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Tarporley Rotary Club, in collaboration with MotorSportVision, held its 4th Oulton Park Charity Track Day on 11th November – Armistice Day. The event was fully subscribed with 60 cars taking part. Club President Joe O’Connor opened the day at 8.30 and welcomed the participants, especially Dick Robinson (photo), the first driver to sign up for the first event in 2006. Dick said “It’s a great event which raises money for charity and I look forward to participating every year.” Following the safety briefing the cars took to the track at 9 o’clock for the sighting laps following a pace car. Despite the dry weather the surface was greasy and several drivers still made unintended excursions onto the grass. As the morning progressed a dry driving line was established and speeds increased as drivers tested their skills against the testing Oulton Park circuit. For those wanting to experience the thrill of the track, but not wanting to drive (or risk their own cars), Rotary had arranged HOT RIDES in a super-charged Lotus Exige, kindly donated by expert track drivers Terry Pankhurst and Jonathon Jones of Giftdays Warrington. Just before 11 o’clock Circuit Controller, John Wood, recalled all cars to the pits. Like the guns on the Western Front 91 years ago, engines fell silent, and over the speaker system John announced the two minutes silence in honour of the War Dead with Binyon’s immortal words, “They grow not old like we who are left grow old…”. After lunch driving conditions were excellent with a dry surface and no wind. The event finished at 4 o’clock when side-lights were being used against the gathering gloom of the late autumn afternoon. Tarporley Rotary Club organised a raffle, the 16 prizes including two fleeces carrying a specially commissioned Club Track Day emblem. The raffle together with the hot rides and the donation from MotorSportVision raised £600 which will be used to support charities including ShelterBox, which gives families who have lost their homes in disasters such as earthquakes and Tsunamis a large tent plus all the basic equipment required to sustain them for 6 months. Drawing attention to the sample Rotary Shelter Box which was on display President Joe O’Connor noted that, “…after the 2005 Boxing Day Tsunami Rotary Shelter Boxes were delivered on the first relief planes. |
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