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EAST FORTUNE 18/19 AUGUST 2007

Déjà vu – we were on our way to East Fortune again for a round of the Scottish Championship this time and the prestigious Jim Silver Memorial race with a big prize fund kindly donated by supporting businesses. 15 outfits were entered. We arrived late and en route were told there was no space left in the paddock. They were only pulling our legs and Gordon Shand’s team had kindly made enough room for our lorry and awning. Darkness fell on the awning construction party and we all fell into our beds knackered.

Up early on Saturday for signing on and scrutineering. The weather was a bit drizzly and frustratingly neither one thing nor another. We got a quick warm up and then went out for qualifying. We all went out on wet tyres only to find a dry line forming on the track. The wets don’t feel good in dry conditions – a bit like driving on marbles! So we didn’t qualify very well. Everyone was keen to get their tyre choice right for the Saturday race as it was the Jim Silver Memorial with an amazing prize fund pulled together by the Scottish Sidecar Racing Club. The racing was declared wet for the afternoon meaning that if we went out on slicks and it got wetter the race would not be stopped. Never have so many people been seen looking at the sky and pointing at clouds. As the race call got closer the track was still dry and a light breeze looked like it would keep the conditions right. Nearly all the outfits went up to the collecting area on slick tyres. It was a gamble…..and yes it started to rain the second we set off on the warm up lap. Slick tyres on a wet track are not ideal but we had no choice but to continue. We were lucky and kept a consistent pace without any nasty moments but were glad to get over the finish line in one piece. As it turned out we were 7th with many of the field not making it home at all and collected £75!

Heading out for some more wet racing

As we pulled back into the awning we were concerned with the temperature of the engine. Suspicious that the head gasket was blown we set to changing the engine for the newly rebuilt spare. The spare engine needed run in but at least we could do that with our Sunday track time and have it ready for full racing at the next meeting at Knockhill. The evening passed quickly with changing the engine and cleaning the outfit and again we all fell into bed knackered. As we all headed into the lorry for the night Jen mentioned that the awning had not been tied back down to the neighbouring van. She was assured that it would be ok… You can see where this is going can’t you?! The rain started pouring, then, at 2.30 am the wind got up. Jen was up, dressed and tying it back down in record time as were many other paddock residents it seemed. The awning survived this time (thanks John for modifying the legs since the last meeting).

The rain was not for stopping as Sunday dawned and racing did not get underway till 12 o’clock. Team spirits were low with a combination of Shaun’s toothache and a very long wait to see whether we were going to get sent home or not. Sunday only entrants and those who had done some work to their machines on Saturday night were permitted a very quick practice so we took advantage to check that the new engine was running ok. Racing was started with the second set of races. The conditions were wet but thankfully we had wet tyres on this time. These conditions were actually perfect for running in the new engine and good practice for us as our wet track time has been limited. Things started to fall into place and Kerr experimented with how far he could slide the chair wheel before it wanted to break away. We finished 9th but happy that we were no longer phased by the rain (just as well). The programme progressed without incident and the organisers decided to run the first set of races too. We waited to be called and were actually looking forward to a bit more wet experience. Unfortunately, a competitor in the 600 race decided to dump the contents of his engine half way round the track. In the wet conditions the oil went everywhere. The marshals tried to get it cleared as we waited in the holding area but it wasn’t to be and racing had to be cancelled, time to head home.

Turned back in to the paddock as the skies cleared …..THE END.

Thanks are definitely due to the Douglas Racing Team, Carol, Bob and Shaun for their patience and continued enthusiasm even in frustrating conditions. Thanks also to the Melville Club for installing the most excellent hot showers! Let’s hope the weather smiles on us at Knockhill in 3 weeks time.

Best wishes to you all

Kerr and Jen

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