Thanks to Kevin Richardson for this latest report from the Isle of Wight Car Club. Thanks also to Allan Marsh for the photos. Ed
During their non-championship events, the club like to organise something a little different.
This event held at the Isle of Wight College would reward drivers who made the least mistakes and had a good memory. This was achieved by running two separate courses during the day and by adding all the timed runs together, the driver with the lowest combined time of all six runs would be crowned the winner.
Great turnout
Despite being held on Valentine’s day, a great turnout of 31 drivers attended, proving most had very understanding partners or were single (or did not care) and were intrigued to see how fellow competitors were going to tackle this unique event.
Touching a cone on the course would incur a five second penalty and not stopping within the confines of the stop box would add ten seconds to your run time.
Wrong tests were a challenge for the organisers, as within a normal event a wrong test would not be an issue as you would only be scored on your fastest time of the day. At this event all your times were added together, so it was decided to give the competitor performing a wrong test the same time as the fastest competitor of that run + 30 seconds.
The event started with a clear sunny sky, but a damp track and not wanting to incur early penalties most drivers took it steady to start with and then building their speed as the track dried out.
Early top runners included Wayne Hole, Mathew Price and Daniel Kozakewycz all in MX-5s.
Rethink needed for gate markers
A new aspect to the event was the trial of new gate markers to replace the road traffic cones normally used. The reason for this is that the MSA (Motorsports Association) have specific requirements for auto testing and these “gates” need to be a specific height and distance apart.
These were made of PVC piping and possibly due to the cold temperature snapped or shattered when struck by competitors’ cars. We will review these at the next committee meeting.
The cat amongst the pigeons
After run three, drivers were required to walk around the new course, this was almost a reverse of runs one, two and three but with some extra 180 degree turns and this proved to really put the cat amongst the pigeons.
Some drivers struggled with the change of course, Daniel Kozakewycz was one such driver along with reigning sealed surface and overall champion Ryan Munt, both of these drivers were wrong testing and dropping from the top of the leader board.
Visiting competitors
We also had some visitors from the mainland, Kevin Lower and Charlie Lower a father and son team in a brutal Nissan Skyline and Barney Lower and Zach Lower in a BMW coupe fresh from the South Downs Rally stages, all four drivers showing some exceptional skill driving large powerful cars around the tight college carpark course.
In the end, the event was a great success, rewarding fast consistent precision drivers. Marion Brett was the fastest lady of the day and showing up many male drivers by placing eighth overall in her classic mini shared with her partner Steve Brett.
Mainland visitor Barney Lower achieved third overall in his BMW and Matthew Price who showed exceptional driving throughout the day was just pipped to the number one spot by Dean Long in his standard MX-5, once again proving the point that you do not need a high performance car to be competitive.
Next event
The Isle of Wight car club will be hosting a full season of motorsports events starting on the 20th of March at the Ventnor Botanic Garden. Spectating is free and if you would like to take part please visit the Isle of Wight car club’s website for more details.
Images: © With kind permission of Allan Marsh
