SDMA hillclimb (I am the new rainman) - Brindabella Motor Sport Club

tortfeaser · 25-08-2003, 02:29 PM

Some guys from the SDMA called on Saturday morning to say that their Clerk of Course for a hillclimb on Sunday had been taken to hospital. Fro, who'd subbed in for someone a few months back, dobbed me in.

I decided to help them out in the hope that they might help us out in future (who knows, a few laps of the hillclimb circuit could make a stage for some future rally) and 'cos they had a big field.

As soon as I said yes, the heavens opened. Two events in a row now I've been the CofC for with the rain and the wind and the coldness. Adrian can retire now, for there's a new rainman in town.

They had a big field, 50 entries, with (it seemed) about half of them RX-7s. Other BMSC notables included John Waterhouse, Beb Fox who was the chief scrutineer, and Wal Pywell who was the chief steward.

After finding that the second steward couldn't be found, and replacing the generator that he was supposed to bring, we got underway with lots of rain and some standing water on the track in a hollow up the top. First run was notable for JW's huge scando onto the straight up the hill and the second car of the day sticking it off on the last corner. I knew it would be a long day then. Quickest time went to some gokart with three motors (a 52.99) then half a second back to a GSR lancer with no concern for gearboxes.

Conditions deteriorated, with more rain, hail, and wind. The standing water got worse, and more mud was running across the track. After another look at the course with the stewards, I decided a second run was the go, but that it would be the last unless conditions improved. I subbed in a couple of new flagies (the ones that did the first run were now blue with the cold) and we got underway. JW was again the entertainer with a big doorifto moment past the second flag point. Beb Fox was consistent over both runs while everyone else was slower second time around. The GSR took out the second run as the gokart had gone home along with about 10 others.

Noone was complaining when I pulled the pin on any further action - if it was a rally it would have run though! Getting marshalls for a third run would have been a challenge though. Thanks to Michael N (who works at Reliance) and Jonathon somebody who did the flaggies job the second time around.

I'm not to sure on the results but trophies were handed out in the filth to plenty of people. Do a hillclimb - every child wins a prize.

Thanks to SDMA for the CofC opportunity. Don't call me again if the conditions are that bad! Thanks to the officials, but no thanks to the timekeeper guy who wouldn't let anyone in his dogbox while he was working (it was the only semi-dry place with a view of the track). Tool. I did the whole event standing on the hillside in the rain - those little Uniden radios sure can take a lot of water!

Factor · 26-08-2003, 12:50 PM

Ah yes, JW and one of his rare forays into the world of competitive tar road driving. Apparently he went rather well, 2nd in class behind Michael from Reliance. Said he really enjoyed it, but it took a run to work out that sideways everywhere was probably not the fastest way to get around.

There is life in the old fella yet.

tortfeaser · 26-08-2003, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Factor
Said he really enjoyed it, but it took a run to work out that sideways everywhere was probably not the fastest way to get around.

Didn't stop him from going sideways nearly everywhere on the second run though

Looked like he had a ball, and was certainly the crowd favourite.

beanpole · 26-08-2003, 02:54 PM

Unfortunately the report on the news last night didn't really convey the true nature of the event. The telly nearly went out the window when the female talking no- brain described it as 'a drag race with a hill and some corners'!

What about a single lap one car circuit race?

AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH enuff with the drag racing crap!

Kev

Tim · 27-08-2003, 11:44 PM

Factor your Co Driving days are numberd!

Timbo

Factor · 28-08-2003, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tim
Factor your Co Driving days are numberd!

Timbo

Its just a guest drive. In fact I was never in the seat, JS was to do it, he can't I can't and we thought that there was a possible very good option (if you and I are talking about the same thing). Any suggestion that JW will be allowed to breach our contract will be met with stern legal and testi#$%^&le clamp action.

buzz · 29-08-2003, 07:11 PM

"Here at SDMA we have both kinds of weather, cold AND wet!".
Crap weather got a new meaning. A mate rang and asked if it was wet "it will be when the ice thaws...".
I was one of the rx7's...( just a sheep in the herd) . Apparently part of my snaking run up the hill was on TV, so I'm glad I didn't tank slap like the rx4 did. Traction was negligible, hence why Barb Bennett decided one run on cold slicks in the Datto 1200 was enough.
JW was damn impressive to watch. On the last part of the first pass he pointed the car at the crowd and kept it pointed at them... through a tightening righthander and then an open left. Great car control. He said he's be back too. His comment about needing to get out the snow and mud rubber wasn't far from the mark.
I was one of the last 2 or 3 to run the 2nd go, and though I thought I wasn't that slow it was 9 seconds off the first run. Good time to go home. But not before JW and Michael N pointed out how much I really needed an LSD.... yes, point taken.