Westonzoyland Race Day Review 2024
July 2024 and we returned to the old WWII airfield at Westonzoyland for an exclusive CKGB day of Championship racing – In the sunshine! With the wide-open space offered by the historic airfield the ‘event team’ was on site the night before to lay out a circuit (along the lines of the 2023 course) suitable for each of the following days racing formats, Sprint, Pursuit (re-entrant corner removed to create an ovel) and Endurance.
Race Day – Gate opens at 8am with competitors arriving in good time. Officials, Medical and Hospitality take up their positions. The course is dressed for the day with flags and the administration begins.
There was a select turnout with nine Cyclekarts (CK) booked including first-time appearances for Terry Sanders STUTZ and Chris Noonan’s Hardy SS Special. In addition to the first timers there were some ‘old times’ Chris Slade ERA R3A and Chris Loader Austin 7 Class H and those running since 2023 Glynn Evans Austin 7 Ulster, Nick Hincks MG, Ian Lang Alvis Firebird Special and Ian McCabe Bloody Mary Bolster Special.
Unfortunately, Mark Underdown couldn’t make it having contracted Covid – not the right sort of Corona challenge Mark!
Down to 8!
Briefing and Course walk – Following Mark and Kim completing the sign on admin and CoC briefing we all had a course walk. There were some nice sweeping curves with lots of space to allow for overtaking if needed. Changes to the layout were explained come the pursuit racing. Marshal posts were set up at the start / finish and at the opposite end of the course, which would also be used as the B starting position for the pursuit racing. With all happy free practice could commence on time.
Free Practice – Following some technical checks the two new CK’s were first out on the Initial free practice, both went well but Chris in his Hardy SS Special suffered a bent a stub axle. Unfortunately, he retired for the rest of the day. Ian McCabe also broke several spokes but managed to replace the wheel to take part in the sprints, aided by James Bond his new pit crew member!
Down to 7!
Sprint – May Bug Sprint event followed the free practice, some excellent runs with times in two close groups. Sprint times were recorded from the start line one out lap and one ‘flying’ lap, a warm down and exit lap concluded each run, drivers having two runs with the best time counting. Sadly, little AL hardly got off the line and the drive sprocket carrier gave way at the keyway, no chance to repair pit side, another retirement for the rest of the day.
Doh! Down to 6!
All six remaining CKs recorder times with some very close groupings - Chris Loader taking the honours.
The best of two runs were as follows:-
#CK Name Sprint (Sec) Ranking
1 Loader 37.66 1
17 Slade 39.68 2
34 Evans 39.78 3
9 Hincks 44.22 4
53 McCabe 44.52 5
3 Sanders 44.81 6
Pursuit – WZL Pursuit Trophy.
This was run along the lines that some of you will have experienced at Malvern. However Chris Slade had broken a spoke during the sprinting and decided he would sit the pursuit out. As we were down to 5 CKs there was time for all CK’s to race each other, Chris L was out front with 4 out of 4 wins.
#CK Name Sprint (Sec) Ranking
1 Loader 4 out of 4 1
34 Evans 3 out of 4 2
9 Hincks 1 out of 4 3
3 Sanders Draw 4
53 McCabe Draw 4
Following a great lunch, thanks to the members and ladies, we moved on to the Endurance races.
Endurance - Endurance racing 2 x 12 mins – WZL Endurance Trophy. CK’s were seeded based on the sprint and split into two groups of three. Unfortunately 6mins into the first groups run Glynn rolled his CK on a corner and sustained some wounds to his arm, he was attended to by the onsite nurses, who were excellent, he did go to minors A and E as a precaution - tetanus and antibiotics.
Unfortunate as an incident is the processes put in place at the event worked perfectly, the medics were in at the incident in moments and Glynn received first class care. As professionals the nurses recommended a check at A and E. I’m pleased to report that in the intervening weeks Glynn has made a good recovery. After a pause we did run the second group but limited to 6 mins – same overall time as the first group. One and a half mins in Terry stripped all the spokes from the hub on the nearside rear wheel, we had a pause for repairs and completed the endurance.
Chris L took this as well. I think all found the endurance a challenge.
#CK Name Endur’ce Ranking Ranking combined
(# Laps). with sprint
1 Loader 18 1 =1
34 Slade 17- 3 =2
9 Evans 17+ 2 =2
3 Hinkcs 16 - 5 =4
53 McCabe 16 + 4 =4
3 Sanders 12 6 =6
The results and overall rankings have been passed to Stefan for onward transmission to the World Championship organiser. A decision was taken to run the rest of the day as free practice.
The event also had a static award as well. Best Inspiration car interpretation – The Golden Pasty Trophy.
We also had a non-competitive event for the Golden Pasty voted for by all the drivers, official and helpers - best CK interpretation which went to Ian L and little AL.
Course closed at 4pm and we had a clear up and departed by 5.30pm.
Thanks – Thanks go to the Officials. Planning is key – attention and timely response from the attendees to signing in briefing and event marshalling all helped the day run
smoothly. Mark and Kim were Clarke and Deputy of the Course. Thanks for completing all the paperwork before during and after including all reports to NORA. James as head marshal for keeping the track running and also doing the time keeping as well as supplying the cream tea. Particular thanks go to the medical team, Alison and Sandra. Im sure we all appreciate the presence of a professional first aid team but none more that when they are called upon!
And thanks to all who were part of the ‘event team’ setting up and clearing up, those keeping us fed and watered during the day, the sign makers and flag wavers!
SUMMARY
Motorsport is Dangerous! Although we suffered a few breakdowns during the day and a racing incident, it was a fun sunny day, with plenty of driving. Detailed planning ahead of the event helped in achieving a smooth days event - It was a team effort. Overall we demonstrated that a full race day is achievable.
Next year we hope to have a new vintage themed venue!
Best regards
Ian Lang
WZL Race Day – Event Lead
