Results

Event: 5-May-2013

Note: BPLD = Best Performance by a Lady Driver, BPYD = Best Performance by a Young Driver, Max = Maximum penalty for incomplete test(s), DNF = Did Not Finish

Report

For the fourth Autotest of the Motor Club’s 2013 season, competitors were blessed with fine if chilly weather to tackle the two test routes that form the contest. The first of these was a typical fast route with only one reverse element. This was run twice to comprise tests 1 and 2. The other test was a two lap job with a long awkward reverse section to catch out the unwary.

Competing in her first season with the club, Ella Spence had the misfortune to literally draw the short straw which all drivers have to take part in. This meant that she had to go first giving the other drivers the chance to benefit from watching her progress. Although she made her first run without error or penalty, her slightly over cautious progress was to drop her to the back of the field.

Aaron Moar had a nightmare last event due to a persistent misfire from his Lotus Seven style Dutton Phaeton’s 2.8 litre Ford engine. He arrived at this event with a much improved engine and optimism reigned at least initially. Regrettably his optimism was to be dashed as the engine grew progressively more erratic and the bronchitic sound it made last time was replaced by a crack like a rifle followed by a complete stall necessitating a push back to the pits! Needless to say Aaron was not in line for an award on this occasion.

Karen Laughton, sharing the drive of her Ford Ka with friend Ella Spence, once again drove well except for a ten point penalty for not stopping astride the finish line. Her improving speed gave her sixth place and the trophy for best performance by a lady driver.

Just two points ahead of Karen was Robbie Spence entered in his road legal Ford Focus substituting for his Vauxhall Astra that is still crying out for a replacement gearbox. His position in fifth does not adequately reflect his progress as the Focus is quite a handful to guide at speed around the tight course.

Steven Tait had double-entered with a Citroen Saxo and a Vauxhall Corsa and as usual he shook both cars by the throat to the amusement of spectators. However , this involved a degree of overdriving resulting in fourth place for him in the Saxo and third place, and a trophy, for his efforts in the Corsa.

The last event was less than a success for Colin McAllister at the wheel of his neat Mazda MX5 due to brain fade resulting in a bucket of penalties for two wrong-route errors. This time Colin vowed to put things to rights and duly sped round the four tests in great penalty free style even taking fastest time on test two. The upshot was a well deserved second place overall.

It was left to Trevor Sutherland to take up the challenge for the top slot and this he did. Despite his speed on some route sections seeming to be impossibly quick he kept it all together and with fastest time on two tests and equal fastest on another he brought home the Ford Ka in first place nine points ahead of the second placed car.

May19th sees the next Autotest, once again at the Caldale Camp site loaned to the club by Mr Brian Laughton, and we can expect more competitors taking up the challenge for top honours.

JMS