AUTOTEST REPORT 13^th January 2008

The afternoon started with 9 competitors sharing 5 cars. However early on in the event Peter Jory managed to break the drive shaft of the Escort. And so it was down to 4 cars. All of which managed to keep running for the remainder of the event. The drawings had been created, for the first time by Scott Rayson, and these proved to be fast with few changes of direction. However the competitors and spectators enjoyed this style and a good result ensued.

Unfortunately for Dave (Nasty) Williams his afternoon was cut short when he damaged an already very swollen thumb, and so he retired.

Paul (Franky) Morgan was persuaded to enter the event for possibly the first time, and shared the Fiesta. Although he finished in last (8^th) place he did not disgrace himself and ended with a reputable score. Nigel Ozanne ripped the bonnet off the Fiesta as it was rather loose, but with less weight this did not save him from gaining 3 penalty points and a wrong test to finish in 7^th place.

Eric Trump campaigned a normal Metro in place of the cut down Mini, but Eric must have been off form as he ended in 6^th place, probably ending his Championship hopes. Just 2 second less, Peter Jory (Rover 200) gained only 1 penalty to finish a creditable 5^th. Ten seconds faster Scott Rayson sharing the Rover had an excellent day to finish in 4^th place.

Championship leader at the beginning of the afternoon, Peter Dorey (Metro), must have been off form as he collected 4 sets of penalty points to finish in 3^rd place, dropping him to second for the Championship.

An outstanding performance came from Tim Torode, also sharing the Rover after the Escort broke, keeping clear of penalty points to take second place.

Also keeping clear of penalty points (for a change), Martin (Bimbo) Dorey (Metro) took the honours to place himself as Championship leader by one point.

With the Championship scores very close the last 2 events should prove interesting.

Ken Diamond