To avoid an early start and a sleepy drive across the A66 we travelled across on Saturday afternoon and spent some time exploring Carlisle, a city we'd never been to before.
We eventually found a car park and left the B GT while we had a wander around. After about an hour exploring, we didn't know where the heck we were or where the car was. Thankfully a friendly taxi driver gave us directions and we found the car. All we had to do was find the way back to the hotel and this proved a bit tricky with a one way system but we made it OK.
After a huge breakfast we set off for the test we were marshalling first, Mill B. We knew where we were going as we'd checked the location on out way over on the Saturday. The test was all laid out for us and all we had to do was wait for the cars.
We eventually found a car park and left the B GT while we had a wander around. After about an hour exploring, we didn't know where the heck we were or where the car was. Thankfully a friendly taxi driver gave us directions and we found the car. All we had to do was find the way back to the hotel and this proved a bit tricky with a one way system but we made it OK.
After a huge breakfast we set off for the test we were marshalling first, Mill B. We knew where we were going as we'd checked the location on out way over on the Saturday. The test was all laid out for us and all we had to do was wait for the cars.
After some great action it was time to pick up the cones and head for our next test, the Quarry, but before we did I had a sneaky go myself.
Thank goodness for the big breakfast as we had no time for lunch before setting out the Quarry. This was a long test on a loose, chalk like surface which was sticky in places due to overnight rain. We set the test as open as possible to give folks a good blast. It was a long hike to the top so Pam sat in the back of the open hatch of the GT to drop cones off as we went up. Judging by the shouts every time I hit a bump, I presume she didn't really have enough headroom.
She jumped in the front for the drive back down and I soon discovered she didn't like going sideways on gravel.
We managed to grab a cuppa before the first car arrived, then it was all go until the closing car came along.
She jumped in the front for the drive back down and I soon discovered she didn't like going sideways on gravel.
We managed to grab a cuppa before the first car arrived, then it was all go until the closing car came along.
I just had to have a go at this one too before we picked the cones up.
I was quite pleased with my performance as it's been well over 30 years since I last did an autotest. If I'd been competing I would have been second in class on Mill B and first on Quarry. I'll have to give some thought to competing next year.
Cones packed up it was off to the finish where a hot meal awaited us, and most welcome it was too. I love a club that looks after its marshals. It was slightly tense on the way home as I was getting low on fuel and didn't think I'd make it all the way across the A66. We did find a filling station and filled up which took the tension out of the trip.
We arrived home weary but happy after a super day seeing some great action. All I have to do now is get the car cleaned.
We arrived home weary but happy after a super day seeing some great action. All I have to do now is get the car cleaned.
RSS Feed
