What a weekend! The last races of the season at Snetterton were two of the best – a great and fitting end to the season. So what happened I hear you ask?
Following a couple of failed attempts on track at Cadwell Dan and Ollie had some work to do before Snetterton. Ollie had a problem with a throttle sensor which was easily rectified but Dan’s problem was more fundamental… a short time after Cadwell Dan discovered a heavy box in the corner of the garage containing odd implements. What could these be? These conspicuous metal objects seamed to fit nuts and bolts, that’s right, Dan got to grips with the spanners in an effort to stop the gearbox cross member falling off again! More on this later…
As Saturday morning dawned the drivers were greeted with a sandstorm, some say the storm originated in one of James Walpole’s nearby fields – perhaps a plot to slow down his championship rivals?! Still, it had no effect on Simon Cripps as he managed to slide his way to the pole. Team Neaves did quali in their usual style with Blaine courteously providing a track guide to the younger Neavesers and also to Pistol-Pete Burchill. The team were relieved to make it to the end of the session with all cars in working order… haha of course I’m lying there; Dan found himself limping into the garage with a brake issue – going back to those conspicuous metal objects that do the bolts up, it seemed a bolt had vanished from one of the callipers.
PUBLIC HEALTH WARNING
Don’t let this man work on your car!
When the results came in we were pleasantly surprised by qualifying;
Pole. Simon Cripps
2. Simon Hutchinson
3. Blaine
4. Dan
5. Ollie
6. Barry Holmes
At this point Barry and Blaine were equal third in group C so it was all to play for.
The grid lined up for Race 1 with Dan sharing a row with Blaine and Ollie with Barry – who found the time to give Ollie a knowing smile on the line. The lights went out and unlike Cadwell; Old Man Neaves was spared a mugging by at least one of the youths. Dan slithered around the outside of Blaine into turn one with Ollie and Barry just behind. Down the Revet straight Dan then managed to nose ahead of Simon H for second but couldn’t hold the nimble midget when it came to braking.
On the second lap Blaine, Ollie and Barry took advantage of Dan’s poor exit of the chicane to jump him down the start straight. While Simon Says and Simon Does eked out a lead, it was becoming apparent that Blaine didn’t have the pace of the cars behind him. As the race continued Barry, Dan and Ollie traded places all the time. At one point Barry had made his way past Dan and Ollie and was putting Blaine under serious pressure, pulling along side a couple of times. Ollie managed a grab a good exit from Russell’s and pull alongside Barry down the start/finish straight, only to be given the squeeze before making the move stick into the first corner. The epic tussle continued until the last lap; Dan gave it a few too many beans in a last ditch attempt to get Barry across the line and spun at the chicane. It’s always nice to have a spin in front on the fans – I’m sure photos will follow…
The final result for race one was
1. Simon C
2. Simon H
3. Blaine
4. Ollie
5. Barry
6. David Brooke
7. Peter Andrews
8. Dan
It was then back to the hotels / tents / MG ZT Estates (eh Pete) to get some rest, but not before a trip to the pub where – Jonesey – no money laundering activities took place – that’s what Danny the ‘cashback’ Kid says anyway 
Sunday morning saw better weather; more sun, less wind and no sand. Barry needed to finish a couple of places ahead of Blaine to take third in Class C for the championship. The grid was similar for Race 2;
Pole. Simon C
2. Simon H
3. Blaine
4. Ollie
5. Barry
6. Dan
At the lights round two commenced, but this time, like Freddy Mercury with a Hoover, Ollie broke free (what an image). By the end of the Revet straight on lap one Ollie had negotiated one Simon (Hutch) and was on to the other (Cripps). It seems Ollie fancied the win, trying his best to get round Simon but just not having the legs to make it stick.
All the while the Battle Royale continued behind between Blaine, Barry and Dan, slogging it out for 4th. Barry was looking handy but couldn’t find a way past road-hog-Blaine. After the race scrutineers took a long look at Blaine’s car following reports that it is at least twice as wide as normal B’s… Yes, Blaine is very hard to pass! As Dan got closer to Barry a manoeuvre known only as the Barry-Holmes-squeeze was brought out in an effort to keep Dan behind, but after a few laps Dan made it through.
Back at the front hard charging Simon Cripps got the wrong gear for the chicane and spun, by the time he’d collected it up he found himself third behind Ollie and Simon. Ollie was leading the race! Remarkable!! All that remained was for Ollie to keep a cool head and bring it home. But Cripps wasn’t finished there; he was determined to get back in front. Hutch too could smell the win and was catching Ollie back up. Could he do it?
As Blaine, Dan and Barry continued to fight it out Barry copied Dan’s Race 1 move and did a nice power slide spin for the crowd at the chicane. Unfortunately while pleasing the masses Barry dropped away from the battle leaving Blaine and Dan to it. Without having Barry to worry about Dan was on a mission, and over the next few laps twice came around the outside at Corrum to try and pass road-hog-Blaine, on the second try the move stuck, but it meant getting a bad run out of the chicane… Blaine then pulled ahead again on the straight. At the following corner Dan, just inches behind Blaine, hit the brakes to find not a lot happen! Consequently a high speed brown trouser inducing slide started – spinning him into the infield, but also letting Barry back through. That’s what happens when the pads rattle away from the disc when you run over a kerb!!
On the last lap Cripps, now getting close to the charging midget of Hutch was flying, but then at the end of the Revet straight got his braking all wrong and impacted a tyre stack pretty hard. Simon was ok but in his wake he’d left the tyre stack in the middle of the track. Then, it was all over, Ollie had managed to stay ahead and take the win!!
Well Done Ollie!!!
Final positions were
1. Ollie
2. Simon H
3. Blaine
4. Barry
5. David Brooke
6. Dan
A truly excellent result for the team, Ollie takes his first win, and Blaine wrapped up third in class. In fact it’s been an excellent season, despite early teething problems, Team Neaves will certainly be a force to be reckoned with next season!
We’d like to thank the club for putting on the races throughout the year; they have been very well run. Also thanks to all the marshals – without whom racing is not possible. And thanks to the fellow drivers for putting up with us newcomers – and the senior one.
Special thanks go to Alan F and son Danny for taking some great photos.
And we’d all like to thank our underpants for their support.
See you at the Dinner and Dance!
Team Neaves
Great write up as usual.
Well done to Ollie for his first of many wins I’m sure. Dan your turn next.
Also would like to thank Blaine for allowing me to drive his car in the 4 hour relay. Team Special K also got first in its class so well done to the rest of the team, Dan Ollie, Blaine, Dave Brown, Alan Brooke and Simon H for keeping us in in check as team leader.
Thanks James, big well done to all in the special K team.
Was a fantastic weekend with some good close but clean racing and not too many reliability problems for all the peter bester’s.
I will be giving passenger rides in the car on Saturday 24th this month at castle combe to raise money for the stroke assosiation, please do come along and bring the family. Pete Burchill in the ZS and Dan Ludlow in his metro will also be there.
Ollie