David Parkinson on Cadwell Park

Our regular correspondent (who is now a director) talks about his Cadwell weekend

Cadwell has gone and there is only one more meeting, albeit two races, before the end of the season. A season that seems to have gone remarkably quickly.

I enjoyed the first Cadwell race on the Saturday. In spite of a broken brake bias cable which meant I was locking the fronts on the entry to most corners in the damp*. It was particularly notable as I beat Ewan, "new champion", Sergison and Jeff, "old champion", Fern.
Unfortunately, I only beat Ewan because he was driving for a finish to win the championship. He only needed to finish to win and he showed remarkable restraint to toodle around at the back.. Jeff had run away at the start as normal but then developed a bad mis-fire. I think he was only running on three cylinders. I still had a pigging job passing him. That could be a good and cheap method of levelling out performance. Remove one plug cap off all the fast guys.

Sara Fogg had her first race on Saturday and finished. She was last but enjoyed it and obviously learnt from it as in the Sunday race she managed to beat Brian Jones. She was obviously watching her mirrors and I felt quite safe when passing her. Well done Sara.

The Sunday was not quite as good for me as I had a rather fast off on to the grass at the Gooseneck followed by an on again to the circuit just in time to hit Dave, him from Mars, Brady. Both cars were broken and a red flag ensued. It’s the first time I’ve lost a corner for approx. five years. Funnily enough it was the same car in collision though then driven by Ian Hughes.

I’ve read quite a bit about passing under red flags at Cadwell. I’ve experienced this before. Even with a safety car. Castle Combe. The last time we were there. It seems a bit strange to me that a driver can be disqualified for having a car slightly out of spec. under weight etc but get away with passing, at speed, under a red flag. A potentially dangerous activity.

Patrick and Jock had a coming together in the 1800 race and one of the Speads lost a wheel on the mountain. A few broken cars to load on to trailers. Thanks to those who helped me.

Michael Dale was a welcome visitor. You will remember he scored maximum points when performing a triple somersault with pike from a step ladder to damage his shoulder. Surgery has now been completed and he will be fit to race again just after the finish of the season.

There’s always next year.

Brian Jones has picked his new car up. The ex Geoff Cowell Jedi. I understand that Geoff has built up a new car. It will be interesting to see how they both go at Snetterton.

I’ve just moved work locations and have not been receiving some e-mails. I also have a problem putting anything on the forum. Though now Stephen is aware of it he will fix with his normal panache. I was going to put my bit in on the Snetterton Saturday night. It will then be October and the nights should be both darker and colder. On the Saturday night at Cadwell I joined the Timms, Fern, Nemesis groups for a meal in a local hotel. It was much better then stopping on a cold circuit. So I think we should take Patrick's idea up and book a meal in a hotel.

David Parkinson

* Excuse - © N Mansell, 1984

Dave "him from Mars" Brady's pit crew blended surprisingly well into the assembly area. Can YOU spot them?

The "Parkinson Patent Handicapping System"

Geoff Cowell's Jedi will be seen in different hands....

....those of Brian Jones.

We hope to see Michael "stepladder to heaven" Dale back soon