The Best ‘non-event’ Event Ever!
The story of the British Open Blokart Championships 2011
Prologue
The Cefn Sidan venue, including the restaurant for the Saturday night meal and camping pitch were booked almost a year earlier. The competitors had registered and most paid by the closing date (that’s a first), the Sponsors lined up (ICS, A-Plant Accommodation and Weston Windsport), the shower block scheduled (courtesy of A-Plant), the event ‘Hoodies’ ordered, a super photographer for the ‘all action’ beach shots attending, a top Race Officer and a strong Marshalling team ready.
What could possibly go wrong?
So with less than a month remaining before the big weekend, the first ‘minor problem’ arose. By chance, Chris found out that the site restaurant management was up for tender. As he was on site at a CLSC meet he went to check with the manager. Sure enough our Saturday night nosh plans were in tatters! Tempted to ‘thump’ the guy for not having the courtesy to inform us, Chris turned down the afterthought offer of a ‘burger van’ event in a make shift tent, similar to last year.
We were now lacking a Saturday night meal and somewhere to eat it, as well as the lunches for both the Saturday and Sunday race days. A small problem I’m sure you’ll agree!
Up steps the ‘White Knights’ from the CLSC in the form of Nick ‘the Tog’ Horler (a former professional Chef on the QE2, no less) aided by the CLSC’s ‘Curry Queen’ that is Lesley White. “We’ll do the food for you” they boldly say! So with the food sorted, we now just needed somewhere to eat it! Up steps our intrepid Mr Moore, again!
Sporting his red underpants on the outside and armed with the confidence that we have sponsorship funds available, a phone and the internet, Mr Moore embarks on a 3 day crusade to find the ‘Holy Grail’, a marquee big enough to seat 90 people at less than 3 week’s notice!
After a stressful few days, Success! A marquee, with floor, heating and lighting plus tables, chairs, crockery and cutlery is procured. And what’s more they throw in a free ‘event trailer’ for use on the beach!
So on with the event!
Thursday – Set-up Day
With Mr Moore overseeing the arrival of the marquee and Tony Elliott delivering and setting up the shower block and huge generators that would be essential to our wellbeing over the weekend (Tony works for A-Plant Accommodation and gained this vital sponsorship deal). We also off loaded the 16 cases of soft drinks Alison Dodge had acquired for the weekend (she works for Coca Cola), the beers and wine for Saturday night and the four boxes of hoodies into the Dodge’s awning. The traditional ‘Goodie Bags’ were made up by myself and Chris with support from Andy and Lorraine Etherington but organised by Alison, who was recovering in a chair after attempting a forward roll with ’pike’ out of our caravan! Luckily no serious damage and only her pride in tatters as she became the subject of hearty good natured ‘banter’ as we strived towards ‘beer o’clock’. (no, she hadn’t got there too early and despite rumours, I wasn’t in the caravan!)
Ed Delahaye was next to arrive on site, towing a large car transporter that would be used to carry some karts and kit up the long beach to the race area. With one of Wales’ (Gods country according to Ed) finest on the scene, it wasn’t long before the inter- country rivalry banter started and the suitable location for the Welsh ‘National flag’ was being discussed. But the Union Jack remained high above them all!
Thursday was also going to be ‘Curry Night’ and a after a wash and brush up, and the liberal appliance of ‘Jungle’ spray (the mossies and midgies were out in force!). Most headed off toward the best Indian Restaurant in Pembrey (alright, it’s the only Indian in Pembrey but it is very very good!).
Great food and a few beers was followed by a few more beers once back at the camp site in our very posh marquee. The gentle ‘humming’ of the generator provided a soothing lullaby for those wishing an early night and much needed illumination for those left quietly reminiscing (ahem!) of previous race triumphs and close calls (I seemed to remember that Ed and Dave’s coming together at Perranporth was mentioned once or twice).
Friday – Practice Day
Practice Day had arrived and the camp site flags were fluttering. Talk of the weekends wind forecast was the ‘hot topic’ and karts were being prepared. Those staying off site were arriving and old acquaintances’ being renewed. With prep completed, sun cream applied we headed off to ‘probably the best beach’ in the UK. The long trek through the park , the cruel ‘soft sand’ lug and the ¼ mile pull up the beach is well worth the effort once you reach point ‘A’ or Entrance 58 as it’s now known (European ruling?). With the very high tides, the beach remained fairly wet but firm. A light 10 knot breeze straight up the beach wasn’t ideal but with the tide reseeding the ‘play area’ was increasing by the hour. Soon a symphony of sails were travelling in all directions, with tactics and tuning being honed to perfection. It wasn’t long before practice became informal racing to try and suss out the competition.
With thoughts of Registration, some started to drift back to the campsite leaving some late arrivals plenty of space to play.
Back at the site, registration had opened. Gill and Chris were perched in the ‘Event Trailer’ high above the minions, like two ‘X’ Factor judges ready to dash all your hopes that you had actually lost a bit of weight prior to the event. However, it wasn’t long before the unflappable was, well, flapping (a little). The buttons on the Transponder computer obviously weren’t playing ball and the now infamous mobile ‘coverage’ was conspiring to make things harder as a barrage of calls were attempted to be received. ‘Toys’ were being hidden and the ‘pram’ pushed the other side of the marquee, just in case! Panic over, the computer decided to play ball, the limited coverage restored and nerves were calmed. However, one of the calls (now able to be received) provided another logistical issue for our own superhero, Captain Moore.
Unfortunately due to personal issues our chairman, who was bringing the ‘racing marks’ would not be able to make it to the event as he needed to be in London. However, he could meet someone on the Welsh side of the Severn Bridge!
No worries, up stepped yet another of those ‘White Knights’ in the shape of John Watts who volunteered to make the 3.5hr round trip to meet up with Kevin to collect them. Considering that John had not long arrived it was a truly remarkable offer, for which we were all very grateful.
With registration over for the day, it was again rapidly approaching ‘beer o’clock’ and thoughts turned to food (after beer, of course). It was Friday so the local Fish and Chip Shop obviously decided to close up early, doh! The choice now being, opt for the journey to Burry Port for the next nearest Fish and Chip shop or, you guessed it, another Curry!
Take Out Curry ordered we choose the fantastic marquee as ‘the ‘ place to dine as it was now equipped with large round tables and chairs. Beers and free wine from the Curry House flowing nicely, talk was of weather, racing, gold lamé capes and platform shoes! Yes you read it correctly. We have the lead singer of a 70’s Glam Rock band in the BLSA, our very own Nick Glynn! Other conversations included; how dictatorships win over democracy every time when it comes to sailing associations (I won’t say who it was that was agreeing but there were two separate association Secretaries present) and whether we all needed to be re-weighed after such a splendid curry. Probably best not too, especially when Alison announced that she could provide two tubs of ‘Ice Cream’ for puds! Much to the disappointment of those who were late with their first course and didn’t get a look in!
A few more beers later and a lot of classic ‘one liners’ and talk turned to who would provide the ‘write-up’ for the Blokart Year book (Jonny being so selfish as to take a holiday). A candidate was suitably ‘press ganged’ but unfortunately one who has the worst memory for jokes and quotes! With the gentle ‘genny lullaby’ serenading the campsite, it was time for the lightweights to turn in and leave the serious conversationalists (you know what I mean!) to carry on into the wee small hours.
Saturday – Race Day 1
Race day was here. Registration was open early for those who’d missed the Friday session, Gill and Chris doing their ‘X’ Factor bit again. By mid morning, karts were ready, competitors were ready and suitably ‘sun creamed’ (it was going to be a hot one!), trailers were loaded and ready, beach vehicles loaded and ready to go, but was there something missing?
The lug down the beach was a little harder today as the slowly reseeding tide was forcing us to use the softer sand nearer to the dunes. However, this did give Dave Ross a super opportunity to play with his Land Rover on the beach, which he grasped with great enthusiasm and soon had all four driven wheels churning sand and a huge smile plastered across his face! But for the rest of us, was there still something missing?
Briefing from our illustrious Race Officer (Tony Elliot) was set for 12:30 with the first possible race thought to be 13:00. During the wait, marks and a start box were set on the sand that was drying and getting harder, the loo tent was erected and the transponder was readied. But still, was there something missing?
The briefing came and it was decided that scrutineering would be done at the transponder line whilst getting the system set. Obviously the official Pulley Whip gauge had a technical fault as wee Davey resorted to the back-up version (a bent stick?). The transponder system behaved itself and all returned to the pit area. But still, wasn’t something missing?
Anticipation was now running high and the production fleet was called to the start line. Helmets and gloves were donned and big decisions whether to wear waterproofs or not were being made. Everyone scooted off to the start line and the tension mounted. Ray Leman (our super snapper) on hand with cameras galore (and good ones to boot!), ready to get those, all important ‘action’ shots. But still that question remained, aren’t we missing something?
What a view, half the fleet with a multitude of coloured sails reflecting in the glistening sands ready for the off! The temperature had risen and it was now thought to be the hottest October day since records began.
Time went by and slowly, one by one, the sails dropped to the floor as Karts were tipped over and pilots returned to the pit area. The briefing ‘horn’ blasted and we all gathered around the RO (or as someone put it, the Head Marshal). Tony was looking serious, “I want to bring you all up to speed” he said. After a short pause... and in a deadly serious and quiet manner he spoke... “There’s no wind!” Ahhhhhh, that’s what was missing!
Everyone adjourned for lunch. After a multitude of short briefings and numerous discussions about when the Sea Breeze would ‘kick in’ it was decided that we would give it until 17:00. By 16:30 a few had decided that there really wasn’t going to be any racing and kit was being packed away for the long lug back to the campsite.
Saturday Night – The Meal
Back at the campsite preparations had been going on all day and our two culinary heroes had turned the marquee into a banqueting suite fit for Royalty. As it filled talk of a disappointing day on the beach soon turned to anticipation of the feast to come. Our chef Nick ‘the Tog’ Horler explained that the main course was a traditional Welsh broth that had been cooking for most of the day and that the mini flavoured cheeses (traditionally cheese was added to thicken the broth) were specially made and encased in wax as a favour to him by the Award winning owner of the best cheese maker in Wales, the Blaenafon Cheese Co. Intro over and the 90 strong guest list got stuck in!
The Menu
Starter: A Duo of Melon with Parma Ham, Bramble Coulis and Water Cress.
Main: Traditional Welsh Cawl, Vegetarian Cawl served with Crusty Bread and Blaenafon Cheese.
Dessert: Blokart Pie, Wild Welsh Brownie, Tarn afal gartref, Fresh Fruit Salad all served with Clotted cream
Complimentary comments were heard all around as most went for seconds! It was delicious (and that’s coming from a non foodie!). What’s more, this stunning feast had been laid on by just two people and prepared and cooked in the middle of a field with only two gas burners. Incredible!
Slowly the marquee emptied with all suitably fed and watered. Those staying ‘off site’ drifting back to their hotels and B&B’s leaving a few hardy souls to chat into the early hours and think of the next day’s racing to come. A wonderful end to a somewhat disappointing day.
Sunday – Race Day 2 and Prize Giving
A later start to fit in with the tides (also helped after the night before, if you know what I mean?) meant that there was time to start packing tents etc. away. As competitors started to turn up (those staying off site) talk invariably turned to the wind forecast. It didn’t look good. Some were deciding to cut and run as the journey home was going to be a long one. It was decided that first briefing would be held at the campsite rather than on the beach. The outcome, well we were going to remain optimistic, so off to the beach we went. A convoy of Blokarts, 4x4’s with trailers and spectators descended onto the beach like ant’s to an open jam pot.
The tide was reseeding rapidly, revealing a hard and flat surface, although still very wet. Soon, the event trailer (later to be mistaken as a ‘catering’ van by a couple with a pushchair asking Gill and Alison if they were serving food?) was in place, the transponder line laid and the first couple of ‘marks’ erected.
Sails were hoisted but very still. Wind-i-meters were thrust into the air with great expectation but no joy, nothing for it but to wait. The internet forecasts were changing (accessed by smart phone) and the optimists among us were hopeful, 4, maybe 8 knots, maybe a sea breeze would help as the tide turned?
It was decided to get everyone across the transponder line to ensure that ‘all was working’ and then break for an early lunch so that we were ready when the wind finally made an appearance.
“Let’s give it another hour, the forecast says it will turn and build (a little)” was heard from our illustrious RO. Sure enough at about 15:00 the breeze turned 90 degrees and now was coming ‘onshore’. Hopes were raised but would it be enough? Maybe the juniors and lightweights could get going? Nope, not even the lightest of juniors could move under sail power.
“We’ll give it until 16:00”, but the air was still again and already some sails were being dropped and packed away. The inevitable had happened, the first British Champs with no racing at all. The disappointment was obvious to all.
The exodus from the beach was swift and subdued.
Sunday – The Prize Giving
The Prize Giving was scheduled for 16:30 but the big ‘pack up’ was already underway. As there was no racing you may be confused, why was there a prize giving? Well, the 2011 ‘b’ Series prizes needed awarding and there were plenty of ‘Thanks’ to be handed out to those that helped over the weekend and the proceeding weeks. However, the biggest thanks must go to Captain Moore who again put in a herculean effort and endured a fair amount of stress to ensure that we again had a British Champs to be proud of.
And that was it for another year! Everyone saying their goodbyes and see you at the AGM on 12th/13th November or the first ‘b’ Series event of 2012 at Greatstone, Kent on(18th/19th/20th November (It’s complicated, don’t worry). A few were staying over (they must have known there would be trouble on the M4!) but most were heading home.
So, despite no racing and being quite stressful for a few, I can honestly say that this was the Best ‘non-event’ Event Ever! See you next year?
K99 Nick