We enjoyed our Lands End although we won't be putt캇ng the engraver to any trouble. Boy was 캇t cold though, even though we were 캇n a closed car w캇th a heater!
Talk캇ng to other compet캇tors 캇t was a controvers캇al event and there w캇ll be some scurry캇ng to the rule book.
Before the event we had can you straddle short restart boxes or not debate. The route card was clear, you can't. However, come the f캇rst sect캇on at Felons Oak and the two l캇nes are 12 캇nches apart w캇th the 2nd board h캇dden beh캇nd the f캇rst one. Pretty d캇ff캇cult to even see 캇f your wheels are between the l캇nes so expect plenty of fa캇lures here.
At Beggars the restart was off the ma캇n track on what looked l캇ke a freashly dumped load of spo캇l. D캇d non re-starters had to pass through the box or not? Some d캇d and some d캇dn't.
How was your Lands End?
http://saffieskoda.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeletewe had a great time. the blogposts are from my navigator (& 15 year old daughter). Bluehills is so steep! Winch works well though.
Graham
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ReplyDeleteRef Felons Oak. I seem to remember, many, many years ago, the reason restart boxes were brought about, was to reduce damage to the tracks that we use. The idea was that by using two lines a certain distance apart, it gave the competitor a greater choice of where to stop, and hence spreading out the inevitable damage causing by spinning wheels, instead of digging bomb holes in the track, if only one line was used. To me, if you are going to put the lines only "12 inches" apart, you are only given a choice of two places to stop, hence the localised damage is going to be far greater than using a longer box. A logical outcome to me would to make all restart boxes longer than the longest wheelbase of any competing car, eg 13 foot (4 metres to you youngsters), this would also kill off the recent problems with "stopping astride". This would also stop so much localised damage. Ref Beggars Roost. I spent a few hours freezing at the restart area, before me and my camera succumbed to the cold. The only positive that kept me going was that at least I was not as cold as the bikers. The restart was on a bank just to the left of the main track, not on the main track. As far as I am aware, without having access to the route card, final instructions, MCC supplementary regs or the blue book, I would have thought that as long as you started from between the Section Begins boards and exitted the section in a forward motion, through the Section Ends boards, the logical route would be up the main track, for those not having to do a restart. I know competitors that did not go through the restart box were penalised. So far as I can remember, there were no markers of any kind that indicated that the route deviated to the left, or was/is there anything written down anywhere that says that a vehicle that does not have to restart still has to go through the restart area. I know that there was a diagram of the hill on the route card, but I cannot remember what info was on it. I took a load of images with my new camera and super duper flash, but maybe the cold affected the gubbins in the electronics, resulting in many duff images, although I did get a couple of good ones of a yellow beetle failing, and certain people asleep in the green golf.
ReplyDeleteI will be very interested to hear the outcome of Beggars Roost. To me I would automatically assume that cars would have to drive through the restart markers whether or not they had to stop. Did the same drivers therefore consider missing out the loop at Bluehills 1 and going straight from the start line up to the section ends board which was up passed the gate? That is the natural path of the hill after all. Agreed with comments on Felons Oak though. If the box is going to be that small why not just make it a line? Although perhaps it was just meant to be an additional test of skill in the early hours. Anyway, a great event and all the better for being as tough as it was due to the conditions. Giles
ReplyDeleteJust checking photos to see how well they's come out. I wanted to see if this one was OK, because it shows Simon's new Sump guard, with "Danger" on it. but look at the bloke on the top right. In that wind chill that's what I call dangerous!!! Dave Cook
ReplyDeleteJust got back from a tough,cold but excellent Lands End trial. Personally felt that the Felons Oak restart was rediculously short even though it caused us no problem. As for Beggars the chief marshal(whom i know well) told me he'd just decided to place the restart in a different place "for a change", which to me seemed daft as we were told to study the diagram in the route book which was obviously completely different,it wouldn't have been quite so bad if everyone was being told of what to expect. Rodneys Revenge restart was a real "challenge",but on the whole thought the event was great!Awaiting the results in hope. Dave,thought the photo was cracking,looking forward to seeing the rest of them as usual. Cheers.... Nick
ReplyDeleteNow anyone might think it was a "staged" photo Dave. However, I'd say it's certainly a case of bare-faced cheek(s)........ and courage in that wind! Great photo! Nigel Jones (BH2 failure.....again........sigh)
ReplyDelete"I will be very interested to hear the outcome of Beggars Roost. To me I would automatically assume that cars would have to drive through the restart markers whether or not they had to stop. Did the same drivers therefore consider missing out the loop at Bluehills 1 and going straight from the start line up to the section ends board which was up passed the gate? That is the natural path of the hill after all." On Bluehills 1, the route card was explict. On Beggars it wasn't, in fact it was incorrect.
ReplyDeleteMessage to John Lees, John, super pictures of the bikes and of Matt & I coming out of Blue Hills 1, would it be OK to grab a copy ? Many thanks, SimonR PS;- no additional power, just the same as it has always been, not like that "horny devil" following me, still non-supercharged, (yes, I still haven't got around to fitting it), but a bit more grip from a pair of Coker Beck's !!
ReplyDeleteYea Excellent pictures ! I have posted an incar view of Bluehills2 on Youtube - looks for wingsw as user or search on bluehills Good trial but slippery in places - failed Beggers & Rodneys Revenge & restart on Daracot also slid backwards for 2 car lengths whilst still in gear and speedo indicating forword motion on Cutliffe Lane but managed to climb Hosking :-) so what are Coker Becks? I need some more grip as well ! MikeW
ReplyDeleteSimon, I will send you a good one, should be with you soon when I have found it in my folder, have your E address from members info, John Lees
ReplyDeleteI have loaded up a selection of my photos as usual. They can be found here:- http://hoits.smugmug.com/Classic%20Trials/485284 Usual advice, the photos on Smugmug are low quality, If anyone wants better one drop me an e'mail on dave_cook@blueyonder.co.uk or I can arrange to get copies printed for you if you prefer. Dave Cook
ReplyDeleteHi John, Please could you send it to simon.robson_trepolpen@ntlworld.com as this is the address I use all the time nowadays. I can't seem to get to edit my old e-mail address on the members page, sorry ! SimonR
ReplyDeleteMikeW, In reply to your request re the Coker Beck, they are a crossply tyre, made in a 5 x 16" size, (which fits the standard Liege wheel). If you can obtain radials to fit your rims you will be better off using those than crossplys, honest guv !! Us Liege boys are a bit limited in our choice unless we go to the ACTC / MCC approved alternative 15" rim which several have done with notably improved results. All the best, SimonR
ReplyDeleteHi Simon Thanks for info on Coker Beck, not any use to me as such but useful as info any way - never have too much of that ........only where did I put it ! MikeW
ReplyDeleteChris and I in my Troll ran at number 261 so we had some very big holdups, at one point were were running over 2 hours late. On that cold night the hold ups were not much fun! Then we arrived at 'breakfast' at 13.00 hours to be told the 1 hour rest had been cancelled and to go straight back out, we did not as we had had no food for over 8 hours. I think the MCC are on dodgy ground cancelling a rest halt on such a long trial, they might be contraveening MSA regulations. Other than the hold ups it was a good trial for us as we eventually claimed a Gold. We decided to drive through the restart at Beggars as to us it was the section route. Only just got off the Rodney's Revenge restart, in fact Chris had given up bouncing when I noticed we were just moving and shouted at him to get bouncing again. Hoskin seemed an easy trickle off the Restart and there was loads of grip on the Bishops Path Restart. I think a late number helped us on the restarts as that strong wind was drying the ground all the time. Good trial but we were very pleased to eventually finish and get out of the wind. Stuart Harrold
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the event - very demanding. I agree with a large number of competitors that the Felons Oak restart with the boards only a foot or so apart - & the upper board hidden behind the other was in poor taste & totally unneccesary
ReplyDeleteNice to chat at the start Dave. Was it as tough as you thought? Were you clean?
ReplyDeleteHave a look at these pictures of MCC events from this list http://www.austinharris.co.uk/node/79 Lands End still looks a challenge
ReplyDeleteFantastic historical pictures. I've just lost 2 hours easily !!! SimonR
ReplyDeleteyes Michael, it was tough. I managed to fail most of the restarts - a combination of wrong gearing & brain not functioning.
ReplyDeleteJust put some video of our event up at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNo4cCKCIdU
ReplyDeleteIt's not a section by section account, just some nice pics.
Graham
Results are interesting reading.
ReplyDeleteWell done to Simon Groves for the only clear round in Class 3.
I see in the final results most of the peugeot 205s seem to have a CoC query which is not made clear has to what was wrong ,being a 205 driver I would like to know the problem ,
ReplyDeleteRen5,
ReplyDeleteAs one of the drivers who had a CofC query, I enquired about it, i was told it was due to me letting my passenger drive. Which i didn't. It all seems very vague but the conclusion we have come to is that someone saw the passenger and driver of an unidentified Peugeot 205 swap, but didnt see the cars number... I am waiting for the CoC to contact me to clarify this.
James
sounds like some ones got a grudge against 205s
ReplyDelete