You may well think that the headline is a little odd, but believe me, we had that much rain on Sunday - day one of the UK Pairs Championship - that I think they started selling snorkels in the track shop. 27 brave souls brought their cars along to race, the best turnout of the season so far and considering the heavy schedule during the month of May, the lads have done a remarkable job of getting their cars ready for another session especially given the weather forecasts - and the weathermen weren't wrong !.

Heat 1

25 for heat 1 with the Bradley's still en route with 2 cars as Dan's brother Karl was making his debut in the ex Mark Barrett car. Andy Hulse finally made it on track in the ex Chris Fort machine and the team had done a great job as the No. 9 car looked the part. As the race got underway, the spray being kicked up by the cars made visibility very difficult. 112 Jamie Marson headed the field as 1 Chris Fort - in the borrowed Frankie Wainman 212 Machine - spun along with 149 Marc Radforth on the pits turn which delayed 161 Mark Allen, 313 Andy Craven and 355 Bryan Andrew. 117 Rob Scriven tangled with son Michael Scriven as he lept over the No. 12 car's front wheel. Rob had had a busy week getting the ex Dean Laird car prepared which included removing and refitting the engine and re spraying the car. I digress.....Michael's next trick was to tangle out with 9 Andy Hulse along the back straight and the pair hit the infield tyres. 117 Scriven spun on the pit turn to be joined by 210 Matt Smith. 473 Chris Bracher who was leading was also delayed which allowed 112 Marson to nip by for the win.

Heat 2

25 again for heat 2 and the rain was still coming down. A bit more of a sedate run this time but Marson again took the win - looking good for the feature race. As I mentioned earlier, this weekend would feature the UK Pairs Championship and the draw was made up from the driver at the top of the points, paired with the guy at the bottom, then the next inline paired and so on. Some interesting pairings with the pick of the bunch being 131 Kev Stuchbury paired with debutante 186 Karl Bradley, 473 Chris Bracher paired with 160 Nick Blach, 313 Andy Craven and 112 Jamie Marson and 161 Mark Allen paired with 315 Rob Shackleton.

It was shortly before this race that a deal was struck between 355 Bryan Andrew and 331 Dave Hobbs that will see Dave retire and Bryan become the new owner of the 331 machine. Dave has cited family commitments for his main reason for packing it in. He'll still be around spannering for Kev Stuchbury though he took no further part in this weekends events.

The Final

24 on track for the feature. Marson was expected to make the break but this time he had company with 42 Rob Barber and 315 Rob Shackleton leading. 216 Rocket Reg Smith spun to be joined by son Matt in 210. Shortly before halfway the race was cautioned with 357 Leighann Wright in trouble which is documented elsewhere. Leighann was taken to Boston Hospital and thankfully released alter.

Shackleton led the restart from Barber and Marson. 129 Paul Davies was lying 4th with a menacing 473 Bracher next inline. Marson spun as Bracher moved up to take the lead. It was at this point that the race was again brought under caution for Andy Henstock who was in trouble. Whilst the Ambulance men worked to free Andy I had spotted 286 Dan Bradley parked on the infield. I actually did a double take when I spotted his tyre tracks as it appeared he had cleared the infield marker tyres. I asked if Dan was ok to which he said 'yeah, but it bloody hurt though !' I asked what had happened and Dan explained that he had lost his steering and careered into the tryes, nearly rolled and ended up on the infield (see photo left) Made of tough stuff these Yorkshiremen.

The unfortunate Andy Henstock was airlifted to Lincoln hospital (please see the forum for upadtes on Andy's condition which is thankfully looking very good)

Bracher headed the restart with a backmarking 314 Steve Bowman holding off 2nd placeman 161 Allen with Fort and Stuchbury next up. Bracher infact drove away from the field to secure another fine win with 131 Stuch 2nd and 161 Allen 3rd after Fort got a bit crossed up on the home straight and tank slapped his way to forth.

Everyone took cover for the night, some braved the Skegness pits whilst others headed for BnB's whilst our clan braved the night under canvas.......many brownie points lost with er indoors that night !.

Day 2

Obviously the events of the previous day were on everyone's minds as we all sought information on the wellbeing of Andy and Leighann. We had also lost 7 cars, so 20 took to the track with Karl Bradley managing to reseat his engine after it had tried to dislodge itself after a head on with Andy Henstock during the final.

Heat 1

The weather had looked a little better but it still managed to rain - again. A fairly trouble free race with Chris Bracher scoring another win. Chris Fort managed to spin Stuchbury on the back straight during the final lap and Stuch couldn't restart his car. Fort would take no further part in the meeting with gearbox problems.

Heat 2

17 on the grid for this one with 112 Marson leading with Barber and 373 Rob Hartley in close proximity. Marc Radforth put the bumper in on 210 Smith who scraped around the fence. Newcomer 430 Paul Stevens was impressive in the Jamie Marson spare car and was broadsiding the car brilliantly. Stuchbury had worked his way through the field and was closing fast on Marson who was taking a wide line coming off the turns. However, Marson held on from Stuchbury and Bracher. It transpired that Kevin had eased up because the starter had appeared to be giving him the lap boards but it was clearly Marson who completed the distance first.

Final

17 again for the feature with Marson leading them away. Further back Radforth and Stuchbury tangled and drifted fencewards on the home straight before seperating and getting back into the race. 210 Smith spun to face the traffic on the homestraight and spun again a few laps later on the pits turn. Marson still led with Hartley 2nd and Bracher moving into 3rd. Bracher moved past Hartley then eased by Marson as he looked a good bet to win the final and with it wrap up the UK Pairs pretty much single handidly as his pairng 160 Nick Blach failed to score all weekend. Mark Allen clearly had the bit between his teeth as he moved into 2nd but the laps ran out and Bracher duly took the win. Allen had to settle for 2nd with a highly delighted Rob Hartley an excellent 3rd on his track debut.

To sum it up, the weekend belonged to Bracher and the weather, which totally robbed us of some probably excellent racing if the turnout of cars was anything to go by. Several drivers will be needing new paint as Bracher tops the points chart and Marson, Barber, Arrowsmith and Hartley all move up from white to blue. The Bradleys continue to impress with their gutsy, never say die attitude and 430 Paul Stevens looked at home on his debut.

The last few words must go to Leighann and Andy who are both doing much better than they were at the weekend. Leighann is suffering a sore back but otherwise she is ok. With the car now minus it's roof it may well be looking doubtful if we shall see her racing a V8 again. Mind you, she might just want to prove us all wrong and get back out there again. We hope so !

Andy has been able to take a few steps, amazing considering he has broken bones in his neck and back but the prognosis looks very good. We certainly hope it wont be too long before Andy is back on his feet full time.