TVRs at Lydden Hill 2004

Lydden Hill 17 July 2004

At the invite of SEMSEC the team headed down to Lydden Hill under the gathering storm clouds with the prospect of running five cars in three races each in a single day. The morning was fine with qualifying running smoothly, even for the drivers who had not seen the circuit before.

Just before lunch the grid was formed for the invitational saloons race as the thunder clouds rolled in. Novice Gary Coulson decided to sit out this round and save the car while watching the lightening strike nearby.
As the green flag laps got under way the heavens opened, monsoon-style. Most spectators expected to see the start postponed. The start went ahead and was successfully negotiated aside from two MX5's that took to the rallycross circuit in the spray. Into the left hander Dave Reynolds proved that you can't brake while your wheels are suspended on water. His straight line trip into the tyre wall was followed by an Escort driving straight into the back of his car. The car took the impact well but the disappearance of any structure to remount the radiator (also called the nose of the car) ended his day prematurely.
Racing was then suspended for 3 hours as the risk of the marshalls being struck by lightening was considered too high !!
At 2:30 the skies cleared, so on to the main TVR race. Steve Lewis took the start well to come through and overtake the TMS-backed Griffith. By the time Steve had passed the Griffith he could only manage to close marginally on eventual winner, Simon Bowes. Pat Smith and Kevan Gore had eventful races picking their way through the mid pack in the slippery conditions. Gary Coulson paid diligent attention to his instructions and kept it on the track to record a signature and another race complete.