Once again Archie Simmonds drove a winning run to secure the new Hangover Trophy on Saturday 3rd January, making it a hat trick for the last three events.

As with last year Archie had just rebuilt the Midget engine, though this time he had managed to ratchet up 50 miles before the event rather than the 4 miles last year! A good start saw the Midget share first place with Adrian Stewarts mini by the end of the first test set, and ease into the lead on the second set as Adrian took out a cone on test 6. Archie stormed into the third set of tests as Adrian kept hitting those cones. This let Tom Hynd sneak into second place only 18 points behind Archie. Tom really threw the Fiat into overdrive, as we all waited to see the pistons pop out the bonnet, whilst taking time out of Archie on each of the final runs. However even with an unusual cone strike for Archie, the Simmonds car kept a 16 point margin from Tom to win the day.

Ten entries braved the sunny but sub zero temperatures at Stobs Camp near Hawick, to challenge the four test routes setup across the camp. The club changed the date from the usual 2nd January as the 3rd this year fell on a Saturday. It also gave the competitors a little more time to recover from the Christmas and New Year festivities. Each test was run three times which gave enough time to get through all the tests before darkness fell and returned Stobs to the ice age.

First off was Sue Hynd from Stonehaven CC, driving her Fiat 127 shopping car. Husband Tom navigated the route for Sue, before they swapped places on a double entry. Both Sue and Tom gave the little car no quarter and thrashed the nuts off the little machine. Although the pair brought the Fiat on a trailer, they managed to keep the little rebel in one piece throughout the event. Tom threw the Fiat around mercilessly and pulled in the better times setting an impressive 117 benchmark on the first set of tests for the favourites to challenge. On the second set of tests Tom managed to match Adrian Stewarts time, and make it into third place.

HBCC club member Jason Ferry brought his Lancia Delta for a bit of fun. The course however proved a bit tight for the larger car, but that did not stop Jason enjoying himself, while giving the car a real clearout!

Adrian Stewart brought his beautifully rally prepared mini once again to Stobs, and as an old hand at this course showed just what his machine could do, topping Tom Hynd's time at 111 on the first run, which would equalled only by Archie Simmonds.

Scott Clements gives his Hillmap Imp a bit of stick when autotesting, and the Hangover was no exception. Using a spare set of tyres was a good idea as he managed to leave plenty of rubber on the Stobs parade ground on the third set of tests. Unlike last year he did not bend the car, though he did hit a cone or two to end 5th overall on the day.

Ian Maxwell is another long standing HBCC member and brought along his Subaru Estate for a spin. Ian had spent some time looking for an unmodified "Scooby", as most have been tweaked at some time or another, and not always for the best. He told me it had a full dealer service history and had been owned by a "little old lady" etc, and cost buttons (mmmmmm). Well Ian toppled all that as he used the superior four wheel drive to bring in some impressive times for such a big car, making fourth overall by the end of the first set of tests. But it was all to end in tear as the Scoobies terrific grip ripped a out a boulder on the edge of the route on his second run at test 2 to damage  and blow the nearside rear. I know, as I heard the hiss which ended his day.

Last but not least was Richard Crozier in his Ford Fiesta. On only his second autotest and reaching Stobs despite a puncture on the way to the event displayed the determination of this young man. He managed to negotiate the course, despite a few "off road" moments, with no more punctures on the way!

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