DRIVERS LUNCH

from 68fp9fu6afj magzus.org

by Thomas Swift

REWIRING

Another Class 3 trophy for Brett, how many now?

Big smile from a big man, Iain Sumner. (He won two races) Suitably attired for the venue Richard Fearn gets something

Is that a Flugelhorn? Andrew with the ‘Donington’ Trophy Simon Sherry seems surprised to have won something

John Bevan picks up the award for driving a race car to the circuit

It’s that man again, Aero Racing Trophy in hand Three Happy Chappies, Brett, Steve, and Mark Evans, plus Tray

of course. Better news was the calendar of events for 2023, with the inclusion of Croft and Thruxton in the schedule, both unfamiliar to the Challenge. Other than the Bentley Drivers Club, Silverstone, all rounds will be run as part of various Classic Sports Car Club meetings, another change for the good. Six Rounds, all at different circuits gives plenty of variety, as the season gets underway at Snetterton, followed by Thruxton, Brands Hatch, Silverstone, Oulton Park, and Croft, The usual two race per round continues, giving twelve point scoring opportunities for those chasing the Championship win. Another benefit of the revised calendar will give the drivers more ‘track time’ over 2021, between, practice, and racing, cars will have 360 hours on track as opposed to 260 hours last year. Full details of the changes to regulations etc will be published in the January MOG.

Once the talking was done we sat down to a splendid, three course lunch, and the chance to try and solve the mysteries of a Fact of Fiction puzzle, by deciding what ‘little know facts’ about some drivers were true, and which of three possible answers were the false ones.

Does Brett Syndercombe really have an anchor tattoo on his left buttock?

Once this nonsense was over the seasonal awards were presented to various recipients, well those who chose to attend in person. Main winner was naturally, Stephen Lockett, taking home Class 4 honours, and the treasured, Peter Collins Tray, handed over by last year’s winner, Brett Syndercombe. Runner up in the Championship, by the slimmest of margins, Andrew Thompson carried off the Aero Trophy usually given to the driver with the highest points score, but as the rules do not allow the Champion to hold both it goes to the runner up. Apart from the Aero silverware, Andrew also collected the Class 2 spoils, and a huge vase presented annually to the driver who wins the first race at Donington. With no Donington on the calendar next year, Andrew will be polishing the silver longer than usual, it seems.

The more observant reader may noticed, that, thus far, there has been no mention of Katy Thompson, who for so long has been centre stage at these events with twelve years of faithful service to the Aero Challenge under her belt.

One trophy not so far mentioned is, what I refer to as the ‘Mr Nice Guy’ award, this is presented to the driver who gets the most votes in a poll amongst the drivers themselves. Previous recipients include, Brett Syndercombe, Phil Thomas, and current MNG, Phil Tisdall, when the votes were in this year the overwhelming winner was ……. KATY THOMPSON!

On hand to present the trophy was Peter Sargeant, who had originally commissioned the award. This is a magnificent bronze sculpture modelled on the late Tony Morgan Tipp’s Plus 8 at speed, however, Katy was at home in Derbyshire! By the wonders of modern technology, Andrew called up his wife via a laptop, and a virtual presentation went ahead. Peter read out a selection of the many fulsome praises given by the drivers, and checked that a large bunch of flowers had arrived safely that morning. Long and loud was the applause that followed the ceremony, demonstrating the affection, oneand-all had for her. Such nice people, Morgan folk.

Nepotism is alive and well in the Challenge, as a certain Chris Thompson takes over the reins of Organiser. I wonder if he will get a bunch of flowers next year?

The Chairman, makes the virtual presentation to a distant Katy The impressive Tony Morgan Tipp, Trophy

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