As expected, yesterday’s Comanche rain dance had the usual results - it’s raining.
Undeterred, I’m out early, newly-waterproofed roof in place, and set off to meet Dave and Jim, with a brief stop for fuel, where the man behind the counter asks me what it is, and what year. He clearly has trouble accepting that TVR is a make, and not some model of Triumph or Honda or something. He also seems to think that cars have only been around since 2000 - even when I spell out 1 9 9 0 he still seems to think I must have found it in an archaeological expedition or something.
Anyway, onwards to our meeting place, which is also full of Hillman Imps, and a Sunbeam Stiletto and a Singer Chamois, on their way to the old Linwood factory near Paisley. You never see them any more, and here there’s 8 plus a Clan Crusader.
We’re meeting up with the rest of the TVR Club near Kincardine Bridge, so we set off, and almost immediately, my gear knob comes off. Apart from that minor inconvenience, though, the car is running like a sweetie, much smoother and with no hesitancies or flat spots. I can’t remember the last time it all felt so good. As long as you don’t have to change gear, obviously.
When we get there, there’s a couple of other guys, so I take 2 minutes to retighten my knob. The car park soon fills up though with a wide variety of models of all ages. And that’s only the owners.
The secret signal is given, and we all set off for the Knockhill race circuit on a nice relaxing drive through the countryside and the rain. We meet up with another group on the entry to the circuit and are directed to our club area, where we all (eventually) park up. Good to see lots of people I haven’t seen for ages (and some I’ve never seen before at all), and also their cars.
The rain is now off, more or less, but it’s bloody freezing. This is Knockhill in the spring, after all. First priority is bacon rolls (or in my case, sausage and haggis, and it was delicious!) and then a walk around the pit area. There are Legends, Fiestas, Formula Fords, Classics, Minis and BMWs.
We watch a couple of races then wander back to the cars and have a bit of chat while we wait for our call to do parade laps at lunch time.
We’re held up a little bit by the late programme, but eventually we are called up into the pit area for a briefing: “follow in single file,
no racing, no overtaking, no hanging back and blasting, no running with scissors” - that kind of thing.
Then it’s out into the track following a course car. The first bit of the lap is reasonably quick(ish) but they bunch everybody up at
crawling speed for the rest. Still good fun though.
Me, Jim and Dave
This photo would not have been possible without the co-operation (and parts-ordering system) of my sponsors, Livingston Autoparts...
So that takes us to lunch, and back to the cafeteria for more stodge and a Mars Bar.
The sun’s out! We have another walk around and watch some more races and met some more people, then we have an ice cream - possibly the ice cream van’s only customers today.
The drive home is also good - this car is brilliant!