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Gurston
Hill Climb - 2003
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What a wonderful day! It was a thumping success. Like all
events, it is the enthusiasm and good-natured attitude of those
involved that make the special day. This is what makes the
Sporting Bears such a great gathering of people, all trying to
'put a bit back into pot.' As over 40 entrants, driving a huge
variety of vehicles from a 1907 Wolseley to new Dodge Viper
arrived, we found at Gurston a crowd who shared the same
viewpoint. The welcome from the British Automobile Racing Club
was great and the restaurant was open for a much-needed coffee.
Simon Harratt, BARC area chairman, greeted us all and introduced
his band of marshals during the pre-event briefing. They then
gave us a very experienced and professional review of the hill,
together with instructions on how best to drive the track.
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Hugh isn't
happy when he discovers the guy has two Maserati's to play with at
weekends!
The
welcome from the British Automobile Racing Club was great and
the restaurant was open for a much-needed coffee. Simon Harratt,
BARC area chairman, greeted us all and introduced his band of
marshals during the pre-event briefing. They then gave us a very
experienced and professional review of the hill, together with
instructions on how best to drive the track. They seemed so
pleased to share the experience they had and were very pleased
to have us there; no stone was left unturned to answer or get
anything we wanted. They all dipped their hand into their
pockets for the raffle, which raised £302 for the Children's
Hospice South-West. Before allowing the eager entrants on to the
track the marshals walked everyone up to the hill to see the
raking and entry points, which were essential for a happy and
safe day. Someone did ask why, with thousands of pounds worth of
machinery at the bottom of the hill, we had to walk up the
hill?, but standing on the corners made us all realise what a
tricky track this was.
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Then it was time to be let loose in the cars, very carefully at
first, but by lunch, after four goes up the hill, confidence was
definitely increasing, in fact on the fourth run one of the
marshals said over their radio 'they are starting to get lairy.'
Lunch had to be served in two sittings due to the number of
entrants and the standard of food was quite exceptional, all
served very professionally by a great little team. In fact the
facilities as a whole were first class and spotless. The venue
is extremely well managed and everything ticked like a clock,
headed by Simon, his wife and their beautiful dogs, a Deerhound
pup and a Lurcher. The friendly welcome wasn't just for the
drivers.
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One of the great things about Gurston is it's various
viewpoints for spectators up the hill and if any spectators
wanted to view proceedings from the top of the hill they were
taken by the marshals with smiles and good-natured banter. After
such a great lunch, and being a very warm Sunday afternoon it
took us all a little while to get back into our pre-lunch
stride. With another four runs in the afternoon, by the end of
the day everyone was fairly flying up the hill - chalk and
cheese when compared to the first effort. Afternoon tea, a piece
of cake and a presentation to the most improved participant
ended a magnificent day. The hill had been a long and tricky one
with varying camber bends and twists which had put us all to
serious test. Set in glorious Wiltshire countryside, the venue
had everything to make a great day out. Lastly a big thanks to
Chris, Dorne, Thomas, Rory and William for thinking up the venue
and promoting the day, their efforts in getting it launched and
for such a high level of enjoyment and financial success, over
£3,500 being raised for the Victoria School in Poole. This was
Chris and Dorne's 'swansong' as leaders of the Koala Bears and
it was hell of an effort!
John & Maureen McMeekin : Member No 765
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