SEF FIRST ANNIVERSARY 

THE GOODWOOD GALLOP

Sunday 30th May 2004

Neil W thought it was a track day when he spotted that the SEFers were talking about a trip to Goodwood. He wasn't far wrong but the track was slightly smaller than expected and he would have had trouble getting a single wheel of his F on it's surface.

Eight Fers turned up in the woods at Ockham Common Car Park ready to be briefed by Kevin who was organising his first run for the group. Kev produced excellent Tulips for the run but with only one double crewed car most drivers tried to keep sight of the one in front . Not altogether an easy task as the F's blew up clouds of dust from the edges of single track country lanes. The route took us out through West Surrey finding some hitherto unknown roads to travel along through the villages of Clandon, Albury, Wonersh, Alfold , Balls Cross and so on through to the South Downs and Sussex. With only one layby stop to put the hoods up thanks to a sudden shower it was a further half an hour or so before we were able to go topless again as the sun broke out in Sussex.

We passed gaggles of youngsters heading into the woods on the downs as we  but we lost no Fer to the dubious delights of a local rave and we drove past them with Goodwood already in our sights. Swoopoing down past the white painted of the racecourse we passed several AC Cobras driving the other way and as we turned into the motor racing circuit we found a few more parked up and being admired. We parked the Fs in the parking area a little further along so as not to show them up too much.

With skies darkening again it was time for the first SEF mini Grand Prix challenge. Luckily numbers made it simple for this years tournament to be a simple knockout contest. The figure of eight mini scalextric appeared from TimM's boot and was set up on a nearby picnic table in the middle of the circuit ready for some tyre spinning action. A brief pause whilst the track was covered by three umbrellas as the first drops of rain fell - we didn't have wet weather tyres on the cars so it was important that the track remained dry. With lots drawn the first of the quarter finals between Barry and Steve began. Each pairing undertook three races of ten laps each - the winner going through to the next round in a somewhat brutal and fast contest. Barry , Tim J, Kev and Bob were unceremoniously dispatched as Steve, Don, Sue and NeilW drove their ways into the semi finals. Steve and Don were up first and Don resoundingly beat Steve winning all three races. Sue and NeilW took up the controllers for a more tense tussle with NeilW just scraping through to the final. 

After a short pause to allow the drivers to recuperate and prepare mentally for the grand final the light went out for the first of the three deciding races. With both drivers winning one of the first two races it was down to the wire for the final race. With concentration on their faces Don and NeilW exercised their thumbs and suddenly they were off - the deciding ten laps went by in mere seconds as Don just nudged ahead to take the winners laurels.

TimM presented both Don and NeilW with their respective certifcates and the first SEF mini Grand Prix had it's first winner - Well done Don !!

For those interested the official positions and points were as follows :-

Following the excitement of the grand Prix, and to avoid the swishing noise made by about one hundred cyclists circumnavigating the larger track, with  only a short pause for a brief photo opportunity outside the main gates we headed for Tangmere and lunch at the Bader Arms. Suitably fed and watered (beered) it was time to leave and dodge the showers as we all headed in our respective directions -  with Don and Neil still proudly holding their winners certificates. Meanwhile TimJ was thinking about what may have been if only his thumb had been coordinated properly......