Chairman’s Chat

By any measure this has been a fantastic season with the club laying on its own superb events, partnering with others, whilst some of our members have been out battling at the highest levels, both regionally and nationally.

Steve Miles did in the end have to pass his prestigious No.1 to fellow British Sprint Championship contender and now 2022 champion, Matt Hillam. But not without first putting up a strong fight in and amongst seasoned competitors in some very well developed machinery. Steve goes again in 2023.

Our Radical duo, Dave Greenslade and Simon Clemow, also went well in the HSA Championship securing a respective and respectful first and third in class. Split only by Simon Bainbridge no less. As Simon says, he’ll take that. Pekka Tulokas also did the business securing a HSA class win in his turbo charged MX5.

In terms of season ending events our Great Western Sprint went well by all accounts, this time absorbing the top 12 run-offs in the normal run of play. That really takes the pressure off late finishes and fading light.

Which brings me onto the jewel in our Winter crown. The Allen Classic Trial. What an event that is, bucking the trend of all but the most prestigious with a full entry plus reserves.

It takes some serious organising the Allen, clearing sections and securing the right permissions, as well as carefully managing landowners and local residents. All I can say is thank you, it really is a sterling effort year after year.

In terms of next year it’s a case of more of the same, even starting off with a NavScatter in January. The last time we did that was in 2020 and then whole world went Pete Tong. Let’s hope that history doesn’t repeat itself.

We’d also like to resolve our Fedden Trial venue issue and so will see if there is something out there in the marketplace. Watch this space on that front.

Until then, enjoy the winter break and hopefully this magazine too. Matt Nichols