Thanks to Martyn for sending through the report from last weekend’s Isle of Wight Car Club event. Thanks also to Allan Marsh for the photos. Ed
Saturday and Sunday (13/14th November) saw the IOW Car Club play host to Austin Healeys from the mainland, for what would be not only a double header of competition, but would also see socialising as the two parties met on the Saturday evening for a meal and drinks at Melville Hall hotel, Sandown.
Sore heads on the Sunday were a given!
The Healey weekend takes a slightly different format to our usual events as it stands up in its own right and there are awards made at the end of the weekend for class wins, lady driver of the weekend, overall winner (Total times of both events), most entertaining driver and the comedy award for the driver that provided not only the best entertainment but also sustained the most laughs.
With over 60 competitors the marshals and timing officials had their work cut out to keep the day running smoothly.
Goodwin lays down the gauntlet
Saturday’s event was held at BAE Cowes, the weather looked promising and most were sporting some kind of dry weather slick tyres. Dave Goodwin, ever dependable set the first fast time of the day with 44:59 when most were still in the 48 second area.
His Mini is not only ever reliable but Dave never hits cones or accrues time penalties, his expertise at auto tests is quite impeccable. Dan Morgan driving a car engined special tried his hardest to make an indent into Dave’s times but hampered by braking issues and stopping too early in the box he was struggling to make an impression. Neil Glasbey driving a VX220 looked quick and it seemed as if the challenge may come from his direction, recording a time of 44:05 and catapulting himself to the top of the leader board Dave looked a little concerned.
Healey spectacle
The Austin Healeys that were in attendance were creating quite a stir amongst the gathering crowds; it is always good to see these classic cars at our events being used in anger.
David Smithies piloting a polished Healey 3000 managed to guide his car to a very credible 21st position, which for such a large car impressed most.
Heating up
Things were hotting up at the top of the leader board, Goodwin had taken number one spot again with a very impressive 43:83 but Neil not be outdone recorded 43:79 to put him back in the mix. Dan Morgan also upped his game on his last run to take third place with a time of 44:23.
Goodwin came back at Neil with his final run to put himself back on top, expertly driving the mini to a 43:48 which is where he stayed for the duration. Olly Chatam was the fastest of the visitors finishing 5th in a Mitusbishi Evo.
Final results for the first day
- 1st Dave Goodwin 43:48
- 2nd Neil Glasbey 43:79
- 3rd Dan Morgan 44:23
- 4th Martyn Cutler 44:47
- 5th Olly Chatam 44:59
Sunday IOW College
With sore heads in abundance after the frivolities of the previous evening and rain forecast for the start of the event Sunday was going to be a completely different kettle of fish.
With awards needing to be made and the Healeys needing to catch ferries home the day is run with a shorter format, instead of the usual 5/6 runs each it is cut to 3 runs because of time constraints. This means the drivers really need to both know the course and be ‘on it’ from the outset. The College always offers free flowing courses but danger is never far away with its green surface and high kerbs. Competitors have to be on the ball.
For once the weather forecasters got it right and just as we were about to begin the heavens opened, with many on dry tyres careful driving was the order of the day. Steve Glasbey kick started the event driving a Supra with aplomb; some sideways action we are not used to seeing from Steve was on display. With a time of 44:66 it gave others an idea of what they needed to do. Steve’s brother came out next in the VX220 but could barely better Steve’s time with a 44:28. It was fast becoming apparent that the weather was equalising the cars and drivers, it took a while before anybody even broke into 43 seconds but when they did it was the ever dependable Dan Morgan driving the special again.
Entertaining Crowds
Dean Long and Daryl Turner had been entertaining the crowds on Saturday with their excellent car control but unfortunately sideways is not always the fastest way around a circuit. However on Sunday the relative low power of their Mx5 coupled with an LSD and their driving skill the car looked to be a threat. Dean laid down a 41:17 to top the board thus ensuring the competition was on!
Dave Goodwin recorded a 41:12 which was looking good enough to take the weekends overall trophy as the best Neil had recorded so far was a 43.66. The track at this point seemed to come into a zone, times were tumbling and suddenly there were 40 second runs being made, first Dean with a 40:58 then Russell Thomson who was the current holder of the Turbine Trophy made an incredible 40.11 in his Honda Delsol which looked too hard to reach. Neil gallantly tried but alas was beaten putting himself into second place with 40.54.
The fastest visitor was again Olly Chatam in his Mitsubishi Evo with a time of 41:98, Mes Edwards impressed driving a Frogeye Sprite and David Smithies was again the fastest of the Healey 3000’s.
Well done to Russell for recording another win in what were very difficult conditions for both competitors and officials.
- 1st Russell Thomson 40:11
- 2nd Neil Glasbey 40.54
- 3rd Dean Long 40:58
- 4th Martyn Cutler 40.60
- 5th Dave Goodwin 41:12
Awards Ceremony
Neil Glasbey scooped the main Turbine trophy with a combined time of 84.33 despite not winng an event, once again proving consistency is key with two second places. Dave Goodwin narrowly missed out with a time of 85.00.
Other awards were as follows:-
- Class 1 Mes Edwards
- Class 2 Dean Long
- Class 3 Dave Goodwin
- Class 4 Neil Glasbey
- Class 5 Dan Morgan
Fastest lady: Rebecca French
Driver of the weekend: Dean Long
Comedy Award: Paul Wills
Special driver of the weekend
There was also a special driver of the weekend award handed out by the Healeys for Richard Weaver, as not only did he lay out the College course, he also did the walk around yet managed to record a wrong test on his very first run.
Thank you to all who attended and helped make this event the premier one on our calendar. A massive thanks must be extended to the Healeys who travel over and compete side by side with the IOW car club.
Championship Positions
2010/11 Sealed Surface
1st Dan Morgan 147
2nd Dave Goodwin 146
3rd Neil Glasbey 141
2010/11 Overall
1st Dan Morgan 393
2nd Neil Glasbey 369
3rd Martyn Cutler 365
I must extend my gratitude to all the officials, this was simply the most organised I have ever seen the club. The weekend went without a single hitch, the cars were released with precision and the overall standard of marshalling was impeccable. Without the officials we could not operate and standing around in the cold and wet is not fun. So a big thanks to all who helped.
Click on images for larger versions
Image: © Used with the kind permission of Allan Marsh
Why not enjoy some videos from the event?
