Entry forms arrive, filled in and sent off. Check over competing vehicle and agree to take down on large trailer.

Friday night looms up. We finish packing the caravan and set it up for towing
(Heather is getting good at towing!). I find that if I tow at 50 mph with my V8 100", the fuel consumption goes to about 22 mpg, so a slow journey was undertaken.

We followed the one-way system up to the site and the road was so narrow I had to go extremely slowly past some walkers and on into the field area.

"Where's your sticker please?"

I had put both of them in the motors two weeks ago. It must have been a long day for those Peak & Dukeries members.

We were told Field C — Red area. I thought to myself, here we go, miles from civilisation. But no, we were only 25 yards or so from the main field for trade stands and marquee, etc.

If you read my rambling from Lines at Foxhills about my cup of tea (or lack of)
Fiona made up for the deficiency and made me two. Yes, two!

Saturday — I was assisting Graham Miles and Peter in the winch recovery. The
first run was slower than expected. The second run was extremely fast until I tried to find one of the pulley blocks. I thought it had come off in the stream, yup, jump into the black lagoon to try and find it. It was in the grass elsewhere. Sorry Graham.
On the way back to the caravan for a shower. Peter and I jumped in the horse trough to clean off some the grime.

Sunday — With the trade stands being close to our caravan and most of the
people out on the trials field, the family and I ambled around the trade area. If only I had enough money! After lunch we wandered off to watch some of the trial sections. Steve Oliver had acquired another lightweight. which was in pristine condition until Rob Bill lowered the truck cab roof on a tree.

Later on that evening, Fiona and I went to walk the comp. course. There was
bunting all around the course as the track looped around the hillside using all the
available space. As we arrived at the finish, Glen Thompson was out testing the circuit on his mountain bike. Out of all the gears available he was struggling to find one! Does anybody do an automatic gearbox for bikes? If so, contact Glen.          

On Monday with five runs to be attempted in the Comp., Fiona and I were off
on our first run in less than hour as the P. & D. timing team were sending us off

at 30 second intervals. There were very few stoppages which was a boon. On our
last run and with 50 yards or so from the finish, the front diff broke.

The whole event was extremely laid back (my opinion). I'm glad that I did not
miss this year's NATIONAL, Well done P. & D.

Michael Chaloner

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