Gymkhana

A bit of a first for me today. We decided to take part in the Hants & Berks Motorclubs Gymkhana. A cheap and cheerful entrance into the world of motorsport, next stop F1! Its basically an untimed event where you have to travel round a series of tests designed to score your ability to manoeuvre your car through gates and get as close as possible to various points. For a first go I managed an average 65 penalty points in the morning session, by the afternoon I had got into it and dropped that to just 15. The winner scored -3 as he was able to park on the cone and throw hoops over stakes.....he was also half my age!

Awarding winning

Quite chuffed today. I picked up an award at the Hants & Berks Motorclub AGM this evening. For the last couple of years they have decided to reuse so of the old silverware that was originally handed out for events organised by the club. These events have long since passed so some new categories have been created. One of these is "photographer of the year" Since I joined the club I've tried to get along to a few events, but diary clashes with shows and camping have meant that the classic car night in May is the only one I make. In 2011 I rocked up in the Camper, had a pint and chatted cars with the other members whilst snapping away, the chairmans Jaguar decided to melt its electrics so it was all hands to the pump for tools, spares and know how to get it running. Whilst offering some advice and tools I also snapped away for a couple of hours as the crowds worked away. Sadly it never did start and needed a lift home but the clubs committee liked the human angle of my photos and awarded the snapper prize for 2011 to me. I got to hold (albeit briefly as they get stowed away by the club) a pewter tankard from the early 1980s that was used as a scatter rally trophy. They did however make keepsakes of the club badge and a clock with an engraved plaque beneath. Its nice to be noticed.

And the nominations are....

Got a letter through the post today. Normally anything addressed to me will be a bill, bank statement or something equally dull. But this was something different. Its from a local motor club I belong to. Each year at the AGM they honour various members, recently they introduced scribe and photographer of the year for contributions to the clubs magazine, Sidelights. Its always nice to be recognised for your abilities and I'm quite proud of my snapping and the photos I've sent to the magazine. I have to wait until the end of March for the awards night so fingers crossed.