Hangover Autotest - 2nd Jan 2008
Report - Jim Paterson Photgraphs
- Jethro Collins
 Archie Simmonds drove his rebuilt white MG Midget to a win at this
years Hangover. Having just completed a rebuild of engine and
gearbox and with only 4 miles on the clock since, it was an ideal
opportunity to check out the car. Partnering Archie was Adrian
Stewart all the way from Stonehaven (SDMC) who also brought his own
mini for a shakedown.
Stobs was cold but dry for the
eight hardy runners at this years Hangover. HBCC tried out the
popular test format of running a series of tests then joining them
up for a big finale. Three tests in the morning, made up of two
tests run three times each with the slowest time dropped, followed
by a "joined up" run was repeated over a different part of the Stobs
camp facility in the afternoon.
 Peter Humphrey teamed up with Darell Gray, as son Dougie found the
early rise too much. A change from Peters' usual big Healey steed to
a Mini Cooper proved a good move, taking the pair to second place
overall. It could have been Peter's day as he matched Archie
Simmonds time over the three runs on test 1, and was 2 seconds
ahead at the end of the test 2 runs. A cone strike, costing 5
penalties, on the combined test 3 run robbed him of a 2 point lead
for the morning session. A valiant effort in the afternoon did not
recover the situation, event though the pair pushed Archie hard.
Archie also co-drove with Adrian Stewart in his Mini Cooper,
coincidentally the same model and colour as Peter Humphrey's, right
down to the white door squares for competition numbers. Adrian was
never far behind the leaders but not quite enough to catch them,
securing third place overall. Archie commented that the left hand
seat was hard work, compared to driving!
 Scott and Amy Clements brought their Hillman Imp with Scott securing
fourth overall place and Amy eighth. The enthusiasm of youth had the Imp on the
tyres a couple of times but also provided some spectator thrills as she threw
the little car round the cones.
Another Imp competitor was Mark Harker with father Andy in the left seat. Both
enjoyed their trip to Stobs, with Mark so excited he kept driving straight past
the time card collection points!
Iain Braithwaite and Alistair Kay
brought a Honda Civic for a double entry. Whilst Iain had done this
sort of thing before, it was Alistair who took the lead on his first
attempt. Beginners luck perhaps but the pair continued very close
until Iain dropped the car into a ditch, requiring a pull to get him
back out. With minimum damage the pair continued to the end, with
Iain keeping his pride with a winning run.
The format of the
event was to rehearse for the Stobs Classic in June, when it
is planned to have about twice as many test sites, and maybe twice
the number of runs too. Hopefully we will have more sociable weather
in the summer. Stobs can be very pleasant in June, although clearly
it is a bleak and windy place in January!
| |
Driver |
Co-Driver |
Penalties |
| 1 |
Archie Simmonds |
Adrian Stewart |
785 |
| 2 |
Peter Humphrey |
Darrell Gray |
794 |
| 3 |
Adrian Stewart |
Archie Simmonds |
841 |
| 4 |
Scott Clements |
Amy Clements |
845 |
| 5 |
Iain Braithwaite |
Alistair Key |
858 |
| 6 |
Alistair Key |
Iain Braithwaite |
873 |
| 7 |
Mark Harker |
Andy Harker |
888 |
| 8 |
Amy Clements |
Scott Clements |
932 |
Back
to Top
|
Home
| Events | Points
| News | Regulations
| Committee | Counties | Links 
