BIGGS AND HOUGHTON SET A NEW STANDARD...............

[Triplebrew]

BIGGS AND HOUGHTON SET A NEW STANDARD FOR THE CRMC SIDECAR GRID AT DONINGTON PARK

Donington may have been a three day meeting but that didn’t stop the sidecars coming out in force – just three short of reserves again. Along with all the regulars we were joined by Nick Houghton and Paul Thomas for the second time this year, with the intention of finishing the season with us, and Vince and Phil Biggs aboard the immaculate Busch BMW who also intend to finish the season with us. Both outfits would prove to be equally fast beating the lap record held by Damien by 4 seconds – is that impressive or just taking the p*ss? Missing from the programme was Jean Pierre Capel after his accident in the Czech Republic. Clint Faulkner’s engine was still at the doctors as was Mike Bellaby’s Wessie. Steve and Jason Reilly couldn’t make it. However, in P1 Dennis and Christine were back in combat with Allan Cavey and Roger Holmes on the Mighty Triumph and David Crawford and David Baxter on the Trident.

The sidecars had an area in the paddock reserved specifically for them and it appeared to work. I was a little concerned when Team Gristwood turned up with the 40’ artic, 71/2 ton truck and enough transits and caravans to concern the local Pikie Patrol – ask Phil! At Brands Hatch Christine Etheridge is in charge of the red and white tape, hopefully to secure the area behind Hawthorns.

Practice for most was fairly uneventful, the exception being Dave and Keith Latheron who managed to break a belt in practice 1 and the spare belt in practice 2 – still on a positive note they got to watch some beltin’ racing!

Race 1 Saturday – Suffice to say the starting procedure will be tweaked for next year hopefully – far too much hanging about, lining up etc. As the flag fell the charge to Redgate was led by Nick and Paul with Eddy and Vicky, Matt and Andrew, Kevin and yours truly. Fairly early on Vince and Phil came by which was worrying due to the fact they had started fairly well back on the grid. Damien and Nancy had their usual start and were close behind. On lap 2 Matt and Andrew were out with a stuck valve which had then kissed the piston. We were having a fantastic battle with Eddy and Damian and at Mcleans ending lap 4 Kevin indicated a small amount of oil had appeared on his platform and was keen we should slow down. Immediately Damien came past but we did stay in front of Eddy. Bill Hodgkins was the first P2 home narrowly ahead of Brian Toombs and Trevor Johnson with brother Eddy and Bob Dowty first P1 home just 4 seconds behind. The Roeburys’ Kettle ate another big end ending their weekend’s racing. Phil Luhr and Buddha also lost a big end on the Windle Imp. Simon Smith and Dave Gristwood stopped with more ignition gremlins; Dave Le Pavoux and Karl Underwood hit the barrier at Goddard’s when it just didn’t turn left!

Race 2 Saturday – Sadly missing were Reg and Kerry, the BSA refusing to start – why? You drive it to your paddock area, treat it with TLC and when it’s time to go out –nothing! Dave and Karl were now on the un-faired Winstanley Imp. Once again Nick and Paul led the field round with us, Eddy, Damian, Matt and Brian in hot pursuit. Round Redgate Vince and Phil blasted past. On lap 3 Eddy stole our third place. Lap 4 Vince was on the infield at Redgate – an incredibly close fight for the lead had sadly ended as many have in the past and will in the future, with somebody going off. I could hear Matt’s BMW behind – mainly because he had thrown his silencer at Nancy hitting her on the shoulder – such un-gentlemanly behaviour. Lap 4 into Goddards I tried to out brake Eddy and Damien – it had worked I would have been a hero – as it was I was that munchkin doing a U-turn in the Melbourne Loop to rejoin back in 5th behind Matt. Once again Bill Hodgkins was first P2 home just ahead of Brian and Phil with Eddy and Bob first P1 home. Brian Gray after all these years racing with Alan managed to lose him at Goddards on lap 1 – that’s careless. Top Gristwood was Gristwood 3 Dave and Karl.

Sunday race – Once again Nick and Paul held the lead from flag to flag – they had in fact led every lap all weekend – that’s hogging it a bit surely. Our race was short – down the Craner Curves, round the old Hairpin and splosh – all the engine oil appeared to be on the outside – onto the grass and watch. I was confident we could find the 4 seconds, beat Nick and Vince and take the £100 prize money but now we’ll never know! From the top of the tyre wall we could see Vince looking for half a chance to pass Nick and although Vince set the fastest lap again (he had fastest lap in all three races) he couldn’t find a way past. Some 15 seconds behind were Eddy and Damien locked in combat again, Eddy was in front for five laps but Damien took the third place on the final lap. Behind them Matt and Brian were fighting it out – Brian would take fifth place ahead of Matt and Andrew. Eddy Toombs and Bob Dowty won the P1 class with brother Brian just behind. Bill Hodgkins and Bert Vloemans won P2 and collected the winning trophy and £100 cash prize for P2. The Etheridges’ Norton finished ahead of Alan Cavey and Roger Holmes aboard the Mighty Triumph. Talking of Mighty Triumphs – clearly the speed of Vince and Phil Biggs, Nick Haughton and Paul Thomas was impressive but Andy Rayner with passenger Chris Adams (it was Chris’ first weekend of racing) knocked 11 seconds off their best time in the last race – clearly Andy who himself only started back at the beginning of the season is feeling more confident with the T110 Windrick Triumph – watch out Reg and Kerry at Brands, when hopefully Lorraine will be back in the chair with Andy. It appears I may have upset her on the eligibility front – at Darley she had “silicone free” on her T shirt – this I can only think is a reference to our silicone hoses fitted to the Windle Imp which she obviously feels are not of the period. I am more than happy to discuss this issue with her – I certainly don’t want anything or anybody falling out!

Brands Hatch is the first round of the European Sidecar Challenge sponsored by Powerbiking. Harry Vaesen and Edmond Creemers (Wessie powered) from Belgium have entered along with Richard and Kim, the Dutch pair on their Harley Davidson. Sadly Jean Pierre, captain, won’t be with us due to his injuries and no Damien due to him having sold his Imp – to team Gristwood!

The Gristwood Barby Bash – Team Gristwood are hosting a BBQ to remember at Brands on Saturday evening. Professional caterers are being brought in to provide all sidecar crews and mechanics with a bumper feast. Beer and wine is also provided. This is another fantastic move by Team Gristwood to support the class. So please, all crews turn up and support this magnificent event – I’m sure a donation to the Bottle bank wouldn’t go amiss and hopefully we will get to hear Emma Kingsmill singing along with Keith and Eileen with the Etheridge’s karaoke. Apparently new monitors and stuff have been purchased to ease the singing. So – Brands – another great weekend of racing with an evening of entertainment to look forward to. See you there!

Ian

[Vicky Cooke]

Great report Ian
Looking forward to Gristwood do at Brands, see you all there