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Event Report

ARDC Brands Hatch Meet – 6/7 November 2004

More pictures available in the photo album...

The focus and aim of the weekend was on the conception and formation of the ARDC race team “Project Serpent”, and entry into next year’s ARCA competition. The club’s goal was to get you guys the members on board, involved and believing in the team.

Shannow, Simon and I needed to meet the existing teams, drivers, car preppers and organisers and begin to put the plan into action. On all fronts it was a success and we’ve got a few meetings lined up to begin to put the team together; we’ll keep you up to date!

The meet unofficially started on Saturday evening when CJ, Hutch, Alfachick, Alfanige, AndyTTS and Alun got the termite hill masquerading as a hotel (sorry guys). Of course, all headed straight for the bar; they met up, had a few drinks and a game of pool. Meanwhile, on the way back from Brands (me, Simon and Shannow went on Saturday to speak to the teams etc) I was forced to drop Shannow off at the hotel, he was literally gnawing his way through my door to get out to go see AC, shocking and indicative of his theme for the weekend!!

“It was a conspiracy! They put all three of us from Angel Tuning in the front rooms of the hotel, by the road, with the sirens, shouting, fireworks and freezing temperatures in the vain hope that we wouldn’t try and sell anything to anyone the following day” –Alfanige, a 14 year old Welsh boy

We then met up at the hotel and after a few more introductions and some of Alfanige’s entertainment specials, the ten of us headed out on the town, first stop, “La Nona’s” Restaurant and Pizzeria, mmmmmm. Great food, great wine, and by the looks of things, great desserts too!! Of course it was time for smooth talking Shannow to wax lyrical and whip AC into a frenzied state of submission (well that was his plan anyway!!)

Suffice to say Amy was managing to resist the charms, but Shannow had a plan...

With CJ letting us all in on his secret OBE, Simon snapping away on the camera, Hutch enjoying the culinary delights and Alfanige doing his best Alfie moon impression, Shannow announced he’ll be shaving off his beard to impress the fair maiden AC!! Taunted and jibed, there was an air of seriousness in his voice, but, would he do it, would he shave his entire beard and tash off to gain the heart of Alfachick????? We paid the bill, hit a local trendy bar and back to the hotel for afters!

It was 8.30am, Sunday morning, me and Simon managed to get a ride with TonyGTA; we met up at the hotel and began our journey to the next meeting point. Got an out of the blue call “Posty, do you know who this is??”—lol, it was Zink, he was a few minutes behind us, so we pulled over and waited.

We stop off to meet up with Josey Wales, Gareth, Ma Gareth and Pa Gareth too!

Before we know it, the first 7 cars are leaving the service station, hitting the M25 and well on the way to Brands.

The shenanigans begin, and with a welcomed rogue 2-litre Twin Spark joining the crew, we start the final leg of the trip, warp factor GTA!!

“I managed to keep up as i have an extremely heavy right foot” –Alfachick

“Was great to meet all you guys (and gal!) at last, only wish that last convoy of Alfas could’ve lasted longer, it was awesome! (Zink, your car man, it sounds mean)” –Karl

“The hairs stood up on my neck when we were driving in convoy, I loved it” –Turkey

“I have to say; when I, Karl, V6 and Turkey waited on the hill and you all came flying up the hill towards us it was fantastic. It was only a tiny distance in to the circuit but I was on the headset telling the missus all about it. It was great fun” –Suffolkben

The cars were parked, the people were looking and troops were fed, we’d all met up and were ready to go see some racing. Keeping us all in eager anticipation, Shannow tore himself away from David C and their race preparations and made his way up to the Kentagon from the paddock, did he or didn’t he; has he still got his beard... Lol, yeah, he did, beards gone, all in the name of love!!

With all the mickey taking, banter, better with or without the beard debate and expressions of “aawww, bless” out of the way, we made our way over the stands, grabbed a seat, waiting for the racing to begin.

First up were the Formula Palmer and Jedi racers, quick little buggers, but we were there for the Alfas...

We sat, excited, cold and ready to see the final Class A to D ARCA Championship race of the year

The race started, Graham Presley in the blue 75 beat the Sud Sprint of Tim Lewis to into the first corner, with the alfisti looking on letting out a big cheer, Chris Snowdon and the two CSR prepared 156s began to establish position, whilst Neil Smith in his 2.0TS, awarded with the overall seasons championship, drove with the same passion and desire needed to win all over again.

Tim Lewis went on to win, with the number 3 of BLS going out with transmission problems. The race was a real eye opener, a chance for those who want the ARDC drive to see the level of skill and utter commitment each team and driver puts into it, those guys aren’t playing out there, they’re out to win it, and drive with the determination of champions.

It was a true and real introduction for the ARDC members, all fired up, excited and eager; this is what we wanted, this is the interest, the spirit and the emotion that we new we’d see in the alfisti; you couldn’t help feel the adrenaline pumping through your veins!

With the race and excitement, cheers and jeers, we made our way down to the paddock to meet the teams, directors and feel the atmosphere. The alfisti were mixing and mingling, getting stuck in and chatting with the team members, drivers, mechanics and the wonderfully animated and charismatic Michael Lindsay, ARCA Principle and Chairman.

“Good day guys, my folks really enjoyed themselves, especially my dad was like a kid in a sweet shop crawling around looking at all those cars I think he wished he’d brought his overalls so he could go poking around in them more” –Gareth

“I can’t believe this, we’re so close to the cars, the drivers and they’re all so friendly, this is right for me next year, I’d love to be part of the ARDC team” –TonyGTA

“We welcome and look forward to having you next season” –Michael Lindsay, ARCA

“This is exactly how and what I wanted to see and hear, the guys are now pledging their support to the ARDC team” –Simon, ARDC

“We have the plans, the determination, the contacts and support; now let’s go get the backing” –Posty, ARDC

Our cars themselves caused a stir and a lot of interest too.

Tony and Karl with their GTAs, Zink with his supercharged Selespeed, JoseyWales, V6Cod and Alfachick with their BFOW back ends, Hutch, Turkey, Gareth and Suffolkben adding to the group of highly polished 156s (none more so than Alfanige’s original matt rossa corsa finish!!

We finished of the day with the ARCA Class E and F race, a bit of shopping, mags, caps and other paraphernalia and a good old chat about power, engines and upgrades.

A final line up for pics and we left to make the journey home. It must be said that CJ coming all the way from Scotland really showed dedication and spirit, and he’s quite a nice guy too (unlike his forum persona!!) I jest!! Hutch and Alfachick too, for coming all the way from t’north, and JoseyWales from the west

The ARDC thanks Alfanige and AndyTTS of Angel Tuning for their generous support and sponsorship of this event, the club, its existence and the benefits to its members cannot be sustained without the kind effort and willingness of our sponsors, of which Angel are particularly generous. Please accept, on behalf of the ARDC and its members, a big thank you!

Attendees: Posty, Shannow, Simon, Alfachick, Zink, Hutch, CJ Romeo, Alfanige, AndyTTS, Alun, Suffolkben, Turkey, Karl, V6Cod, Gareth, Ma Gareth, Pa Gareth, JoseyWales and TonyGTA! Well done all of you...

Next meet, the Christmas bash, 12th December, Chinese lunch and karting GP!!