Doune

[Tree man]

A few words on my latest competition.
I decided to make the pilgrimage to Doune as I’d seen the video clips and thought I should experience it at least once
It’s a long long way to go but the forecast was good and it stayed that way all weekend catching some of our Scottish friends unawares judging by their colour by the end of the weekend.
After pitching my tent I went for a walk up the hill and was in slight disbelief at how narrow it was and the proximity of the Armco and stone walls. Further up must be the steepest bit of any hill climb in the UK - East Brae – followed by a sharp corner on a road falling away. At the collecting paddock you are rewarded by a stupendous view over the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park
On Saturday morning I found that in my class was a Cooper T65 FJ, 1978 Ferrari, Healey Sprite, Morris Cooper and myself. The first run was rather sedate as I got my head around the course and tried to ignore the black lines bouncing between the Armco and the stone wall left by previous over enthusiastic drivers. During the other two practice runs of the day times tumbled as I gained confidence and took advantage of the high levels of grip.
On the Sunday the sun continued to shine and after another practice run we got into the timed runs. There was a number of delays due to the barriers having to be repaired before we could recommence - it either focused your mind or if you were unlucky allowed you to drift off somewhere. The first run my eyes were on stalks as I really attacked the course and knocked nearly 2s of my previous time to get into the 59s , just beating the Cooper T65 who in any case had to retire as he had ground the sump away until oil was pouring out the bottom.
On the last run I nearly lost it in a big way at East Brae. There is tremendous braking potential due to the very steep approach going to no braking potential, get this wrong at your peril. I was told the big single seaters actually get airborne! I was imagining the trophy in my head when the Ferrari knocked nearly 4s of his last run to take the class, he was visibly shaking when he got out of his car – that’s commitment it takes to win on this hill.
The fantastic memories of a brilliant hill climb with such hospitable people was slightly marred by having to drive the Gilbern from Scotch Corner to Northamptonshire due to picking up two punctures on the trailer – resulting in a very numb backside and slightly deaf .
A few photographs of the day, including yours truly, are on the below link
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/SRW-Sprintman/collection?album_id=412799578
or an awe inspring video of Martin Groves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNbAdtk1Wtg
Next weekend I'm at Prescott to defend my lead in my classics class in the HSA

[Greybags]

Good for you, I love reading your reports.

It's quite exiciting just reading about it, but after watching that video, narrow really is an understatement. There cant have been more than a couple of feet clearence in places..

Well done, and please keep us posted...


Grahame