Inclement weather greets crews in the winter 12-car series (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Inclement weather greets crews in the winter 12-car series

FOR the second round of the winter 12-car series, held on February 6, Cirencester Car Club crews were once again greeted by inclement weather.

This time it was mainly heavy rain making driving conditions hazardous with roads flooded in places.

The route started from the Spine Road and meandered in an anti-clockwise loop of Fairford and Cirencester, taking in many of the familiar Cotswold lanes used of old.

The navigation started off in rather tricky manner, but got easier as the evening progressed, although many crews missed important route checks.

The club's chairman, Martin Saunders, navigated by Cheltenham's Graeme Ross and using Martin's RS2000, led the crew's home without a penalty.

They were closely followed by round one's winning crew of Chris and John Stratton in their Metro GTi some three minutes in arrears.

The first novice crew home and third overall were Marcus La Touche and John Pierce in a new shape Mini.

In all, ten crews took the start and all finished the event before swapping stories in the Bathurst Arms, North Cerney.

Results: 1st overall: car No 10 Martin Saunders/Graeme Ross, total nil minutes; 2nd o/a, 6 Chris Stratton/John Stratton, 3mins; 3rd o/a, 8 Marcus La Touche/ John Pierce, 13mins; 4th o/a, 5, Andrew Isherwood/Hilery Farbowski, 26mins; 5th o/a, 7 Andy Butcher/Phil Clift, 26mins; 6th o/a, 9 John Shuker/Dave Waldon, 40mins; 7th o/a, 2 Jerry Mead/Vicki Mead, 80mins; 8th o/a, 4 William Cabury/Robert Gegg, 136mins; 9th o/a, 1 Robin Maryon/Rod Manners, 170mins; 10th o/a, 3 Pete Shepherd/Sean Forde, 230mins; 10th o/a, 3 Pete Shepherd/Sean Forde, 230mins. Driver Martin Saunders and navigator John Stratton are now leading the series. Next round is set to take place in early March.

For more details about the club, tel Martin Saunders 07798 584713 or ted163@waitrose.com