Trip to Isle of Man - April 2010 report by Dave Welton
We are at the Forton Services, where are you? I’m at home say’s Dave Hothersall. So began our weekend in the Isle of Man. Every credit to Dave he was only a couple of minutes behind us at the ferry terminal. So that was his first high speed run of the weekend. Dave Cahill had gone across the previous day so he could watch the sprint at Sloc hill on the west of the Island, and as I had not received any frantic phone calls from him I knew the travel and accommodation arrangements were ok.
The sail across took 3.5 hours but it passed quickly with lots of good banter, food and drink. When down in the car deck, just prior to leaving, the crew member says “start your engines” well being TVR’S in a large hollow hull you would give it a tad of throttle wouldn’t you? Hoever, even I thought someone was going a bit OTT. The noise gets louder as the cars come by me and guess what, not a TVR but a 1400cc supercharged 1926 Frazer Nash running on Castrol R . It even made Jim Walsh’s Cerbera seem quiet! The rest of Friday went reasonably to plan with exception of Russ Larcombe leading the “Sefton Express” mob through the Ronald’s way airport complex twice by mistake. Friday night all 17 of us met up in the Mount Murray Hotel for dinner and a good night was had by all except for the hotel cashier as we had no idea at all how to sort out the bill!
Saturday morning 6:30am and 10 cars set off for the TT course. Plenty of fun up the west side of the Island on the twisty stuff, then in to the slow section around Kirk Michael. It’s here the guys at the front meet up with a silver transit van and myself at the back playing the “Sweeper role” get behind a blue transit. No problem we think as we head into the quarry complex of high speed turns. Suffice to say if the two drivers had been in the bar at night we would have bought them a pint or two, Good fun.
On our return to the hotel the WAG’S are up and about and a leisurely breakfast is followed by a run up the East side of the Island to Ramsey to watch the Sprint up the mountain past the hairpin. I must say that the Island is very beautiful at this time of year as the gorse is in bloom and the roadside is a blaze of yellow daffodils and the views of the cliffs and bays is magnificent. Back to the sprint. Some tasty machinery was on show including a Tuscan race car owned by Simon Fletcher and a stripped out sprint series Griffith, owned by David Gray. There was some great showboating by a chap in a Sky line who drifted round every bend. A space framed mini with a “megabusa” engine got FTD, and a beautiful Caterham R 600 was second. Third went to a black Porsche and David Gray in his Griffith won his class and was 4th overall . Unfortunately Simon had an off in the Tuscan and did not finish. We met David Gray later that night in the hotel and he has 5 TVR’s including one of the original factory SEAC’S with a stainless steel chassis which he is going to run in the sprint at the BNG/ BACK HOME event in September.
After the Sprint we had a run round to Peel where large amounts of Ice cream were devoured. The run back to the hotel was utter chaos but it proves my theory that you can’t really get lost on such a small Island!. Saturday night dinner had been booked in the Hop Garden and was a great night. I took the opportunity to thank ever one for their company, and Russ and the gang presented me with a Top Gear Captain Slow T Shirt, which must have been for the speed I walk and absolutely nothing to do with the speed I drive!
Sunday Morning same time 6:30am same intention but could hardly see the cars in the car park for fog!. Phone bleeps, text message from Jim, stating staying in bed. The guys from the Sefton Hotel arrive and general feeling is “Back to bed” However I say it could be totally different in the North of the Island and three of us decide, as we are up, we might as well go. Fortune favor’s the brave! Less than a mile from the hotel and before we get on the TT Course the fog has cleared. I take the lead up the west coast twisty bits, Captain Slow eh? The sound of a wedge at 5000 revs in those valley’s round Glen Helen was aural heaven! We did run in to fog on the mountain after Ramsey but cut back down to Sulby and did the twisty stuff in reverse. Then back to the hotel to “rub it in” what a great run they had missed.
The southern end of the Island was forecast as fog for most of the day so we went North to Jurby airfield to take in a new transport museum (All busses) and watched some go kart racing which was taking place. We also took a look round “Jurby Junk” which is a must if you are in that area. Ian Francis was trying to buy a vintage drum kit but the lady would not sell it! Good job , as how the h*ll would you fit it in a T350 to get it home. We had to almost drag people from the book area which is an industrial unit filled from floor to ceiling with books of every kind.
The fog precluded any more sightseeing so back to Douglas for fish and chips then back to the ferry. One twist in the tail was 4 of the cars being pulled aside for a Custom’s inspection. Dave H came out of the Inspection shed muttering something about white latex gloves I must ask him what went on in there! Another smooth crossing back to Heysham and the sad departure back home after a very enjoyable weekend. Thanks to you all for your company and patience with my navigating on Sunday. It’s not often you go up a historic hill climb course and not realize it because of the fog!.
Dave Welton
“The view from the passenger seat” by Ann Welton
After returning from the second Blackpool Region weekend to the Isle of Man, I felt I had to express to members who possibly would never contemplate putting their names down for such a weekend break, what a wonderful time they and their partners are missing out on.
I am not a petrol head, but the enjoyment for me as a wife is in forging new friendships, seeing glorious scenery and thoroughly enjoying myself whilst the men folk are enthralled in the driving on relatively quiet undulating roads and putting their treasured cars through their paces in a manner which could not be achieved back home. I think I speak for everyone who went when I say we had a thoroughly good time with excellent company, good food and an ample supply of drinks if required in the evenings.
Here’s to the next time
Ann Welton
TVR Griffith Manx Classic Hill Climb 2010