Greetings from a sunny weekend in God's own acre, as the World QR Caravan pulled into the Westcountry, only this one wouldn't jack-knife and cause untold problems to those weary travellers....
COWDENBEATH BREAKS WITH BUSINESS AS USUAL
After the biblical downpours that befell its domestic meeting the previous week, it was the end of term as Scotland breaks up for Summer...
Alan Edmiston (580) took heat 1 and the recharged form man Dennis Middler (641) proved that his promotion to the red grade was no handicap by taking heat 2. Moodie then took final number 348 from usual nemesis Chris Burgyone (647) and Craig Wallace (16). Burgoyne then took the national from Wallace and Moodie recovered to take 3rd from his handicap.
Moodie loaded up and went through the night off to St Day..... truly mad and dedicated in equal measure.
ISSIT A COV QR WINNER.... YES HE IS
Coventry hasn't had the best of seasons so far with the early season cancellation due to waterlogging. But with the semis on shale this season and with many tar only drivers taking the opportunity to get dirty. With a season best 78 cars in the pits, with Neil Hooper (676) and George McMillan (100) were surprising competitors. However it was the shale supremos that took the plaudits in a 3 heats and consolation format. The heats went the way of form. Barry Goldin (401) took heat 1. The second was won by Mark Simpson (871) and the third the way of Andrew Palmer (606). Kyle Taylor (136) took his first win from blue in the consolation. However, the final went the way of veteran Carl Issit (103) who just seems to be a shale only driver, but he certainly looked the part, boosting his world score. Chris Bradbury (886) rounded off the night with a GN win.
GORDON GRABS NEAR MAX IN CORNWALL
To the track with more than its fair share of old engine houses, and if the earth moves for you, you've problem fallen in a tin mine shaft, as a disappointing turnout of 33 cars came to play at St Day. Lots of local stay at homes, some banned, some not arsed, but only 3 "non" locals turned out for the qualifier. Last year's QR winner Mark Gibbs (578 was 270) was present along with "Jaguar" Skeels (124). Again, Gordon Moodie (7) did the overnight drive to St Day, or maybe have they mastered the art of teleportation in Scotland, as the silver haired silver top running solely on Red Bull. Usually, this fixture attracted numerous travellers, but this just seemed to be furthermore to the apathy surrounding this year's world series.
So to the racing and with the sponsorship of former F2 racer Neil Truran, another superb show with mugs and the like...the usual massive trophies, which my previous quote "that they were like buckets" was used by Truran in his pre meet publicity
Heat 1 went the way of James Rygor (783) who caught the aforementioned Gibbs (578) on the last bend after the popular Potteries driver had sped away.
Heat 2 looked as it was going the way of Ty Keveth (428) who was truly on it, pulling a gap of nearly half a lap on the charging Moodie (7). The unlucky Keveth was caught by backmarker Paul Barker (529) halfway down the back straight, which gave Moodie the necessary gap to move forward.
With most of the major names
Final time saw once again the Motorworld Monorail seeker Neil Hooper (676) finding himself perched on top of the stricken Steve Gilbert (542) and vaulted over Jag Skeels (124) bonnet, in a way which could get him into the England Commonwealth Games Gymnastic Team.
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| Neil's game of jenga was somewhat disappointing |
A complete re start was called, but many of the blue tops had been wiped out. All eyes were facing front wards as Keveth and the revitilised 90's legend Neil Langworthy (740) sped away, pursued by the winner of the previous year, the Laughing Gnome, Mark Gibbs (578). Gibbs reeled in the white tops and pulled a good distance away, with Richard Beere (254) not too far behind. Behind, it was Moodie that got the jump on the rest of the fellow stars, but Rygor was visibly catching Moodie, but the #7 car got the better of the traffic. However as the boards came out, Gibbs was still a way away from the Scot, but with one to go, Moodie moved the Potteries based driver wide. However, not settling for second was not on Gibbo's agenda as in to the tip bend he had a nibble of the Moodie RCE. However the last bend saw a massive bite, but Gordon rode out the hit, and Gibbs had to settle for second. A 4th podium in 4 United Downs meetings for James Rygor (783) and Beere rounded off the Truran 1-2-3-4.
Meanwhile in the National, after a yellow flag part way through, Richard Beere (254) held off a spirited charge from the Moodster to round the day with a win. Another lap and a Moodie max could have been on the cards.
BURGOYNE BEASTS BARFORD
Andrew Hingley was there...
"
18
F2's made it out onto track today. A couple of no shows and a couple of
extras to what was shown on the booking list. It was the first booking
list seen for while.
Heat 1 was full of action. There was plenty of action throughout the
field with a couple of yellow flag incidents. Firstly when 192 got it
wrong on the home straight, he was sideways on the track with 301
pushing and cars passing either side. 301 made it clear and then the
yellow flags came out for the stranded 192 who was pushed off the track.
As per the rule book the line up was done back to the previous lap with
301 in about 3rd place. A few laps later 49 and another tangled on turn
2 and then got going again as 321 went fence wards courtesy of 766.
Yellows out again but no lining up to the previous lap when 49 was about
3rd. He was made to start at the rear. 301 was in the lead at this
point. Maybe the yellow flags came out when 49 was still against the
fence, I am not sure.
A few more laps after the restart 647 gets past 301, and suddenly on
turn 2 301 spins around after his outside rear wheel comes off. It
bounces on the track and then gets hit by 299 i think and it gets sent
over the catch fencing and catches someone in the crowd. Fortunately he
wasn't hurt and he had a lucky escape. After the restart 647 lead until
the finish.
The other races never lived up to the first one, but the red tops
certainly never stopped trying with 647 taking the 2nd heat and the
final and 301 winning the GN.
In 2 weeks time the British comes to Barford with lots of the top
drivers already booked in. Let's hope it's a good one."
KELLY KREAMS KRIMOND
A football team of drivers took to Crimond, which again is to be expected. With no Moodster, it was the locals that did the winning. After two heats for Robbie Dawson (854), Graham Kelly (721) turned back the clock and took an emphatic win in the final. Dawson took the GN.
MEANWHILE IN ST AUSTELL
The interlude between qualifiers in the past has always seen the legendary Neil Truran BBQ, with chefs in the past including Barry Goldin, Mickey Brennan and Sam Wagner. In the shadow of the former track situated across the road from St Austell Bay Auctions, I felt the need to drive the car across to look at where the old track was. Ironic that Cornish Market World stands on top of the old Cornish Stadium, when many will tell you that the late great Trevor Redmond brought the market in -across the road where the auction house is, as "something for the ladies to do". Nethertheless it was a good shin dig to discuss the day at St Day and to talk tactics about the following nights racing. With no sous chef it was left to Minty to do the cooking himself, with plenty of steak, pork, burgers and sausages laid on. Very tasty too. After the apologies were given for the no shows it was time for the video show. 3 films on show. The first one was a documentary about Tom Pitcher, the first double world champion following him round the road to gold. Very much the gentlemen. How much the 1973 World Final looked. Ringwood looked very different, Bristol looked the same, if not better than it does now (nooooo inner armco- result!). It was an old school documentary, no Sam Wainman talking money or dynasties and back stories. Even a young Bill Batten and a middle aged Roy Goodman! I also saw the 1972 World Final which took place at St Austell. Lots of my nan's favourite Nic Edwards (ex 611) in action The old cine film and its shakiness was good to see. I am led to believe you can get the same kind of experience with the videos on Ftooz.... Then we brought it upto date. The 2013 World Final, and whilst we all sat and looked at Steve Linfield's interviews, then the race itself. Loads of memories shared, even Crispen himself still can't believe that race. Some drunk the place dry, some were clock watching and was bored (Mummy Moss!!) and some had work in the morning. A good evening of joshing!
GORDON SWIFTY AS HE REACHES THREE FIFTY
Another glorious early summer's evening befell the wonderful Smeatharpe Stadium, and memories of the corresponding fixture last year which saw the making of a legend... No ginger janners with a penchant for late night Maccie D's this time, but in the paid practice period the talk was over the battle for 350. Moodie versus Speak. Part Umpteen!
Speaky had been ill with a dodgy ear infection, which if anyone who has suffered this ailment will tell you, it can severely play with your body! So with the showdown put on ice, it was to look to see if Moodie could.
Practice day saw several turn back the clock, with Bill Bghtatten (167) having a run about in his car, for the first time in 2 years all told. Clearly inspired by this fact, Peter Gilbert (ex542) had a blast in son Steve's car, regressing back a few years prior! And then, in a spot of practice for the up and coming Ladies Race at Taunton, which could indeed be a bit of an epic all be told with the entries flying in, left, right and centre, was Sarah Bowden (ex918) who took the Richard Beere (254) car out for a spin
So race time came along, and heat 1 was won at a canter by Moodie, who with numerous yellow flags, won it at a canter from Liam Rowe (605). Heat 2 looked like it was going the way of Smokey Issacs (937) before those nasty red tops Chris Bradbury (886) and James Rygor (783) got ahead. The consolation saw a few drivers who shouldn't have been there as both Neil Hooper (676) and Jack Aldridge (921) failed to negotiate their heats, however, it was on the cards as veteran from the Newton Abbot era of mid week meetings, Neil Langworthy (740) finally taking a win, much to raptures of those who remembered his last!
Final time and it was a hectic affair. Issacs led away and was looking good, when Nathan Maidment (935) spun halfway down the back straight causing pandemonium between the stars, as Hooper and Bradbury ended up in the the marker tyres to take avoiding action. With cars spinning everywhere, all eyes were on Moodie who had the gold roof Rygor for company. As all were losing their heads around them, Moodie carved his way to the front, pursued by Rygor who looked to be catching the Scot, but Moodie put in some priceless laps, on a very busy track. Once the chequered dropped Moodie smoked some donuts on the pit bend, and got out and was clearly moved by his achievement. Rygor was 2nd, and Chris Mikulla (522) rounded out the top 3.
With work in the morning, Gordon skipped the GN with the blessing of the crowd - he certainly had the longest journey. With a fairly busy grid, it soon became a shoot out between Rygor and Bradbury, until the latter met, yes you've guessed it, Dave Sansom (352). For once, one could say Sammo was blameless, as he was used as a snooker plant to remove Bradbury from the race. But still, not Dave to make mates on track! Rygor took the GN from Justin Fisher (315) who rounded out a reasonable night.
POINTS OF ORDER
Funny how when the recent Brisca directive update notes about bonnets, it was clear to see that in the Grand National at St Day, that Ollie Skeels (124) was not plastic or indeed metal. Or existent! Errr.....
The Scottish Break kicks in this week, although the added attraction of a Brisca formula at Lochgelly will be a feather in their cap, albeit a grating one for all Scottish fans who would rather see F2's there. No Cowdenbeath's until end of July - whilst I can understand most of the Scots go south. I hope that most of the drivers take the time to recharge and I'm expecting a 40 car turnout for the next Cowdie....
The chase for 350 turned into a bit of a damp squib. Speak is currently suffering from an inner ear infection which has made the multi champ extremely ill. Gordon has looked imperious. I think that we are extremely privileged to have two of the greats racing against each other, although a much more hungry Speak would have another 50 or so finals!
Stoxnet numpties strike again, this time they can't agree whether the meeting was good or bad at Birmingham for the British. And that they hate rebels, and anything else that isn't cumbersome and noisy.
The ability of Marie Issacs to destroy a pack of wine gums and jelly babies is something truly to behold. Still fair swap for some burgers on their BBQ...
Bill Batten was unsure just how many final wins he has- he is top dog when it comes to final wins. I'm sure that it is somewhere between 460- 500 final wins over his 45 year career!
Till the next time... auf wiedersehn muther hubbards....
