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Batley Buggy Club, West Yorkshire, Saturday 30th July 2005
Normally I would have put this in the "Race reports & Results" page, but we had such a good day that I reckoned it deserves it very own page!!
Once a year, the BRCA stages the British Championships for Juniors & Veterans. The Juniors are split into 3 classes - under 13's, under 16's and under 19's, whilst the veterans have to be aged over 40. Curtis was to compete for the first time in the under 13's, with Allen making his debut on the bigger stage in the veterans. With Rob not qualifying by virtue of age, he was pleased to act at pit-man and designated marshall for the day.
Rainy, rainy Batley
Allen thoroughly enjoyed his first time at a big meeting and performed extremely well in difficult track conditions. The veterans racing was taken seriously, but with plently of light hearted banter too which made for a great day. The veterans christened themselves "The Old Farts", and proudly sported t-shirts bearing the title - Allen included! 21 vets competed on the day, and unluckily for them it always seemed that the heavens opened just before their races, making the track very slippy. Allen drove quickly and consistantly all day, finishing 6th in the vet's B final, 16th on the day.
Allen pushing the Losi hard during qualifying
Allen (in the blue cap) with some of the other "Old Farts" on the rostrum preparing for a qualifying round. The official t-shirts bore the slogan "It only takes one old fart to clear the rostrum"
Curtis seemed pleasantly unfazed by the prospect of racing in his most important meeting of the year, so Rob took on the nerves instead! The best under 13's in the country were there, including the first three drivers from 2004, who just scraped in as under 13 again this year. In total 16 drivers were competing in this class, and many had travelled a long way. Curtis absolutely excelled himself, driving with a maturity and consistancy way above his experience, to qualify in 9th place in the A final - the British Championship race itself. Rob and Allen were obviously delighted, and it was touching that so may other racers and Dads made time to congratulate the team on Curtis's performance. Unfortunately the rain made the final very difficult, with the astroturf and concrete sections particularly tough. Curtis battled away, sliding his way to 10th place overall, but he is now officially the 10th best under 13 in the country!!!
Curtis going for maximum attack in qualifying
Curtis (beige jacket) prepare for the under 13's A final. The big guy on the right is Andy "Scouse" Jones, race referee.
