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Martin Warner
United Kingdom
85 Posts |
 Posted - 16/04/2012 : 13:53:19
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Unfortunately I was a reluctant spectator at the Kimber Trial this year. However as I am not allowed to talk about the reasons why I thought I would offer some of my observations on what is my favourite MG event.
Friday afternoon saw cars gently drifting in to the car park at the excellent Lanes Hotel. Bonnets were soon open especially Patrick Gardner’s. Once Patrick had gathered half a dozen or so knowledgeable mechanics around his car and given them their various tasks he was able to back away quietly and slip into the hotel bar. I think Neil Mckay sees Patrick as his mentor. He was busy patting his Labrador while Linward and his father (Neil’s I mean) replaced the radiator on the J2. Meanwhile Alex Reid tried to find out why the K1 was even slower than it normally is (sorry Ian). Both cars were to be seen being driven by Neil over the weekend but that is about all. I wandered around offering help and advice which was firmly rebutted in every case.
Brigadier Tim Beckh and his RSM were staring under the bonnet of their PB and wondering which bits were going to break first. They would find out later! Grassam was ignoring his M-Type and simply socialising. I can’t work out whether his cars are getting smaller or he is getting bigger. I have noticed that most M-Types seem to be ignored mechanically by their owners who simply just get in and drive them. One did arrive on a trailer behind a 4x4. I would have thought davits would have been quite adequate. George and Jo Ward’s P-Type was as usual immaculately turned out requiring nothing more than a new piece of cardboard for the radiator and some Post Office elastic bands to ensure the choke mechanisms were in good working order. Nigel Gibbons was quite relaxed once he had made sure that his cigar lighter was working and and his rather fetching American head gear was nice and clean. Leverett and his bouncer thought the best form of preparation for his ex Shepstone TD was a cream tea. To prove the diversity of entries there was a red MGB in the corner of the car park. It was difficult to tell whether the owner was breaking it for spares or preparing it for the next days event.
The main event got away efficiently on Saturday morning under the calm but firm organisation of Andrew Owst. I nudged the Twin Cam into the queue to get on my way. Andrew was not happy but I think I got away with it. The first thing that I realised was that it was quite easy to follow the route instructions and drive at the same time so there is actually no need for the constant bickering that goes on all day with the passenger who is not pulling his weight as far as directions are concerned.
As a disgruntled spectator there is nothing more heart warming than to see your friends failing miserably on the various sections of the day. Especially as they all looked pretty straight forward to me and my generously given advice was mostly ignored. Driving between the sections was as delightful as ever through glorious countryside. It gave me the opportunity to observe the driving skills of quite a few of the competitors. It appals me to say that the most spirited driver I followed was Emma in the McKay J2. A girl! The highlight of my day was stopping for a chat with Tim Beckh and Andrew Smith only to have Andrew dent the back of the Twin Cam as he drove off with a nonchalant wave. What is it with my car and P-Types (George Ward!)?
Arriving at the Camelot Inn for lunch I was greeted by Bruce Weston standing in the middle of the road in his Pith Helmet and his reflective waistcoat (does he work for the council?). He was making a pigs ear of organising the parking. I always wondered what he did at this event but I suppose it makes him feel important being given a job to do.
At last Alham’s Splash, the only real reason for coming on the Kimber. This was the first time I have been able to observe this section properly. Normally for me it is simply a spirited drive through the water, stop astride the line then off to the next section. Job done! All sorts of techniques were employed including some very interesting facial expressions (perhaps we should have a gurning competition). Some entrants were very efficient some were less so. A healthy level of revs that did not falter as the car was launched seemed to succeed every time. I see that Oliver Richardson was fastest through. He may have enjoyed his success but as ever with Oliver it is hard to tell. A blipped throttle and a lot of shouting nearly always scuttled any attempt. Gardner’s passenger Ben had been warned by more than one person not to take any bullying from his driver but despite our protestations from the safety of the river bank he got out and helped to push along with the stoic help of John Reid dressed in thigh length rubber. John does seem to enjoy marshalling at the splash. I am not sure why! His son Alex obviously does not have the same affinity with water. Despite wandering around all weekend looking like a West Coast surfer on his day off he jumped out of the back of the K1 and walked around the section to avoid getting wet. Wimp I’d say! There were also a few competitors who being so relieved at getting through the water then did not remember to stop astride the line. In the interest of starting a decent argument I would say that must always be the fault of the passenger not giving loud enough instructions.
I think the person who enjoyed the day the most was the younger Mrs Reid who was sans enfants. She was to be found propping up the bar cocktail in hand when we returned having availed herself of all the pampering facilities that the hotel had to offer. Everyone arrived safely back at the finish and enjoyed an excellent dinner that evening. Jones and Grassam vied for speaking time (and the worst tie). I may have heard the jokes before but I am afraid that I can no longer remember that sort of thing.
Sunday was a beautiful if a little sharp day with an enjoyable drive over to the Foster/McNinch enclave. Always a good way to wind down after the previous days excitement. I note that McNinch is getting a little anal about his immaculate lawn. He needs to get a gang mower on the back of that KN saloon rotting in his shed. Tim Beckh also seems to be taking a leaf out of his Uncle Patrick’s book. It seems that my mechanical abilities are not to be avoided after all. I was handed some spanners and left to remove the PB’s broken manifold which Barry Foster quickly and skilfully braised with Tim returning just as we were completing the refit. My weekend was topped off with a rip-roaring drive back to Surrey in the Twin Cam in glorious weather (with an excellent heater) feeling that all was right with the world.
Thanks to all and sundry for entertaining me. Mostly without realising it!
Martin |
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RacingSnake
United Kingdom
62 Posts |
Posted - 17/04/2012 : 14:37:17
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24hrs and no moderation Martin- well done!
Great report by the way...maybe you should get a column in the Bulletin...Cheers R-S |
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JMH
United Kingdom
911 Posts |
Posted - 17/04/2012 : 17:22:47
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Having been tabbed to write the event report for the Bulletin, I feel as if I'm standing on Hamish's "Titanic" (you had to be there). With no chance of equalling the dry wit, I will just have to concentrate on the facts. Mind you; I thought that everybody used GPO rubber bands to stop their control rods vibrating - a perfect use for the never-ending supply of the damn things that the fairies leave on my path every morning!
JH |
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Colin Butchers
United Kingdom
1487 Posts |
Posted - 18/04/2012 : 10:57:33
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No Jeremy, it isn't to stop the control rods vibrating that George uses the ex-GPO elastic bands for. It is to keep the carburettor jets in the fully closed position. I believe that George has put a note out for the fairies to leave him a pair of proper return springs, but as yet there has been no response.
Colin B. |
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BobRichards RIP
United Kingdom
238 Posts |
Posted - 19/04/2012 : 19:20:39
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Jeremy,
I'm pleased to note that you are in line for doing a Bulletin report which I look forward to receiving in due course. If you could get it to me pretty soon I would appreciate it as I have a week's hoilday coming up in May when I should be working on the June Bulletin. (The holiday was booked before I took the editor's job.)
And Martin, since your report is so amusing, I may even use it as well (assuming you've no objection and that there is enough space). |
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Wyn Lewis
United Kingdom
153 Posts |
Posted - 19/04/2012 : 20:02:31
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I've not read anything so amusing for some time as Martin's report. Keep them coming.
Wyn |
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Martin Warner
United Kingdom
85 Posts |
Posted - 19/04/2012 : 20:34:11
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| Always a pleasure to make a Welshman smile. Not an easy task. |
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John Reid
United Kingdom
704 Posts |
Posted - 20/04/2012 : 00:27:03
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Bob,
Please find Bulletin space for Martin's Kimber report - a breath of fresh air!
John R |
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spyder
United Kingdom
14 Posts |
Posted - 20/04/2012 : 07:36:33
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Why hasn't the racist comment been struck out?
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Wyn Lewis
United Kingdom
153 Posts |
Posted - 20/04/2012 : 10:42:29
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| Because he's right! |
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Onno
Netherlands
1045 Posts |
Posted - 20/04/2012 : 16:59:07
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Just missing one thing with this report... the view!
pictures we want pictures!!!!
Onno "D" Könemann |
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John Reid
United Kingdom
704 Posts |
Posted - 20/04/2012 : 22:52:48
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Onno,
Here are a few photos to show what fun we had:
John Haine kept the bow wave under control...
as did Oliver Richardson, who recorded fastest time at Alham's Splash...
while Patrick Gardner took time out to review the contract with his navigator about who is responsible for pushing.
Richard Jenkins and daughter Kim getting away from the restart in Section 2.
The ideal trials car...Neil MacKay and team in father Ian's K1.
John R
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Edited by - John Reid on 20/04/2012 22:55:27 |
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DickMorbey
United Kingdom
3678 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2012 : 22:36:21
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Thanks to contributions garnered from Ian Davison, Bruce Weston, Martin Warner and Alex Reid (and possibly from Anon) I have posted some more pictures of this event, which you can find in the events/pictures area of the website.
I'll get around to adding captions when I can find a moment.
Regards
Dick Morbey |
Edited by - DickMorbey on 03/05/2012 22:37:25 |
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DickMorbey
United Kingdom
3678 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2012 : 09:54:36
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Captions now loaded.
Dick Morbey
PA/PB 0743
Henley-on-Thames, Oxon, UK |
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