The event departed from the two loop system of recent years. However, every car didn't do every section on the single loop. It looked horrendous on the plan sent out with the final instructions but as a competitor it worked well. We were running right at the back of the field and can't recall any serious delays
Highlight for me was that wonderful, long, Hungerford Steps. There was plenty of grip so I should have run harder tyres to give some more ground clearance but what a blast. How was your Clee Hills Trial?
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Disappointing!! - No entry, oversubscribed, when having 'sorted' a passenger!.
ReplyDelete- Favourable comments only adding to the angst!
Well here's to next year! - [Increase in maximum entry? - Practicable?]
John.
I'm with you Michael. What we did, we thoroughly enjoyed and I thought it was only us that were cleaning everything! The car improves every time it goes out. Soon we'll be able to finish an event!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do have a gripe with the start and finish venue. The breakfast was ok, but not cheap at £6.50. However £1 extra for the smallest cup of tea I've ever seen! I also consider having to eat in a pub with plastic knives and forks an absolute insult. I won't be doing that again. They need to wake up. Better to use the market cafe instead. I'm rather surprised that the MAC accept such poor standards.
Was it the gear linkage in the end?
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a cable linkage, which pulled out of the crimped and threaded end...... the result of the sumpguard mounting bending and trapping it. It's a learning curve but we're getting there! I was very impressed otherwise. More mods to do before the Clouds......
ReplyDeleteI've put my Photos of the Clee trtial, taken at Flouders Folly, Castle Hill and the Slab onto Smugmug at http://hoits.smugmug.com/Classic-Trials/Clee-2012
ReplyDeleteHave never known so much grip on the Clee, maybe it was the lack of mud or maybe the car is working better these days, who knows? A couple of the sections were new to us which added to the enjoyment and a clean sheet at the end of the day finished it of nicely.
ReplyDeleteGreat days sport, many thanks to MAC and all the organising crew and marshalls.
Hi Mutley - thank goodness we didn't call it the Clee Hills Big Breakfast and Sunday Drive:-) In all seriousness you are correct in every criticism. My defence is that I only asked for sandwich based food (and only had a bacon sandwich myself). We shall have a word with the Hotel for next year. I enjoyed the Club Supper though.
ReplyDeleteSorry you were disappointed John; but unfortunately we have to draw the line somewhere. I am very grateful for the strong support we received this year and thank all those who entered and especially those who marshalled.
ReplyDeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteThankyou for your kind words. Having endured the slimy thaw last year I think we needed a nice day - even if the sections were a bit grippier than normal. Snow was being forecast as late as Wednesday!
Hi Dave,
ReplyDeleteSome great pictures at Castle, particularly. It didn't stop anyone but isn't it a pretty little section?
Its a great section Graham. IMHO Classic Trials are not about stopping everyone. Us Cannon Fodder like to see the top of a few hills :-)
ReplyDeleteApart from the excellent sections I particularly appreciated the accurate route book and careful route marking.
ReplyDelete£6.50 isn't bad for breakfast now days, that's what the Bull ithorn charges on the Edinburgh and I think that breakfast on the Exeter at the motorway services was the thick end of ten quid if we had been able to afford it.
Maybe Mutley should get out more? (that's what my kids are always telling me!)
I started off spectating at the Jenny Wind which was, frankly, so boring with the hyper-dry surface and most of Classes 7 and 8 getting-up without any trouble that I left when there was a long lull in the proceedings.
ReplyDeleteNext up was Hungerford where it was beautifully sunny as most of the VSCC contingent in Class 2 attempted, and cleaned, the section. They may have been responsible for some of the early delays, but what a magnificent sight they all were. I understand that we have Richard Houlgate to thank for the large number of VSCC entrants and they certainly gave the Clee a very special atmosphere this year.
I finished off my spectating day at Priors Holt 1/2/The Slab where it was very interesting to watch the difference that tyre pressures made to Classes 7 and 8 on PH1. What seemed like a significant number (I haven't seen the results yet) of Class 8s failed at the 1/2/3 where it was very slippery and difficult on 15psi. The more experienced Class 7 competitors left their tyre valves at the start line and managed to find enough grip to get out of the section whereas others were not so cavalier, left some air in their tyres, and failed.
A great day out in the Shropshire hills.
I think that we went up PH1 at 10psi, gave the Marlin all it had and it went up in a series of slides and lurches as Marlins do. The only point of concern was a photographer about half way up who we nearly caught with a tail slide, my passenger Jim said we only missed him by a matter of inches.
ReplyDeleteAnd lest it be forgotten NO RESTARTS!!!!!! Just what a trial should be.
ReplyDeleteNot for you Richard but we had restart in Class 4 on PH2
ReplyDeleteWell it makes a change, normally its class 7 & 8 which do them!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid the restart on PH2 was the price you paid for being excused PH1 Michael. We tried to get rid of all restarts but we were faced either with a nasty section begins or with mucking about with the tyre pressures on PH2. I'd rather folk failed a restart than not get off the line.
ReplyDeleteWe had a spot of rain today as I was picking up the gear and the effect was quite noticeable on the claggier sections.
No moans about the PH2 restart from me Graham, I think thats been on the agenda for us last few years. Glad not to do PH1. I really hated the reverse back down especially when we got towards the bottom. IMHO you got everything about as perfect as it could be.
ReplyDeleteMutley gets out and about a fair bit Richard......too much in fact....... which is why he feels able to criticise below-average conditions. Motorway service areas are always poor value for money.....everyone knows that.... but at least you get proper tools and a decent-sized cup of tea!
ReplyDeleteMyself and a gang from Ross-on-Wye ran the new hill, Priors Holt 4. Not too difficult with most cars cleaning it. We have made a few suggestions to the CofC so next year it may be more difficult. Our only gripe was having to keep our hill openfor just over 4 hours due to hold ups elswhere. At least with the 2 loops route you could relax between the 2 lots of cars, have a warm up in your own car and eat lunch in comfort. As it was we had to be on duty all the time just in case another car turned up. But at least it kept dry and we were sheltered from the very strong wind. All the competitors had smiles on their faces and seemed to be enjoying the trial. Well done the MAC.
ReplyDeleteStuart Harrold
Where was PH4 in relation to PH3 Stuart? When I saw it I thought it was PH3 until we got to where it opened out and deviated off to the left.
ReplyDeleteWe had a great event. Was really looking forward to slithering around in the mud and fighting for those precious few feet halfway up the sections, so slightly disappointed by the dry conditions but the organisers can hardly be blamed for the weather! In all other repects the day was brill, especially the route marking - this was maybe the first trial where we didn't go the wrong way at any point.I never thought I would see the top of the Jenny Wind, or Easthope for that matter. It was great to go through a trial without tire pressures and (many) restarts, although after being defeated by Priors Holt 2 last year at the 2 marker when a plug lead jumped off i was sad not to get another bite at it.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks to all involved in running and organising, especially the hardy souls who braved the biting wind all day.
To answer Michaels question. PH 4 was after Gattens Gamble and before the PH Observed test. Then you did PH 3. It was fairly short with separate starts for Red, Yellow, Blue & White.It went up between fairly young pine trees 3 to 4 meters tall. A short steep climb then levelled with a deviation to the left. Hence we reminded all drivers that the numbers would always be on their right hand side.
ReplyDeleteStuart Harrold
That should read, Priors Halt 1 i think - the last hill for us last year.
ReplyDelete