The Parkinson Line.....at Sneterton: Snetterton 1600 Round up

We welcomed a new driver into the class at this meeting, one Alan Fincham, who was driving an RF80. Being the 1600 rep, and also being nosy, I welcomed him to the event and had a chat with him and his wife. He normally races with BARC but decided to come out and play with us as he lives just a few miles from Snetterton. I think he enjoyed himself and whilst he has no plans to switch clubs he did say he will drive in more Mono events.

I’m not sure whether it’s stupidity or senility, or both, but after a two day meeting I sometimes can’t remember whether something happened on day 1 or day 2. In any event, many thanks to Simon Davey, big Phil (Jocks mechanic) and anyone else who helped bolt up my driveshaft in the assembly area to enable me to qualify on one of the days.

Another thank you has got to be to Hemanchu Shah, Prajesh’s dad. Twice over the weekend he stood directly in front of me, in the assembly area, to keep the sun out of my eyes. If you raise your hand as a shade then people think that you’re looking for assistance. Anyway, thanks H. It was like a total eclipse of the sun. They use big screens at cricket matches. I wonder if Lords would be interested.

Saturday Qualifying

Pole was Nigel Davers, followed by Prajesh, Jim Timms, yours truly, Alan Fincham, Mat Jordan, Matt Walters, Joe Venor and Eddie Guest. Not a bad entry for the last meeting of the year.

Race

I had a great start, which I needed as I had to beat Nigel to keep up any chance of winning the championship, then missed second gear three times. Game over. The final result was Nigel from Prajesh with me being gifted third when Jim’s engine let go. Our guest driver, Alan, had a good drive to fourth, in the standard spec. RF80 and was followed home by Mat, Eddie, Matt Walters and Joe. One of you Matt boys is going to have to change names.

Sunday Qualifying

Nigel on pole followed by Prajesh, Yours truly, Alan, Mat, Eddie, Matt W and Joe. The Jim Timms Lola was missing from the grid as he’d broken it as previously explained.

Race

I have to say that this was one of the best races that I’ve ever had. I got a good start and was pushing Prajesh into Agostini when I half spun the car and lost momentum and a couple of places. To cut a long story short my tyres were absolutely cream crackered and the car was sideways for much of the time. I felt like Jeremy Timms. As the race continued it was Nigel from Prajesh, me, with Mat Jordan having a good drive ahead of Alan. Eddie, Matt W and Joe. Before the race I’d said to various people that because of my tyres I was just going to run round and bring the car home in one piece. The last lap and I was closing on Jonathon Baggott in the 1800. A different class but he’s in front so I’m after him. Late braking into Brundle and my ambition was greater than my talent and tyres and I’m off and across the grass to rejoin behind Mat Jordan. Only the Bomb Hole, Coram and Murrays left. I wanted third place so contrary to common sense I’m round the outside at Coram and in to Murrays very tight. The third place meant more than wins I’ve had in the past. I’ve never had the car sideways so much. Final positions were as listed prior to my Brundle escapade.

I was pleased to see that Matt Walters finished in both races and therefore got two signatures on his license. Speaking in the paddock though, I understand that only six signatures are required to obtain a National A. I’m sure that it used to be ten when I got my upgrade but nobody could remember.

Early in the year we were delighted to welcome Jeremy and Jason Timms back into the Premier class. Not everyone in the club appreciates that the 1600 is the major class so when both Jeremy and Jason had had wins in the class we decided on a small experiment. Jason was leading the championship when we sent him off to show the motor bike boys how it should be done. Need I say more. Two more wins at Snetterton. Jeremy had already blasted all opposition in his 1600 so we sent him off to look at the 1800, Super Mono and Mono classic. He beat the entire field in a borrowed 1800. Driving the Richard Purcell Dallara, in Mono trim, he won the class at Silverstone on both days beating all of the F3 boys except for Aaron Steele. For Snetterton he borrowed the Nick Catanzaro Formula Vauxhall to record two fine wins in front of some of the Dallara funny cars. I’m sure Nick will not be offended when I say that the Vauxhall has never gone so fast. In conclusion, 1600 premier class drivers have won in every class this year. I rest my case.

Tony Cotton has bent his Dallara again. When will you learn Tony. Sell the thing and get the Formula Vauxhall Junior out. I’m beginning to think you’re a bit on the thick side cos you know it makes sense.

The Avit team have come by a mobility scooter for big Phil, Jock’s mechanic, who is not as fast on his feet as he used to be. They’ve hitched a trailer on the back so he can trundle down to the assembly area with slave batteries, tools etc. Ewen now rides it between workshops at the Avit head quarters and does things on it that it was never built for. See picture (which has been lost so we've made some up.)

David Parkinson

Disclaimer: The above represents only the unofficial view of the writer and not of the Monoposto Racing Club in any way whatsover. Subheadlines and captions are not originated from the named author. We are unable to reproduce results due to copyright reasons. If any pictures are copyright and the owner wishes them removed please email us.

This Kidderminster scooter owner tried to barge past Roy Woodhouse

Sorry, no relevant pics.

Following suggestions from DP, an ex-1600 driver invited the above, "The Big Issue Stig" to drive the recommissioned FVJ at A Secret Midlands test venue.

David writes: Sorry but I've lost that photo of Ewen on the mobility scooter.

I do have one of Simon Davey which looks remarkably like my dustman.

We are pleased to continue our proud heritage of irrelevant photographs without racing car connections.

Mobility Scooter and caravan.

No idea.