THE DIARY OF TEARDROPS
|
A report from Teardrops on how his season went in the 2006 Northern Off Road Championship.
|
Round 1
Whickenby a new site for me, I would describe as being rough, hard and slippy all at the same time. We got off to a steady start and by the end of run 2 had broken a front kingpin. 12 minutes rickin and the spanners are out already. That repaired and we carry on, putting in some average lap times. Run 9 and the gearbox goes my fault I was a bit heavy handed with the gear lever. Its one of those crappy LT77`s and the gears are the wrong way round, I hate it! We finished the day way down the field, but not defeated.
Round 2
Manby brings back some good memories, that Wheels used to be a right do. In my eagerness to get there on the A15 I saw a flash in my mirrors. Is Gavin Lodge trying to earn extra income taking photos on the way to events? Turned out not. 56 in a 40 limit (I was in the low loader) didn’t go down very well, oh well it’s a good job the speed limiter works. We get there to see a fine turn out of motors, Simbugines, Warriors, Bowlers, Matt Lee’s new Matsaratti and at long last Phil Ibotsons 6R4 Metro. Most metro drivers I see smoke a pipe and wear slippers, but that M3 engine should make it go. Run 1 away from the line round the grass field and onto the concrete run way, I’ve put a welded diff in the back axle and she goes a little sideways, keep it nailed and it will come back, yes yes yes NO! Spun it right in front of everybody what a twat. Run 2 I was just getting into it when I caught a slower motor going up and over a big hill, not enough momentum and we ground to a halt. Stuck for about 15 minutes, that was an even bigger twat. Not the only ones to be having problems Phils Mini passed with smoke bellowing from the cockpit, must have dropped his pipe and set fire to his slippers! We carry on and our last lap time was 13.55 pretty respectable.
Round 3
Tong, we all love Tong but alas it will forever be a memory. Clubs birthday, big do, loved it. Day 1 no problems good consistent times happy enough. The evening entertainment was supplied by MC Simon Harrison karaoke was a big hit. What about Ian Bartram, sings like a rock star then kicks your arse around the track the next day. Legend! Day 2 broke a rear half shaft, this may be due to the back axle been bent, it’s so bent it smiles at you. We ended the weekend 1st in class 4th overall. Result.
Round 4
Driffield is one hell of a big site, with big jumps, big holes and big bumps. We were having problems with a spongy brake pedal. I had just fit new brake fluid reservoirs and the rough terrain was filling the fluid with air bubbles. On run 5 disaster struck. At the end of one long concrete straight there was a 90 bend, flat out in 4th I hit the brakes, nothing! My foot hit the floor 4 or 5 pumps of the pedal nothing, SHIT! I threw it sideways to scrub off some speed we hit the verge and flipped over a couple of times. We limped back to the pits shaken but not detoured. I modified the brakes with a piece of dence sponge floating on top of the fluid and it’s not been a problem since. We finished the day mid table and a little bruised
Round 5
Broadbottom ( Home of the British Champ) is a nice site with smooth flowing fields, but that seems to lull drivers into a false sense of security and then it bites back. EG Dave Brown 2005. We arrived early Sunday morning on a red hot summer’s day. People started emerging from tents and caravans looking a little worst for wear. It seems a good night was had by all the night before. ( The Tic Tok team sure had a good night! With Huggy managing to break his ankle and then what happened to George ! Mash Mash Mash ! ) I must try and get to events the day before it’s a good laugh. Our first few runs went OK, looking round the course there seemed to be a lot of broken down motors and in the back of my mind I thought I could be in for a good finish. My engine was running a bit hot but I started to push a little harder to get my hands on a trophy. Unfortunately it was not to be. I ripped the clutch out and that was game over. Thanks to Ian Bartram for sorting me out with a new clutch.
Round 6
Stainby august bank holiday 2 day event and a small but flowing course. Got off to a good start and was doing well until run 8 when I bent the front panhard rod, and had to limp home loosing one and a half minutes. Dick Sagar passed me, I think that made his day as the whole family came over to rub it in. Now this story goes back, many years ago at Tong when we all had series motor and leaf springs. Dick passed me with his fist in the air triumphant, he then swerved off the track and hit a tree. I nearly pissed my self. Mean while back at Stainby we got repaired and out again. Next I broke another half shaft, the same one. (My axle is still smiling). From then on I got my head down and put in some good consistent times to finish 1st in class 5th overall.
Round 7
South Elmsall a new site for the club. We did the drive round and it felt very rough, but at full speed on our first run it didn’t seem as bad. The course crossed some open fields, that were very boggy sapping all your engines power and sending my temp gauge into the red. My engine was boiling on every lap, we had to let it cool down then fill up with water each time. That kept us busy all day and I didn’t get to see much else. Robin Clarkson was parked next to us with a nice looking new Warrior. Can I have one in blue please Robin? I wonder if he does part exchange, I’ve got a shite gearbox, bent back axle and a knackerd engine, maybe not. We finished the day and got loaded up, I had no idea of our times and was just glad to finish. Then Simon Harrison passed and said well done your 2nd overall. Bugger me how did that happen.
Round 8
Whitworth I’ve not raced here before but I’ve been on my trials bike (and that came home bent). Its rough with lots of big rocks and your tyres get a hammering. Following my excellent result at South Elmsall I was in with a chance of winning C9 and a good low number for next year. Before the event I had a bit of a tyre dilemma. I have one new set of diamonds and one bald set on 15” rims. (That’s how I got stuck at manby) so which do you choose? Neither, I dug out some old 750 SATS. 30 PSI they will take anything, we didn’t even bring a spare. They also provide Huggy something else to take the piss out of instead of my blue paint and hgv steering wheel. The days racing went fine with no problems. Bugger me 2nd overall again! No 4 next year, bring it on. Well done to Carl Duffield, him and Pete Roberts have been flying this year. Thanks also to everyone who helps run this club and its events. See you all at the dinner dance. Ps if you find me walking round naked again please don’t be alarmed I sleep walk when pissed.
I was deeply saddened to here about Pete Caton. Pete was an enthusiastic chap always getting people involved with the club and asking us to write things for the club magazine, so this ones for you mate, god bless.
Back to main page
Other News
NORC Round 5 Gainsthorpe, by Huggy posted on 29 July, 2010
Stainby 2010 NORC Round 2, by Huggy posted on 28 April, 2010
BCCC Round 2 Radnor, by Huggy posted on 11 May, 2009
BCCC round 1 Crickhowell, by Huggy posted on 14 April, 2009
NORC 2008 Awards, by Huggy posted on 22 February, 2009
MATT'S BACK, by Huggy posted on 13 February, 2009
Manby 2008, by Huggy posted on 28 October, 2008
Northern Championship, by Huggy posted on 28 October, 2008
THE ROCKY ROAD TO THE BRITISH OFF ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP, by George posted on 04 May, 2007
THE DIARY OF TEARDROPS, by George posted on 21 January, 2007
PLAINES & VALLEES 2006, by George posted on 07 January, 2007
TIC TOK - LET\'S ROCK, by George posted on 06 January, 2007
