The Parkinson Line.............at Croft

Well.

Who would have believed the weather at the weekend? It just can’t be better than that.

Unfortunately a few people had car problems. It’s always annoying but particularly so if the sun is shining and conditions are ideal and you’re packing up to go home. Bill Janson was one who broke the car in first qualifying and couldn’t get it fixed.
The cake and curry duo had a long trip for nothing with the Agent’s engine running a bearing after just two laps. Sara brought the car in immediately but after some discussion Ian decided that they would head off home, rather then staying for the weekend, to enable him to get the engine out and start the necessary works. Sara very kindly left me in charge of the Sara cakes. I did give some away as if I’d have eaten any more I would have been sick.

There were others over the weekend that had various wheels knocked off or clutch failures etc and all of these problems are tiresome. But that’s racing.

In this world of economic misery it is nice to hear of a company that’s doing well. JKS has announced that they are looking for more craftsmen and have put on unlimited overtime for existing workers as they cannot keep up with Geoff Fern’s demand for new front wings. After the third or fourth wing went on I had a quick look at JKS shares and was seriously considering investing. Geoff did have a good weekend though as he recorded two wins in his trusty 1600cc as well a podium in the JKS.

Some disturbing news was the reported loss of several wallets from the paddock whilst one of the Mono races was on. It’s obviously no good going on about it but it’s worth locking all vehicles whilst racing/qualifying is on. For a small fee I don’t mind using my van as a strongbox to store all your valuables for future weekends. Storage of wives could be accommodated but would cost a little more.

It was a pity that Tony, (Welshman), Davis couldn’t make it for the weekend. I think he said he was dancing somewhere but as a translator was not in the vicinity I could have got it wrong.

Many thanks to Brian Jones who helped me to push my car down to the scrutineering bay. Further thanks to the Anstruther boys who helped me push it back and later, after the Saturday race when it wouldn’t start, push it back again. Even with these guys help it took fifteen minutes of heavy panting and three cigarettes to get my breath back.

David Parkinson

Pix: Andrew Cliffe, Python (Monty) Productions

Ian Hughes, (right) shown offering Dave Parkinson an after-cake waffer-thin mint

Geoff Fern's Wingless Wonder...

..and the JKS Front Wing Makers and Associated Trades night shift queue up to clock on