Article by

We were welcomed to 3 Sisters by rain, not the pouring down kind, but that real fine stuff that wets you through. But to be fair the facilities have been greatly improved over the last couple of years.

Three Vixens and one each of a Tamora, V8S, 3000S and Tasmin racer filed through scrutineering, to be met by the first problem of the day. As the regs say certain documents are required and may be checked, so they were. A couple of missing MOTs were excused because of a current tax disc in the window, but Dave Chant's Tasmin, as an ex circuit car is
not road registered. “No MSA log book, no competitive runs” said the scrutineers. However after relieving Dave of a fee a temporary document was produced which enabled him to compete.

First practice was damp, with times well off the usual pace, but this didn't mean it was without incident. One of the white Vixens (NOT the Mythical One!) got so carried away that he arrived at the paddock gate still travelling quickly and proceeded to spin, almost collecting an
unsuspecting Marshal! Second practice was wet and Mike Roe managed a half spin, on the course this time. Times generally were slower, except for John Carter, who said the only reason he went quicker was that he couldn't have gone any slower than the fist time! Dave Chant crossed the line backwards being halfway through a spin caught on video by his father.

So after practice Steve Dennis in the Mythical Vixen was quickest on scratch as well as handicap, followed by Stewart Lobley and Mike Roe in 3rd. A Vixen 1, 2, 3.

The first competitive run was still not dry (how may versions of wet can there be?). Times were about the same as first practice, except for John's V8S which improved by almost 10 seconds and Steve Dennis' Vixen which managed a half spin at the same corner that cracked the Vixen's bonnet on his last visit. Having recorded a time, an off form Ian Bannister decided enough was enough and headed for home.

However it does sometimes stop raining in Lancashire, and as we lined up for the last run of the day the track was pretty well dry, not warm, but dry. Everyone gave it their best and went at least 3 seconds quicker than the first run.

Uncorrected times show Simon Smith's Tamora quickest on 51.70, followed by Steve Dennis on 53.09, John Carter 53.24, Stewart Lobley 53.36, Mike Roe 55.11, Dave Chant 56.80, and Ian Bannister's wet run of 59.45. Algorithms change things though, and Stewart took a well- earned 25 points, pushing Steve into 2nd place and Mike Roe a very impressive 3rd place
on his first visit to the circuit.

Full and detailed results can be seen on our website
http://www.tvrspeedchampionship.co.uk/