Team W.A.N.C.A = We Are Not Christian Aid
2011 Championship Positions:
2nd Place 1300cc Multi's, 3rd Place Post Classic 1300cc Period 3 and 4th Place
1300cc National
1972 Rob North Trident T160 930cc and RPS (Richard Peckett Special) T150 Trident 750
Championship Standings Updated !
Wednesday 9th May 2012
Following the second round of the 2012 season at Cadwell Park, I have updated the championship standings to reflect the race results published on MyLaps (please note that my standings are subject to change and are compared with the CRMC official standings, when they are published).
In the 1300 National, Chris is sitting in 6th place, below some of the most talented riders the CRMC have to offer. Mike Dolittle is 5 points behind Chris in 7th place.
In the 1300 Multi's, Chris has dropped to 4th place, after a DNS (did not start) and the third race being cancelled due to an unrideable track. Congratulations go to Mike Dolittle who has replaced Chris in 3rd place after finishing 4th and 2nd in the two races at Cadwell.
Guy Martin won two of the three Post Classic races (the fourth was cancelled due to an unrideable track) and the third race was won by Paul Allender. Chris finished 4th in the second race, 7th in the third race, but did not finish the first race. Therefore Chris has fallen to 5th in the championship, with Cormac Conroy leading the way, despite a DNF (did not finish).
To see a summarised break down of the standings, please either click here or select the Championship Standings tab above.
The diary and photographs for the meeting will be uploaded later this week.
Best wishes
Ashley Barnett
Following the second round of the 2012 season at Cadwell Park, I have updated the championship standings to reflect the race results published on MyLaps (please note that my standings are subject to change and are compared with the CRMC official standings, when they are published).
In the 1300 National, Chris is sitting in 6th place, below some of the most talented riders the CRMC have to offer. Mike Dolittle is 5 points behind Chris in 7th place.
In the 1300 Multi's, Chris has dropped to 4th place, after a DNS (did not start) and the third race being cancelled due to an unrideable track. Congratulations go to Mike Dolittle who has replaced Chris in 3rd place after finishing 4th and 2nd in the two races at Cadwell.
Guy Martin won two of the three Post Classic races (the fourth was cancelled due to an unrideable track) and the third race was won by Paul Allender. Chris finished 4th in the second race, 7th in the third race, but did not finish the first race. Therefore Chris has fallen to 5th in the championship, with Cormac Conroy leading the way, despite a DNF (did not finish).
To see a summarised break down of the standings, please either click here or select the Championship Standings tab above.
The diary and photographs for the meeting will be uploaded later this week.
Best wishes
Ashley Barnett
Talking Heads !
Not That Head !
1st May 2012
We are all most gushingly grateful to Richard Peckett and Dave Whitfield for doing the North’s new head. Chris is
over the moon. The exhaust has been fixed and he will pick the bike up from P&M on Thursday, which will not leave him too much time to put the body back work on..
In other news, Team W.A.N.C.A would like to wish Patrick Banfield a speedy recovery after being knocked unconscious, after a high-side which resulted in a spell in hospital with concussion. Chris sends hugs and kisses.
Thank you for your continued support, more to come after our weekend at Cadwell Park.
Jane and Ashley
We are all most gushingly grateful to Richard Peckett and Dave Whitfield for doing the North’s new head. Chris is
over the moon. The exhaust has been fixed and he will pick the bike up from P&M on Thursday, which will not leave him too much time to put the body back work on..
In other news, Team W.A.N.C.A would like to wish Patrick Banfield a speedy recovery after being knocked unconscious, after a high-side which resulted in a spell in hospital with concussion. Chris sends hugs and kisses.
Thank you for your continued support, more to come after our weekend at Cadwell Park.
Jane and Ashley
2012 Calendar !
Onwards and Upwards !
18th November 2011
Today we recieved confirmation of the 2012 Calendar, the season will start off with the customery visit to Pembrey, before going to Cadwell for the May Bank Holiday weekend. After Cadwell, we will be going to Mallory Park for the June Bank Holiday weekend. We then take a trip south, which makes a change, to Lydden, before heading to Donington in August, Snetterton in September AND Silverstone in October, for the Race of the Year finale !
Pembrey - April 7th / 8th (Easter Saturday / Sunday)
Cadwell Park - May 6th / 7th (Sunday / Bank Holiday Monday)
Lydden Hill - June 2nd / 3rd
Mallory Park - June 30th / July 1st
Donington - August 11th / 12th
Snetterton - September 15th / 16th
Silverstone - October 13th / 14th
Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to bringing you more news as and when it arrives !
Ashley Barnett - Webmaster
Today we recieved confirmation of the 2012 Calendar, the season will start off with the customery visit to Pembrey, before going to Cadwell for the May Bank Holiday weekend. After Cadwell, we will be going to Mallory Park for the June Bank Holiday weekend. We then take a trip south, which makes a change, to Lydden, before heading to Donington in August, Snetterton in September AND Silverstone in October, for the Race of the Year finale !
Pembrey - April 7th / 8th (Easter Saturday / Sunday)
Cadwell Park - May 6th / 7th (Sunday / Bank Holiday Monday)
Lydden Hill - June 2nd / 3rd
Mallory Park - June 30th / July 1st
Donington - August 11th / 12th
Snetterton - September 15th / 16th
Silverstone - October 13th / 14th
Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to bringing you more news as and when it arrives !
Ashley Barnett - Webmaster
Flaming Nora !
22nd March 2012
It’s been a few years since Chris last set the garage on fire, but it was like old times last night. Chris couldn’t knock the bearings out of the North’s front wheel so he decided to weld a nut to the brace to give him something to hit. Under the work mate was some blue paper towel soaked in thinners, which was ignited by the sparks and set light to the carpet. Chris’ enthusiasm has always had a tendency to block out common sense. He was once given a Coleman petrol camping lamp by his friend Nick Reich. Chris found it a year later and thought he would try it out. He pumped it up to the highest pressure and lit it, then decided to remove the petrol cap and the petrol squirted up his sleeve and he burst into flames. Chris shouted to his friend Paul who was in the garage with him but Paul just ran for it leaving Chris to put himself out.
25th March 2012
Burgers Anyone ?
With only two weeks to go till Pembrey, I couldn’t wait any longer for Chris to clean the barbeque, so I decided to clean it myself. I found that the burgers from October were smaller than they should have been. I very slowly unpacked the barbeque from the sheet it was wrapped in and realised a mouse had made a home for itself in the sheet. It must have given up on the burgers long ago as they were stiff and white. The barbeque is decontaminated now and I have only to tip the bits of shredded sheet and the droppings out of the bag, wash it and mend it where the mouse made a hole in it and it’s ready to feed Team W.A.N.C.A. Yum ! Trust me boys, you will all be fine !
Written by Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
It’s been a few years since Chris last set the garage on fire, but it was like old times last night. Chris couldn’t knock the bearings out of the North’s front wheel so he decided to weld a nut to the brace to give him something to hit. Under the work mate was some blue paper towel soaked in thinners, which was ignited by the sparks and set light to the carpet. Chris’ enthusiasm has always had a tendency to block out common sense. He was once given a Coleman petrol camping lamp by his friend Nick Reich. Chris found it a year later and thought he would try it out. He pumped it up to the highest pressure and lit it, then decided to remove the petrol cap and the petrol squirted up his sleeve and he burst into flames. Chris shouted to his friend Paul who was in the garage with him but Paul just ran for it leaving Chris to put himself out.
25th March 2012
Burgers Anyone ?
With only two weeks to go till Pembrey, I couldn’t wait any longer for Chris to clean the barbeque, so I decided to clean it myself. I found that the burgers from October were smaller than they should have been. I very slowly unpacked the barbeque from the sheet it was wrapped in and realised a mouse had made a home for itself in the sheet. It must have given up on the burgers long ago as they were stiff and white. The barbeque is decontaminated now and I have only to tip the bits of shredded sheet and the droppings out of the bag, wash it and mend it where the mouse made a hole in it and it’s ready to feed Team W.A.N.C.A. Yum ! Trust me boys, you will all be fine !
Written by Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
Fairing Well ?
The North in its pre-season state
Work on the North has been slow to say the least but the fairing is finally on. It was an absolute nightmare for Chris to get it to fit properly and straight. He has raised the fairing so it won’t touch down so readily and this is what caused all the problems. I had visions of the thing getting smaller and smaller until he had to buy another one.
The engine is prepared but a new head will be fitted if it is ready in time. Chris’ post racing scrutinising of the bike revealed that the rear master cylinder was cracked on the pivot. Barely noticeable to the naked eye. The brake pivot on the activating arm snapping off
could have been a bit of a nuisance. Chris has made a new left head stay as the last one had cracked. He also found a weep from the oil tank and it’s now been welded and repainted.
A test day before the first meeting would be good if there’s time. Sadly it does not look like the 750 will ready for Pembrey as P&M are so franticly busy. I think having just the one bike to look after will ease Gavin and Martin into the racing season nicely before things go absolutely crazy for them. We may have to lock Cormac in the toilet for the 750 races so he doesn’t get too far ahead on points.
Written by Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
The engine is prepared but a new head will be fitted if it is ready in time. Chris’ post racing scrutinising of the bike revealed that the rear master cylinder was cracked on the pivot. Barely noticeable to the naked eye. The brake pivot on the activating arm snapping off
could have been a bit of a nuisance. Chris has made a new left head stay as the last one had cracked. He also found a weep from the oil tank and it’s now been welded and repainted.
A test day before the first meeting would be good if there’s time. Sadly it does not look like the 750 will ready for Pembrey as P&M are so franticly busy. I think having just the one bike to look after will ease Gavin and Martin into the racing season nicely before things go absolutely crazy for them. We may have to lock Cormac in the toilet for the 750 races so he doesn’t get too far ahead on points.
Written by Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
Chris' Lucky Pants !
9th March 2012
Chris has had to say a sad goodbye to his 'Lucky Racing Pants' due to a large hole appearing in the flatulence area. However, he now has TWO new pairs to replace the expired pair ! This means he won’t be wearing the same pants two days running. In hot weather this is better for him and will most certainly be more pleasant for the team member who is on ‘dressing duty’ each day.
Written by Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
Chris has had to say a sad goodbye to his 'Lucky Racing Pants' due to a large hole appearing in the flatulence area. However, he now has TWO new pairs to replace the expired pair ! This means he won’t be wearing the same pants two days running. In hot weather this is better for him and will most certainly be more pleasant for the team member who is on ‘dressing duty’ each day.
Written by Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
February Update !
Chris becomes P&M's bitch for the day
19th February 2012
With the first race meeting of the year at Pembrey fast approaching, Chris has decided it is time to get the bikes in order ... though a bout with 'Man Flu' has cost him precious time !
As many of you will be aware, Chris is racing two bikes this season, so this means twice the effort ! Luckily though, Chris has been able to rely on the help of P&M's in preparing the bikes.
However, he has had to earn his keep by punching holes in thousand of tab washers for Trident clutches, as pictured on the left. Below are some more pictures from a recent visit to the renowned P&M garage.
Thanks again for your continued support throughout the closed season, it won't be long until we are back in action and the famous diaries will re-emerge !
Ashley Barnett
With the first race meeting of the year at Pembrey fast approaching, Chris has decided it is time to get the bikes in order ... though a bout with 'Man Flu' has cost him precious time !
As many of you will be aware, Chris is racing two bikes this season, so this means twice the effort ! Luckily though, Chris has been able to rely on the help of P&M's in preparing the bikes.
However, he has had to earn his keep by punching holes in thousand of tab washers for Trident clutches, as pictured on the left. Below are some more pictures from a recent visit to the renowned P&M garage.
Thanks again for your continued support throughout the closed season, it won't be long until we are back in action and the famous diaries will re-emerge !
Ashley Barnett
Richard Peckett building the bottom end to the 750
The Master - AKA Yoda
Needle roller cam bearings
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Components to the 750
The six plug head
Quite special - Not been done before on a Trident .The 750 Chris will ride is being used as a test bed
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Dave defies fashion critics, wearing blue with green accessories
CRMC Dinner Dance & AGM 2011
Saturday 3rd December 2011
It is 'that' time of the year again when we all suffer the dilemma of - Long or Short - Heels or Flats - Control Pants or none at all. Where no-one recognises fellow racers out of leathers. Where hands and finger nails are sort of clean and Odour Castrol is replaced by aftershave. Yes, it's the CRMC Dinner Dance...
Sunday 4th December 2011
We were taking Gavin with us and meeting Lou at the hotel in Daventry. I went to the hair dressers at 9am leaving him and Chris with the job of extracting the bench seat for the van from it's resting place in my garage. It had never been put into the van before, only removed when we first got it. I came back an hour later and they were still working away at it. 'We know what we're doing now' said Gav reassuringly, 'It just took a bit of working out'. Half an hour later it was in. I think it would've been nice if Volkswagen had put proper instructions in the manual.
We set off at a swift pace. Chris' driving is appallling at the best of times but sitting in the back seat was like being in a dingy on rough sea. It was terrifying. I'd finished most of the hip flask before we were past Heathrow. It was weird sitting in the back because you only get snippets of the conversations going on in the front. - something about Chris' bigger right foot and having to stretch his Gaernes and the problem Gavin has peeling his pants off when he has been in them too long - stockings, carb cleaner, silencers - and you think to yourself - 'What's all that about'. Then there is Tony and Hilary on the phone - leotards, babies, tweeking suspension - Fascinating!
Lou was at the carpark when we got to the hotel. The AGM was about to start so Lou and I booked in and took the bags up. I accompanied Lou to her room which was made up as a twin. A girl came to the door and asked 'Do you want it made up as a double?' and we said yes. She got to work changing the bedding and I thought I'd just mention the boys at the AGM in case she assumed the room was for us.
The evening was great, although getting a drink from the bar was seriously frustrating. The guest speaker spoke and the trophies were awarded. Cormac was sat with us and the table was groaning with the quantity of metal-work he had won. Nigel Hall-Smith's and Chris' trophies proudly holding their own on our side of the table. Well done Cormac from all the W.A.N.C.A's and we hope you got stopped at customs on the way home.
Written by Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
The W.A.N.C.A's are in awe ...
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of Cormac's impressive haul !
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October Update !
More Pictures Below
Saturday 23rd October 2011
Although Chris still has a bad right knee and a groin strain from his game of squash on Monday, he threw caution to the wind and took to one wheel this afternoon on the unicycle I'd picked up in a house clearance. After falling into the compressor he relinquished the cycle immediately, which is the first sensible thing he's done for a while.
The 750 is stripped down now ready to go to P&M for the rebuild. Gavin and Chris spent two long evenings in the garage last week dismantling furiously. Once the 750 has gone the Rob North will have a good shakedown. Prior to this though, Chris has some homework to do. He has been asked to speak about his racing after the TR3OC dinner on 12th November. I hope he will not disappoint, as his story could appear mundane to some. It's not as if he had been born with an extra leg and had to overcome the awkward riding position or something. There is no doubting Chris' passion for racing though and I'm sure this will come across in his talk and keep everyone entertained. We hope it all goes smoothly for Chris and the heckling is minimal.
Written by Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
Although Chris still has a bad right knee and a groin strain from his game of squash on Monday, he threw caution to the wind and took to one wheel this afternoon on the unicycle I'd picked up in a house clearance. After falling into the compressor he relinquished the cycle immediately, which is the first sensible thing he's done for a while.
The 750 is stripped down now ready to go to P&M for the rebuild. Gavin and Chris spent two long evenings in the garage last week dismantling furiously. Once the 750 has gone the Rob North will have a good shakedown. Prior to this though, Chris has some homework to do. He has been asked to speak about his racing after the TR3OC dinner on 12th November. I hope he will not disappoint, as his story could appear mundane to some. It's not as if he had been born with an extra leg and had to overcome the awkward riding position or something. There is no doubting Chris' passion for racing though and I'm sure this will come across in his talk and keep everyone entertained. We hope it all goes smoothly for Chris and the heckling is minimal.
Written by Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
Chris 'LastMinute.Com' Chapman Strikes Again !
Intimate Mechanic - Rider Relationship !
Friday 30th September 2011
Chris went down with a cold after Cadwell and, feeling weak and wobbly, didn't exert himself for a few days. Since then though he has cycled and swum and is feeling much fitter for it. One particular morning he was very late returning from the pool and I feared the worse. Car drivers keep aiming for him (and I don't know any of them so it's nothing to do with me) and I wondered if he'd had an accident. I'd already had a bad start to the day myself as I couldn't find the only bra I have, which I left on the bedroom chair when I went to bed, and had ripped the place apart searching for it. I just knew Chris had something to do with it's disappearance. Chris finally returned forty minutes late. When he'd reached the pool he found my bra dangling off his rucsac's velcro from when he sat the bag on the chair. When he left the pool he found a bloke trying to cut through the lock on his bicycle and asked him what the hell did he think he was doing, to which the bloke replied 'It's alright mate I'm homeless.' ......It's a good thing for him that it was Chris there and not me. After the morning I'd had I would've kicked him in the balls so hard they'd have come out of his mouth. Anyway. Very little has been done to the North since Cadwell but Chris' knight in a little white van arrives this evening to sort things out. Gav to the rescue again. He'll make sure they knuckle down and get the bike ready.
It's hard to believe that it will soon be a year since Mike Norris died. Mike's wife Lesley and friends will be at Snetterton and Mike's ashes will be scattered at the circuit. Lou has a wonderful photo of Mike and the boys from Cadwell last year which will be on the web site soon. We miss you Nozzer and if you're out there watching the racing, be a good chap and hold onto the back of Cormac's bike so Chris can beat him.
So, last meeting of the year. Ashley and I look forward to seeing everyone who makes it next weekend. It should be very exciting. Whatever happens, Chris will be able to look back and say that he led a championship once and be proud.
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
Chris went down with a cold after Cadwell and, feeling weak and wobbly, didn't exert himself for a few days. Since then though he has cycled and swum and is feeling much fitter for it. One particular morning he was very late returning from the pool and I feared the worse. Car drivers keep aiming for him (and I don't know any of them so it's nothing to do with me) and I wondered if he'd had an accident. I'd already had a bad start to the day myself as I couldn't find the only bra I have, which I left on the bedroom chair when I went to bed, and had ripped the place apart searching for it. I just knew Chris had something to do with it's disappearance. Chris finally returned forty minutes late. When he'd reached the pool he found my bra dangling off his rucsac's velcro from when he sat the bag on the chair. When he left the pool he found a bloke trying to cut through the lock on his bicycle and asked him what the hell did he think he was doing, to which the bloke replied 'It's alright mate I'm homeless.' ......It's a good thing for him that it was Chris there and not me. After the morning I'd had I would've kicked him in the balls so hard they'd have come out of his mouth. Anyway. Very little has been done to the North since Cadwell but Chris' knight in a little white van arrives this evening to sort things out. Gav to the rescue again. He'll make sure they knuckle down and get the bike ready.
It's hard to believe that it will soon be a year since Mike Norris died. Mike's wife Lesley and friends will be at Snetterton and Mike's ashes will be scattered at the circuit. Lou has a wonderful photo of Mike and the boys from Cadwell last year which will be on the web site soon. We miss you Nozzer and if you're out there watching the racing, be a good chap and hold onto the back of Cormac's bike so Chris can beat him.
So, last meeting of the year. Ashley and I look forward to seeing everyone who makes it next weekend. It should be very exciting. Whatever happens, Chris will be able to look back and say that he led a championship once and be proud.
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
Cadwell 2010
Breaking News !
RPS 750 Trident
25th September 2011
Team W.A.N.C.A are very excited to announce that Richard Peckett of P & M Motorcycles has offered Chris his own personal RPS (Richard Peckett Special) 750 Trident to race in the Formula 750's next year. In the coming weeks Chris will be stripping it down to get used to the different frame layout which will help him with the maintainance which will be ongoing throughout the racing year.
Chris would like to use the Rob North to race in the 1300 Multi's and National next year. The issue of transporting the North to the circuits is a problem but Tony Hayworth and Gavin have kindly offered to help - Tony could take it in his van, depending on what he has on board, and Gavin could take it on the trailer, depending where he is at the time. And I'm going to do my utmost to put Chris off the idea altogether.
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
Team W.A.N.C.A are very excited to announce that Richard Peckett of P & M Motorcycles has offered Chris his own personal RPS (Richard Peckett Special) 750 Trident to race in the Formula 750's next year. In the coming weeks Chris will be stripping it down to get used to the different frame layout which will help him with the maintainance which will be ongoing throughout the racing year.
Chris would like to use the Rob North to race in the 1300 Multi's and National next year. The issue of transporting the North to the circuits is a problem but Tony Hayworth and Gavin have kindly offered to help - Tony could take it in his van, depending on what he has on board, and Gavin could take it on the trailer, depending where he is at the time. And I'm going to do my utmost to put Chris off the idea altogether.
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
And More News !
Aerodynamics !
25th September 2011
And what do we have here! Those of you with absolutely no imagination will no doubt see a skeletal, rusty compilation of scrap flanked by two wheels. However, we, who can see the potential within, know it will, in Gavin's capable hands, become his new race bike.
We are proud to introduce you to his Honda MT125R. May he race safely and win many trophies. Get that
curtain pelmet cleared Lou, it's going to be groaning !
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Friend
P.S Welcome to Team W.A.N.C.A.
And what do we have here! Those of you with absolutely no imagination will no doubt see a skeletal, rusty compilation of scrap flanked by two wheels. However, we, who can see the potential within, know it will, in Gavin's capable hands, become his new race bike.
We are proud to introduce you to his Honda MT125R. May he race safely and win many trophies. Get that
curtain pelmet cleared Lou, it's going to be groaning !
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Friend
P.S Welcome to Team W.A.N.C.A.
Beezumph '20' Diary !
1st August 2011
A Glorious Beezumph at Anglesey. Who'd have thought it? A wonderful dry and mostly sunny few days at Anglesey. The wind only picked up late on Saturday night, but nothing like what everyone's experienced so far. We all loved the collection of pictures in the photo tent. Martin Pink looked about 14 years old and the black and white one of Chris on the Hurricane at a photo shoot, going round the M25/A3 roundabout before it was opened, was hilarious. Sporting a moustache and no beard, in an open-face helmet, he looked like a member of Village People.
Neil finally joined us Friday afternoon and was suffering a lot from the pain his ribs were giving him after his accident. He kept walking around with his right hand over his heart like he was about to spout poetry. He was pampered all weekend though and seemed to enjoy himself and not moan too much.
Chris was black flagged for 'racing' and carving through slower bikes during his first session, so six of the best trousers down for him. He just can't help himself. Gavin was crowned Drag King after a horrendous incident. He was bump-starting a bike and his hand got stuck in the exhaust bracket. The rider went off dragging Gavin down the pit lane. He had no t-shirt on, just a marshall's high-viz vest and cotton trousers. He was well damaged and lost a lot of layers of skin. Poor Gav. Every time someone came up to say goodbye they'd pat him on the shoulder and he'd grit his teeth. But like a true man, it didn't stop him from donning his leathers again and taking Andy Driver's MZ Scorpion out for a session.
All the boys swapped bikes during the two days and put them through their paces. After lunch on Saturday Chris rode in every session. He'd just jump on another bike and whizz off on it. Gav did several on Chris' North and enjoyed it very much. Graham Redrup popped his track cherry and turned out to be very quick. After all these years of being Clerk of the Course and never getting out there. A bit of a racer on the quiet. Watch out Chris!
Lou and I showed our prowess when it came to photography. We went to snap Gav when he was out on the North the first time and compared pictures. I'd got the track with nothing on it and Lou didn't even get the track. Just grass. We did better on his next lap by changing to video. All in all everyone had a great time. People smiling and laughing everywhere you looked. The weather rewarded the faithful, - and many new comers too! They'll be lots of letters in The Triple Echo I'm sure.
Hopefully there will be more Beezumphs, but we'll have to wait and see about that. If it's the last, it went out in style.
Written by Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
A Glorious Beezumph at Anglesey. Who'd have thought it? A wonderful dry and mostly sunny few days at Anglesey. The wind only picked up late on Saturday night, but nothing like what everyone's experienced so far. We all loved the collection of pictures in the photo tent. Martin Pink looked about 14 years old and the black and white one of Chris on the Hurricane at a photo shoot, going round the M25/A3 roundabout before it was opened, was hilarious. Sporting a moustache and no beard, in an open-face helmet, he looked like a member of Village People.
Neil finally joined us Friday afternoon and was suffering a lot from the pain his ribs were giving him after his accident. He kept walking around with his right hand over his heart like he was about to spout poetry. He was pampered all weekend though and seemed to enjoy himself and not moan too much.
Chris was black flagged for 'racing' and carving through slower bikes during his first session, so six of the best trousers down for him. He just can't help himself. Gavin was crowned Drag King after a horrendous incident. He was bump-starting a bike and his hand got stuck in the exhaust bracket. The rider went off dragging Gavin down the pit lane. He had no t-shirt on, just a marshall's high-viz vest and cotton trousers. He was well damaged and lost a lot of layers of skin. Poor Gav. Every time someone came up to say goodbye they'd pat him on the shoulder and he'd grit his teeth. But like a true man, it didn't stop him from donning his leathers again and taking Andy Driver's MZ Scorpion out for a session.
All the boys swapped bikes during the two days and put them through their paces. After lunch on Saturday Chris rode in every session. He'd just jump on another bike and whizz off on it. Gav did several on Chris' North and enjoyed it very much. Graham Redrup popped his track cherry and turned out to be very quick. After all these years of being Clerk of the Course and never getting out there. A bit of a racer on the quiet. Watch out Chris!
Lou and I showed our prowess when it came to photography. We went to snap Gav when he was out on the North the first time and compared pictures. I'd got the track with nothing on it and Lou didn't even get the track. Just grass. We did better on his next lap by changing to video. All in all everyone had a great time. People smiling and laughing everywhere you looked. The weather rewarded the faithful, - and many new comers too! They'll be lots of letters in The Triple Echo I'm sure.
Hopefully there will be more Beezumphs, but we'll have to wait and see about that. If it's the last, it went out in style.
Written by Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
'How Big ?'
