Healey weekend
BAE Systems, Cowes, Isle of Wight, Saturday 12th November

As competitors dusted off their helmets for the final rounds of the IOW car club championship few could believe that it was also the annual Healey weekend, how time had flew! The Healeys have been visiting us for what is approaching fifty years now, no mean feat in itself. It is lovely to see the old cars mixing it up with the more modern machinery, luckily they are not afraid to get full use of the classic cars using all of the power and grip available. With the final two rounds all within the same weekend there were to be mini battles throughout the field as competitors were looking to finish as high up the leaderboards as possible. Class 4 was very tight as was the overall sealed surface championship. Dave Goodwin entering the weekend just three points ahead of Island PC Services driver – Daniel Morgan. Fast forward to Saturday morning, 10am, BAE systems. The weather was playing kindly into our hands and it appeared as though the marshals should be keeping dry all day ?

The Healey weekend is run slightly differently to the rest of the season as not only is it two events back to back but there are also awards given for the weekend. There is an overall Healey trophy called the Turbine that is awarded to the competitor who has the lowest two combined times of the two events. So championship points, championship trophies and Healey trophies are all up for grabs come Sunday afternoon.

Toby Allen was the first to break the one minute barrier at BAE, recording a 58.75 in his freshly supercharged MX5, the charger whining away whilst he was at it. With Daniel Morgan recording a wrong test, was the pressure beginning to show? Dave Goodwin took the lead in his classic Mini with a 58.36 closely followed by a stunning 53.92 but unfortunately he clipped a cone to incur a five second penalty. Daniel Morgan returned to snatch the lead with a 52.45. This was probably a mountain too far for the rest of the pack with Dave Goodwins runs coming to an end the best he could achieve was a 53.43. Dave Dutch and Toby Allen put themselves in between Dan and Dave with a 53.38 for Dutch and a 53.11 for Allen. This gave Morgan valuable points over Goodwin and set the Sunday at the college up a treat. Meanwhile the Healeys were out to put a show on, always an interesting bunch of cars on show for this annual event. From a supercharged Austin A35 to Healey 3000, to Sprites and a BDA engined Mk1 Escort rally car. As was to be expected none of them were just here to polish their motors as they all took part and provided great entertainment whilst they were at it.

There were no competitors in class 1 for either day so straight to class 2 we go, just four competitors here but arguably the most entertaining pair of the weekend in Daryl and Dean driving their Mx5 sideways more than forwards. Daryl had issues with finding the right way at first but once his internal sat nav kicked in he was pushing Dean to the wire. Both drivers competing with flamboyance as the little red mx5 danced around the track. Daryl eventually ran out the victor of the two with a time of 58.58 just 0.48 seconds ahead of Dean.

Class 3 as always was dominated by the classic Mini, ten competitors here and nine of them were Mini’s. Dave Best was the unknown of the bunch as he had brought his Mini cooper along with the Healey club. As ever though the battle at the top of this class was between Dave Goodwin, Dave Dutch and Chris Greenen. Goodwin drew first blood but he was soon cut down to size with a 53.45 from Dave Dutch, Chris was struggling to match the front running pair even with some very nifty tight turns on the handbrake. Goodwin regained the upper hand with a 53.43 only to be pipped at the post with Dutches last run of 53.38. This left Dave Dutch in 3rd position on the day, Goodwin 4th and Greenen 8th with a time of 55.03.

Class 4 is where the majority can be found, over 25 competitors in this class. The mix of cars is also at its widest from supercharged Mx5s to a classic 80s BMW 525i. Going into the weekend Toby Allen and Martyn Cutler were in contention to scoop the overall class win. Toby showed his hand early on recording a 58.75 when the track was very green. His freshly charged car seemed to be working very well for him. Matt Price in a race prepped Saxo was keeping the field on their toes also getting into the 58 seconds with a 58.48. Matt is proud of his £75 engine and is willing to tell everyone who will listen that his £75 has gone a lot further than the drivers sitting behind him in the championship. Steve Glasbey has upped his game this season, TVR and man becoming at one with each other. Steve recording a 53.64 putting him in third place for a while. Toby went out and laid down an amazing 53.11 to take second place overall with Steve settling in 5th place at the end of the day. Martyn Cutler could not match either Toby or Steve and so Toby took valuable points for the class into the following day. Jeremy Wells was the fastest of the Healey crowd with a 55.42 driving a Mk1 Escort rally car. Other notable drives came from Paul Wills in a Mazda Mx5, often sideways and even in reverse!

Class 5 is the class of just 3. Dan Morgan driving his 7esque special, Andy Williams in a grasstrack special and Gordon Bushell in an Austin 7 Special race car. Nobody could get close to Morgan as he took not only the class win but the overall win of the day by nearly 3 seconds from Andy. Gordon finished in 46th place with a time of 1:03.15, happy to have contenders behind him in the rankings.

So with Day 1 of the 2 day event over where were we? Well Dan Morgan had taken valuable points from Dave Goodwin for the sealed surface overall, Goodwin was also being challenged for class 3 honours as Dave Dutch was now just 1 point behind. For the overall honours which had been taken by Morgan a few weeks ago the heat was rising for 2nd and 3rd positions. With Andy Williams and Martyn Cutler both making up ground on Neil Glasbey a repeat of the Saturday on the Sunday would see them both leapfrog Neil to send him crashing from 2nd to 4th in one swoop. Class 4 was now neck and neck between Toby Allen and Martyn Cutler. In other words the class and overall honours were all in the mix, all precariously balanced waiting for the victors to steal away with the trophies.

IOW College Sunday 13th November

Early Sunday morning, the college was the venue and competitors were eager. An early start was the order of the day to enable both prize giving at the finale and 2 minutes silence at 11am. The course was dry, damp, grippy and slippery at the same time. With the sun shining on the back part and wet leaves on the left hand side taming the track conditions would be the key to fast times.

Toby Allen once again set his stall early with a 44.72 which could only be matched by Dan Morgan. Dave Dutch was soon to get in on the action though, ever consistent in his Mini Pickup as he drove a faultless 43.03 to put him into temporary second place. Dave Goodwin followed with a 43.04 just 0.01 seconds behind Dave Dutch. Toby responded with a 41.24 but nobody would be catching the runaway leader Dan Morgan as his times just tumbled. From 44 to 41 to 39 to settle with a 39.62 seconds to take the victory from the others. Dave Dutch settled for second place with a 40.99, 1.37 seconds behind Dan and Toby took third place with 41.24.

Class 2 saw the same four drivers as the previous day, Dean just needed to finish to claim overall sealed surface class honours. He did much more than that however as he took the class from Daryl both on the day and the combined times for the weekend. Both lads driving their Mx5 to its maximum ability often living on the edge of sideways. Dean recorded a time of 43.53 just over half a second quicker than Daryl. Dean scoops the overall class with 249 points with Luke Kozakewycz in second on 242. Luke finished in 44th on the day.

Class 3, another hotly contended class, Dave Dutch and Dave Goodwin were battling it out for class honours, fastest of the weekend and overall. Goodwin was also battling with Dan Morgan for the Sealed surface trophy. He needed to finish above Dan to stand a chance today. Chris Greenen looked very fast on his second run recording a 43.13 to top the class but unfortunately whilst his son was driving the clutch back plate decided to detach itself and launch through the bonnet. Game over for the Greenen family. Goodwin and Dutch were just 0.01 seconds apart at the half way point, could it ever be closer? With Dave Dutch recording a 41.53 and Goodwin a 41.55 it was to go to the wire. Dutch ran out eventual winner though to record a 40.99 to show the old boy still has tricks up his sleeve. This gave Dave Dutch the class win for the day, Healey weekend fastest in class and left him equal with Goodwin for overall class honours. A fiercely battled season ends on equal points of 248, Chris Greenen finishes in third on 240.

Class 4, where do we start? So many competitors and so many micro battles. Toby Allen and Martyn cutler both on equal points heading into this final round. Matt Price, Dave Bizzill, Wayne hole and Neil Glasbey could all take third spot on just this one days event. Toby was always going to be the one to catch, he just seems so consistent. As he put a 41.24 on the timecard anyone who thought he may have an off day had just been proven wrong. Cutler battled with his car to record a 41.90 but it was never going to be enough to topple Allen from his lofty position. Dave Bizzill drove a very respectable 41.92 just 0.02 behind Cutler to take 3rd in class on the day and Matt Price finishing in 4th 0.17 behind Bizzill. So Toby runs away with the class win overall with 244 points, Martyn 243 points and Matt Price on 236. Toby also took fastest driver in class for the Healey weekend.

For the Healeys Jeremy Wells once again was fastest just 0.21 seconds ahead of Oliver Chatham.

Class 5 saw Dan Morgan, Andy Williams and Andy Lee competing against each other. Dan needed to finish above Dave Goodwin to take overall honours and that was his goal. The custom made car has proven to be a winner this season with Dan taking on average little over 49 points from a possible 50 at every event. This was on show again as he walked away with the maximum 50 points overall and in class. Untouchable this weekend! Andy needs to find some valuable seconds in his specials if he is to compete with Morgan next season. Dan won the class and the day with a 39.62 and Andy finished in 8th position with 42.22. Dan topped the class with 249 points to Andy’s 246.

Fastest lady for the weekend goes to Rebecca French, an amazing weekend for ‘Boo’ topping the ladies board at both events, not even a midterm car change for Vicky Cox could get the better of Rebecca. Also competing were Jemma Western, Marion Saunders and Pam Moore. It is so nice to see so many ladies competing but there is always room for more.

In the ‘Healey Class’ Jeremy Wells in a mk1 Escort took fastest overall, closely followed by Oliver Chatham in various steeds. It is so nice to see the plethora of vehicles brought over as this great tradition continues. Thank you to all involved in putting this amazing event on and long may it continue. A massive thanks must be extended to Pam Moore for organising the Healey crowd.

So, here we are at the end of another season. Where do we all stand I hear you cry out? Lets get down to the nitty gritty.

Overall winner is Dan Morgan with 491 points, second place is Martyn Cutler with 451 having leapt above Andy Williams and Neil Glasbey on the final weekend. Third place is Andy Williams with 450 points just one behind Martyn. Well done Dan!

In the sealed surface championship Dan Morgan pipped Dave Goodwin to the title, Dan with 247 and Dave with 243, Dave must have been busy looking over his shoulder as Dave Dutch finished only one point behind to take 3rd place.

Jemma Western takes class one with 200 points, unfortunately there was nobody else to compete against but its still a trophy!

Class 2 was taken by Dean Long with 249 points.

Class 3 is shared between Dave Goodwin and Dave Dutch, both competitors running away with 248 points.

Class 4 Toby Allen takes the crown with 244 points with Martyn Cutler on 243 for second.

Class 5 of course belongs to Dan Morgan with 249 points from a possible 250. Amazing effort Dan, Well done again!

Every year we have a presentation for the Healey weekend itself, there are awards for fastest time overall, most entertaining driver, fastest lady, fastest Healey, fastest Sprite, fastest non Healey and then class wins from the weekend. Awards went as follows:-

Fastest Overall :- Dan Morgan
Most Entertaining:- Dean Long and Daryl Turner
Fastest Lady:- Rebecca French
Fastest Healey:- Oliver Chatham
Fastest Sprite:- Hylton Reid
Fastest Non Healey:- Jeremy Wells

Class 2 Dean Long
Class 3 Dave Dutch
Class 4 Toby allen
Class 5 Dan Morgan

Paul Wills scooped the IOW CC Booby award for most entertaining.

And the season is at its end, that’s all you will be hearing from me until the next season which should start around April 2012

I hope you have enjoyed the reports, the season has been an excellent one for all involved. A massive thank you to all the people that put in effort to make these events happen. The club is very strong right now and long may it continue, see you all next year.

IOWCC racer Steve Wells recently completed the 6 hours of Birkett endurance race and all details of the day can be found here

Congratulations to Steve and his team for the completion of the event and good luck for the 2012 season with the new race car.

 

Sunday 30^th October saw the final unsealed surface event of the season, with Daniel Morgan, of Island PC Services, and Neil Glasbey neck and neck for the title the challenge was on. The complete opposite of the event 2 weeks prior at the very same venue as the rain God had given us wet weather for the last fortnight. Very slippery under foot and with a forecast of rain further into the day the dust of the last event was long forgotten.

Andy Williams started the proceedings, getting grip on the slurry was going to be the key to a good time.  With a time of 1:14.89 you could tell Andy had the bit between his teeth. 

The only two to get anywhere near Andy were Martyn Cutler with a 1:16.48 and Neil Glasbey with 1:16.93. Dan Morgan was feeling the pressure as he battled with a sticking throttle, causing a minor coming together with cone and soil causing the tyre to leave the rim. Run over for Dan and round 1 to Neil.

With a patched up car Dan showed his mettle recording a 1:15.49 followed swiftly with a 1:12.61. Now it was Neil who would feel the pressure as his following three times all recording time faults for hitting cones. In fact his 4^th run involved more than just a cone as Neil tried to reshape the front of his mighty Mk2 Golf by adding some concrete girders! Andy Williams efforts to try and keep Morgan honest were dashed when he picked up a puncture on his third run At the half way point Dan was sailing pretty, top of the leaderboard and poised to take the trophy for consecutive years, leaving his rivals hacked off.

Meanwhile the battle for fastest lady was hotting up, at the midway point Vicky Cox best time was 1:19.74 and Rebecca French 1:19.47. The battle lines had been drawn and the coveted award of fastest lady of the day was being hotly contested.

Daryl Turner was also trying to reshape the little red MX5 by drifting into banks and Paul Wills had a go at 4×4 trialling with his MX5 as he tried to mount a bank of rubble.

The slippery conditions were proving very difficult for everybody to master. Turn your head for a second and you would miss a moment of pure glory and amusement.

Back at the top Dan was sitting pretty, nobody had told Darren Taylor the fairytale though. Taking his first ever victory at the last event Darren again popped up with a 1:10.66 to push Dan Morgan back down the table and put himself on top of the tree. Andy Williams had also got to grips with both surface and machinery and he also put himself above Dan with a clean 1:12.20. Neil was struggling, the times were just not coming for him, perhaps it was a little too soon to be racing cars after a bicycle accident earlier in the week.  With his last run Neil recorded a 1:13.59 but it was never going to be good enough to catch Morgan on the day.  Dan, pushing for victory launched the Golf off a bank and was lucky not to roll as it took a very big hit. Returning with a damaged rear beam axle the victory was easing away. Darren could not improve on his table topping time so it was left to Dan with a damaged car to try and snatch the victory. A gallant effort took second place away from Andy with a time of 1:12.08 but was nowhere near enough to threaten first place.

And so the day drew to a close, Darren Taylor once again victorious. Darren will be one to watch out for next season as his times have improved tenfold.  

Dan Morgan taking the Unsealed Surface championship by four points from Neil Glasbey. A closely fought battle that went right to the wire.Well done Dan! Andy Williams finishing both third on the day and in the final standings with 228 points.

Vicky Cox eventually ran out victor as the fastest lady with a very respectable 1:15.47 leaving her in 7^th place on the day. Vicky also takes fastest lady of the championship finishing with 203 points, just 6 points in front of Rebecca French. It is nice to see so many ladies competing this year, long may it continue.

The end of another unsealed championship, closely fought battles, entertaining moments and a lot of drifting from the RWD boys. Looking forward to next season already, bring it on!

I  must thank all the marshals that dedicate their time to these events, without you we could not operate. If there was a podium for marshals then Phil Munday would have scooped it this weekend doing three stints throughout the day. Well done Phil, if you put as much skill into driving as you do marshalling one day you will be at the top of the report for opposite reasons 😉

Next event is the double header Healey weekend, Saturday 12^th November at BAE systems and Sunday 13^th at the IOW College. Another closely fought battle to be settled between Dan Morgan, Dave Goodwin and Dave Dutch. Not one to miss!

See you all there.

Knighton top 5

Darren Taylor 1:10.66

Dan Morgan 1:12.08

Andy Williams 1:12.20

Martyn Cutler 1:12.54

John Dutch 1:13.38

Final championship standings

Dan Morgan  244

Neil Glasbey  240

Andy Williams 228

Its Sunday 16th October, Knighton Sandpit at 08.30 in the morning, sun shining and cars raring to go. Of course its another round of the IOWCC unsealed surface championship, the penultimate round in fact. With Dan Morgan, the current leader absent it was a perfect opportunity for the chasing pack spearheaded by Neil Glasbey to take valuable points leading into the final USS on 30th October at the very same venue.

Andy Williams as ever kicked the proceedings off, after a run stating ‘it was like driving on marbles’ the surface was very slippery. With the unseasonably dry weather dust was also going to be an issue for competitors. Andy recorded a 1:16.84 which was soon cut down to size by Neil Glasbey in the Northwood Golf with a 1:14.98. The third rival to Mr Morgan was Andrew Leppard but he seemed to have a continuing issue with hitting cones and incurring penalties.

Meanwhile competition was hotting with the ladies, a fierce (but fair) battle has risen between Rebecca French and Vicky Cox. Vicky set her stall with a 1:19.52 which Rebecca had no initial reply but as the conditions improved so did her time and she took the fastest lady over Vicky, Marion and Jemma with a 1:12.44 driving the wheels off the little orange Golf. Vicky looked disappointed as she was leading the pack with a 1:14.04 right up to the last runs. Unlucky Vicky and Well done Boo! Its nice to see so many ladies competing, the more the merrier ?

Back at the top and a new leader had emerged, it was the half way point and Martyn Cutler was over 2 seconds quicker than the chasing pack. Using the Northwood Golf as the WWC car was out of action was obviously working for him. Conditions were getting ever better and times had started to tumble, the Dutch brothers beginning to get the hang of their space framed Mini were starting to threaten. When Dave Dutch popped in a 1:11.61 the battle was on. Neil, striving for the top popped up with a 1:11.43 to top the leaderboard only to be cut down by Darren Taylor with a 1:10.27 from absolutely nowhere. Only a few drivers remained, Andy Williams having dropped out earlier with wheel bearing issues. Neil had one run remaining, topping the table would leave him 2 points clear of Dan. Unfortunately for Neil his final run was a disaster, recording a wrong test as he was upset with how the run was evolving. Bad luck Neil, but still second place would have left him 1 point ahead of Dan. Alas it was not to be, Martyn Cutler put himself inbetween Darren and Neil on his final run with a 1:10.31 just 0.04 seconds behind Darren. A tough fought battle at the top but with Darren emerging victorious.

I caught up with Darren at the end and he said ‘this is my first win, I am so happy! The little grasstrack car did me proud today’ Well done Darren you deserved the victory for plucking a time from oblivion.

Just one round remaining, Neil and Dan are joint first and uncatchable by anyone else. This is set for a battle of the titans, miss it at your own peril!

Top 5

Darren Taylor 1:10.27
Martyn Cutler 1:10.31
Neil Glasbey 1:11.43
Wayne Hole 1:11.44
Dave Dutch 1:11.61

Top 3 league positions

Dan Morgan 195
Neil Glasbey 195
Andrew Leppard 186

IOWCC round 4 was held at Atherfield yesterday (25th September), why round 4 I hear you all ask? This was a rescheduled event due to the venue not being ready earlier in the year. An unsealed surface event which is usually ever changing throughout the day due to the initial wet grass right through to compacted soil.

As was suspected the first few runs were akin to what you may see on TV as dancing on ice. Wet grass made not only navigating tight turns difficult but indeed trying to come to a halt in the stop box was virtually impossible. Steve Glasbey was the first to tame the conditions and record a sub one minute run with a very respectable 58.18 driving a mk2 Golf Gti. Dave Dutch once again kept the field honest with a decent 57.90 in a classic Mini but it was Neil Glasbey who not only looked the fastest but was actually the quickest at the half way point with an amazing 55.15 in the Golf he shares with his brother.

Meanwhile the battle for the fastest lady was on, Rebecca French driving a 57.52 only to be bettered by Vicky Cox with a 57.30. Marion Saunders was trying her best to keep her little Mini up there but could not quite catch the leading lady finishing with a 58.48. Vicky went on to better her time and finish 9th overall with a very credible time of 55.52. Vicky put her new found speed down to the newly installed limited slip differential. Well done Vicky!

Back at the top competition was hotting up, Dan Morgan joining the fray half way through due to competing in a Triathlon in the morning. Dan was using a borrowed Diesel Mk3 Golf as earlier Martyn Cutler had killed the gearbox in the WWC Golf. Dans second run of 55.86 put the cat right amongst the pigeons and the battle was on. Andy Williams took to the challenge with a certain confidence about him and duly delivered with a 55.13. Neil Glasbey came back at the two of them coolly slotting back into the top spot by being the first into the 53 seconds driving the wheels off the little red Golf. Andy replied with a 53.70 only to be bettered by Neil with a 53.65. With a 1-2-3 of Neil, Andy and Dan the competition for the table was getting tighter and tighter. Nobody was looking over their shoulders though when Andrew Leppard stepped up having not read the script. Driving a 205gti on standard road tyres Andrew drove a quite exceptional 53:79 to take third place away from Dan.

And that was how it ended, the times had indeed tumbled as the grass was replaced by compacted soil and as the dust settled Neil came away with a very valuable 50 points. With just 2 rounds left in the USS events and competition getting hotter by the week it all points towards a grand finale.

Driver of the day goes to Neil Glasbey for guiding the red bullet to ultimate victory.

Top 5

Neil Glasbey 53.65
Andy Williams 53.70
Andrew Leppard 53.79
Dan Morgan 54.92
Martyn Cutler 54.97

Unsealed Surface Top 3 Positions:-

Dan Morgan 148
Neil Glasbey 147
Andy Williams 145

Round 7 of the IOW car club could be found at the IOW college on Sunday, rescheduled from last week due to issues with venues this promised to be a cracking event as the college offers us a lot of space for course layouts. Just 28 competitors turning out, probably a casualty of the Bestival!

With fewer competitors you may think there is less competition but the exact opposite proved true with fierce competition in both class 3 and class 4.

Dave Dutch set the early pace recording a 1:15.07 in his Mini Pickup but Chris Greenen was keeping him honest driving a Mini saloon car and laying down a 1:15.90. The day was looking very much like a FWD mini would take overall honours as the RWD cars were struggling to get anywhere near those times…..

Up steps Mr Daniel Morgan of Island PC Services, driving his specially built ‘7’ type vehicle. With a first run mishap meaning he hacked up some of the course, having to drive further than necessary and still recording a 1:16.92 everybody had a right to feel threatened, a second run of 1:11.03 proved the apprehensive justified. A time from the skies that was going to prove impossible to beat was the feeling around the paddock, had an event ever been won so early in the day? And that is how it turned out, everybody else competing for the other honours, Dan went on to better his own time with an incredible 1:10.51 a whopping 2.25 seconds from Dave Dutch in second.

Class 1 was once again Jemma Westerns all to herself, we need more class 1 competitors. Where are you all hiding? Jemma recorded a 1:31.09 in a Ford KA to take all of the class points. Well done Jemma, hopefully we can find you some competition soon!

Class 3 next as there were no competitors from class 2, our usual stalwarts of Dean Long and Daryl Turner nowhere to be seen. This class as usual is the class of the Mini, 7 drivers competing for top honours. As is common these days the Dutch brothers were fast from the outset, John getting a 1:18.76 only to be bettered by his brother with a 1:15.07 to briefly put him top of the leader board. Steve Brett, frequently keeping this class honest was struggling today, his car causing issues throughout. Marion seemed to be getting more out of the little Blue Mini than her husband. Meanwhile with the Dutch brothers thinking they had the class all their own way Chris Greenen was plotting their downfall, putting a 1:15.90 on the board showed intent and then a 1:13.78 to put the cat amongst the pigeons. Dave Dutch responded with a 1:13.25 and at this point the Greenen Mini decided it wanted no more as the clutch gave way. A shame as it was turning into a really nice battle. Dave went on to better his own time with a 1:12.76 to take the class and second place overall. Chris was second in class and third overall.

Class 4 had the lion’s share of the drivers, over 17 in total. A vast variety of machinery from VX220’s to Citroen Saxo race cars. Dave Bizzill was eyeing the class top spot and when he posted a time of 1:17.77 early in the day the line had been drawn. Andrew and Dave Leppard in their 205Gti were struggling slightly with the times, usually battling the front runners their car just did not seem to suit this course. Matt Price driving his freshly prepared Citroen Saxo race car drove a brilliant 1:17.41 to top the class followed by a 1:16.62 to further cement his place at the summit. Toby Allen was struggling with the course also driving an Mx5, we all knew he would come good later though as he got to grips with both course and machinery. Posting a 1:14.96 on his fourth run proved most right. Matt responded and was seen dancing a jig as he returned to pip Toby by just 1/10th second. The jig was cut short however as Martyn Cutler in his VX220 placed a time of 1:14.97 just 2/10th off Matt with a run in hand. Martyn went on to better his time with a 1:14.49, Matt looked glum, he thought he had the class.

So Martyn Cutler took the class victory and fourth overall closely followed by Matt Price in second place and Toby Allen in third. Rebecca French ran away with fastest lady with a time of 1:19.04, her nearest rival was Vicky Cox with a 1:22.84 in a 205Gti.

Class 5 had two competitors, Dan Morgan and Andy Williams, Andy was driving his car engined special and as always started the proceedings. A time of 1:18.55 in the damp and greasy conditions might have given Andy hope that he could do well in this class of two! A 3rd run 1:16.07 and all was looking rosy…..Up steps Mr Morgan, a rare mistake costing him time on his first run but still managing a 1:16.92 boding not well for Andy. A second run and an incredible time of 1:11.03 and Andy knew it was time to get the bus home. Dan went on to better his time with an unassailable 1:10.51 and Andy with a 1:15.77 leaving Morgan with not only class honours but the top step of the podium. Well done Dan, an amazing weekend for you equalling the largest ever win.

So another weekend of motorsport drawn to a close, the 7th round done and dusted and as the dust settles we can see a clearer picture of the championship. Dave Goodwin still tops the table with 149 points but now only 2 points behind is Dan Morgan. Only 2 rounds left in the sealed surface championship and both of those fall on the weekend of 12/13 November for the annual Healey weekend. Should be an amazing finish to the championship as both battle to take the top step of the podium and walk away with the coveted winners trophy.

Driver of the day goes to Dan Morgan for winning an event 4 hours prior to its finish, will this ever be bettered?

Top 5 College

Dan Morgan 1:10.51
Dave Dutch 1:12.76
Chris Greenen 1:13.78
Martyn Cutler 1:14.49
Matt Price 1:14.95

Sealed surface Championship

Dave Goodwin 149
Dan Morgan 147
Dave Dutch 145

Overall Championship

Dan Morgan 247
Andy Williams 231
Neil Glasbey 227

Next event is on 25th September, an unsealed surface event at Atherfield. Please see www.iowcc.co.uk for more information on how to join or spectate.
As always thanks to the land owner for kind permission to use the land, the marshals and the competitors.

The day dawned bright and sunny with the threat of a few showers lingering in the air. This did not deter the 32 entrants to Sunday’s forwards only autotest however.

Atherfield has become one of the most valued IOWCC venues and the quiet rural setting provides a relaxed atmosphere for all concerned.

The surface and size of the field always allows for a long course.

The first few competitors were greeted with a slippery grass surface and as it began to dry the impression of a track began to form as the grass wore off. A brief if heavy shower dampened the course but not spirits.

The resultant moisture went as quickly as it came and the times fell.

Front wheel drive cars dominated the field and the leading pack soon divided between those in VW Golfs, Steve Brett in his Mini and Wayne Hole in a Fiesta.

This was all destined to change as the competition wore on and unlikely contender Dean Long asserted his postion in a Mazda MX5 on road tyres, whilst the rest of his peers ran with knobbly off road tyres.

His commendable efforts were rewarded at the close of play with a solid 5th postion, although trumped by Richard Weaver in a lightened but elderly Fiesta XR2, who finished in 4th.

Steve Brett took an excellent 3rd in his tidily prepared Mini, partnered by lady driver Marion Saunders who is becoming faster as she learns the car.

Neil Glasbey was a mere 7/100ths of a second behind Dan Morgan on his way to 2nd overall, both of these drivers in golfs.

 

Dan took an emphatic win which was achieved by his third run, with no other drivers able to usurp his fastest time of the day.

Ross Davidson and Chris Pocock had a competive day in their diesel powered golf as they continue to improve in skill and pace.

Danny Grist had an excellent day with a very creditable run to 6th position in a borrowed Fiesta, the young up and coming driver of 2010 recovering well from his shoulder injury.

Martyn Cutler and an unusally anonymous run to 10th, although his late arrival probably effected his overall postion due to his lack of seat time.

All in all, a brilliant event and grateful thanks needs to go to Alistair and Jenny Davidson for their hospitality.

Check out this simply awesome video of the day below.

This weekends USS round at Atherfield is go!

Sunday 7th august.

Details to be emailed to all full members shortly.

With a cancelled fourth round due to farmer based weather constraints the next event was eagerly anticipated and 17th July duly obliged with one of the calendars favourites, BAE systems, Cowes.
Weather was again looking to play havoc with this event, rain, sunshine and heavy wind were all forecast. A very heavy downpour whilst setting up the equipment gave the first indication of what was to come. Track conditions were ever changing from grippy to very very slippery.

With an excellent attendance of over 45 drivers the day was set. The course was fairly flowing but quite large, a sub minute time was going to be the order of the day for top of the leaderboard action. Steve Stotesbury the very man who laid out the course and also did a demonstration run was the first to put a time on the board, unfortunately for him though he recorded a wrong test almost immediately after he left the start box.

Marion Saunders driving a classic Mini was the first to record a meaningful time of 1:19.86 but Andy Williams soon showed us where we needed to be laying down a 58.47 easily breaking the sub minute barrier. The Dutch brothers were proving to be quick again in their Minis but the largest threat looked to be coming from Dave Goodwin and Dan Morgan, as ever!

Dan was quick but could not help but hit cones on his way, Dave was just quick. Never recording a time above 55 seconds anybody thinking they could beat him today was going to have to be very fast and consistent. Due to the changeable weather, the conditions seemed to worsen throughout not helped by a mechanical failure to a car which took almost an hour to clear off the course in which time a short torrential rain burst damped not only the track but spirits as well. Nobody could better their morning runs and so it would prove that Dave Goodwin would run away victor with an amazing time of 53.72

Class 1 was as ever taken by Jemma Western, a class Jemma has now made her own! With only one car to compete a time of 1:10.18 took class honours.

Class 2 at least had two drivers to battle it out, Dean Long as ever driving a Mk1 Mx5 and Luke Kozakewycz in a Toyota Supra. Dean was enjoying his tail happy Mx and the slippery conditions as he drifted his car beautifully between cones. Eventually recording a time of 59.59 three seconds faster than Luke. Where are all the competitors in standard cars? Come along people, bring your car and have some fun!

Class 3 was once again the class of the Mini, this class could almost be renamed. With 11 competitors and 9 of them driving classic Minis chances are that a Mini would take the class win. Both Dave and John Dutch looked quick in a saloon and a pickup recording times of 55.71 and 59.34 but at the head of the pack Dave Goodwin was dancing his car around to not only take class honours but the overall win as well, an incredibly consistent day for Dave considering the inclement conditions. Recording a final all conquering time of 53.72 and a run spare at the end of the day as well! Well done Dave the Sealed surface championship is now yours to lose.

Class 4, once again the most hotly contended with most competitors driving cars in this division. Twenty three cars in total! Dave Bizzill driving a Subaru Impreza was the first to record a memorable time with a very respectable 58.60, perhaps Dave had brought the correct equipment for this soggy Sunday. Steve Glasbey was looking very tidy all day driving a TVR and propelling himself to a final 9th place with a 56.97, the Rover V8 engine sounding beautiful as it went about its business. Richard Weaver and Neil Glasbey made valiant efforts to win the class but ultimately it was Andrew Leppard and Toby Allen battling for the honour. Toby had set an early time of 55.71 to keep everyone on their toes to which Andrew replied with a 55.48, alas Toby was not to lay down and foiled the rest of the class with an astonishing 54.88 to sweep up not only class honours but was also good enough for second position overall. An amazing feat in such changeable conditions.

Class 5, the special class! Andy Williams as ever set an early time of 55.96 and could probably have improved had his second driver Russell Thomson not broken the car whilst doing his third run. With a broken car Andy could not improve leaving the door open for Dan Morgan. Dan was fast from the outset but unfortunately was struggling to get a clean round, taking out cones on his runs. With rain distracting him Dan eventually pulled a 55.49 out of the bag to take the class and 4th overall.

Another excellent IOW car club event, Dave Goodwin taking the accolade for what was a very consistent well driven performance. Driver of the day for me was Toby Allen defying logic in his Mx5.
Fastest lady driver of the day goes to Vicky Cox with a time of 1:01.40

Top 5 Positions
Dave Goodwin 53.72
Toby Allen 54.88
Andrew Leppard 55.48
Dan Morgan 55.49
Dave Dutch 55.71

Sealed Surface Top 3
Dave Goodwin 100
Dan Morgan 97
Dave Dutch 96

Overall Top 3
Dan Morgan 147
Andrew Leppard 141
Andy Williams 141