Six members of the SDMC ventured westwards for the TR Register Boscombe Down sprint. This event in my humble opinion, is the finest value for money and best sprint on our calendar now that Wethersfield has become rather “mickey mouse”. This airfield sprint is approx 2.5 miles long, using fast perimeter & service roads as well as runways, and feels more akin to a rally stage. It is a mere 2 hours drive from Sevenoaks, I recommend it to you all to try next year, you won’t be disappointed, it’s nothing like good old North Weald.

John Milligan pedalled his way to 2^nd place in the 2 to 3 litre class with a best time of 145.08 seconds. This event has strange class structures centred around TR engine capacities, which creates an over 3 litre class. I won this with a time of 141.48. This may have all been different had Trevor and Denise Jones, been able to turn up after they had entered, but their unfortunate accident at Lydden shortly before the event meant they couldn’t join us. I wish them well and hope to see them out again soon. I‘m not sure which class they would have been in anyway. I recall turbos add 40% to engine capacity which would have put them in John’s class, but if in doubt and 4 wheel drive what happens? Bung them in with the biggest capacity lot!

Alex Thorogood in his 4.6 litre Westfield came second in a massive Westfield class with a time of 128.9, with the FTD coming from this class at 117.4. Steve Dyer also in this class in the ex Keith Crocker Westfield 3.9 put in a 147.43 in what I believe was his first event?

Championship contenders Messers Webber and Nicholls were evenly matched as usual, with Andy banking a 140.36 to put him in 4^th, and Roy a 141.96 in this highly contended class.

A good time was had by all in this smoothly run event, and we were soon all on our way back up the A303, having helped clear up before prize giving at 5pm.

We met up with Roy Nichols at the Llandow circuit, unloaded the cars and returned to the Travel Lodge and had a relaxed meal at the Harvester.

The boys went off early to play with their toys and we had a leisurely breakfast and joined them later and guess what, we were in Wales and yes it was raining…not too bad but enough to make us wet. This however did not dampen the boys’ spirits. Roy, Martin Ellis, Jim Giddings and Andy were enjoying the circuit not only in their own cars but also great fun was had on the karting track, with many spins in front of the spectators who found this very funny, especially our Ben (they didn’t really do it for his benefit).

As the day went on the sun began to shine and everyone had a good day. The results were Roy 7^th out of 11, Andy 8^th out of 11, Martin 3^rd out of 12, Jim 9^th out 12.

As we then moved on further into Wales, the sun followed us. Roy and the Webbers were staying at a bed and breakfast on a farm the other side of Llys-y-Fran so we arrived there at 7.30pm unloaded our things and then went and dropped the cars at Llys-y-Fran, followed by a meal in the restaurant.

After a good night’s sleep, the boys went off early again to play and we joined them later when the sun was up and quite warm. We were joined by Rob Hume. Unfortunately Rob did not even make the first practice as his car was playing up and after a few hours of trying to fix it he gave up and drove the XXX miles home. A long way to go for a day let alone a no event day. The rest of us had a good event with results as follows: Roy 7th out of 15, Andy 4^th out of 15, Martin 4^th out of 11, Jim 5^th out of 11, and Jonathan Barltrop 3^rd out of 4.

These two day linked events are great fun, but it was sad to see so few people from the club there. I have secured invites for next year and do hope more of you will join us for the weekend. Jim, Martin and Rob agree the camping is great, (or is it the beer and wine that numbs any senses?).