Anglesey (Trac Mon) July 2006
Introduction	Sprint Cars	Sprint Race	Enduro Cars	Enduro Race	Results

Saturday 8th July 2006

There was a gentle start to the day, because at Anglesey you are not allowed to start the engines on racing cars before 10 a.m.

It was dry and cloudy - a far cry from yesterday's weather which resulted in some of the 2cv-ers getting sunburn.

At 10:15, after scrutineering, eleven 2cvs went onto the circuit for the qualifying session for the sprint race later in the day. Several drivers tested how fast they could take the bends, particularly at School Corner and Abbotts. In the end Pete Sparrow snatched pole position.

The marshalls in the parc ferme predicted that it would rain at 4 p.m. - the time the 2cv Sprint race was due to start - they were wrong, it started at six minutes to 4! The entire race took place in appalling conditions with a howling gale complemented by driving rain.

Pete Sparrow (28), who enjoys wet weather driving pulled away from the rest of the field. Jon Twidale (67) went off onto the grass at School Corner then Christian Callendar (48) went into the tyre wall and red flags indicated that the race had been stopped. Jon's car was collected and Christian's was taken to the pits, where several people rushed to help him get it ready for the restart.

A few minutes later the race was restarted with Christian re-joining from the pit lane. Once again Pete Sparrow pulled away, Steve Panas (7) and Simon Leith (91) were left to fight it out for second place with the Hollis brothers (9 &10) behind.

Jamie Lister (76) managed to keep the car on the track and Matthew Riley (69) kept going after several spins.

After 8 laps the chequered flag was waved as Pete Sparrow went by, with Steve second and Simon third. Christian Callendar achieved a creditable 7th place.There was no presentation on the podium, because it was just too wet and windy!

Yvette Asscher

Results

Simon Leith & Gary Adnitt (91)
,2nd Pete Sparrow & Paul Robertson (28)
3rd Christian Callander & Graham Harper (48)

Anglesey 2006 - Report by Simon Leith Anglesey was always going to be a big challenge for me. Nine corners in just over a mile with no time to relax or think about what you have been doing. Testing on the Friday went well. My first 15 minute session at the circuit and I did a 1.03.4 which I was pleased with especially as the two people telling me I would go off at the first corner, (Paul R and Steve P), managed to do exactly that!! :0).

Anglesey 2006 - Report by Christian Callander

Friday was my birthday so I had the day off - painted wings and loaded the car and van. The panels fell over before they'd dried, the gearbox broke while loading and I suffered a blow-out on the van on the M6. I therefore did not arrive in good spirits nor on my birthday at Anglessey.

Gearbox nut secured and all ratios available meant qualifying was possible. Harper induction bits on an engine which had only just been wed to heads recovered from Snetterton dead 'un produced good sprint speed. Good enough enough for Q2 (unaided). And then it rained.

An okay start consolidated 2nd but on the second lap, kerb hopping pulled off a plug lead from the coil. On half steam the following pack sailed past in the spray. Gravity secured the plug lead once more and normal service was resumed. On catching the pack tentative braking at the hairpin resulted in locked wheels, a trip to the grass and an intimate moment with tyre barrier. Red flags enabled my escape to the pits and possibility of a restart. Schumacher would be proud. Anyhows - slow to restart and too much caution converted Q2 to P7.

Gales and rain must have cleared heads. Partner Graham Harper did the first qualifying session and together Q2 was secured. A spritely bound from the start put Harper ahead of Robertson. Unused to turning right without a guide, Harper tripped over his own tyres and dropped into the pack. From the commentary position (you should have a go!) I had a good view of his dice with Aubrey Bottlebank. Dry conditions meant an early change and when I took over I was soon circulating with Captain Pete Sparrow. No quarter was asked or given as we pulled through the pack lapping all but Trevor and ultimate victors Leith & Adnitt. Q2 to P3 - safe points for everyone.

Thanks to Catherine for ensuring sufficient fuel. Graham for fixing 'box, company and driving. Erica buying sprint entry for birthday. Tete Rouge for getting me out again and Trev and Sparra for a clean contest thoughout

Anglesey 2006 - Report by Jon Twidale

Well what an eventful weekend for Car 67. We arrived at the circuit on Saturday morning all ready for some really good racing. Julian and I had changed the engine from Cadwell. I was sure this was the cause of my poor performance there and was feeling confident of success. If only I could win every race from now on I had a chance at the championship ( well as the song says " if you don't have a dream how will you make it come true").

In the practice for the sprint I could still feel the wobble in the suspension which we had put down to worn shocks. Still everything else felt OK so I carried on. Then came the actual race and things went decidedly down hill. As I pulled onto the track I heard a bit of a clunck and then lost most of my ability to steer. Jan wondered why I was wiggling the cars back side at her as I went round the first bend - it wasn't intentional. By the third lap I realised something was very wrong and dumped it on the grass. I did my best Kimi impression walking over to the tyre wall and the marshalls but its hard to blame the team when there's only Jan, after all she's been a star turning up for all these races when she could have been spending my money at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. A very very nice man brought me back to the paddock and I assessed teh damage. The steering arm had sheared. I suspect it had been going for quite a while. my hopes of winning the championship were dashed to smitherines.

Undaunted and bouyed by the offer of a spare arm from Paul I went back to our campsite and battled the elements overnight, just managing to keep the tent intact through the gales. Sunday saw the true camaraderie of 2CV racing come to the fore. An absolutely huge thank you to Christian and Derek for their technical advice, Neil Thompson and JT for their practical hands on effort to get me back on track and into Qualifying with literally seconds to spare. Lucky Jon again. Thanks also to Pete for giving Jan a lesson in 2CV spare parts (is she really an Engineer?). I qualified 9th and finished 8th which I was really pleased with.

Cheers Jon and Jan