After a glorious morning the rain came down in buckets just after lunch, resulting in the cancellation of some of the afternoon sections when too many cars got stuck. These included some of the sub-divided “stopper” sections so there were four clean sheets, Dean in his Class 8 special, Steve Kenny (Liege) in Class 7 and the Class Four Beetles of John White and Michael Leete. Once special test times had been taken into account the order was Dean – John – Michael – Steve.
This is one of the tracks that changes from year to year according to the amount of water that has run down it over the winter. This year Falcon had to contend with the landowner resurfacing it! Simon Robson had arranged a deviation for classes seven and eight towards the summit but even so everyone went clear.
Last year was the first time the modern March Hare has used this section although it may have been used back in the 50’s. Competitotrs who went up it last year weren’t expecting much of a challenge but drivers in 7 and 8 were in for a surprise as Chief official Murray MacDonald had devised a route up an adjacent grassy bank to test them. It looked daunting, it was daunting and the seven competitors that cleaned it deserve a special mention. Jack Endley, Mark Endley and Steve Kenny, all in Lieges in Class Seven. Ed Nikel (Dellow Mk2 Replica), Dean Partington (DP Wasp), Duncan Welch (Austin Healey SS) and Mike Chatwin (Troll) in Class Eight.
This is another section that has lost its bite after resurfacing. These days its all about the restart up onto the road which usually catches a few competitors. This year Clive Hillier was the only failure in his Marina. Unfortunately he retired soon afterwards.
Kensworths grassy slopes weren’t to much of a problem for higher classes but the saloons and sports cars had problems finding grip.
There was a rest halt after the two Brickhill sections. Time for the trial to regroup and for the mornings marshals to move to their afternoon duties. It also saw a change in the weather. The morning had been gloriously dry but now the rain started.
Rain was falling by the time the cars arrived at Ivinhoe. Unfortunately the observed section was to ambitious given the conditions and it had to be cancelled.
Although this track is yet another to suffer from resurfacing Ian Davis had placed the restart in just the right place to catch the unwary. It certainly did its job and around a third of the entry didn’t get away.
Back at the finish at the Bull in Redbourn the results indicated there were four clean sheets, Dean Partington emerging the ovearll winner by virtue of the special tests. It was a shame that the weather had curtailed the end of the event as the Binghams sections are more than capable of resolving the results on the hills.
Plans are afoot to make Binghams more “rain proof” for next year by constructing better escape routes.
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