Well that was a slightly controversial European GP, Ross Brawn getting out of his pram that no-one should even be allowed to challenge his baby. Now I have every respect for Michael as a driver, he is brilliantly talented but to think that he can’t be passed by another driver is ridiculous. I was glad to read in Sunday’s paper that Michael himself said that there was nothing wrong with the move put on him by Montoya, so come on Ross, admit it when A.N Other passes fairly. Interestingly, whilst looking through the speed section of the blue book (in preparation for the August North Weald sprint) I came across rule L.9.5.3 (d), a competitor’s time will only be recorded if the vehicle completes the correct course without outside assistance!!! Good job Michael wasn’t sprinting that day!!
This may be a brief compost, I’m already well behind with writing this and yet so much has happened over the last month, most of it to me or the Chevette. On the 14th June, I had driven round to Daren’s in it as we were going to the Performance Vauxhall day at Santa Pod on the Sunday. The intention was to go to Daren’s on Saturday, do a few things to his Sunny, not Almera as reported by MN, and also have a look at the phones in his house (I’m a BT engineer for those that don’t know). Well, coming off the M25 at the Brands turn off produced a kind of broken damper feeling from the front end; I could feel the wheel bouncing uncontrollably on a left turn. Back on the straight and it felt OK, with Daren’s not far away, I carried on. On arrival, I lifted the bonnet to discover the left damper mounting had become detached from the inner wing, it had actually pulled down rather than pushed up through, which I found strange. Several hours of welding ensued, made more problematic by the presence of melting underseal continually running into the weld and just trying to MIG 0.7mm steel, anyone who’s tried will know what I mean ….. lots of holes!! I got there in the end at about 5pm, took it out on the road to check, got about a mile up the A20 and the clutch cable snapped. I was able to get back to Daren’s, confirmed the condition by the sight of frayed cable and wasn’t sure what to do. If we could find the other end of the cable I thought I might be able to perform a neat operation to repair it. Daren called it a bodge, what does he know?!? We drove slowly back up the A20 and at the rough point where I knew it had gone, I saw a piece of metal lying by the kerb that I recognised. What a bit of luck, the repair was affected and the car is still in one piece. We made it to Santa Pod on the next very hot day; saw lots of sad people with FWD Vauxhalls kitted out with all sorts of Sam Collins’ favourite things, not! I had to take it up the strip again, this time a best of 13.91 at 102ish, quicker than Paul O’Neil in the VX racing BTCC Astra. Mind you, their gearing is not suited to fast getaways.
The weekend after was the next round of the BTRDA rally championship this time centred at Mansfield. 9 stages with 1 of them requiring a 70 mile round road trip which for our crew of Daren and Andy was worthwhile as they liked the stage. Andy will no doubt be writing this up in more detail but a couple of points. Daren was trying new Dunlops on the front on this event as the Maxsport were wearing very unevenly. We did 7 stages with them running in the wrong direction. We didn’t spot it but neither did the Dunlop man when he came over to us at Service A after SS5. It was at that service where a little mishap happened with the rally car, some axle stands and my right foot! The car was in the air, stands at the front, jack under the rear. I was checking front suspension bolts, had my leg under the sumpguard, the wheels were off, and the car started to move almost in slow motion. Before I could do anything the front of the car fell to ground with my foot in between. It was uncomfortable and I was pinned there. Immediately, people were on the scene and the car was lifted which allowed me to drag my leg out. The medics arrived and for the first minute I was just shocked and then I realised that I could still wriggle my toes and wasn’t in excruciating pain. My boot and socks came off and it was clear that I’d been lucky. The steel cap in the boot had been crushed slightly and there is no doubt in my mind that without the steel cap I would have had more injuries. The event carried on, Daren and Andy weren’t late out of service despite the goings on and finished the event first in class and first front wheel drive, despite his rival’s so called misfire!!!! Sounded fine every time I heard it.
That was just Saturday. Sunday was our North Weald sprint, which once again ran beautifully under the leadership of Neville and Tina Moon. We were blessed with good weather apart from one silly little shower, which spoiled 2nd times runs for the early classes. I had entered the Chevette for this and was looking forward to being able to get some traction on a dry track. I was suffering from too much traction down at the banjo all day, the sticky rears and LSD would just push the nose wide on the exit ripping the tyre up nicely. My second timed run was going well, bloody well! I knew I’d gone through the chicane quickly and was going up the main runway quickly too. At the top cone, I think I took a slightly tighter line than I had previously and upon turning in, the back started to come round. Bugger, it had gone past the point of no return so boot it, a quick doughnut and carry on to the finish line. That would have been my fastest time I’m sure, although probably not enough to change class positions.
It was after this run and before the 3rd that Colin Billings suggested we change the camber on the front offside wheel that was scrubbing severely. It was while doing this that I stuck my head under the wheel arch while Colin was wielding a good sized pry bar trying to separate the ball joint. What happened next? …… the bar slipped and caught me squarely in the face in the space between my right eyebrow and eye, close then! It has healed up nicely now Colin so I won’t be suing!!!
Now for the third of my misfortunes and this one is going to drag on a bit. I am telling you all this because I’m not a secretive person and don’t want rumours flying about. Some of you who know me more personally will know that 13 years ago, before I had joined 7oaks, I was diagnosed with Cancer. I underwent a years worth of Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy at The Royal Marsden and for 11½ years, I have been pronounced clear each time I’ve been back for check-ups. Well, recently that has changed and to cut the story short I’m due to be starting Chemo again on July 2nd at The Marsden again. I’m therefore not gonna be about as much as usual, it’s why I’ve missed so many Autotests recently. I am carrying on as Comp Sec and still plan to build my patio at home, I’m not gonna let a little thing like this stop me!
I can feel Dawn waiting for my contribution so that’ll do for this month.

Mark Dawson
I am sure all our members join me in wishing Mark all the best for a full and speedy recovery –  and I’ll still nag you for copy next month as normal okay? The Ed