especially for another terrific weekend, to all the drivers, and helpers who made the Team Race so exciting, and finally to John Dodd for bringing the Tea-Room with him.

 

JOIN THE TEAM AND HAVE FUN WITH THE TOC