I thought it was time to write in the Acorn after some years and being it was my first speed event for I think 2 years or more, as I had committed myself back to circuit racing but more of that later.
Being greedy or just for the fun of it I entered my road car, my faithful old Firenza, which I have had since 1974, and also the Chevette, which I have had some 9 years.
Of course it started dry but turned wetter as the day went on and I really did not get far with the Firenza at all.  The times were well down but it sure

was fun.  The Chevette was far better in the wet conditions and I won my class. Although I could have gone just a little quicker, I decided to play safe and keep ahead.
I enjoyed the day and seeing old friends again. Oh and by the way, Mark, could you save me some cones next time, I could use them for work, but you sure were entertaining and the car sounds very good.
As always, superb organisation by Sevenoaks and very many thanks to all the marshals standing out in the wet conditions.  I would like to suggest that the competitors perhaps put money in a kitty for marshals as I feel they do earn it. This is now done at race meetings for their time and effort.
(Perhaps members can put forward their views on this to the committee-Ed).
I went back to racing in 2000 and only did three meetings at Lydden.  I did not do well on the second hand slick tyres I had and the set up wasn’t great either. I also broke the diff so I gave up that year and spent much time and money, as we all know, and rebuilt the suspension, with much harder bushes, rebuilt the diff and bought new compound slicks and was then ready for 2001. I entered championship rounds mostly at Lydden.  The Chevette was superb and totally reliable.  I had positions at the front of the field, which I could never get near before, but of course I still could not stay with some of the Cosworths, with their extra horsepower.  There were always good grids at Lydden and in the end I came second in Class A for cars 2 litre and over and got a very nice trophy from BARC.
So ended a good season and out came the engine over that winter. This has now been rebuilt and has also been dry sumped, with all the work being done by Jon Mowatt, whom some of you will know.  I also lowered the car again plus some other mods and another set of new slicks, as the others were looking a bit the worse for wear!  It was not until September 2002 that I entered an event and that was again at Lydden, as I was not prepared to pay £190 fee at Brands Hatch just to run the engine in!  Anyway I did the full practice session and all went well, then completed the 12 lap race and won my class and another trophy! I was well chuffed!  For the 2003 season I will enter the championship rounds again as there is not much work to do on the car now, so I am keeping my fingers crossed for some good results.

Brian Wray

P.S. Nearly forgot, I would like to send my regards to Peter Wilks as he is a damn good competitor.  See you on the grid next season and keep your right foot to the floor!!