All in aid of the children

A member of 'Round Table', one John Francis, proposed to his club that it might be a good way of contributing towards The Nationally Sponsored Round Table Charity 'Children's Wish', to promote a 'track day' to provide funds for the said charity. 

This worthy cause takes seriously ill children and members of the family (it's no good going without Mum - as who else is going to tell you off when you've got a life threatening illness!) on a fantastic holiday of a short lifetime - you know - Disneyland' - 'Swimming with Dolphins' - 'Lapland at Christmas', even just Centreparcs or Blackpool illuminations.

Sometimes these children are too ill to obtain insurance to fly by commercial airlines or need a "slow speed" ambulance for transportation.
Well, initially John's club thought it was a 'good idea', but, over the months, niggling doubts crept in - back-pedalling was the order of the day, and John resigned in disgust. He tried to take the idea to another club, but the Chinese whispers had got there first. 

Doubts were mainly of the 'won't we look bad if something goes wrong' perspective, even though John had organised full medical cover - rescue crews and a full complement of Marshals - all free (John is a senior marshal at Oulton Park, he also owns a very rapid G33, the ex Dave Ellis car). 

The two Johns (Francis and Taylor), Ray Masters, Chris Timms and his son posing in front of the Francis G33, at the Three Sisters Track Day in September (Photo:- John Taylor)

When I spoke to John at Tatton Park, I thought he'd just about had enough, but he's not that sort of geezer - with a couple of telephone calls and some encouraging words with offers of help etc., starting to come in from Ginetta and Imp Club members, it did not seem too dark at the end of the pit lane anymore, suffice it to say, that the day went ahead with Ginetta the most prominent marque on the track! We had no less than 5 models on display, 6 if you count Joe Gowland (and why shouldn’t you? Ed.) and doing what Ginettas do best on a tight undulating circuit. 

We put the Gazebo up and cooked a burger or two, sold a blue mug and looked at the ‘97 Benneton F1 car of Jean Alesi and the Carlos Sainz' 2000 Ford Focus WRC. 

Simon Hulse in uncharacteristic pose (so I’m reliably informed!).
What on Earth could he have to smile about?
(Photo:- John Taylor)

We were also treated to ideal weather conditions, the Mayor of Wigan, Auto Test and Accident Rescue displays, and the gorgeous A.A. track girls, who were present in their official Ginetta yellow and black, no-nonsense minimal attire (ask Simon Hulse). An excellent day was had by all, and approximately £2,000 raised for charity. (More now, Ed.)

Two of the AA Grid Girls with a far more photogenic subject, even if it is Simon’s car.
By the time I got there, the Grid Girls seemed to have disappeared! Hmph!
(Photo:- John Taylor)

When I spoke to Joe Gowland about the possibility of putting the picture of Simon Hulse negotiating the curves on two of the A.A. girls (well you have to get a grip when negotiating curves) Joe's comment was that he was not producing 'that sort of magazine'. Go on Joe, our ladies will think that suave and sophisticated Simon is their 'Christmas Present', and Simon has certainly had his!

When John, Nykola and I took the video of the event over to Yorkshire for the November meeting, several of the Yorkshire members said that they had not previously seen Simon smile! We gave a talk on the event and explained our plans for next year's event, which will be on Friday 16th August 2002 at Three Sisters again. We want to encourage Ginetta members to attend, with the possibility of using the event for a 'Ginetta gathering'. 

We aim to co-ordinate the following year's events (2003? Ed.) with the weekend meetings at New Brighton or Harewood, so that we might encourage the Speed Championship participants to have a look in, or even possibly get an event and slot within the track day. The Yorkshire lot seemed interested, and of course, the venue has its own racing school, cars and karting facilities.

Ray Masters and a passenger enjoying some laps at Three Sisters. (Photo:- John Taylor)

We are giving the talk to Rotary in January, and hopefully, if we can get some feedback from the Lancs/Cheshire members (not just the regular 4 or so attendees) and if we speak nicely to David Holroyd, we might be able to give them the video and talk in the New Year. 

Thanks to the members who attended the track day: Ray and Barbara Masters, Simon Hulse, Chris Timms and family, Joe Gowland (who avoided detention, for once, and they let him out in time for the last ½hour or so) John and myself, although John had the mantle of organiser upon his shoulders, so was otherwise occupied and could only watch his car going very sideways, very quickly, for most of the day, whilst in the club house doing what organisers do. 

Simon Hulse ‘out the back’ of the circuit. (Photo, John Taylor)

I, on the other hand, found time to hitch a lift in the four Ginetta's and found time to take mine out for the last half hour, but as all and sundry wanted to give the track a 'last blast' I was tiptoeing round to get the hang of it and warm everything up, so kept pulling off line to keep out of the way. The bonus was that I ended up with 2mm more sticky rubber on my tyres than I started with, but poor old John's G33 was virtually on slicks after a day of 'fast laps' with a pro driver who thought of the front end of the car as 'either door' and occasionally the boot.

Well I know I am already looking forward to next August - I hope you will join us.

John Taylor

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