C.R.M.C Race Report Pembrey 2009

[Triplebrew]

Pembrey awash with Sunshine (for a change)
or how Damian pooped on Matt’s birthday bash

A year on and what a change - a programme full of sidecars and wall to wall sunshine - perfect.

Friday practice had started with that déjà vu feeling but by lunchtime the rain had passed and the sun was out. Sadly one or two of the outfits were still feeling a little fragile after the winter rest, David Le Pavoux and Karl Underwood aboard Gristwood 3 were the first to go, an inspection hatch appeared on both sides of the block and one could inspect that there was no piston or gudgeon pin to be seen in number 4 cylinder.

After signing on and scrutineering noise was the next hurdle to overcome. After the Croft fiasco all circuits are a little bit jumpy and 105dBa is a lot quieter than you think! We had repacked our silencer but were still dangerously close to the limit. Richard Holmes was also prepared but failed at the first attempt. The guys who really struggled were Dave and Keith Latheron - the big twin proving a nightmare to keep quiet. In practice Richard and Samantha’s Lynx Saab seized leaving them to frantically (well Richard) to change motors.

Race 1 Saturday. With all the usual axe men at the front I was surprised how gentlemanly everyone behaved at Hatchetts. I was also surprised, nay shocked, at the speed Matt Kingsmill, with my nephew Andrew in the chair, shot to the front. Damian had his usual Belgian start and at the end of lap 1 still found himself in fourth place. We were trying to keep the BGR Honda out of second place but were failing miserably. Matt led until Hatchetts on the last lap when Damian out braked him to take the win with Brian Gray third, us in fourth and Eddy Wright with new passenger Vicky ahead of the now choked Wessie of Dave and Keith. Top Gristwood was Simon and Dave, Phil and Dave (Gristwood 2) had been removed from the circuit for possibly dropping water at the start!! Reg and Kerry (P2) had ignition gremlins so it was a win in P2 for Andy Rayner and Lorraine Brown and the mighty 650 Triumph.

Race 2 Saturday. Sadly we were red flagged after a nasty incident at Hatchetts where Clive Faulkner and Trevor Thomas had their now heavily documented accident. Suffice to say both are now on the mend, pinned and plated thanks to the air fence. Race 2 - second go. Once again Matt flew to the front, we would make less than one lap - the small oil line to the pressure gauge came off, a weird thing to happen - sabotage - no surely not! Initially it was the BGR Honda chasing Matt down but a self-adjusting gear linkage was slowing Brian. Lap 4 and despite it being Matt’s birthday Damian passed him down the start/finish straight to take the lead. At the flag it was Damian ahead of Matt, Eddy and Vicky in third with Brian and Allan fourth and Dave and Keith Latheron fifth with Gristwood 1 narrowly ahead of Gristwood 2. Reg and Kerry won P2 after the Triumph of Andy and Lorraine refused to start after stalling on the grid. Richard and Samantha seized yet again as did the Ben Gray and David Johnson’s 750 BSA.

Race 1 Sunday. After the karaoke of Saturday night it was nice to get back to the quiet of racing, the exception being Emma Kingsmill who can actually sing where others seem to struggle to carry a tune in a bucket!! Due to our DNF Saturday we had to start at the back of the grid. Phil Luhr (Gristwood 2) said he would beat us into Hatchetts - I said we would be in front of him by the end of the pit wall and we were - just. In fairness he does have Big Dave in the chair, affectionately known to Phil as “Buddha”. Another fact came to light Big Phil himself is another southern softy - too proud to push and just sits on the outfit letting Dave push the whole caboodle to start - precious or what? Although we caught the lead four up by Hatchetts fifth is the best we could do. Brian took the lead from Matt on lap 2, by lap3 Damian was up to second and in fact took the lead on lap 5. Unfortunately he had not seen the yellow flags indicating the dead outfit of Gristwood 1 due to Simon knocking off the distributor cap with his knee for about the eighth time and was given a ten second penalty. Twelve seconds and he would have been behind us!! Once again Reg and Kerry won P2, BSA powered ahead of Andy and Lorraine with the Triumph. Team Roebury went grass tracking bending the expansion pipes on the Kettle. Phil and Dave (Buddha) won the Gristwood battle.


Sunday Race 2. Sadly Matt and Andrew would not come out to play after the BMW consumed a stone in the previous battle. Also Dave and Keith Latheron threw the towel in with a Wessie that couldn’t breathe and was suffering low oil pressure due to over-heating, as a result of the exhaust being blocked. As we rolled down to the collecting area, where our Welsh Rabbit awaited us, Simon Smith and Dave Gristwood were still trying to bleed their brakes after a mammoth rebuild between races. I was shocked to see them on the sighting lap albeit minus a fairing (and sadly two numbers). With Matt missing it was Brian and Allen who took the lead with Eddy and Vicky in hot pursuit. On lap 3 the BGR Honda turned into a twin with electrical gremlins. Once again Damian and Nancy took the flag - we nearly caught Eddy, as they say one more lap etc. Also having a tremendous battle were Gristwood 1 and 2 - at the flag Phil and Dave let the main sponsors past (Simon and Dave). However, the officials deemed the lack of fairing, numbers etc., warranted exclusion - harsh I feel but rules is rules. Reg and Kerry won P2 ahead of Andy and Lorraine with Roebury/Roebury taking P4 honours.

So ended round one of the CRMC championship with some fantastic racing in perfect weather. Next stop Darley Moor. Dennis and Christine Etheridge will be there in P1. In P2 will Andy and Lorraine catch the Charlesworth’s BSA? Hopefully Bill Hodgkins will also be there. Andy was spotted speaking to a Policeman on the M4 on the way home - sadly points don’t always make prizes!! No trailers in the fast lane please! Nick Robinson and Shelli Cooper should be aboard the ex-Ray Reeves Lynx and will hopefully lose their brake shudder in P3. Gristwood 3 should be out again - engine builder permitting!

See you at Darley Moor for another great weekend, Hog Roast, Band etc.

Ian Johnson

P.S. Tyres - the 13” Avon is perfect for width 5.5” max. The new Yokohama 048R 175 60 13 as seen on two outfits is too wide so will need changing. I know one of these drivers has recently retired but as I say rules is rules! In the past if an outfit has an illegible part - such as tyre width - he is allowed to compete at that round. If however the same fault is found at the next round he can still run but will not score points or be awarded trophies etc. Rules is rules!

[Bob B]

Re tyre width - many moons ago it was pointed out at a CRMC meet to an english driver that his rear tyre was too wide. Solution ? Get the tyre cutter out and remove excess width from either shoulder - sorted

[Vicky Cooke]

Good report that
Anyone know what the championship standings are yet?

Vics

[NickR]

Nothing on the CRMC website yet.

[bludge]

Good report to read Ian, nice one

[djtriumph]

This is the CRMC sidecar bloke (Ian Johnson, author of Pembrey ramble). Clearly unofficial standings for Period 3 sidecars are:- Damian Perilleux/Nancy Detournay 88 points
Eddy Wright/ Vicky Cooke 63 points
Matt Kingsmill/Andrew Johnson 60 points
Brian Gray/Alan Bedford 54 points
Ian Johnson/Kevin Roughan 40 points

P1 championship will commence at Darley Moor.

P2 Reg and Kerry Charlesworth are leading Andy Rayner and Lorraine Brown.

Regarding tyre size - it is nice to see people are showing interest. However, for those who appear to live in France the thought of a bunch of amateurs taking tread cutters to the sidewalls of their illegal tyres is frightening. as the safe working integrity of the tyre wall would be compromised and the tyre would remain illegal due to it being against the rules to hand cut tyres. Au revoir mon ami!

[steve-e]

Good report, enjoyable read. Have PM'd you about the tyre thing

[mrequipe]

Great report Ian, nice to see the classics having a good time and good grids after your hard work in trying to re establish sidecars in the classic club Thanks to Triplebrew for posting it

[Vicky Cooke]

This is the CRMC sidecar bloke (Ian Johnson, author of Pembrey ramble). Clearly unofficial standings for Period 3 sidecars are:- Damian Perilleux/Nancy Detournay 88 points
Eddy Wright/ Vicky Cooke 63 points
Matt Kingsmill/Andrew Johnson 60 points
Brian Gray/Alan Bedford 54 points
Ian Johnson/Kevin Roughan 40 points

Ooooooo peak its gunna be a good un this year

[Eddy Wright]

I was one of the drivers using the new Yokohama 13" tyre which was measured and deemed too wide, fair enough rules are rules, and I will fit the 13" Avon for Darley.

However I think we should consider this. The Avon as far as I know is the only tyre that comes within our rules it is really expensive, and sometimes very hard to obtain. The Yokohama tyre is approx half the price, and I am informed will last over twice as long, being a road going tyre it can be obtained at your local car tyre depo.

The contact patch on the Yokohama is within our rules but measured from wall to wall the tyre is too wide.
Not wanting to buy another Avon when I can get two Yokohamas for the same price I telephoned Demon Tweeks who informed me that there is no 165 available. They did say that they stock three other makes of 13" tyre but again 175 was it.

So thats it then its Avon, or fit a 10" rear wheel and use the Yoko. Perhaps we should look at changing the rules to allow175 road going tyres in the interests of cost and availability. Comments please. Ed.

[NickR]

Eddy, I'd support that move. I have no vested interest as we run 10" wheels. If you need someone to second an proposal to change the relevant rule, I happy so to do.

Nice to see you yesterday. Catch you at Darley (Probably in the bar, rather than at the hairpin!)

Nick

[djtriumph]

I would love to join the debate as CRMC Sidecar bloke but as I haven't yet had clearance from Steve's Place management and as my son has banned me from using this (his login) to say anything controversial I'll just have to wait.

Also good news for the sidecar grid at Donington - there is money in them there pots. Once again can't say any more until I get clearance!

Ian Johnson

[mrequipe]

Your right on the tyre issue Eddy, I buy my Avons from BTMR in brum, Since I started buying these about 5 years ago they have nearly doubled in price
Heres the problem as I see it.
1, The 175 tyre (6.889") is a big jump from a 139.7 (5.5") Big grip difference.
2,The problem is you just cant change to the wider tyre even if it was allowed to change, because your rims would be to narrow causing the tyre to roll.
3, A 175 (6.889 ") tyre really needs a 200 rim (8")
4, Also it might start a who has and who hasnt, causing a rift which is the last thing anybody wants.

[steve-e]

Welcome Back Ian

[Eddy Wright]

I agree Mike, but if the yokohama tyre is cheaper its got to be for the better, I'm not sure what width my rim is ( I will measure it when I take the Yoko off) But I can tell you both tyres fit and work on it. On another matter I think your BMW is the Dogs! Ed