RAVENS WOOD SCHOOL CLASSIC AND SPORTS CAR DAY, BROMLEY, KENT - SUNDAY 11th MAY 2003

A popular local fund raising motor show held in the sports fields of Ravens Wood School located near the Keston Mart. This show was an ideal opportunity for the many local club members to show off their cars.

The early morning started beautifully, a clear blue sky and a warming sun. However, in typical fashion it did not last long and by 9am the sky had clouded over and a short but quite heavy shower fell. Unfortunately, that shower proved very costly for Peter Mason. Peter had been most enthusiastic about coming to the show and had travelled all the way from the Kent coast, only to be caught out at a roundabout a short distance from the show ground. It wasn’t that Peter had gone too fast around the roundabout but that shower, the first drop of rain for some while and some mud left by some recent road works caused his car to spin, knocking the rear wheel on the kerb and breaking the suspension leaving the wheel at an odd angle. He obviously couldn’t move and there wasn’t anything we could do to help him so reluctantly we had to leave him before he could get towed away. Sorry Pete and we hope you are back on the road soon.

Upon arriving at the show, Dave Leyland and Ken Piner were already there making six of us in total. We were in the process of arranging the position of the cars when an official looking bloke came over. He was actually the show’s commentator. He told us that the MK1 was one of his favourite cars and invited us to join him in the arena later on during the show, an offer we were delighted to accept. Of course we didn’t know what would be involved so we went over to the arena before hand to see what was what. It turned out that selected cars or car clubs drive around in the arena, park in the centre, in line and then the commentator interviews each driver. Interviews the driver? Holy S_it! We’re going to be interviewed in front of all those people! Dave Leyland was up for it immediately, the rest of us were having second thoughts. Ken even made the excuse that he had to leave early to go to work. (Ken, was that just an excuse?) no really, we knew before hand he was going early but you have to admit it was a coincidence.

The time came to make our way to the arena. We were all very nervous wondering what questions we would be asked and how we would reply. Nerves increased when we had a slight hold-up waiting to get started. Eventually, with an introduction from the commentator over the public address system we rolled in slowly, Steve Kingsnorth revving his Supercharger like mad, circling the arena and stopping side by side in the middle. Steve was interviewed first - Serves him right for revving - He was asked why he had a MK1, Steve spluttered a reply saying something like “This is a Supercharger and it goes very fast” - very impressive Steve! Next was Chris Falke, the commentator commented about his sexy red dash board, Chris replied, “I don’t like black dash boards, anyone who does is a ***. (Did he really say that? Probably not) My turn next, I didn’t actually hear what the commentator asked so I blurbed something about the T Bar model and “you don’t get hair in your wind” (Oh No!!) Dave Leyland did his best to convince the commentator that you could get 38 mpg out of these cars, then last was David Price. He had the sense to talk about the Club, NEC Classic car show etc, oh well done David, you were a hero! After completing another circle of the arena we left, well actually the rest of us turned left back towards the club pitch, Dave turned right. Where was he going? He arrived back 10 minutes later, He told us he had decided to continue the parade around the entire show ground. well done Dave! Anyway, it was what one would call an eventful event, even if the event itself wasn’t that eventful. Motto for the Day? “Never a dull moment”

Thanks to all those who came, and those who almost made it. The actual wording of the above I admit has been perhaps exagerated slightly, in fact all those who went into the arena did a damn good representation for the club and I was very proud of them all.

Alan Cayzer