As one of the long distant competitors, it costs us on average £500 per event and anything between 400 – 600 miles “round trip” to attend meetings. We prefer the two day events, more racing for our money and costs and a relatively peaceful night sleep in between. Shorter courses do not really interest us as much as a longer course. A 2 mile course isn’t worth getting the car prepared/ started up for. The vehicle needs a good run so I am in full support of longer laps, where possible.
Even though we prefer the 2 days events, It is difficult for Colin to get away from the workshop on a Friday, (that is when we have to leave!) being as he works on his own and you can bet Friday will be a callout day or someone breaking down, therefore we do not usually get away from Kinlochewe until 8-9pm sometimes later....drive to the event (5-8 hrs), race, have that overnight nap, race and drive back home again(5-8hrs)! It is a very long weekend for us.
HOWEVER it is our choice to do this and believe it or not we do struggle ourselves, just as other do, financially, to make it to an event sometimes!.... Why do we do it then? Well we do it because we enjoy the company and the craic of everyone, there is a great bunch of guys and “ladies”
at these events, we want to support the SCCC and the clubs who run it, we want to support all the marshals who also come out to watch and help, we want to support the people that have spent the last week setting up a bloody good course for us all to play on, and finally we enjoy the opportunity to get our car out for a play...and a roll
I am certainly not complaining about the cost, I am merely explaining “our” costs for us to attend each event.
I agree It is very disappointing when we see now that the drivers who used to turn up to these events do not come along any more, however in these difficult economic times, not everyone has the money to afford these events, regardless of the cost being £5 , £45 or £90. People are struggling and that is a fact right now. I don’t think you will get the numbers this year, and perhaps next year may be more difficult for some. Everyone is in the same boat, and we as a club will have to try and keep it going until others with less income are in a better place to come back and re-enter the racing again.
Regarding the Sunday runs, this information has been on the emails I have received since its inception, extract taken from round 3 email: :
For all our two day events this season we are also offering a Sunday only entry for £45.00, your result won't count towards the Championship, but depending on the numbers at the end of the year there might be a prize for the "Sunday League"!it is included at the bottom of the weekend event information, and I understand it is a generic email that goes out to all the members who have ever attending any SCCC event? The Club “have been” telling people about this new “Sunday” cup. I also think it’s a great idea for our competitors to come out and play for a good days racing, and to have this opportunity at a slightly lesser cost. However regarding mileage, as I said before it needs to be worthwhile to even start up the car.
As to speed, yeah we have a bigger engine than some, but as David has already
very clearly pointed out, this does not make a blind bit of difference; you just need to look back at the last 2 years championship tables, to see a wide number of different competitors’ vehicles take the top spot at any one event. Just look at my wee Irish friend Brian Hilditch
he has been so consistent for the past few years and he has progressed at every level. Yeah he needs persuasion to go out in the dark, LOL (love U Bri
XX) BUT this consistency has helped him get to where he is today, and if I’m not wrong he is not very far from the top of the championship table after his successful and
consistent 5 years of racing.
We enter to have fun and blow the cobwebs out of the engine from the previous event. As it usually sits in the workshop till then! And it is the pure pleasure of taking part at these events, which makes all the travelling, costs, hardwork, sleepless nights, and bankruptcy worthwhile. If we wanted to go even faster, we would be supporting another club like the AWDC or BCCC, as we would have to travel anyway ....BUT.... We are dedicated to the clubs who organise the SCCC, and that is who we will continue to support as long as they keep going.
Michelle Stevenson
part time navigator to car 1 / almost full time timekeeper
