Cambridge Area Report May04
Since the last area report we have completed two runs with more fun and frolics planned for the summer months.
Fish and Chip run to Hunstanton April 11th
This was our first proper run out as an area as the previous one had been rained off.
After some frantic last minute organisation via the boardroom we decided to
meet up in two groups the first at Milton Tesco at 11:30 am and then on to meet
Martin, Chris and Liam etc at Downham Market.
I had been putting “finishing touches” to my Zetec car since 4am
Sunday morning (this involved fitting the indicators, adjusting the engine mounts
and gaffer taping the rear number plate on) and arrived at Tesco at in advance
of the main party only to discover that I couldn’t put any fuel in as
I’d not cut the hole for the filler…………
A quick trip home and 5 minutes with the Dremmel sorted the issue and I was
ready to blat.
Four Westies, Mark H with his Megabusa, an aero screened CVH, a Xflow and my Zetec left Tesco slightly late and within about 10 seconds I’d lost the other three (or they had lost me) and proceeded to Downham Market on my own with Sparky in the passenger seat picking up Rob in his yellow Xflow en route.
On arrival at Downham there were a further six cars waiting for us which included Martins Xflow, Liam’s Pinto, Chris’s CVH making 11 Westies in total.
Chris volunteered to lead the convoy into “Sunny Hunny” via Sandringham
(to wake up the Royals) and we set off in a cacophony of engine noise and tyre
smoke!!!!!!!
About two minutes later I had to stop to let Sparky sort out his seat belt and
lost the rest of the group…………..
The rest of the convoy headed towards Sandringham where rumour has is Martin
had a “red mist moment” that involved showing a Max Power Nova his
Westfields mettle making it difficult for the rest of the group to keep up.
A few frantic phone calls later we re-assembled ten out of the eleven cars in the convoy (one of the chaps from Ely had an oil pressure problem and felt it best to return home after trying to find us) on the way into Hunstanton and on arrival parked up for the usual chat.
Two things never fail to suprise me, the reaction of Jo public to Westfields
and the sheer variety of the cars when placed next to one another.
Chris announced that he knew the best place in town for Fish and Chips and the
hike to the chippy certainly helped to work up an appetite.
After lunch we returned to the cars for a further tyre kicking session and then
made our own way home.
I saw Mark H and Monkyledgend a way up ahead (about 5 miles outside Hunstanton)
and caught up after a few good overtakes Colin was following me in his yellow
Xflow SE.
We then proceeded to “make good progress” back towards Cambridge
with Marks Megabusa showing the way with some very dodgy overtakes and ferocious
acceleration.
At one point we were overtaken by two GSXR100 bikes that came past on the back
wheels at in excess of 110mph (one of the riders was standing op on the foot
pegs and waved as he came past) and a very aggressive dickhead in a Range Rover
who wouldn’t let me back in after an overtake and clipped the back of
my car in the process.
Judging by the comments on the boardroom the event was seen as a success with all those attending having a great time.
Sunday May 9th Cambridge “Circular” blat.
The last area run was a circular route around Cambridge drawn up by Mark H.
The weather on the Saturday had been on and off showers and Sunday promised
the same, the usual last minute posts on the boardroom confirmed that the run
would go ahead but by Sunday morning some of the regular members had cancelled
due to heavy rain in their areas.
Four cars made it to the usual start point (Tesco Milton) at noon, Mark H with
his Megabusa, Rob and his father in their Xflow SE, Dick in his Xflow Sei Wide
and myself with my Zetec SE.
Andy Mills turned up with his better half (minus his Westy) and Neil Hall (Cambs
Webmaster) cycled down the A14 to blag a ride for the run and chose the Megabusa.
After a brief discussion about weather of not we should go for it (due to the
darkening skies) we decided that as we had all made the effort to come along
we should and set off at a sedate pace.
The route took us around Cambridge on a variety of roads from the A14 to back
lane B roads and gave the chance to stretch the cars a little on places.
I was supprised with the amount of restraint that Mark H showed in leading the
group as I suspect he really wanted to up the pace a little but the roads were
a little wet and slippery in places and common sense prevailed.
We ended up back in the White Horse in Milton where we were joined by Andy his
wife and their Westfield and chatted about the up and coming events.
I’d like to thank you all for the support I have had so far as the new Cambs AO and am looking forward seeing more of you at the up and coming runs/events.
Chaz.