Gang Warily 97

Gang Warily race course is sandwiched between the huge Oil Refinery at Fawley on the south coast and the eastern edge of the "New Forest" (A national beauty spot where wild horses roam free). The course is situated in a valley and therefore is unusual in that there are significant slopes which gives excellent spectator views (for free!!). The course is short and twisty. The transition to the water is best taking sideways in mid turn. The course has several chicanes and rewards accurate placing of the craft, particularly when defending a position. This race meeting consisted of four races which were 8 laps (instead of the usual 6) because of the shortness of the course.  

Lukes new craft J4 is a Kawasaki KLS 250 and is proving to be a little faster than anticipated, he gave Stephen Scotney a run for his money throughout the weekend. Luke won three of the four races but the Race Director spotted this infringement (he doesn't miss much) of missing the marker buoy whilst overtaking me on the inside on the run to the Fawley bank and consequently was docked one place as a penalty.

Two relatively new drivers were racing Mark Coles whose 2nd race meeting it is. He drives a craft with an RD250 LC so will be competitive when he gains more confidence. A brand new driver called Dave Reed has a Cyclone Primo which is quite fast.

The transition onto the water was off another very high bank, and as I mentioned earlier, this was best negotiated at a 45 degree angle to prevent ploughing. Off the water is a hill where the wind gets under the craft and lifts the front. You then manouver around a clump of trees and then down a steep hill. Next you had to reduce speed as there was a chicane where the wind catches you once more (several F2 crashes here during the weekend). The photo below shows the transition and climb up the Fawley back to the clump of bushes. The camera angle does not show how steep this section actually is.

In this photo Stephen looks back in disgust to find out what the problem is with his craft. Unfortunately he had mechanical gremlins throughout the meeting which placed him 6th overall for the weekend. Woody also encountered some problems, the pulley from his crank came loose and his polybelt began to shred on the pulley sides. No one had a timing belt the right size so for the final race they ran the craft with the original belt cut down to a 3rd of the width of the original. It was risky but worth it to hold second for the weekend and the gamble paid off

I also encountered problems, In the first race the emergency buoy stowed at the front of my craft (which is a new regulation for 1997) bounced from its holder when I went through the transition onto water. For half a lap the "Red Blob" bounced around the craft like some demented alien with me trying to fight it off one handed, until right by the start/finish straight I went over a bump and the rope attached to the buoy wrapped around my emergency kill cord and stopped the engine.

The second problem was very frustrating as I was in second place at the time. The fuel line which attaches onto a fuel pump which is powered by the compression of the engine vibrated off in the middle of the race. By this time Stephen and Woody had retired due to engine problems. So Luke had a clear first, I noticed the problem as soon as the engine stopped and re-connected it as best I could and went to get my pull start from under the seat and then realised Dad was holding it in his hands on the other side of the course (The reason or excuse is that after a very fraught starting line repair completed with the start marshall growling at me as the 1 minute board was shown I had to run off the grid. I only realised the starter was still in my hand when the lights came on - Dad). So I gave up and the trailer arrived to return me to the paddock. I was just about to climb into my craft on the trailer when my dad came running round the corner with the pull start, not bad going Dad, half a lap including the safetey areas AND the Fawley bank!!!. We literally threw J7 off of the trailer and began to start it, luckily I managed to finish fourth for that race after being lapped by the remaining craft which I had earlier already lapped. (except Luke). 

Driving accurately around corners close to the markers paid off particularly when defending a place because your legally allowed to shut off any spaces on the racing line so any overtaking craft have to take an awkward line or longer way round. This is how I held Stephen Scotney and Jonathon Hallet (Woody) behind me for a few laps following some really quick starts that put me ahead at the first corner. I think I need wing mirrors for my craft!!. During these scraps it was good fun but generally I need to find more top speed if I am to keep up with Woody, Stephen and especially Luke. Having said that I still made the podium for the weekend.

 Results for Gang Warily 97 

 Championship after 12 races over 3 events, 1st Woody 54points, 2nd Edward Hurn 50 points, Luke and Stephen joint third on 47 points.