I really enjoyed my Exeter. We did most of the sections before Exeter in the dark which I thought was super. No problems with the car apart from one puncture. I thought there was plenty of grip everywhere apart from Simms (which I failed). We got amazing grip on Normans hump and could have done with running with slightly higher pressues as we could easily have bogged the engine down on the really steep bit. We learned our lesson on Tillerton, upped the pressues and eased the Beetle over the rocks with a bit of controlled wheel spin. We struggled on Waterloo which I find harder and harder each year. I come round the corner, see the steep bit, floor the throttle and spin the wheels to a near standstill. We slipped down the field a bit as the event went on as first Nashy had problems with the timing on the MG car clubs favourite car so we helped out with our strobe (doesn't evetyone carry one) and later Neil broke the diff in Primrose and passenger Mike used his Escort expertise to help out with the spanners. I liked the evening, shame about the speeches. The PA didn't convey President John's words but I understand that there were no awards because of protests and we have all got to get a respray or else. Personally I think there should be a new rule that if you protest on a trial it should be public domain information and we should know who you are and what you are protesting about. How was your Exeter? Michael
Hi Michael, I did respray my car, I did not protest and I followed the majority - up the escape road at Simms. Yes, we too had a great Exeter. Normans Hump I spun the wheels from the bottom corner to the top and nearly failed it. Could not find any grip with 13psi. Decided not to be so hard with the right foot upon Clinton and found that section very straight forward. Waterloo however can be thrown away at the start or upon any bend and it is so natural to put one`s foot down to pick up speed/loose grip.We think it was just Simms that we dropped but one never knows until the results are out. Ann and myself stopped to offer escort axle bits/tools for Primrose but you looked all sorted by the time we came past. I think Simms claimed four diffs and one escort propshaft which came detached from the axle end ! Called back to Simms upon the Sunday after the event, for the "High Noon" meeting which was most enjoyable.The party retired to the Carpenters Arms for food and drinks. Regards Jonathan L
The best part of the Exeter was the weather, or the lack of it. We watched the weather forecast at 10.30 pm before leaving for Cirencester and were convinced that we were in for a soaking in the Troll at some point of the event. But no, a dry night and a mild sunny day, ideal trialing weather. This was our first time for a Cirencester start and the efficient and profesional scrutineering came as a bit of a shock after years of laid back Popham starts. Got our first puncture on Normans Hump, rather surprising on 15 p.s.i., a hole through the side wall of a tyre, new on for the event. Next excitement was on the first special test, under breaking for the 'stop astride' the Troll shot right, demolished the finish line boards and ended up with 3 wheels over the river bank. It took 8 people to lift the car back on the track. It was all a bit too exciting as at one point I thought we would roll sideways into the river. Perhaps its not a good place for a special test. On the way to Simms another tyre went flat in that narrow little village road on the way to Ilsington village, not a good place to change a wheel. We could hear engines and see tyre smoke from the village hall car park which added to the anticipation of Simms. As we were running near the back of the field there was quite a long wait for our go at the hill. Decided upon our tatics for the restart positioning, actually managed to apply them but then lost momentum getting a bit sideways after the restart, result, failed near the 'A' boards. So Simms has beaten me more times than I have beaten it. Slippery Sam was interesting and a challenge in the dark, the red slurry on the route out blanked out the headlights as usual. Signed off at about 5.30 p.m., claimed a silver but not sure about messing up the special test. O for more staff in the bar before the club supper, the lines were long. Great supper, pity we could not hear the speaches. Super ACTC prizegiving next day, started on time and ran well. Congrats. to Michael for his award, well deserved. Home in Ross-on-Wye by 3.00p.m. and Troll all washed and dried and put away by 5.00 p.m. Then time for a large Gin and Tonic. What a great weekends trialing. Stuart Harrold
Glad we weren't the only ones to fail ST1 Stuart..We got amazing traction under acceleration and then slid straight through the stop line and slewed right towards the river - we only managed to dangle 1 wheel over the edge though!! I thought Simms was pretty good this year (probably because we got up it!) and the crowd was amazingly loud as we waited at the bottom. And yes the weather was spot on - rain for the last 1.5 hours on the way home which we liked as it washed half the mud off! A great weekend although I can see how those denied a go at Tillerton or Waterloo might feel they had less of a challenge.
I reckon Stuart's cost him a bronze but it is the same point. Nigel Moss is down for a Jumped Flag on Slippery Sam costing a gold. I noticed a little gremlin in the works of the results for Class 1. Dave Haizelden, Paull Allaway & Mike Collins are all shown with Gold (or the Class win) but are all shown as failing on the A to Ends on Simms. Adrian T-P has a silver for the same score! I suppose A.R.Cundy has won the Class 1 and the team award would go trial winner (well done) David Heale, David Turner & Phillip Mitchell. I suspect interested parties maybe lighting a trail to MCC on both sides of the fence. Mark
I haven't seen the detailed results for the Exeter yet, but if Stuart H has been given a fail for Slippery Sam then I'm very surprised. We took special care on this one because of last year's problems and from the passenger's seat the take off was as near perfect as could be. There wasn't even a suspicion of a backwards movement. Oh well, the first MCC event since the 1997 Land's End without a medal.
I was most 'miffed' when I got the results. I messed up the one special test, poor driving and failed Simms but felt sure I was on for a Bronze. I cannot protest a 'judge of fact' but have written to the MCC expressing my views. Did 14 cars really roll back on Slippery Sam? The gradient was not steep but the ground was rough. The same thing happened last year on this hill and I note that there are some names among the officals for Sam that were the same as 2003. Just a coincidence? I am certainly not happy with this decision. Stuart Harrold
Having marshalled for a few years while not having a trials car that worked, I did find that a few officials I mt on the hills were not aware that cars are allowed to slide back but not roll back. A few years ago Hillary Foster made a training video for marshalls; was it ever shown?
Just to clear up the Exeter gremlin, the sections end for classes 1,2 and 5 was the A boards on Simm's, Adrian T P didnt get to the A boards. This change was posted at the Sparkford control.
Hi Dave Thanks for info. I noticed the lack of Tillerton & Waterloo for you but not the simms to A notice probably because it didn't apply to me! It is a strange decision to take as i can't see what advantage it gives to the running of the trial? Change a whole hill, like Waterloo & Tillerton, to save some hold ups but not fifteen foot of a section. Did it really dilute your trial missing Waterloo & Tillerton? I reckon they were easily climbable for Class 1. Mark
Having now seen the detailed results for the Exeter I'm intrigued by the fact that the whole field managed to do ST 1 in even time ie whole seconds and no fractions. That must be a first.
I saw Green Golf go straight up Simms without pausing at the steps, past the 'A' boards and on past the 'section ends', no problem. Would have not made any difference if the 'A' boards were not there!
The green golf you saw was in fact blue, Allan Cundy and son Ian who got out of the top. The green golf stopped after the A boards and went back down to the bottom to help change the red golfs drive-shaft. The loss of Waterloo and Tillerton was a blow but they are in no way easy for class one. In fact I have not got up Waterloo in the last 3 years, but have never failled Tillerton even in my Peugeot 104.
Michael in your exeter report you stated that only 1 car in class 4 made it over simms a red skoda 236 also made its way over the top I havent stoped smiling yet regards Adrian
I was equally miffed at supposedly failing slippery sam, I was in class 5 with no restart and stormed through. I'm also confident that I didn't roll-back on the start line as the gradient is minimal and I don't release handbrake until clutch has had a good "bite". I was denied a bronze which is no big deal but had it been gold I would be well cheesed-off. Perhaps the marshall was following the rules to the letter and I rolled-back 1mm at start line? if so then there's no dispute but I'll never know without paying 짙25. As for protests - if you can't protest against "judgement of fact" (i.e. what the marshall observed and recorded) then I'd be interested to know what you can actually protest against! I hope this message doesn't offend any of the marshalls at slippery sam, that is not the intention and this is purely an observation from the drivers seat. I'm very grateful that you give up your spare time to support our event. Keith
Hi Keith I think you have shown as failing the hill not rolling back. I reckon a call or letter to Gerry Woolcott with a gentle query may set your mind at rest. Details just below the protest section. Mark
Interesting that one Keith. I wonder if you can be failed for rolling back if in fact you have not started the section. I am sure someone will put me right. One starts with the wheels "ON" the line. As in point scoring or clearing a section it is front wheels OVER the line. To follow this through if you can be failed prior to entering the section how far back from the section can you be failed ? I feel sure Gerry will clear the matter on the phone. Regards Jonathan
And up came a certain yellow beetle and paused for a photo! Pics under Exeter 2004. John
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed my Exeter. We did most of the sections before Exeter in the dark which I thought was super. No problems with the car apart from one puncture. I thought there was plenty of grip everywhere apart from Simms (which I failed). We got amazing grip on Normans hump and could have done with running with slightly higher pressues as we could easily have bogged the engine down on the really steep bit. We learned our lesson on Tillerton, upped the pressues and eased the Beetle over the rocks with a bit of controlled wheel spin. We struggled on Waterloo which I find harder and harder each year. I come round the corner, see the steep bit, floor the throttle and spin the wheels to a near standstill. We slipped down the field a bit as the event went on as first Nashy had problems with the timing on the MG car clubs favourite car so we helped out with our strobe (doesn't evetyone carry one) and later Neil broke the diff in Primrose and passenger Mike used his Escort expertise to help out with the spanners. I liked the evening, shame about the speeches. The PA didn't convey President John's words but I understand that there were no awards because of protests and we have all got to get a respray or else. Personally I think there should be a new rule that if you protest on a trial it should be public domain information and we should know who you are and what you are protesting about. How was your Exeter? Michael
ReplyDeleteRe Michael's second paragraph: What's this all about? We all need to know!
ReplyDeleteHi Michael,
ReplyDeleteI did respray my car, I did not protest and I followed the majority - up the escape road at Simms. Yes, we too had a great Exeter. Normans Hump I spun the wheels from the bottom corner to the top and nearly failed it. Could not find any grip with 13psi. Decided not to be so hard with the right foot upon Clinton and found that section very straight forward. Waterloo however can be thrown away at the start or upon any bend and it is so natural to put one`s foot down to pick up speed/loose grip.We think it was just Simms that we dropped but one never knows until the results are out.
Ann and myself stopped to offer escort axle bits/tools for Primrose but you looked all sorted by the time we came past.
I think Simms claimed four diffs and one escort propshaft which came detached from the axle end ! Called back to Simms upon the Sunday after the event, for the "High Noon" meeting which was most enjoyable.The party retired to the Carpenters Arms for food and drinks.
Regards
Jonathan L
The best part of the Exeter was the weather, or the lack of it. We watched the weather forecast at 10.30 pm before leaving for Cirencester and were convinced that we were in for a soaking in the Troll at some point of the event. But no, a dry night and a mild sunny day, ideal trialing weather. This was our first time for a Cirencester start and the efficient and profesional scrutineering came as a bit of a shock after years of laid back Popham starts. Got our first puncture on Normans Hump, rather surprising on 15 p.s.i., a hole through the side wall of a tyre, new on for the event. Next excitement was on the first special test, under breaking for the 'stop astride' the Troll shot right, demolished the finish line boards and ended up with 3 wheels over the river bank. It took 8 people to lift the car back on the track. It was all a bit too exciting as at one point I thought we would roll sideways into the river. Perhaps its not a good place for a special test. On the way to Simms another tyre went flat in that narrow little village road on the way to Ilsington village, not a good place to change a wheel. We could hear engines and see tyre smoke from the village hall car park which added to the anticipation of Simms. As we were running near the back of the field there was quite a long wait for our go at the hill. Decided upon our tatics for the restart positioning, actually managed to apply them but then lost momentum getting a bit sideways after the restart, result, failed near the 'A' boards. So Simms has beaten me more times than I have beaten it. Slippery Sam was interesting and a challenge in the dark, the red slurry on the route out blanked out the headlights as usual. Signed off at about 5.30 p.m., claimed a silver but not sure about messing up the special test. O for more staff in the bar before the club supper, the lines were long. Great supper, pity we could not hear the speaches. Super ACTC prizegiving next day, started on time and ran well. Congrats. to Michael for his award, well deserved. Home in Ross-on-Wye by 3.00p.m. and Troll all washed and dried and put away by 5.00 p.m. Then time for a large Gin and Tonic. What a great weekends trialing. Stuart Harrold
ReplyDeleteGlad we weren't the only ones to fail ST1 Stuart..We got amazing traction under acceleration and then slid straight through the stop line and slewed right towards the river - we only managed to dangle 1 wheel over the edge though!! I thought Simms was pretty good this year (probably because we got up it!) and the crowd was amazingly loud as we waited at the bottom. And yes the weather was spot on - rain for the last 1.5 hours on the way home which we liked as it washed half the mud off! A great weekend although I can see how those denied a go at Tillerton or Waterloo might feel they had less of a challenge.
ReplyDeleteJust to mention my Exeter report delayed because I am working up at the Boat Show until Friday. Michael
ReplyDeleteI see there were Run Backs galore on Slippery Sam again. Including Stuart Harrold and poor Clive Booth who would otherwise have got a gold. Michael
ReplyDeleteI reckon Stuart's cost him a bronze but it is the same point. Nigel Moss is down for a Jumped Flag on Slippery Sam costing a gold. I noticed a little gremlin in the works of the results for Class 1. Dave Haizelden, Paull Allaway & Mike Collins are all shown with Gold (or the Class win) but are all shown as failing on the A to Ends on Simms. Adrian T-P has a silver for the same score! I suppose A.R.Cundy has won the Class 1 and the team award would go trial winner (well done) David Heale, David Turner & Phillip Mitchell. I suspect interested parties maybe lighting a trail to MCC on both sides of the fence. Mark
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the detailed results for the Exeter yet, but if Stuart H has been given a fail for Slippery Sam then I'm very surprised. We took special care on this one because of last year's problems and from the passenger's seat the take off was as near perfect as could be. There wasn't even a suspicion of a backwards movement. Oh well, the first MCC event since the 1997 Land's End without a medal.
ReplyDeleteI was most 'miffed' when I got the results. I messed up the one special test, poor driving and failed Simms but felt sure I was on for a Bronze. I cannot protest a 'judge of fact' but have written to the MCC expressing my views. Did 14 cars really roll back on Slippery Sam? The gradient was not steep but the ground was rough. The same thing happened last year on this hill and I note that there are some names among the officals for Sam that were the same as 2003. Just a coincidence? I am certainly not happy with this decision. Stuart Harrold
ReplyDeleteHaving marshalled for a few years while not having a trials car that worked, I did find that a few officials I mt on the hills were not aware that cars are allowed to slide back but not roll back. A few years ago Hillary Foster made a training video for marshalls; was it ever shown?
ReplyDeleteJust to clear up the Exeter gremlin, the sections end for classes 1,2 and 5 was the A boards on Simm's, Adrian T P didnt get to the A boards. This change was posted at the Sparkford control.
ReplyDeleteHi Dave Thanks for info. I noticed the lack of Tillerton & Waterloo for you but not the simms to A notice probably because it didn't apply to me! It is a strange decision to take as i can't see what advantage it gives to the running of the trial? Change a whole hill, like Waterloo & Tillerton, to save some hold ups but not fifteen foot of a section. Did it really dilute your trial missing Waterloo & Tillerton? I reckon they were easily climbable for Class 1. Mark
ReplyDeleteHaving now seen the detailed results for the Exeter I'm intrigued by the fact that the whole field managed to do ST 1 in even time ie whole seconds and no fractions. That must be a first.
ReplyDeleteI saw Green Golf go straight up Simms without pausing at the steps, past the 'A' boards and on past the 'section ends', no problem. Would have not made any difference if the 'A' boards were not there!
ReplyDeleteThe green golf you saw was in fact blue, Allan Cundy and son Ian who got out of the top. The green golf stopped after the A boards and went back down to the bottom to help change the red golfs drive-shaft.
ReplyDeleteThe loss of Waterloo and Tillerton was a blow but they are in no way easy for class one. In fact I have not got up Waterloo in the last 3 years, but have never failled Tillerton even in my Peugeot 104.
Michael in your exeter report you stated that only 1 car in class 4 made it over simms a red skoda 236 also made its way over the top I havent stoped smiling yet regards Adrian
ReplyDeleteHello Adrian - well done and sorry for not noticing. CG is not renowned for factual accuracy! - but will fix pdq - same for the Golfs - Michael
ReplyDeleteI was equally miffed at supposedly failing slippery sam, I was in class 5 with no restart and stormed through. I'm also confident that I didn't roll-back on the start line as the gradient is minimal and I don't release handbrake until clutch has had a good "bite". I was denied a bronze which is no big deal but had it been gold I would be well cheesed-off. Perhaps the marshall was following the rules to the letter and I rolled-back 1mm at start line? if so then there's no dispute but I'll never know without paying 짙25. As for protests - if you can't protest against "judgement of fact" (i.e. what the marshall observed and recorded) then I'd be interested to know what you can actually protest against! I hope this message doesn't offend any of the marshalls at slippery sam, that is not the intention and this is purely an observation from the drivers seat. I'm very grateful that you give up your spare time to support our event. Keith
ReplyDeleteHi Keith I think you have shown as failing the hill not rolling back. I reckon a call or letter to Gerry Woolcott with a gentle query may set your mind at rest. Details just below the protest section. Mark
ReplyDeleteInteresting that one Keith. I wonder if you can be failed for rolling back if in fact you have not started the section. I am sure someone will put me right. One starts with the wheels "ON" the line. As in point scoring or clearing a section it is front wheels OVER the line. To follow this through if you can be failed prior to entering the section how far back from the section can you be failed ? I feel sure Gerry will clear the matter on the phone. Regards Jonathan
ReplyDelete