As we are close to entering October, this point will signify the ending of the HRCR Summer recess. Since the Cotswold in early July, the intervening months have witnessed precious little active participation for championship contenders.

A significant number of hopefuls did indeed take advantage of Bath Motor Club’s “Great Western” in mid-August with a view to exercising grey matter and reflexes. Navigators and drivers respectfully, that is. (Should the distinction require explanation)

The calendar however recommences with it’s second unknown event of the year – HERO 3 Challenge. Based upon Chepstow Race Course this event will indeed provide a challenge, yet to be witnessed by HRCR Championship contenders of unfamiliar territory surrounding Monmouth.

New editions of maps 161,162 & 171 will no doubt need to be purchased in order to be “on the ball” with the regularity sections. I have been reliably informed that test surfaces will be a mixture of tarmac and gravel but of smooth quality. Whilst there are no grounds whatsoever to doubt this information, your scribe offers no guarantees, in the event of anyone encountering pot-holes or deep ruts of any description.

HRCR entrants will be contesting what now appears to be the popular two-day format, approx 2hrs on Friday night with the remainder on Saturday. Regular HERO challenge entrants will also make an entrance at this point in time, albeit in a separate event.

As for runners and riders, given the timescale since the Cotswold Rally, this writer feels somewhat unqualified to predict who may be ‘on form’ or not, as only one of the championship leaders is  entered. Martin Taylor is thus relying on Paul Dyas to maintain his currently superior position in a Mk1 Lotus Cortina. The car is neither white nor displays the customary “green flash” so one could be forgiven for thinking – maybe just an ordinary Cortina. Not a chance!

Peter Higton will have Ryan Pickering with him on HC3 this time out. Photo M&H Photography.

Other Masters vying for fame include Peter Higton, who on this occasion has the formidable Ryan Pickering alongside, the Binsteads, fresh from their “Malts” victory and the two James’s of “Green Pea” fame wishing to continue their winning spree from the recent (?) distant Cotswold.

James’s Griffiths and Howell in Green Pea will be looking to repeat their Cotswold Historic success on HC 3 Interclub.  Photo by M&H Photography.

Maiden winner on the “Great Western” – John King, has recruited Matthew Vokes as office manager of the Elan Plus 2. Minor teething problems have been evident with this machine but I’m sure it has enormous potential once sorted. As for dark horses, I would venture Niall Frost/Amy Henchoz, provided Niall can remember which side of the car he is sitting on!

Expert drivers gaining consistent scores on every round so far, Andrew Parr and Mark Goodwin with their usual navigators could be up against the impressive Nick Bloxham/Emily Anderson with Phil Wood/Kelvin Phipps not being too far adrift.

Mark Goodwin and Anthony Davis (Dolomite Sprint) will be out looking for another top ten finish to add to their tally.  

Also in the Expert category, (2nd division – dare I say) crews without a mention so far will no doubt feature Dave Morris/Jac Wales and Martin Leonard/ Jason Murphy in an effort to upstage the ever reliable Heaneys.   Non committal then, I’d say!

Novice crews in with a shout would likely include Chris Philips/Kevin Chaffey, Martin Craske/Martin Howlett and David Foster if he’s managed to locate a navigator. That is assuming they  don’t all get Rupert/Carole Burne’t off. Mention must be made of ourselves however. An impressive start to the championship saw us leading the Novice category, but whilst Anne maintains top slot, my position appears to have ‘slipped’ somewhat! Missing the Gremlin, followed by a retirement on the Cotswold has proved costly. The culmination of several favourable results means we have subsequently upgraded to experts. Either way we return to the fray with Grey/White Austin A40 but if contenders don’t spot the difference………….                         Oh dear!

Jeff Wincott and Anne Tweddell (Austin A40). Jeff needs to ‘up his game’ if he is to win the Novice Championship’. Photo by M&H Photography.