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Dear All,

For those that missed the Canley Classics race at Lydden on Saturday, thats everyone except John Yarnell and myself, heres a few brief words.

As you all no doubt know it rained almost all day, with the river Lydden flowing from the paddock down to the far end of the circuit. But practice went reasonably well, all competitors complaining of lack of grip in the conditions. John and I were amalgamated with the BMWs again, plus the race MGs, Minis and Peugeots, a real mixed bag. Practice times put myself in 8th place and John 9th, so we were quite pleased to be midfield on the grid. As the race itself approached, it kept raining, so I was pondering about a spare set of tyres I had brought. I had a 10 year old set of A510 Yokos with me. Really hard rubber by now, but with much more tread than our usual A021s. I decided to change the rear pair, thinking I must get more water dispersal with the better treading and hopefully move up the field in the race.

When the red lights went out, four cars passed me off the line, one of them John. I knew straight away Id made a wrong move, especially as everyone behind me started to pass me out of the bends. I could see John just drawing away into the distance. The car was so uncontrollable, I managed two 360 spins and incurred a black and white diagonal flag, warning - driving standards!!!!! The bit that hurt the most was an MGB GT that I was over 4 seconds a lap quick in practice, was over 4 seconds a lap quicker than me in the race and that really hurt when he passed me. The first four cars lapped me twice, everybody else once, including John!! As I was nearly 10 seconds a lap slower in the race, this meant I ended up finishing dead last!!!! At least John kept up the honours and had a good race and finished a creditable 6th. Plus this meant he won the Canley Classics trophy, couldnt happen to a nicer bloke.

John rounded off his excellent day by winning the last race, the Handicap Race, always a bit of a lottery! Unfortunately, as always happens, John didnt realize the chequered flag was for him and went back to the paddock, instead of going round and being interviewed by the commentator. Well we know hes a hero anyway.

An excellent day despite the weather.