2004

Harold Lowe in action

Andy Bilby

Steve Terry

The Grand Prix Midget Club's 2004 Season got off to the best possible start both on and off track at the Autosport International Show at the NEC. On track action started Thursday morning with practice for the chosen drivers - Daz Rycroft, Alan Buckland, Neil Clarke, Andy Collins, Harold Lowe, Ez Walker, Steve Terry and Andrew Bilby in eight of the most immaculate midgets ever seen with new colour schemes for Neil, Ez, and Steve and several others repainted specially for the event. Everyone had obviously been very busy in the build up over the Christmas break with the standard of preparation being a credit to all drivers involved.

By the first show on Thursday afternoon drivers were finding their feet on the "interesting" surface and with relatively long straights and very tight bends wets were the tyres to use and several drivers reported needing first gear for the corners. Early pace was set by Neil, Ez, Alan and Harold and the organisational skills of Bill and Dave soon resulted in grids that would provide maximum overtaking opportunities and excitement for drivers and crowd alike. Racing was close - sometimes too close! and although there never was quite a dead heat there were several side by side finishes and place changes on the run to the line. Although supposedly a show drivers are drivers and once the flag dropped it was get to the front as soon as possible and no matter what anyone says it still felt better to cross the line first!

By the weekend all drivers were up to speed with everyone having at least one win most popular being for Andy Collins in the penultimate show, Andy having struggled to find a set up all weekend changing springs, shocks and settings after every show. With nine shows over Saturday and Sunday the cars were taking a hammering with Harold's unfortunately succumbing to a blown head gasket on Saturday night and Daz enlivening proceedings by attempting to throw a wheel at the crowd on Sunday. By the final show most drivers agreed it was one of their most enjoyable events ever and even a week later one or two were struggling to come to terms with being back in the real world - Ez looking into flights to Florida in the hope of picking up a ride in the seventeen night February sprint car show at East Bay Raceway!

Meanwhile in the Short Circuit Show the club had probably its best stand ever being ideally positioned and with the immaculate cars of Evan Stone, Rob Sayell and the first appearance of John Lowe's Gazelle on show business was brisk all weekend. Rob's fully rebuilt car looked absolutely superb and very different from before with full sidepods protected by very aggressive looking nerf bars - Rob obviously looking forward to some close racing in the season ahead! John Lowe reported serious interest in the Gazelle and close inspection revealed just how different it is from the original Westfield looking far sleeker with its revised roll cage and repositioned suspension - can't wait to see it on the track. With the stand manned all weekend by Barry and Ann, Rob, Harry and John assisted by family and other club members all received much positive feedback with serious interest from several prospective new drivers and with a vast array of cars currently for sale the club's follow up will hopefully result in a number of new faces on the grid at Ipswich. All in all a superb event for the club both on and off track and a credit to all involved.