|
Following
an initial idea from Mario Lindsay, two years of planning, negotiations with
Vauxhall, deal striking with Palmersport by Terry Cobbold and the committee
in full event mode for the last six months, finally the big weekend had
arrived. Would it all go to plan, or would it all fall to pieces
around us. Actually we needn’t have worried, but we did anyway. Getting
Chevettes together for previous publicity events with Total Vauxhall
Magazine was hard enough, expecting over thirty to turn up for a one off
event was going to take a small miracle.
|
|
Friday
the 19th of September and everything was set for a DSG only track bash at the
Bedford Autodrome, home of Palmersport, our hosts for the evening. Amazingly
fourteen HS’s, four HSR’s plus Three Firenza’s actually made it on the
day and by six o’clock were raring to go. An initial hold up with a previous
event saw to it that we didn’t get the full allocated track time, (initially
we were to start at 4.30) so as a little gesture we were all shown around the
motor sport workshops. The real peach however was being allocated the main 2.8
mile circuit as apposed to the smaller inner track we had originally booked.
This was going to be a test after all.
Safety briefing out of the way, onto the track we ventured. The place was
literally all ours and we could come and go as we pleased through the open pit
lane. It was upto you, stay out all evening thrashing around or simply do a few
do a few laps, scare yourself silly, (go on own up, some of you did) then pit
for a coffee or driver swap.
The
full circuit was technically demanding with plenty of testing corners plus a
real hammer down 2km straight. In fact it took quite a bit of familiarisation,
especially as some of it had been set out using cones and marker arrows from
the other intersecting track layouts. I don’t think our party were
responsible for any major layout remodelling, though they were trying! Duncan
Metcalfe in his stage rally Firenza seemed to be spinning for England at one
point, promptly followed by Greg Stringer amongst others in Black Magic.
Between them they may well have bettered the Royal Ballet on Pirouette count.
Good show chaps.
|
Seriously
though, the Autodrome circuit was very safe, fully marshalled and with plenty
of run off space. You could certainly see the lap times improve and individual
cars get quicker and quicker as the session progressed toward the 8pm closure.
At the end cars were lapping with head light ablaze. In the pit lane, with the
sun casting a golden glow and long shadows as cars passed in then out again,
receiving a small tweak here, and driver change there. An almost mystical
endurance race scene was set, a very impressive site indeed.
Fired
up and with lots to talk about after the heroic track exploits, (aren’t they
always!) it was back to Luton for the overnight stop. Arrangements were in
hand to park all the cars in the safety of the Vauxhall Heritage Centre
compound overnight, whilst we all enjoyed a good meal and a few well deserved
beers at the Brache Inn, directly opposite Griffin House, home of Vauxhall
Motors. Order of the evenings activities, apart from food of course, was spot
the HC parts employed as art pieces and dotted around the place, on the walls,
hanging from the rafters, even acting as hat stands, there were lots of them.
If the carvery main course wasn’t enough, there was always the sweet eating
competition. Large with a capitol L best describes these, or sickening,
depending on your view. Twelve proffiterols in one serving! Dave Childs, you
are a hero for polishing that lot off unaided. Thanks to everyone who helped
out with mine!
Saturday
was the road run from Luton to Shepreth and back, finishing at Motorbodies.
Every entrant had a fully detailed Tulip road book, which meant everyone
arrived back at Motorbodies on time, not withstanding the traffic.
|
Our
VIP guests started to arrive almost as soon as the cars did. In fact some of
them even made the effort to meet the road run at their old place of work.
Shepreth may have changed a lot in the last twenty years, but the site of a
stream of Silver and red striped HS’s passing through the gates to the old
workshop certainly evoked a few fond memories amongst Bill’s old staffers and
members alike. Both Edmund and Mario Lindsay, who probably know more ex DTV
staff better than any of us, wore justifiably broad grins all afternoon as the
different guest arrived. Edmund had spent months and a great deal of effort
tracking some of these people down and it had finally paid off. How was this for
a guest list, Bill Blydenstein, Mary Clark, Nick Lees, Paul Davies, Dick Waldock,
Russell Brookes, Pentti Airikkala, Peter Henegan, Alan Wright and Dick Thompson.
Thank you all for joining us, it was a very special day.
Motorbodies
(Vauxhall’s premier dealership) had afforded us almost free reign of their
outer car park, which by 1pm was packed solid with HS’s and the like, (even
the Viva owner’s club turned out to support the event).There were Chevettes on
display in the show room and on the mezzanine floor the buffet party was in full
swing, and all this in normal dealer business hours. Naturally a concours was
held in mid afternoon, with awards presented by Terry Cobbold for third place,
Russell Brookes for second place and Bill Blydenstein for first place. The
standard of car presentation was to say the least exemplary, especially those
over from Ireland, in fact they stole the show. Well done chaps.
The show stopper, if that’s the right term had to be Keith Sorenson from
Norway
|
with
his ex works HSR. Not only did Keith make the massive effort to join us, but he
actually trailered the R over behind his equally impressive Ventora estate car.
That was a supreme effort and we thank him for it. Whilst in thank you mode, we
owe a big one to Nigel Gray and his staff at Motorbodies for their hospitality,
it really was appreciated by all, Dave Hines, Stuart Harris and Louis Kempson
at Vauxhall Motors for all the behind the scenes stuff, Rona Cheesemore and
Jayne Baum for the superb food spread, (Andy lived on the left overs for the
following week there was that much of it) all our VIP guests, the VOC and of
course most importantly all the members who turned out and made the effort. It
would not have worked without you, cheers.
Terry
Price.
The
concours winners were:-
HS
Chevette: 3rd place Andy Baum NNV 667V
2nd
place Mark Poulton JLA 250V
1st
place Will McIlfatrick PIA 2890
HSR
Chevette: 3rd place Gordon Davies MKR 490W
2nd
place Rodney McIlfatric KDG 777V
1st
place James Kerlin DEB 508V
CLICK
HERE FOR
A SELECTION OF
PHOTOGRAPHS
|