I have never driven the hill in the wet. Ever. That changed tonight. Driving through Armadale the wipers couldn’t keep up with the utter downpour. I was running late (due to selling a car but giving the new owner a spare key to my new car rather than the one he was buying! In my defence I did own four Toyota’s) and I think that downpour was probably during the first runs/briefing time.
Highlights included not crashing, lovely cups of tea and seeing the fun on the faces of some friends I have managed to convince to join the club and drive the hill for the first time.
Having attended various evening fun/track nights over the last few years it was great to get a chance to run up the hill without being blinded by the sun running up along the wall into the top hairpin (due to the lunchtime start). And it was sunny. At times!
Low light was when I thought I could get away with one more run without the roof on because it had only just started to drizzle. There followed a huge downpour. (It’s OK, with the heater on full the car dried out quite quickly and I got a cuppa).
The track dried out very quickly (as did the drivers) due to the wind and the cars running up. And it was great to see such a variety of cars again – that was a quick Hyundai.
I grew up around Triumphs and had a Dutton kit car early on. But am currently a sucker for ‘modern classics’ like the T Sport Celica, TT’s, RX8’s etc. And they currently offer such value for what you get. So its always nice to see what turns up.
Overall the track was loads of fun to drive in the wet, giving you a chance to see some corners at a slower pace. And as it dried out it was good to see where the grip was. I really enjoyed it. And will be back for more next year.
Graeme Steele
Hope you like the photogallery below courtesy of George Dow and Graeme Steele
Graeme Delargy kindly sent in these photos from the Season Warm-Up which took place at Forrestburn on Sunday. I don’t have any commentary on what took place but I’m sure you can all imagine what happened. Clues = #cars, #hill, #round-and-round, #gossip.
If anyone feels like contributing some words to news items like these or to other features on the Club website it would be much appreciated. Meanwhile here is Graeme’s photogallery.
Not quite, but the weather was sufficiently traditional Forrestburn to deter a number of entrants from turning up. Those who did brave the conditions were rewarded with constant access to the track although it was extremely slippy, to begin with.
Fortunately, there were no major incidents although a number of participants came close to sampling the gravel traps.
This was the last track event of the 2017 season and thanks are due to Jamie and Shonah for their dedication in organising, opening/closing the site, marshalling and along with Marion, providing warm drinks and snacks in what was generally inclement weather.
Thanks are also due to all participants who uncomplainingly took turns to marshall in all weathers and to those participants who brought along additional sustenance to be shared by all present.
Many of the cars which have taken part in the season’s track days would be perfectly suitable for the Trials season which starts on October 8th so why not come along and experience a fun, non-damaging, alternative motorsport discipline?
Here are some images from the day, courtesy of Trish and Donald MacDonald:
As ever, Trish and Donald MacDonald were at the season warm-up at Forrestburn. Their report is brief and to the point – the photographs are much appreciated:
“A few new faces and the “regulars” turned out for the Season Opener at Forrestburn on Sunday. The weather was typically Baltic but it managed to stay dry for the duration of the event. Some different cars were seen tackling the hill and all seemed to go home in one piece. As always, the craic was good.”
A Trackday was held at Forrestburn on 11 September which attracted a wide range of cars (and a wide range of people). A good time was had by all and photographer Chris Nicholson was there to record the action which you can see in the following photogallery. If anyone wants a print of their car you should get in touch with Chris on his Facebook page or at chris@cn-photography.uk.
Sunday 10 April saw Forrestburn Speed Hill Climb in use for the first time in 2016. The Season Opener was well attended and a good time was had by all. There may be more words later and certainly more images. Meantime here is a selection from Trish and Donald MacDonald, the Clubs fastest photographers from event to publishing who jetted in from a Morgan event to take these.
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