National Treasure

I enjoy the Nationals!

I set off on Friday afternoon, for a comfortable ride down to Ledbury. It is just so different to driving Lucy (the 2A), especially as the route was mainly motorway and proved to be busy, but free flowing. The only problems were the constant rattle from a rear shock absorber, and the speedo packed up as I joined the M50. However, I arrived on site at about 5 o’clock, the Eastnor Castle site being special, and a beautiful setting, tents and caravans set out in the valley.

Scrutineering is almost as bad as MOT time in my book, but the system was quick and there was no fuss. Having signed on, I went with the Marshall family crew off to the town to buy lunch (there was apparently no catering on the site during the event) and to top up with fuel. Then we went off to find the pub at which we were staying, had a good meal and an early night.

Breakfast was a huge sandwich provided by the pub, out side with the vehicles, then we set off to the site at about 7am. We were all in different groups, so we split up in the queues and waited for the day to start. It’s great being a part of the whole group at the start; 170 odd vehicles, of all types and in all conditions.

And what a day! The Clerk of the Course described it as ‘the green lane trip from hell’ but reckoned it would be ‘the best RTV you have ever driven.’ It was certainly the longest drive – Paul reckoned about 8.5 miles in the day! And some sections were 15mins apart! Much of the route used the tracks set out for the Land Rover Experience, so were testing, and often in water. That was an experience in itself. At one point, we had to tow a vehicle up one part of the track, as it was impossible to get over the crest!

The sections were all demanding, mostly under trees (which I didn’t seem to be able to avoid!) and often very tight. But no complaints, it was really challenging, and needed lots of concentration, especially manoeuvring my ‘ship’ through some of the tight, high end gates. I didn’t manage a clear, several 1’s and one rotten 10, which made up a quarter of my tally! I could do nothing about the 10, having made it through the 11 which was worrying everyone, only to gracefully slide sideways into a tree in front of the 10!

And then I reversed off a slope, straight into a tree. I swear it wasn’t there as I went up the slope……

The day was helped along by the banter between myself and Colin……… from NERO, driving a very much modified Disco. His problem was turning circle, the big boots giving grip, but sacrificing agility.

Final score for the day, 40 points – 6^th in class and 83^rd overall (out of 165 – not so bad.)

I returned on the Saturday night, avoiding the deluge that was Sunday, and the problems on the motorway that others met. The mysterious rattle had disappeared – I found on Sunday it was because the shocker has separated completely! The ride home was very ship like!

Great weekend, well organised, great chatting with people from all over, good competition. ‘Nuff said.

Ken

PS Apologies to the magazine crew, who have done a great job – this was supposed to be in it!