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 4^th.  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

In preparation for the race Team Neaves Racing have fitted rudders, anchors and compasses to their cars so that navigating around Snetterton will be that little bit easier. However, this will all be in vein if last year is anything to go by, as you may have guessed, it was a little too wet to race.

In terms of the Championship only one member of the team is in contention for the serious positions, Blaine should secure third in group C. There is a mathematical possibility he could get second in C, but it would have to be a perfect pair of victories… which is unlikely. Of course Dan and Ollie will be competing for championship position, currently seventh and eighth respectively and with three points between them there’s all to play for.

Pre-Race News

Will it be an epic return for Simon Hutchinson in the Midget?? He won last time out at Snetterton, but can he do it again… Recently Simon took some time out to race in the Formula Penguin championship which takes place in the Falklands.

Usual suspects Barry Holmes and Rob Spencer return to their normal line up in group C. Rob is then lending his group B V8 to Terry Holmes, who enjoyed a good race with Blaine last time out.

Ewart Kitson is having trouble getting parts together and although entered may not make an appearance at Snetterton. We hope he makes it…

The Team Neaves brothers Dan and Ollie were in the wars with reliability problems at Cadwell but showed good pace, can they improve further and challenge Simon?

Rob Beasley has fixed his ‘Yellow Peril’ Midget and makes his return.

The VHPD Metro of Paul Rigg is on the entry list again, it has been threatening all year but will we actually see it this time? Fresh from his first race victory at Cadwell we expect Paul to be quick.

Dan Ludlow won’t be at Snet as he has got himself a drive with a Honda works team in Britcar, we wish him every success on his debut for the team. Of course this means that Simon Cripps will take the Group C title, but can he go on to take the overall title as well?

Team Neaves would like to formally welcome James Darby as an honorary member in the 4hr relay race, he’ll pilot Blaine’s number 7 machine. It will be interesting to see the times after the race! Also it will be interesting to get some neutral feedback on the K Series conversion…

There you have it, there’s a lot to look forward to at Snetterton, and we hope to see you all there – or at least in a pub close to the circuit.

Team Neaves

Initially the idea was to try and make a team comprising one of each of the K Series engined cars in the Peter Best Championship, there are however a couple of gaps in the model range and hopefully enough people interested to get a couple of teams together.

Any K Series MG is welcome, no matter how big or small. If you’re interested then please leave a comment or use the contact section of the site and let us know!

Team Neaves

PS. There is a rumour that a ‘team talk’ will be held in the nearest pub on the saturday night before the race

Snetterton | Round 9/10

Blaine qualified 4th for what turned out to be the last race of the season as Sunday was cancelled. He finished the race in 2nd and sealed the Class C title!

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