Well this year Tom and his team took on the unenviable task of organising the challenge weekend so all I had to do was turn up and do as I was told [by ‘Our Lass’]!
We [Dani, Simon and I] decided a Friday arrival would be a good plan, get a decent camping spot and help out if the team needed anything. Few days before John of half car fame got in touch and said he would tag along so he did not get lost! Well safety in numbers. We had already decided to take the Blitz so rather than a possible soaking drive up for Simon we borrowed an A frame.
1100 start stretched to 1200 but around 1530 we arrived and followed the arrows to site.
Speed limit signs? Well keep the landowner happy and give us time to admire the countryside.
Amazing how many others had decided on a Friday arrival, a good campfire and a few tinnies completed a rather pleasant start to the weekend. Heard some noise after settling down and discovered the next day Jonty in his Amazon had arrived around one in the morning!! All the way from Fen country.
Next day more people arriving, excellent scrutineering area and a briefing before the Tyro. After some comments on the proximity of trees a good tyro was run with some interesting twists on the clearing of sections. I was robbed by not fully understanding the idea of parking in a garage! When was the last time anyones car had a garage to park in.
Later the RTV started and having been warned of the likelihood of damage just driving in, hitched a lift with Andy Parr. All I can say is it was like a section just getting to the start!
Very entertaining sections and lots of water, marshalling for this was challenging at times but it all worked out in the end.
I now get very mournful … having taken since last year to finally fix the Blitz, master Young then decided some airtime was needed to clear the 4 th section …. Air time is fine it’s the touching earth again that’s the problem!!! Anyroad he was not alone David of Penith Tool Hire fame also broke his Jimny, managed to calm John Whittle down so he did not do the same.
We all then trundled back to the main site for the final two sections, feeling a bit hungry we marshalled on. Eventually finishing with no time for games to ensure plenty of drinking hours and crack round the fire. Another great day.
Sunday Dawned and some people were woken by the tune of V8’s building up to a multi cylinder morning call, thanks Tom and Grim, although Grims sounded like it had a hangover!!
So more vehicle arriving and the briefing for the Challenge event, something for everyone, even a Blitz in two wheel drive.
I waited till everyone had departed then took to my marshalling duties. The full size of the site could only be appreciated by driving it, although walking certainly gave you an idea.
My first saunter was to the high hills following several vehicles to a muddy corner. Everyone enjoying themselves getting stuck in …quite litterallyyyy.
Then on to the highlight of my day following the ridge which marked the boundary of the site. Armed with binoculars I had about a dozen spots to watch various crews battling against the terrain. The guys setting up certainly had fun getting these in place. Well what goes up ,,, so down to the river and ‘bridge ‘ punches to witness Davy Marshall and crew showing the finer points of Jeep driving, they make it look so easy!
On to Toms Test and the ‘arena’ event I had been watching from the ridge was brought into zoom mode as I watched crews attempting this from the fence.
Bit of an incident next but all OK in the end, so no need to dwell on that.
The cut off time was 1500 so head back to the campsite for scores to be calculated and the finale of prize giving.
Probably my hardest work of the weekend but guiding our host I think we managed OK.
Will end with thanks to our sponsors, in no particular order:-
and thanks to the landowner.
Overall a great weekend, one our club should be proud of.
David.