We got the novice navigation envelope and made our way to the start. The navigation for the novices was on two sheets and the time control plots were also given. Ralph duly put the TC information straight down onto the map as we both thought (wrongly as it turned out) that this would make things a bit easier for Ralph to then plot on the move. Too much information! Showing all the time controls on the map actually confused the navigation two or three times during the evening. Having always been used to the nav being given piecemeal in envelopes, we found it hard to adjust. I know several of the other novices found this the more helpful way, it was just us! Still that is what it is all about, otherwise complacency can set in.

We didn’t start too well as my first instruction was to leave the services and go to the roundabout and take the exit we need. So I turn left out of the services to the main roundabout we came in on. No appropriate exit! I drive round the roundabout two or three times and Ralph then works out that there is a roundabout if you turn right out of the services! Argh! Not good! Off we go and eventually make it to the first time control by the skin of our teeth. After that things could surely only get better.

It did, except that Ian Philips and Tony McNeal, in Ian’s bright green Firenza, kept giving us heart failure when we passed them several times going in the opposite direction! Ian told us later that they had a lot of three point turns to do as they were having trouble interpreting the expert nav. Phew! Resolution: must have more self belief in my navigator!

The navigation was a good mix of tulips, grid references and spot heights etc. We had a hiccup on the route between TC1 and TC2 when we lost 6 minutes as the roads were extremely bumpy and a bit slippy and we decided to stop and finish plotting, after Ralph lost his place and we missed a slot somewhere and had to turn round. We managed to keep to time until the run down to the last TC where we lost 3 minutes.

The Crown at Turner’s Hill was a welcome sight and in the packed and very warm bar all the crews gathered and swapped anecdotes about the route. When the results were announced we were pleased to have come equal 3rd overall / joint first novice with Lee Busbridge and Craig McKurke.

Thanks to Pete Turner and the other organisers from Croydon DMC for a fun event and of course the marshals.