RETURN

OF

THE

 RED EYE

A sultry night drew eleven cars to the Plough in Bletchingley for the start of the second ever MGF Red Eye Run. What looks like becoming a regular fixture began last year with a spur of the moment dash down the main roads for breakfast in Brighton. This year more thought went into and Bob, with some assistance from Neil, thoroughly planned and tested a more taxing route across the Surrey and Sussex hills. Inputting all the information into his trusty computer Bob hit the print button to provide us all with a detailed route plan when .....nothing happened and curses could be heard aimed at Mr Gates and his Microsoft company. Frantic copying of OS maps followed and a route penciled in so we would have some idea where we were. These were handed out just before 11pm to much scratching of heads and wonderment at how we were going to read these in the dark and on the move - most people were secretly hoping they would not lose touch with the convoy. Another car club were curious to find a load of Fs suddenly appear in the car park at 10pm on a Friday night and even more bemused when they found out what we were up to - sadly none of the Fisher Furies could be persuaded to join us.

Suitably briefed the rattle of several sports exhaust firing up shattered the calm of the Bletchingley night as the cars accelerated away from the car park trying to keep up with convoy leader Bob - luckily Neil was following behind to sweep up any strays. It was an impressive sight as the sweep of eleven sets of headlights swung through the twisting country lanes around Redhill aerodrome and out in to the Surrey countryside. Not to be thwarted by the best efforts or Surrey Highways cunningly blocking off one of the roads and not providing any diversion signs (other than back the way we had come) Bob reverted to the age old technique of Zen navigation. Somehow we made it to Gatwick airport by following the roar of the jets still heading for the runway and sped along the perimeter road to fulfill another tradition - the tunnel. This one went underneath the South terminal and we did it twice to let those sports exhausts get an airing before heading briefly down the M23 to disappear once more into the South Downs.

Ditchling Beacon was the destination high above Brighton and with glorious views over the surrounding Sussex countryside - except we couldn't see them because it was well past midnight by now and very dark ! A problem soon solved by Bob who had come prepared with a set of night binoculars which gave everything a coating of luminous green - but at least you could see again !. Having had a good look through the bins and disturbed some couples in other cars - not quite sure what they were up to - we moved off towards Brighton a few more miles away.

Being careful of the speed cameras and s stroboscopic police cars we turned into Circus Street - blocked by articulated lorries and for lift trucks as the wholesale market was in full swing. we parked up at an angle to the kerb carefully placing Andy Phillip's ZT at the end of the row - just as well as he discovered black scuff marks on his bumper when he got home - but he did a sterling job protecting the Fs ( Scuffed bumpers and a Scarlet Fever with failed MOT - it was not his day !). Parked up we negotiated our way past the bouncers to sample the delights of The Market Diners greasy breakfasts and mugs of hot tea. A bit of a shock here as the mugs were all new at least we could hold the chipped plate competition instead - the winner was Kevin with nine large chips on a small plate - not bad going.

Appetites sated the final item on the agenda was to line up on Madeira Drive in front of the Palace Pier for the traditional night time look at the channel and photo call. 

That was it - the Red eye had returned and most of us were heading back home arriving any time between 3am and 4am - those that had to get up in the morning soon found out why this is called the Red Eye Run !

(Sorry about the blurry pics - my camera is not too good when it's dark ! The better ones were taken by Tim Jenner & Caroline Woodley)