Star & Garter Charity Grand Prix Review June 11th 2023
After all the sleepless nights running through many lists, the track preparation, camping facilities, event promotion & ensuring everything was in place, all we needed was good weather and we were on for what looked like a great new event on the CGKB calendar. Boy, was it hot though with temperatures topping 30 degrees!!
This was the first CKGB event run solely by the club and what a cracker it turned out to be. The original idea was conceived many moons ago whilst enjoying a pint of Madri in the Star & Garter and it was going to be a low key meeting just to drive around their field with a couple of tyres to mark out a track and have a roast dinner Sunday lunch. Things escalated over time and it became a CKGB spectator event involving NORA Motorsport, requiring a lot more work and planning to ensure the insurance and more importantly everyones safety was considered.
I arrived on Saturday morning soon followed by the incredible Bill Alexander and the super enthusiastic Ian Fletcher. Before properly starting we had a nice cold pint and a chat about a plan for the day. A few other helpers had been drafted in including the Rushden Lambretta Club, Mark, Glynn, Andy D, Andy B, Stefan and Marek. Everyone got stuck in preparing the track. The weather was hot, like New York in the summertime. Mucho thanks to all for their efforts as it wouldn’t of happened without you. After getting as much done as we could we retired to the pub to discuss the track and had something to eat.
Early Sunday morning the hay bales and Graham Appleyard arrived (not together) the final touches were added, the start/finish banner was put up and we were ready to go. After a drivers briefing from the Clerk of the course (thanks Stefan) was held, we were ready to race. Unfortunately, as Clerk Stefan could not drive so number 50 was driven by his son Marek (AKA Brooklands Barry). Also, big thanks to Stefan’s daughter Aniela, for being our qualified first aider and turns out she is a great photographer as well!!
A drifters paradise
First on the schedule was a practice session and a chance for the young and new Cyclekart drivers to get some seat time and become familiar with track and machine. Then it was straight to the heats (almost literally in the weather). We had so much fun drifting around the corners and I don't think anyone drove in a straight line all day!! well I certainly didn’t and my wheels are the proof of that looking like something off Fred Flintstone’s motor! There were some quality driving manoeuvres throughout the day from all the drivers that could have only been done on a grass surface. I am sure a few thought a kart just like theirs was going past in reverse. The heats whittled down the winners and losers until we had some sort of conclusion and a race finale took place.
Mark Underdown was gunning his kart like he'd stolen it and went home with first place overall. The day did see some breakages though, Andy Boulton did a great job getting his rear hub fixed to make the last heat. Chris Loader got his annoying fuel issue sorted and flew afterwards but not as much as he did at Brooklands. Chris won the “most annoying rattling on trophy”. Michael Bedford literally drove his tyres off and carried on driving in a most flamboyant way, winning the most flamboyant drivers trophy. Although the track was both physically and mechanically demanding I am sure all would agree it was an absolute hoot :)
Young Flynn had a great day getting plenty of track time in between the races until he broke lots of bits on his grandad's kart and ended the day winning the busted conrod trophy.
After the trophy presentation everyone chipped in and helped tidy up the track. I stayed for a little longer, had a beer and burger with Dave, Laura and the mighty Chris Loader while we reflected over the many shenanigans of the weekend.
All in all a fun and safe weekend, Once again a huge thanks to all who turned up, supported the event and helped raise £160.00 for the local Air Ambulance.
Please check out the full S&G Photo Album here
Jim
Words: Jim Tanner
Pictures: Brian Gates / Aniela Nahajski