With more than one event clashing on a single weekend, it can be a difficult thing to decide which one to attend.
For the handful of XBC Competitors that made the trip to Blyton, the reward was a fabulous circuit in two permutations, and a lovely warm dry weekend.
There was however a high rate of attrition. Nigel Fox was the first to succumb, with his car not sounding quite right on first practise, and having packed up and disappeared before we even had the chance to say Good Morning !!
Steve Arkley was next, having electrical problems with his car newly collected from the engine builders. After some discussion, he did manage to complete a single timed run, as last car on the Saturday. Then, to avoid the risk of damage, it was a case of head for the engine builders on Sunday.
Harry Moody was having throttle return problems, and while it was argued that this might improve his times, another return spring was fitted allowing the completion of a succesfull weekend.
That left Martin Rowe and Ronnie MacGregor to fight it out in their usual “Best of Enemies” style despite running in different Classes. Both collected a First in Class on the Saturday, and a First and Second respectively on the Sunday. In addition Matt achieved a new Class record on both days.
However, the attrition wasn’t over. Having many years ago travelled only two or three hundred yards before running out of fuel, Ronnie set a new “Shortest distance travelled from the Start Line” record on the final run on the Sunday, when a drive shaft sheared on dumping the clutch. Fifty yards if you are lucky !! Looking on the bright side though, much rather the last run on a Sunday than the first run on a Saturday !!
Despite the trials and tribulations, this is a fantastic circuit, and a very well run Longton event. Lots of room for camping, and the ability to camp both the night before and the night after the event as well. This is one event that we would definitely want to see back on our calendar for 2023. Mark it in your diary !!
