Another week, another car – the Flying Fortress Stages

Having enjoyed the Flying Fortress in 2020, we decided to return. Once again it was an event where you had to be quick to get an entry, but we made it onto the list as did some friends which always make for a better (more sociable!) day.

Whilst it had been warm in 2020, this year it felt absolutely scorching! Class A, which is where we run in the Micra, was popular again with some quick cars. As this was mine and Matt’s second attempt as a crew doing the event, we at least knew what to expect and seemed to be on the pace from the start which was good.

We couldn’t quite match our 2nd in class from the year before, but we finished 3rd (10 starters) and only 18 seconds off 2nd so still a good pace. It felt more sociable (more “normal”) and we didn’t have the car dramas of the year before, which helped!

Autocrossing the Golf

Having given the Golf it’s Autocross debut in 2020, it was time to take it to Long Newnton near Tetbury. It’s only a few miles from my parents’ house which makes it rather handy given it is a two day event.

We travelled down on the Friday evening and left the trailer and Golf at the venue ready for Saturday. The Golf is fun to drive, but behind standard she really has to be worked to try and get anything out of her. My Saturday runs were “ok” but nothing special. Sunday was completely different; rain had left the track rather slick and I was struggling to get much out of her, aside from a spin early into my first run.

Thankfully, it dried up (as did the course!) and it got quicker on Sunday. I finished Sunday eight seconds quicker than my best Saturday run, which was at least some improvement.

Photo thanks to Matt and Paul Morris Photography.

Walking around Kings Langley

Having joined another new motor club this year (Boundless) to help with access to some other events through their club membership, the North West London group were arranging a walking treasure hunt around Kings Langley, which seemed a good way to spend a summer evening.

Having met at the pub, we set off down the main street along with lots of other people taking part. In the true ethos of treasure hunts, some clues were much easier to find than others – we struggled with the first which turned out to be on the door as we left the pub!

Once we got into the swing of things we seemed to be picking them up ok, and were pleased to finish second overall on the night.