Crews for winter 12-car series greeted by clear skies and full moon (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Crews for winter 12-car series greeted by clear skies and full moon

FOR the third round of Cirencester Car Club's winter 12-car series, held on Friday, March 5, crews were for once greeted by a fine, dry evening and an almost full moon that gave some light.

The route, which started from the Spine road, did a clock-wise loop of the lakes and then went north towards Edgeworth, Miserden and Syde before returning to the Bathurst Arms North Cerney, via Rendcomb.

Although navigation initially proved tricky, it got easier as the evening progressed.

With many crews missing important route checks, organiser Jerry Mead found it difficult to make the navigation easy enough for the novices, but still be able to define the route.

Giving up his chance of taking the championship was club chairman Martin Saunders, who acted as course opening car as well as setting out route checks

The winning son and father crew of Chris and John Stratton, who had taken the opening round, also clinched the championship win in the process in their Metro GTi.

Second on the night were brothers Ben and Tom Jefferis with Tom, travelling up from Taunton especially for this one, showing just how popular these events are becoming.

First novice crew home and fourth overall were Pete Shepherd and Jonathon Smith, using Pete's classic Mitsubishi Lancer.

In all, eight crews took the start and all of them finished the event before swapping a tale or two in the Bathurst Arms at North Cerney.

Round three results as follows: 1 Chris Stratton, John Stratton 9pts; 2 Ben and Tom Jefferis 64; 3 Hilary Farbowski, Andrew Isherwood 85; 4 Peter Shepherd, Jonathon Smith 123; 5 Chris Berens, Rodney Manners 181; 6 Kevin Smith, Scott Jenner 193; 7 Paul and John Pierce 193.

Next round of the series will take place in early April. For more details on the club, contact Martin Saunders 07798 584713 or ted163@waitrose.com