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 Press
Release NYTVRCC
Topcliffe Sun 8th Sept 2002
Sunday the 8th September saw 80 cars take to
the track for the second annual North Yorkshire TVR Car Club "charity track
day".
The event saw cars from TVR, Ferrari, Lotus,
Porsche, Westfield and Dax, taking to the airfield
track, raising money for the chosen
charity, "Hearing Dogs for the Deaf".
The day started with a car show, the best cars of each model receiving
prizes. Then events moved on to drivers completing several managed
circuits of the 2.8mile airfield. Speeds in excess of 130mph were
achieved in a safe environment. Thanks go to North Yorkshire Police
for providing a safety car.
Croft motor circuit provided 2 instructors who assisted drivers
to learn the correct lines around the airfield.
 The
drivers were on their own for 15 minute sessions.
The circuit had one tricky corner to contend
with and I had thought that a briefing and
2 safety laps would have been enough to protect
even the most "guns blazing" driver.
Oh boy how wrong you can be! The first 3 groups
all had an "off" at the corner. This
was almost predicted and the circuit was set
up so as to provide a large grassed run off
area on the outside of the bend.
All was well until session 3. Then disaster
struck! Red flags came out and the session
was stopped. I drove down to the corner to
find around 8-10 fence sections destroyed and a rather sorry looking
Griffith strewn across the track. Thankfully no one was hurt but
it just shows "motor sport is dangerous"!
 Whilst
we arranged recovery and swept the track it
seemed like a good time to take lunch.
And what a lunch. Ive never seen so much food for a quick Barbie.
A desert as well!
It took a couple of hours for us to clear the track and tidy up
so it was lucky that portions were big. The corner was coned
off to reduce speed and make the fencing safe. We thought we
could now get going again.
We then presented the cheque to the Hearing Dogs Charity. Rachel
Welch from the Hearing Dogs said "I’m overwhelmed by
the support here today and cannot put into words how much I appreciate
the sum North Yorkshire TVR Car Club has raised. It takes £2500
to train a dog. You have raised enough here to buy your own dog
and I ask you to think of a name". So we’re looking for
a name.
 Back
to it then. There was a need for a further
drivers’ briefing, just to bring things
to a point of realisation. The drivers were
reminded of the double apex bend with compression
and the message of safety with fun was reiterated.
A great day then followed with no "problems".
The last car returned around 6pm and we closed
down for the day.
£2600 was raised
on the day and the cheque was handed over to
Rachel Welch, of the "Hearing Dogs" by
Richard Abbott, "Regional Organiser for
NYTVRCC". Michael Mion and his dog Fidget
watched on with pleasure.
Richard Abbott said "The RAF, at Topcliffe,
and 40 Regiment, at Alanbrooke Barracks, deserve
real praise for allowing us to
use their facilities. They are the people who made today happen.
 Without
the assistance of trade sponsors this fantastic
sum would not have been achievable, therefore
thanks go to Harrogate and Hexham Horseless
Carriages, WLH wood machining, Sports and Specialist
Car Company, Joospeed, TJ Motors, Ride Drive,
Sunninghill Insurance and Leven Technology.
The club hope to be back next year and to raise
a similar, if not greater sum to assist "hearing Dogs".
PS Think of a good name for the dog email it
to northyorkshiretvrcc@ntlworld.com
Faces pixelated on photos to preserve decency!
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