Sevenoaks & DMC were well represented at Longcross with 10 drivers across a number of classes. The weather was exactly as forecast, wet! However, the grip offered by most parts of this venue is very high even when wet, but that didn’t stop quite a lot of drivers making a mess of their cars, which ultimately lead to the cancellation of third timed runs. The convoy runs were absolutely necessary and the event was generally very well run.

Practice was very wet and timing system anomalies lead to a large number of drivers not recording a time in first practice. After both practice runs even those who had not been to this venue before were getting the hang of it. Sadly, Andy Webber’s Lotus Elan +2 has suffered engine failure, later diagnosed as a dropped valve.

Timed runs saw the beginning of a lot of incidents, leading to lots of stoppages, but progress was solid. The event did in fact run past the intended end time even without third timed runs.

Class 1 victory went to Daniel Whittington in the Bora TDi. A large Class 2 saw Steve Thompson improving steadily all day to take 5^th. Our class 5 & 6 contenders all put in solid performances, keeping out of trouble, unlike many others! Gareth Richardson took 8^th in Class 5, Bob Hoare took 4^th in Class 6 in the little Clan and Tony Gomis kept ahead, taking 3^rd. Class 7 was absolutely dominated by Iain Gibson, his usual neat driving style coupled with his local knowledge had paid dividends. Darren Russell also had a day of solid performance and steady improvements to take 4^th in the class. Martyn Ellis, taking 2nd in Class 8 despite admitting that he was trying to be sensible, won the battle of the Sunbeams! Steve Stringer was only just over a second behind Martyn to take 3^rd in class.

It wasn't all plain sailing for Team Crocker either, having repaired a leaking clutch pipe during Friday, Ian then ran over some tyre debris on the way to the West Country, neatly removing the cycle guard and timing strut from the Westfield, fortunately Keith Lay's recent renovation of an en-suite shower room was able to lend some suitable materials.

Thanks to a low number of entries the day was a relaxed affair with a very long lunch break and, despite a little sprinkle of rain during times runs, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The now traditional Sevenoaks DMC cricket game was at first hindered by tired drivers, then cut short by rain!

Everyone managed some steady improvements though the day, scoring useful speed league points. Most noteable was Gareth Richardson's excellent win of class B2, after keeping them guessing all day then put in a storming last run. Daniel Whittington took 2^nd in class A1, Ian Crocker took 2^nd in class B3 and Andy Webber managed a solid 3^rd in class A2.

During the week preceding this event, nearly all weather forecasts predicted rain. Despite a good covering of cloud, it never made an appearance, much to the delight of all drivers, organisers and marshals. Sevenoaks & DMC was well represented with some thing like 21 drivers on the entry list, so there was a good chance that we’d take a few awards!

Practice was a sober affair throughout the field, with little in the way of hold-ups and plenty in the way of improvements. Drivers who had never been to the venue before generally showed the greatest improvements but there was plenty of time for all to take as the surface was very dusty prior to the event. As this dust and dirt cleared it became a far more consistent surface.

With the threat of rain still hanging over them, it was important for all drivers to get a decent first timed run, although some managed to shoot themselves in the foot. Steve Dann taking out a cone on the way into the roundabout and Ian Crocker coming off at high speed into grass and a bush!

Fortunately, for all involved, the rain stayed away and everyone had the opportunity to improve their times further, especially as what has started as a dirty and dusty surface had now been cleaned well at most critical points.

The final results showed some great performances buy Sevenoaks drivers, with following awards:

Daniel Whittington for 1^st in class 1.

Roy Nicholls for a victorious return to competition this year for 1^st in class 2 and Andy Webber for 2^nd.

Darren Russell overcame the usual attempts at ridicule (pictured) and took his first class win with the Mi16 powered Visa in class 7.

John Milligan took home some glassware from class 13, the Scimitar owners club class… not all of it his own as his award winning competitors had gone home early so he took all three!