Class A
Cla	Name	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Pts	OA
Pos		DP	CP	CP	Sil	Sne	Sne	BH	Cro	Cro	OP	BH	Sil	Tot	Pos.
1	Warren Briggs	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	9	9	-	6	6	30	16
2	Colin McKay	6	-	-	6	4	-	9	-	-	-	-	4	29	17
3	Keith Kenward	4	4	4	4	-	-	4	-	-	4	-	-	24	25
4	Gregg Thornton	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	-	9	15	31
5	David Lloyd	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	-	4	-	10	42
6=	Mark Watts	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	-	-	-	-	6	46
6=	Nigel Webb	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	-	-	-	-	-	6	46
Class B
Cla	Name	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Pts	OA
Pos		DP	CP	CP	Sil	Sne	Sne	BH	Cro	Cro	OP	BH	Sil	Tot	Pos.
1	Jimmy Fuller	6	6	9	-	9	9	4	-	-	-	-	9	52	7
2	Dan Cox	-	9	-	9	-	-	9	4	4	-	9	-	44	9
3	Mark Garritt	-	4	6	-	-	-	6	-	-	-	6	-	22	26
4	Dan Wray	-	-	4	6	-	-	-	-	-	9	-	-	19	27
5	David Morrow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	4	4	14	34
6	Richard Cross	-	-	-	-	6	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	12	38
7	Nick Ledger	-	-	-	6	-	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	10	42
8	Joe Gomm	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	6	46
9	Peter Wray	-	-	-	-	-	-	3	-	-	-	-	-	3	61
Class C
Cla	Name	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Pts	OA
Pos		DP	CP	CP	Sil	Sne	Sne	BH	Cro	Cro	OP	BH	Sil	Tot	Pos.
1	Steve Shuttleworth	9	-	-	9	9	6	9	6	6	6	9	4	73	4
2	Mark Jones	-	9	9	-	6	9	-	9	9	9	-	9	69	5
3	Mike Gardiner	6	-	-	-	2	4	4	4	4	-	6	6	36	12
4	Robyn Slater	-	4	4	6	-	1	3	2	3	4	3	2	32	15
5	John Pugsley	4	6	6	-	4	-	6	-	-	-	-	3	29	17
6	Brian Webb	3	3	3	6	-	-	2	3	2	-	4	1	27	19
7	Joe Gomm	-	-	-	-	3	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	46
8=	Mike Koskela	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	2	-	3	61
8=	Neil Wood	-	-	-	-	1	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	3	61
Class D
Cla	Name	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Pts	OA
Pos		DP	CP	CP	Sil	Sne	Sne	BH	Cro	Cro	OP	BH	Sil	Tot	Pos.
1	Roger Godfrey	9	9	9	4	4	4	9	9	9	6	6	4	82	1
2	Tim Harber	4	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	-	4	6	26	22
3	Mike Smith	6	4	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	9	-	-	25	24
4	Colin Flynn	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	4	-	-	-	13	37
Class E
Cla	Name	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Pts	OA
Pos		DP	CP	CP	Sil	Sne	Sne	BH	Cro	Cro	OP	BH	Sil	Tot	Pos.
1	Steve Platts	9	9	9	-	6	9	6	9	6	4	4	4	75	3
2	David Heale	4	6	6	-	-	-	9	6	4	6	6	6	53	6
3	Andy Jones	-	-	-	-	9	-	-	-	-	9	9	9	36	12
4	Simon Benoy	6	-	-	-	3	6	-	-	-	-	3	-	18	28
5	Adrian Oliver	-	3	4	-	4	3	-	-	-	3	-	-	17	29
6	Pete Wright	-	-	-	-	1	1	3	-	-	-	2	3	10	42
7=	Vince Frost	-	2	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	5	53
7=	Jim McKenzie	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	5	53
9=	Colin Gunton	-	-	-	-	-	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	55
9=	Shaun Hazelwood	-	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	55
9=	Graham Martin	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	-	-	-	-	-	4	55
9=	Ian Gunton	-	-	-	-	2	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	55
Class K1
Cla	Name	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Pts	OA
Pos		DP	CP	CP	Sil	Sne	Sne	BH	Cro	Cro	OP	BH	Sil	Tot	Pos.
1	Leo Voyazides	9	-	-	9	-	-	9	-	-	-	-	-	27	19
2	Simon Miller	4	-	-	4	-	-	4	-	-	-	4	-	16	30
3	David Betts	-	-	-	3	-	-	-	4	4	4	-	-	15	31
4	Louis Bracey	-	-	-	-	4	4	-	-	-	-	-	6	14	34
5	James Dodd	-	-	-	6	-	-	6	-	-	-	-	-	12	38
6=	Graeme Dodd	-	-	-	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	46
6=	Jeremy Cooke	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	46
Class K2
Cla	Name	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Pts	OA
Pos		DP	CP	CP	Sil	Sne	Sne	BH	Cro	Cro	OP	BH	Sil	Tot	Pos.
1	Chris Scragg	4	-	-	-	-	-	4	-	-	4	-	-	12	38
Class K4
Cla	Name	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Pts	OA
Pos		DP	CP	CP	Sil	Sne	Sne	BH	Cro	Cro	OP	BH	Sil	Tot	Pos.
1	Roger Cope	-	4	-	4	-	-	4	-	-	-	-	-	12	38
2	Colin Kingsnorth	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	55
Class K5
Cla	Name	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Pts	OA
Pos		DP	CP	CP	Sil	Sne	Sne	BH	Cro	Cro	OP	BH	Sil	Tot	Pos.
1	Neil Brown	6	9	9	-	6	9	6	9	9	9	-	9	81	2
2	Paul Hopkinson	-	6	4	6	3	4	4	4	4	4	9	4	52	7
3	Jim Clark	4	-	6	-	4	3	-	6	6	6	-	6	41	10
4	Dave Cabena	-	-	-	4	2	2	-	3	3	3	6	3	26	22
5	Richard Dutton	-	-	-	-	9	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	15	31
6	Neil Davies	-	-	-	9	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	9	45
Class K6
Cla	Name	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Pts	OA
Pos		DP	CP	CP	Sil	Sne	Sne	BH	Cro	Cro	OP	BH	Sil	Tot	Pos.
1	Roger Phillips	-	-	-	-	-	-	9	4	9	9	9	-	40	11
2	David Brand	6	-	-	4	4	4	-	9	4	3	-	-	34	14
3	Andy Harrison	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	6	6	-	9	27	19
4	Paul Stanworth	-	4	-	-	-	-	6	-	-	4	-	-	14	34
5	Steve Jones	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	-	6	46
Class K7
Cla	Name	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Pts	OA
Pos		DP	CP	CP	Sil	Sne	Sne	BH	Cro	Cro	OP	BH	Sil	Tot	Pos.
1	Paul Hocking	-	-	-	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	55
Team Trophy
Cla	Name	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Pts	OA
Pos		DP	CP	CP	Sil	Sne	Sne	BH	Cro	Cro	OP	BH	Sil	Tot	Pos.
1	You can tell a Yorks	-	-	4	6	-	4	3	-	-	9	-	-	26	0

The start of the season at Donington seems like yesterday, and here we are at the 2011 finals. They do say time runs faster as you get older…………! So, a busy Saturday ahead, and still a Championship to decide. Although chilly, the weather gods looked favourably upon us and it never looked like rain.

Just into reserves territory again for practice with forty-one taking part. The chill in the air was good for horsepower and once the tyres got up to temperature the times came tumbling down. Warren Briggs’ Mustang pipped the Lotus Cortina of Mark Jones for pole (although I think the outside pole isn’t that great at Silverstone). Greg Thornton’s rumbling Falcon was just behind the leading pair, closely followed by the Lotus Cortinas of Mike Gardiner, Steve Shuttleworth and Richard Dutton.In the race (part 1 – I’ll explain later) Mark Jones made his customary good start and so did Mike Gardiner. After a couple of laps horsepower started to tell though and Warren was up to second, and slowly closing in on Mark. Steve Shuttleworth was on Mike’s tail with Greg back in fifth. The big scrap was just a little way back though, between Jimmy Fuller’s Alfa, the Anglias of Neil Wood and John Pugsley with Dan Wray’s Lotus Cortina pulling up on to the back of this group. Andy Jones’ Singer Chamois was leading the ‘Imp’ pack from David Heale and Steve Platts. In the ‘Mini’ race Tim Harber’s Cooper S had the better of Roger Godfrey, Marc Earnshaw, Andy Harrison and Roger Phillips. Then, on lap nine, disaster struck Vince Frost’s Imp in the Complex when his offside rear wheel came off and he was stranded in the middle of the track. There wasn’t much choice but to stop the race.

Part 2 of the race was over five laps, and just this would count for the result. I think the MSA rules for 2012 may be allowing for an aggregate result in such circumstances. Mark made his second good start and was straight on the pace, pulling out over a second a lap to a fine win. Warren took a little while (and there wasn’t really time to dally!) to get up to speed and let a hard charging group of Mike Gardiner, Greg Thornton and Steve Shuttleworth make the scrap for second. This was the way they finished, with just three tenths covering them all. Warren brought the Mustang in fifth, just ahead of Jimmy Fuller’s Alfa. Into a fine seventh came Neil Brown’s Lotus Cortina, from Joe Gomm’s ex-Mark Garritt BMW and Louis Bracey’s gorgeous Mustang. John Pugsley’s Anglia rounded out the top ten, and put in a cracking sub 1:12 lap in doing it. Andy Jones’ Singer Chamois led home the Imps in eleventh, from the best of the Minis – Tim Harber’s Cooper S. David Heale’s Imp beat off Steve Platts’ Singer Chamois for thirteenth and series newcomer Marc Earnshaw came in a good fifteenth. Regular midfield protagonists Robyn Slater (Anglia), Colin McKay (Jaguar S type) and Brian Webb (Anglia) didn’t disappoint and finished in that order, just clear of Andy Harrison’s Cooper S in nineteenth. Neil Wood fell back from his good race 1 showing to twentieth ahead of an improving David Morrow’s Alfa. Twenty-second is probably lower than Roger Godfrey has ever brought his Cooper S to a race finish, but today it was good enough for four points, all he needed to take his second HTC championship in a row. Jim Clark brought his Lotus Cortina in twenty-third, well clear of Paul Hopkinson’s Alfa, holding Pete Wright’s A40 and the evergreen Ed Glaister’s Anglia 100E off to the flag. Dave Cabena’s Alfa wasn’t far behind, then Jim McKenzie’s Imp in twenty-eighth. Richard Owen’s Ford Galaxie, Mike Koskela’s Anglia and series returnee Jon Orr’s Imp completed the classified runners.

So Roger makes in two championships on the trot! Congratulations Roger, and commiserations to Neil Brown, who will be ruing that loose plug lead at Brands! Steve Platts faded a little over the final races, but his early through mid season performances in the ferociously competitive class E were remarkable.

The championship racing might now be over, but the season still has plenty left. There’s the Walter Hayes and Birkett relay races still to go, then the HSCC Dinner Dance and the HRSR AGM over the weekend of 26/27th November. We won’t be at the races (the best of luck to those that are) but we will be at the social weekend. The HSCC Dinner Dance is always a cracking evening and I’ll try not to imbibe too much so I can make some sense at the HRSR (HTC) AGM the next day. You’ll have seen a reminder from Peter Wray by now, but let’s have a great turnout. It’s your chance to make proposals, vote in the committee that you want and let Grahame White know all that you love about the way our Historic Touring Car Championship is run. You can voice your (constructive please!) thoughts about things you don’t love so much too. All are very welcome and we throw in a buffet lunch along with the awards presentation following the AGM.

The Historic Touring Cars took centre stage for this meeting on the iconic Indy circuit. This was the ‘ByBox’ raceday and we got a twenty minute race, exclusive use of the pits garages and the chance for Mum to see us on the telly! With a full grid and sub-minute laps the stage was set for a busy race. Now – what would the weather do? I had gone down the evening before and it was miserable. During the night it tipped down. Jennifer and I packed all the waterproofs we could find. But on the day the dawn broke with the skies clearing and soon the track was dry, which is how it stayed all day until we were on the way home and the heavens opened again. Lucky or what?!!

Qualifying saw the top ten cars all under a minute. Not so long ago this would have been good for the front row! Dan Cox pedalled his Lotus Cortina round just under 57 secs for pole and it was great to see the ByBox MD, Mark Garritt, alongside him on the front row in his BMW. Steve Shuttleworth’s Lotus Cortina was third, from Andy Jones’ Singer Chamois, Warren Briggs’ Mustang and Mike Gardiner’s Lotus Cortina. Graeme Dodd would have had his Jaguar Mk2 well into this bunch as well, but it developed an appetite for pistons and he was denied the race. Pete Wright’s A40 fell foul of the noise checks (it was very raspy!) but frantic work, help from the gang and a sympathetic clerk saw him having some private lunchtime lappery to allow a back row start.

The weather remained overcast but dry for the rest of the day.

At flag fall (actually, lights out, but flag fall sounds more historic!) Dan won the drag race to Paddock and a lead that he would only relinquish but briefly during the race. Mark was a bit swamped by fast starting Imps but recovered to third by the end of lap one. Mike Gardiner punched up from sixth to second (he’s getting a reputation for demon starts) but Steve Shuttleworth did the reverse and languished in sixth for a while. Andy Jones held down fourth and David Heale’s Imp was briefly up to fifth. The race settled down and Mark moved up to second and Andy demoted Mike to take third. Warren Briggs picked up his pace, as did Neil Wood’s Anglia and both passed David Heale. This was the pattern through the middle of the race, with Steve clawing his way into the top three and Mike fading a little after his great start. So, Dan took the chequered flag, just a second or so clear of Mark with Steve a few seconds behind in third. Then a gap to Mike, recovering in the last few laps for fourth. Andy’s Singer Chamois was fifth (not so hot in the closing laps following a missed gear) and David Heale sixth. Steve Platts’ Singer Chamois couldn’t quite get to grips with David and was seventh, followed by Warren Briggs (taking time out for a quick spin at Druids) in eighth. The top ten were rounded out by Roger Godfrey’s Cooper S and the similar car of Tim Harber.Brian Webb (Anglia) was overjoyed by his first sub-minute lap (I think he sent a text to everyone!) helping him to eleventh, a couple of seconds ahead of Simon Benoy’s Imp, the last unlapped runner. The Anglia of Brian’s sparring partner Robyn Slater was thirteenth, then a gap back to Simon Miller’s Mustang, just getting the better of Roger Phillips’ Cooper S. Mike Koskela’s Anglia (come on Mike, we could do with seeing you more than once or twice a year!) was sixteenth, from Steve Jones’ Cooper S then a gap to Jonathan Townsend’s Lotus Cortina in eighteenth. David Morrow’s Alfa (after practice difficulties) was nineteenth, then the A40 of Pete Wright (must do something about silencing for next time out!). David Lloyd brought the smart white Mustang he shares with Mark Watts home in twenty-first and the Alfas of Paul Hopkinson and Dave Cabena rounded out the classified finishers.

So, with Neil Brown not scoring at Brands (mechanical maladies late in the race), and Steve Platts only getting third in class the championship goes to the Silverstone Finals on October 22nd with reigning champion Roger Godfrey six points clear of Neil Brown and seven points clear of Steve Platts. It doesn’t look too hard for Roger, but this is motor racing and...!

A superb entry of 36 turned out for the Gold Cup meeting. The Oulton Park track vies with Brands Hatch GP, and Cadwell Park, as a challenge, but possibly has the edge with its super parkland setting. In spite of the changeable weather, the spectators turned out in droves as well and like many competitors, stopped over in caravans, tents and motorhomes. Packed to the gunwhales, you might say, in nautical parlance!

For qualifying, the track was a tricky mixture of wet, damp and dry, with times about 15 seconds off a dry pace. The Lotus Cortinas of Dan Cox, Mark Jones and Tim Davies headed the grid, but just behind was the Cooper S of Roger Godfrey, the Singer Chamois of Steve Platts and the Anglia of Neil Wood. The whole entry of 36 made it through qualifying, so with a track only licenced to start 34, there were going to be a couple of disappointments, in the form of Wes Harding’s Falcon and Tim Harber’s Cooper S. The HSCC does everything it can to get reserves a race. Reserves go out at the back of the pack for the green flag lap and peel off into the pit lane if all in front make it to the start. Even then, they wait in the pit lane in case someone retires in the first couple of corners and they might get a chance to be released.

The race started with the track a bit like the qualifying conditions, but progressively dried throughout the race. Dan made a poor start from pole “lots of wheelspin, not much forward motion” and found himself back around seventh on the first lap. Meantime, Mark made a great start and was away in the lead, polishing off the laps a second or so quicker than his pursuers for a solid win. Oulton is his local circuit and he always goes well here but doesn’t always have the best of fortune. I caught him after practice with the diff out – checking “just in case”! Dan started to pick off those in front after his poor start and was up to third on the second lap when he slowed and pulled off – “it just died on me – no drama, might be electrics or fuel”. There was drama on lap one though with Roger Godfrey’s Cooper S spinning off at the bottom of Cascades. Roger looks forward to the wet of course and was following a Lotus Cortina (probably Tim Davies) that got very sideways. Afterwards, Roger said “ I thought he must lose it, but he didn’t and next thing I knew it was me going round and round!”. Roger eventually got restarted and put on a great show to catch up the field, eventually finishing eighteenth. Tim Davies was now cracking on in second, tail out around Lodge, but with Steve Shuttleworth pulling up to his bootlid after qualifying left him a lowly twelfth on the grid. However, although the line might have been drying, off line out of Lodge was very slippery. Steve, looking for a run on Tim along the start straight, put pedal to the metal just a tad too early and had a big spin down the dip and across the infield grass. All recovered though, with no damage, but Tim was gone and the next dice, between Joe Gomm’s Lotus Cortina and Neil Wood’s Anglia passed him too, along with a gaggle of the quicker Imps and Minis. It took Steve a couple of laps to regain his composure before he set about clawing his way back to the sharp end. It was nip and tuck for Joe and Neil for the rest of the race, and although Joe could get alongside, Neil consistently kept track position in this contest for the final podium placing. Unfortunately, it all went wrong coming out of Lodge (I did choose the best place to watch, didn’t I!) on the last lap. Joe feinted to the outside coming in to the corner, just about alongside, although Neil’s inside line had the situation defended. Thinking Joe was a bit closer than he actually was, Neil was on the gas for the final sprint to the line a fraction too early, found the greasy kerb and spun. Joe went to pass but Neil’s car slid back across the track for contact that left the pair on the infield grass. Neil looked as mortified as anyone with a helmet on can and went to commiserate with Joe. Now, these two are pals and protagonists of old and it was great to see them just throw up their hands and embrace. The crowd actually went “ahhhhh”! That’s sportsmanship!

So, Mark took the win, Tim was second, and with the demise of Joe and Neil, a very strong run from Andy Jones in the Singer Chamois saw him take a brilliant third. I have never seen anyone look happier on the podium! Steve Shuttleworth pulled back up to fourth, just ahead of another good run for David Heale’s Imp in fifth (first time at Oulton he says – hmmm!) and Mike Smith in sixth. Mike had some clutch worries after practice but was on great form in the race. Steve Platts’ Singer Chamois was next up, probably a bit disappointed to be third in class having been top of his group in qualifying. Dan Wray’s Lotus Cortina just pipped Neil Brown’s Lotus Cortina for eighth. Neil was the first Appendix K car and with Championship rivals Roger Godfrey and Steve Platts not faring so well he now has the joint lead in the points standings. Roger Phillips brought his venerable Cooper S home tenth (the driver’s quite venerable too! – only kidding Roger!) and in eleventh came a new boy (well, sort of, he’s more used to F5000!) – Greg Thornton having a first run in a Falcon, and really enjoying his debut with us! Twelfth, and pining a little for his regular race buddy Brian Webb (who will be back out at Brands), was Robyn Slater’s Anglia, just a second or so clear of David Betts’ Mustang, in turn just tenths ahead of Eifion Jones’ Lotus Cortina. Eifion is a pal of Tim Davies and both made a grand impression on their first outing in the HTC. Into fifteenth came Chris Scragg’s Mk 2 Jaguar, ahead of Adrian Oliver’s Imp and Andy Harrison’s Cooper S. Roger Godfrey, after his earlier escapades, made it up to eighteenth, past Paul Stanworth’s Cooper S. David Morrow “I just wanted to finish my first race!” ticked that box with a tidy twentieth in the Alfa, just in front of David Brand’s Cooper S. Oh so close for twenty-second, Jim Clark’s Lotus Cortina edged out Paul Hopkinson’s Alfa at the line. Tim Brook looked a little lonely in twenty-fourth in his smart 1-litre Mini Cooper, Dave Cabena’s lovely Alfa kept in front of Keith Kenward’s Jaguar S type and final finisher was Arthur Smith-Fitchett’s Sunbeam Rapier S3.

The championship is edging towards a nail biting conclusion that will almost certainly go down the wire to the Silverstone Finals. Roger Godfrey and Neil Brown are tied for the lead with Steve Platts just five points adrift in third. Another seven points back, Mark Jones and Steve Shuttleworth are tied for fourth. The maths says any of these could take it!

This report will be on the HRSR website very soon, together with some pictures courtesy of Charlie Wooding.

Next up it’s the ByBox raceday on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit, and you’re all going to be on the telly! As the chosen feature race the HTC gets exclusive use of the pits garages as well. Let’s hope for a fine day and some great racing. If you haven’t got an entry in yet it’s probably too late as we’re into reserves, but you could always try Alan at the HSCC for the latest situation.

A great entry of 28 made the long (well, at least for quite a few!) trek up North for a Sunday double header treat on the challenging Croft circuit. As usual, all the racers were made very welcome over the weekend and the ‘Historic Festival’ theme was further promoted by a phalanx of WW2 vehicles and forces personnel. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t very welcoming on the Saturday and from lunchtime until late afternoon the rain lashed down, making racing impossible. Superb real-time reorganisation by the HSCC and the circuit, involving an extension of racing hours and the much appreciated willingness of doctors, breakdown crews, ambulances and, of course, marshals, to remain at their posts, meant that everybody got their racing, with just a little grid combining as well.

Sunday qualifying was overcast, but dry. Lotus Cortinas took the top four places with Mark Jones just pipping Dan Cox, followed a second back by Steve Shuttleworth doing the same to Mike Gardiner. A cracking fifth was Colin Gunton’s Imp, just ahead of Mike Smith’s Cooper S, Warren Briggs’ Mustang and Roger Godfrey’s Cooper S. These last four were covered by just over half a second.

The weather remained overcast but dry for the rest of the day.

In race 1 the Lotus Cortinas prevailed with Dan taking the lead and easing a gap to Mark, who had Steve in close attendance throughout. After a rocket start, Mike couldn’t quite keep on the pace ahead but wasn’t remotely threatened from behind either. Colin Gunton’s Imp had an early demise, followed by dad Ian’s Imp a few laps later, so I guess the atmosphere in their truck was fairly glum on the way home. They’ll get it together again soon though. Colin is so quick when the car’s right. Unfortunately, Roger’s competition in class D, Mike Smith (they had a great run in the wet for first and second last year) and Tim Harber, also fell by the wayside. Behind the Lotus Cortinas Roger Godfrey’s Cooper S and Steve Platt’s Singer Chamois were dicing furiously, both championship contenders, albeit in different classes. Eventually Roger opened a gap, and that’s how they finished. The first of several series newcomers, Warren Briggs trailed Steve by a few seconds for seventh and Neil Brown took Appendix K honours with a fine eighth (good App. K turnout, especially K5!). The top ten were rounded off by David Heale’s Imp and Brian Webb’s Anglia. A good performance from both. David Betts brought his Mustang home eleventh in front of Robyn Slater’s Anglia (come on Robyn, Brian’s getting the better of you!). Another series newcomer, Till Bechtolsheimer, took thirteenth, and second in Appendix K, with David Brand’s Cooper S very close behind. Jim Clark’s Lotus Cortina was a few seconds behind this pair, just clear of Andy Harrison’s Cooper S and Colin Flynn’s Cooper S (PS – we don’t see enough of either of you two!). Mark Watts ( almost a series newcomer – he had a torrid time at Snetterton) brought his Mustang in eighteenth, from yet another series newcomer, Robert Rook’s Cortina. The evergreen Paul Hopkinson took twentieth in his Alfa, from the last of the newcomers – Andrew Davenall’s Austin A105. Dave Cabena’s Alfa was just behind and Roger Phillips’ Cooper S rounded off the finishers (fromy your fastest lap Roger, you should have been much further up – what happened?).

Race 2 took its grid from the finishing order of race 1. Dan took the lead on the first lap and held it to the flag, easing away at around half a second per lap from Mark Jones, who was similarly untroubled in second. Mike Gardiner made another demon start, but as in the first race, once Steve was in his stride fourth was again his placing. Warren Briggs was getting the hang of car and circuit to claim a fine fifth in the Mustang, just keeping Roger Godfrey’s Cooper S and Steve Platts’ Singer Chamois (another great dice) at bay. David Heale’s Imp again couldn’t quite keep with Steve but bagged a fine eighth ahead of David Betts’ Mustang. Rounding out the top ten, Neil Brown is showing great consistency in the Lotus Cortina. Robyn Slater’s Anglia took eleventh (ah! – turned the tables on Brian!) with the duelling Cooper S’s of Roger Phillips and Tim Harber (a better race for both) just in front of Brian Webb’s Anglia. A big gap then back to Till Bechtolsheimer’s Alfa, edging out Jim Clark’s Lotus Cortina for second in App. K5. At last! – David Brand had some K6 competition, but he just lost out to Andy Harrison, both in Cooper S’s. In nineteenth, Paul Hopkinson’s Alfa led home a tight group of Colin Flynn’s Cooper S and Robert Rook’s Cortina. Andrew Davenall’s Austin A105 again bettered Dave Cabena’s Alfa for twenty-second and series newcomer (I don’t think he even had a run at Snetterton!) David Lloyd brought the Mustang he shares with Mark Watts to the line to complete the field.

The championship is bubbling away very nicely now and with three rounds to go Roger Godfrey has just a three point lead over joint second place Steve Platts and Neil Brown, with Steve Shuttleworth and Mark Jones fourth and fifth.

A terrific entry of 35, the biggest this year, obviously couldn’t resist the challenge of the iconic Brands Hatch GP circuit. The entry could easily have been 40+, but with qualifying on Friday morning several racers just had to put work first.

Qualifying was dry and sunny. Leo Voyazides put his immaculate Falcon on pole and Dan Cox’s Lotus Cortina joined him on the front row, the only drivers under 1 min 50 secs. On the second row James Dodd’s Mustang just bested Steve Shuttleworth’s Lotus Cortina and on the third row Mark Garritt’s BMW pipped Jimmy Fuller’s Alfa. Very noteworthy was the performance of David Heale’s Imp in eighth.

The race wasn’t until after 5 0’clock on the Saturday, so everyone had the chance of watching some Historic F1, E-Types, 2L Sportscars, F5000 ……… and, suddenly, it was time to get focused, don the helmet and go racing. The weather remained dry, but overcast.

Leo and Dan both got off the line well and Dan looked, but couldn’t see, a way around the outside at Paddock so the Falcon swept into a lead that wouldn’t be lost. For a couple of laps Dan stayed gamely in touch but Leo polished off the laps to the flag, eking out an ever increasing gap. Behind Dan, Steve Shuttleworth’s Lotus Cortina and James Dodd’s Mustang were locked in battle, just like they had been at Silverstone. Eventually, Steve broke free and in the last few laps started to reel in Dan. All was OK with Dan’s car though, having given in on any thoughts of keeping with Leo, Dan was playing to the crowd and lapping slower as a result. He said it was all under control………..and it was, keeping Steve a second behind at the flag.Mark Garritt’s BMW came home a creditable, if lonely, fifth, ahead of a terrific scrap for sixth, eventually taken by John Pugsley’s Anglia from Jimmy Fuller’s Alfa, which crossed the line in a lurid slide after a last gasp effort to pass didn’t work out. Mike Gardiner’s Lotus Cortina put in a solid run to eighth a few seconds clear of a brilliant performance by David Heale in his Imp, sounding absolutely on song (must have been that final timing tweak I saw you make!). Roger Cope’s BMW was next up in tenth, just keeping in front of the hard charging Roger Godfrey’s Cooper S. Roger had started from the back of the grid, having missed practice through work commitments, and carved through the field in typical style.Into a very lonely twelfth came the Singer Chamois of championship leader Steve Platts, then the Lotus Cortina of Neil Brown, also well up in the points hunt. Colin McKay took fourteenth in his Jaguar S type, a second ahead of Robyn Slater’s Anglia. Robyn found himself in a Jag sandwich with Chris Scragg’s Mk2 right on his tail. Graham Martin’s Singer Chamois was just tenths behind Chris, so these four had an interesting race, especially when you consider their different power/handling characteristics.

Simon Miller’s Mustang was eighteenth, ahead of Nigel Webb’s Jaguar Mk1 and Brian Webb’s recovering (an ‘assisted’ spin!) Anglia, who would otherwise have been a bit further up. Peter Wray, our erstwhile HRSR treasurer, without any of his lads free to drive, took a rare outing in his Lotus Cortina for twentieth, just fractions clear of the Cooper S of James Seckel, similarly fractions in front of Mike Koskela’s Anglia. Repatriated from the Bahamas just a week ago, Roger Phillips took twenty-fourth in his venerable Cooper S (I think he may have had it from new!), from the Broadspeed liveried Cooper S of Paul Stanworth. Peter Wright finished twenty-sixth in the A40, leading home Paul Hopkinson’s Alfa and Keith Kenward’s Jaguar S type.

The championship is just past the half way mark now, with five points scoring rounds to go, and is very close at the top. The top five positions are held by five different classes of car and covered by just six points. The next round is the last double header this season at Croft. This is the one meeting Jennifer and I will be missing, due to family commitments, but the regular HRSR support will still be there. Dan Cox is taking care of the tea urn (hopefully cake too!), Vicky Godfrey has the stickers and I just need someone to write a race report. Volunteers please form an orderly queue!

Well over thirty racers were clearly excited by the thought of a double header, all packed into the one day, on the new (to almost all) Snetterton ‘300’ circuit. However, a few couldn’t get themselves quite ready in time so a very respectable thirty took to the track.

Qualifying was dry and sunny and with at most six laps to get a time the pressure was on. Craig Dolby, driving Peter Wray’s Lotus Cortina, took pole. To his advantage, he is a young (and from some YouTube footage fearless) Superleague pro driver, who has been round this circuit before. To his disadvantage he had never driven a closed racing car before, let alone one with dubious aerodynamics and little grip! A great effort. Steve Shuttleworth, who is on fire at the moment, but not getting the best of luck, was alongside on the front row. A stupendous performance, on a track that still leans to power, was Colin Gunton’s Imp in third (he’s young and learns quickly!) followed by Jimmy Fuller’s Alfa (he’s old but learns quickly!), Roger Godfrey’s Cooper S and Richard Dutton’s Lotus Cortina.

Just time for a spot of lunch and a quick fettle and the first race was on. By now the weather was starting to deteriorate, the track was slightly damp and a little drizzle was coming down.Craig hooked up a good start, Steve slotted in behind and Mark Jones, starting his Lotus Cortina from a rather lowly ninth, picked his way onto the back of this pair by the end of lap two. These three put on a terrific show and during lap four Steve got ever closer to Craig, all the time having to keep an eye out for a looming Mark in his mirrors. Steve crossed the line to start lap five absolutely in Craig’s boot and went for the outside around Riches. A brave move and somehow he made it stick. Craig didn’t look like he was just going to let it be though, and Mark doubtless thought that if these two trip each other up I’d best be there to take advantage. However, the final showdown wasn’t to be as during lap five Colin Gunton’s Imp suffered a small fire, courtesy of leaking oil onto exhaust, and the race was stopped. With countback to last across the line, Craig took the win from the perennially unfortunate Steve, with Mark third.Behind all this excitement, Jimmy Fuller eased to fourth from Richard Dutton (great performance too!) with Andy Jones shooting his Singer Chamois twenty places up the field to sixth. When Andy’s on form (and when his car is too!) he is magic. But all too often...! But he’ll be back – and wait for Cadwell next year! John Pugsley’s Anglia and Roger Godfrey’s Cooper S were very close behind, Roger’s performance a little dampened by extra silencing, having fallen foul of the noise police earlier. A welcome return for Jo Gomm’s Lotus Cortina, close behind in ninth, then Neil Brown’s Lotus Cortina rounding out the top ten.

Mike Gardiner’s Lotus Cortina came in eleventh, a subdued performance brought on by a slight misfire , then returnee (it’s over two years Neil!) Neil Wood’s Anglia. Neil’s smart new car was found to have out-of-date seatbelts at scrutineering, so after Steve Read played Good Samaritan loaning belts, Neil had to qualify in the lunch break and start at the back. Steve Platts brought his Singer Chamois in thirteenth, second in class and soon to be championship lead, from the Brian Webb/Robyn Slater Anglia duel. Yes, Brian got the best of Robyn! (must be that test session!). Adrian Oliver’s Imp was right behind Robyn in sixteenth, then a gap to Colin McKay, having a lonely run to seventeenth with a gap to Louis Bracey’s Mustang in eighteenth. Simon Benoy’s Imp was just a few lengths behind Louis, and a couple of seconds up on Jim Clark’s Lotus Cortina in twentieth, which held off the challenge of Ian Gunton’s Imp. David Brand’s Cooper S looked to be having a merry time keeping his Appendix K pal Paul Hopkinson’s Alfa at bay for twenty-second, with series newcomer Pete Wright’s A40 (the ex-Tim Cox car) close behind. Richard Cross’s Triumph 2000, Vince Frost’s Imp and Dave Cabena’s Alfa completed the finishers. Other than Colin’s Imp, the only other non-finisher was David Heale’s Imp. David’s transmission broke off the line, which was a great pity. He was right on the class E pace in qualifying.

The second race was ‘proper’ wet and the grid was revised when Nick Ledger (co-driver to Craig Dolby) elected to start from the back rather than pole. So Steve and Mark were on the front row. Mark made a start like the track was dry and had several car lengths over the field into the first corner. In fact, Mark just rolled off the laps to the flag in a beautifully assured manner to take a fine win and leave the rest scratching their heads as to where he found grip. Behind, Steve, Jimmy and Richard Dutton squabbled over second into Riches and it all ended with Jimmy and Richard gyrating, Steve scrabbling through and Roger seeing his chance to use the ‘Mini advantage’ in the wet. Steve couldn’t hold off Roger for long and he was through into second, but Mark was well down the road by now and lapping faster anyway. Although he dropped back, Steve’s third place was secure to the flag from Mike Gardiner’s Lotus Cortina home in fourth, a much livelier performance than race one. Jo Gomm’s Lotus Cortina was a few seconds back in fifth, always keeping the great class E battle between Steve Platts, Simon Benoy and Colin Gunton at bay. The class win was good for Steve’s championship bid and he now leads overall.

A gap back to Neil Brown, clearly enjoying his Lotus Cortina in the wet and a recovering Jimmy Fuller rounded out the top ten. David Brand’s Cooper S couldn’t make it past Neil Wood’s Anglia (although his best lap was three seconds quicker!) so came twelfth in front of the dynamic duo of Robyn and Brian in their Anglias. Robyn got revenge for race one! Adrian Oliver was close behind, another whose best lap time indicated that further up the results should have been possible. A good run for Ian Gunton brought his Imp in sixteenth from Richard Dutton’s Lotus Cortina, not recovering as well as Jimmy from their first lap debacle. Paul Hopkinson’s Alfa bested Jim Clark’s Lotus Cortina in their class K duel and Louis tiptoed the Mustang in twentieth. Richard Cross (two races, no problems, smiler!) brought the Triumph 2000 in ahead of Nick Ledger’s Lotus Cortina in twenty-second, then a closeish group of Pete Wright’s A40, Vince Frost’s Imp and Dave Cabena’s Alfa completed the finishers.

A cracking weekend’s racing, barely dampened (if you’ll excuse the pun) by the weather. Now we’ve got Brands GP to look forward to. Bumper entry already, so get your skates on if you want to be there and haven’t filled in that form as yet. I can already see a couple of the usual culprits not on the provisional list...

The opportunity to race on the full 'Arena' Silverstone GP circuit was taken up by some thirty racers, a reasonable entry but somewhat short of the fifty-eight that could be allowed to start.

By race day, however, this was whittled down to twenty-four, although most of those missing say they will be out with us very soon.

Apart from a few fleeting drops of rain at lunchtime the day stayed dry but with quite a chill breeze.

Qualifying saw the Falcon of Leo Voyazides post a lap almost five seconds clear of Dan Cox's Lotus Cortina but thereafter the gaps, considering the lap length, were proportionately as close as most other circuits. Graeme and James Dodd shared a Mustang for third on the grid, very closely shadowed by Steve Shuttleworth's Lotus Cortina, then the BMW 1800's of Roger Cope and Mark Garritt.

The rolling start to the race was always going to favour the larger engined cars, but Dan managed to challenge briefly through Copse before succumbing to Leo's horsepower. Just behind James Dodd's Mustang and Steve Shuttleworth's Lotus Cortina were settling into a great scrap (that would last almost all race long!) and Mark Garritt's BMW had got the better of Roger Cope's similar car.

However, on lap two Mark's car retired with a drastic loss of power and, rather spectacularly, Liza Read's Anglia blew a core plug on the pit straight, pulling over in a cloud of steam. The expulsion of water over the track gave series newcomer Dave Cabena's Alfa a hairy moment but fortunately no contact or damage ensued.

Whilst the marshals worked to clean up the track the safety car was deployed. The leading pack interpreted the observers signals as a pit diversion and came in, only to be waved through. The observer had only intended to direct the cars to the inside of the track to avoid the spillage area.

At the end of lap four though, the safety car was in and the race back on. Leo's Falcon drew away at around two seconds per lap to take a comfortable win. The Shuttleworth/Dodd duel was renewed with vigour with Dan Cox, who seemed to fall back before his pit-stop, getting right back in his stride for the last four laps and gradually pulling in the pair. Steve finally relinquished second place to the Dodd Mustang (now with Graeme at the wheel) but was set for a fine podium finish when his diff cried enough through the final corner. Steve took to the pitlane to finish fourth and Dan inherited third.

Barry 'Whizzo' Williams relayed Simon Miller's Mustang to fifth, ahead of Roger Cope's BMW which kept Jon Wolfe's Falcon at bay by a few seconds. Dan Wray and Nick Ledger won the prize for lifting the front wheel of their Lotus Cortina highest through the complex and harried Jon's Falcon to the flag. The Mustang of David Betts and the Falcon of Paul Clayson completed the top ten.

The remaining runners, headed by David Brand's Cooper S, were fairly spread out. The Davies/Fitzgerald Lotus Cortina hustled to twelfth and a class K win, followed by Colin McKay's S type Jag, the Slater/Webb pairing (in Robyn's Anglia – Brian said 'it's got more grunt than mine!') and the Hopkinson/Fletcher Alfa (small world – I used to race model cars with Gary!).

Next up, and second in the wheel lifting competition, was the pretty Fiat Abarth of Paul Hocking, then the Alfa of newcomer Dave Cabena, Roger Godfrey's Cooper S (pulled over on the second to last lap, but would have made a strong top ten finish) and Keith Kenward's S type Jag.

So, a four week break now in which to fettle your cars ready for a double-header at the Snetterton 'Autosport 3-hour' meeting on June 11th/12th.

Out with the barbeques, pitch a tent, pray for good weather, should be great.

If you haven't got your entry in yet, it's filling up nicely so don't leave it too late. Also, whilst the good people in the HSCC office will always do their utmost to accept late entries, please remember that in the event of a full grid, preference is given to those who enter by the due date and late entries make many aspects of raceday planning harder. Let's try hard to get our entries in on time please.

Cadwell Park, sunny days, bumper entry – it really doesn't get much better than this.

And a welcome return for 'Mr ByBox' – Mark Garritt, now with the ex-Roger Cope 2L BMW.

Prior to the meeting, we were in reserves territory, but come the day 27 went out to practice, just 1 short of the track limit.

Qualifying was a bit topsy-turvy, Bob Jones looking a bit forlorn as Mark told him his gearlever had 'just gone all wobbly' as they were released from the assembly area. Mark struggled to qualify 14th, but at least he was in front of Dan Cox in his new Lotus Cortina in 16th.

Dan's excuse was lack of brakes and I felt compelled to remind him that whenever I have fretted over brakes on my car his retort has been 'brakes – who needs brakes'! On this occasion even his legendary ability to scrub off speed sideways wasn't enough.

Steve Shuttleworth, Jimmy Fuller, Roger Godfrey were all on good form and Mark Garritt eased himself in with his new car too.

But the star was Andy Jones in his Imp, the only one in the 1min 49's. An Imp on pole!

Unfortunately, Cadwell took it's toll on transmissions, and there was a lot of gearbox and differential work going on in the break before the race, all helped by terrific paddock camaraderie.

Race 1 started at 5:20 on the Sunday and Andy Jones put the hammer down the instant the lights went out, pulling a couple of seconds a lap for several laps. Behind, Roger Godfrey's Cooper S and Jimmy Fuller's Alfa disputed second, as they would all race long, although eventually Jimmy established a gap that he maintained to the finish. But back down the field Dan Cox and Mark Jones were hauling their Lotus Cortinas up the order. Dan now had some brakes, courtesy of new master cylinders loaned by Simon Benoy (who I'm sorry to say didn't have the best of weekends) and Mark had his gearlever welded back together.

Although Dan was really cracking on by mid-race, Andy looked very composed in the lead and would almost certainly have taken an historic win if only his car hadn't taken very sick with just a few laps to go. A broken camshaft was later diagnosed.

So, having passed Roger and Jimmy at about the same time Andy's Imp went sick Dan found himself in the lead to the flag.

Mark pulled his car right onto Roger's bumper on the last lap for 4th, then there was a gap back to Tim Harber's Cooper S (another great effort) in 5th, then the BMW's of Mark Garritt and Roger Cope, hotly pursued by Mike Smith's Cooper S 8th and Steve Platt's Imp in 9th.

Neil Brown was all smiles bringing his Lotus Cortina in 10th, never more than a second or so clear of David Heale's very tidy Imp in 11th.

John Pugsley's new to the HTC this year, but he's already making himself top of the Anglias, taking 12th just in front of Robyn Slater's similar car, who just kept the advantage over the duelling Imps of Shaun Hazlewood (smart new car Shaun!) and Adrian Oliver.

Thereafter the field was a bit spread out. Brian Webb's Anglia and Paul Stanworth's Cooper S (an actual Broadspeed car from the 60's) were the last unlapped runners. Paul Hopkinson (Alfa) lost someone to play with when Jim Clark's Lotus Cortina stripped it's differential pinion, but Vince Frost's Imp was in his mirrors to the end. The final runner at the flag was Keith Kenward's Jaguar Mk2.

Race 2 started at 3:30 on the Monday, with grid positions decided by race 1 classification. Dan let his dad, Tim, have a run in his victorious Lotus Cortina, and Tim elected to start from the back. From his second row spot Mark Jones got the drop on Jimmy Fuller and Roger Godfrey into a lead he held to the flag. Again, Jimmy and Roger disputed second, but Jimmy always just had the edge. For the first half of the race Mike Smith, Mark Garritt and Roger Cope harried each other for 4th, but Roger's BMW retired with lost drive and Mark's BMW slipped backwards, having used up all rear tyre tread. Mike's Cooper S therefore took 4th, clear of the Imps of Steve Platts and David Heale. John Pugsley found a 3 second improvement to bring his Anglia in 7th. Mark's tyres just kept enough grip to salvage 8th, from a close pack of Robyn Slater's Anglia, Adrian Oliver's Imp, Neil Brown's Lotus Cortina and Dan Wray's Lotus Cortina (another car that had transmission dramas in race 1 with Nick Ledger at the wheel – but sorted following a three hour round trip back to York for a gearbox!).

Brian Webb's Anglia was a little way back in 13th and Tim Cox brought Dan's Lotus Cortina home safely behind him (which is just as well 'cos it's a long walk home to Bristol!). Vince Frost finished 15th, clear of a tussle between Jim Clark's Lotus Cortina and Paul Hopkinson's Alfa. Keith Kenward's Jaguar Mk2 completed the runners taking the flag.

Along the way, Tim Harber was very unfortunate to retire with a puncture, Shaun Hazlewood's Imp retired with unknown maladies and Paul Stanworth's Cooper S pulled out just after the start.

So next up we've got a 40 minute pitstop race on 15th may at the Silverstone International Trophy meeting on the full 'Arena' GP circuit. Wow!

This report, and lots of pictures will be on the website very soon (thanks Les!).

See you all at Silverstone - we'll be there with tea, cakes, stickers, shirts, cameras – all the things essential to great racing!

Again, the in-car cameras worked well and Robyn Slater and Brian Webb will have DVDs in the post. Any takers for Silverstone?

Lastly, a little reminder - the regulations require that cars competing as Appendix K should have a 3” size 'K' to the top right of their competition number. I noticed a few that didn't. Now that's an easy one to put right for next time out!

So the weather held dry for Donington last weekend, although it wasn't exactly warm...

The position change of the chicane didn't seem to make much difference, the times were about as expected and the track was in good shape.

We had a great entry of 33 that translated into 32 completing practice. As I thought a few didn't quite have enough time to get their cars ready, but a couple of late entries made up for this.

Practice wasn't kind to Mark Jones (broken cam) and Ian Gunton. Robyn Slater found himself without oil pressure as he left the assembly area for the race, so 29 took the start.

Leo Voyazides (Falcon) made a relaxed start from pole (but he was almost 3 seconds quicker than next up in practice) and Steve Shuttleworth, Mike Gardiner (both in Lotus Cortinas) and (briefly) Roger Godfrey (Cooper S) were into Redgate first.

Steve was a little hesitant on cold tyres out of Redgate and Mike sneaked into the lead. Over the next few laps the Mike, Steve and Leo duel pulled away at the front until on lap 3 Leo made his move, taking Mike and Steve in quick succession. Steve couldn't match the Falcon's pace but was now really in his stride, passing Mike and pulling away in his chase of Leo's Falcon. Mike, with a lack of grip, fell back towards Roger's Mini, but, harry as he might, Roger couldn't get close enough to make a pass realistic. Jimmy Fuller had a steady drive to fifth and Mike Smith brought his Cooper S home a fine sixth. It was great to see Mike back in good form after his illness. Tim Harber (Cooper S) and John Pugsley (Anglia) took the next places and were amongst a significant group of newcomers to the championship. This is great for the series' health and we welcome them all to the gang.

The Imps suffered from the retirements of Andy Jones and Colin Gunton so it was left to Steve Platts to take the class win in ninth overall, the last unlapped runner.

Chris Scragg (Jaguar Mk2) and Jeremy Cooke (Mustang) tussled over tenth and eleventh, as did Simon Benoy (Imp), Brian Webb (Anglia) and Colin McKay (Jaguar S type) for twelfth to fourteenth.

In fifteenth, Neil Brown (Lotus Cortina) took K5 honours from Jim Clark (what else could he drive! – Lotus Cortina) and Colin Kingsnorth (BMW).

David Heale's Imp took sixteenth and third in class, Simon Miller (Mustang) seventeenth and third in K1, Colin Flynn (Cooper S) at last found reliability (well done Colin!) and David brand took K6 in nineteenth (and had opposition for once – Paul Stanworth, who had to change a head gasket between practice and race, only to last a couple of laps. 10/10 for effort!)

The field was completed by Jim McKenzie's Imp and Keith Kenward's Jaguar S type.

So next up we've got an Easter double header at Cadwell Park. Only 28 can start so if you haven't got your entry in yet get filling in that form. It may look a bit daunting but Cadwell is so worth the effort.