PAG 12, page 5

The Stoneleigh SortieBy Albert Crackleport

Log entry date - May 5th

Leaving base at 6.30a.m co-pilot Alison and myself headed South East towards Eccleshill to rendevue with No3 Barry and Rishmal Houlden, final destination Stoneleigh kit car show. Setting course for the Snake Pass (one of the highest passes in the country ,quite often blocked by snow) we passed through the Yorkshire mill towns of Brighouse, Huddersfield and Holmfirth. The exhaust note from No2 rattled off the stone buildings and cottages as we kept up a good pace. The weather was fine and clear, a bit of a morning nip but Alison and myself are old hands at open cockpit touring and we were wearing full motorcycle gear. No traffic as we drove 'slightly' above the speed limits towards the Snake Pass and the Derbyshire Peaks beyond. Climbing the pass the chill took your breath away but the veiws were superb. Down into the next valley and we stopped for a natter at the side of a reservoir.Good job I had brought the hip flask topped up with Brandy. A quick 'Snifter' while the gloves warmed on the hot exhaust pipes and we were ready for the off again.Over 100 miles to go and we were supposed to be meeting a collegue Glyn Webster at 10.00 a.m we had to get a move on.

Ducking down behind the little aero screens we made good time through Buxton and on towards Matlock and Derby. Three times we were passed by a guy driving a Lotus Seven look-alike but he was all speed in short bursts. The two 'Grasshoppers' thundered on. We were bang on time. The morning sun was now rising and warming the air, time to loosen the shamarghs that had protected our faces and back off a bit on the 'loud pedal'.

Pulling in for fuel off the A38 we both topped up, airing on the side of caution because the fuel guage in No3 is in need of attention. Phoning Glyn on the mobile we discovered he was about 2 miles in front and he gave further instructions of the planned rendevue.

All going to plan - We met Glyn and approached the show ground. Hitting the first traffic of the day with only 3 miles to go. Two hours we sat in the jam crawling nearer at snails pace. Organisation - Don't think there had been any !!!!!!!! If we hadn't been meeting friends we would have turned around and gone home.

12.45 entered show ground (instead of 10.45) and joined the other Pembleton 'Grasshoppers' just in time for the Pembleton picnic. Gathering round the hampers on the floor that were full to bursting with sandwiches, wine, sausage rolls, crisps, the instructions were 'Tuck in' which I did !

After lunch a visit to the Pembleton Motor Co stand to have a look at the new car. A beast springs to mind !!!! Powered by a tuned 900cc BMW engine it was apparantly the star of the show. Refreshingly different against all the fibreglass replicas. No time to talk to Phil he was too busy with potential customers

All too soon it was time to leave, biding farewell to other Pembleton owners we set course for Aylesbury. Brian Carmichael had kindly offered us a place to bed down for the night and also an evening to remember. (I knew that Aylesbury evenings are good because I have been on one before. Especially if they are attended by fellow 'Grasshopper' owner Gerry Fosh) We weren't disappointed, Brian had prepared a meal and the drinks cabinet was open. I'm afraid my stamina faded at midnight but everyone else carried on fueled by lager and liquors. Time became irrelevant.

Next morning two hundred miles away from home and its raining !!!! After a hearty full breakfast it was back into waterproofs, bide a farewell to Brian and hit the road. The weather did brighten as we travelled north sticking to the A roads. Apart from two cloud bursts the weather remained dry. Boy does rain sting your face !!! A coffee break at half distance in a country pub near Stone and we were back on the road, trying to keep the average speed up. Climbing up once again over the familiar peaks the cloud was low, no views to look at today, turn on the lights and watch where you are going as the mist enveloped the cars. The two 'Grasshoppers' never missed a beat (apart from the huge backfires that No3 does on the over run) and we landed at Bradford at 5.00 p.m.

What a drive - Mission accomplished

Carry on Pembling - Albert Crackleport