The Last Season....

Post Season Report 2004

The intention was to retire from racing at the end of last year but I was half hearted about it and Sally was pushing so here we go again! With Mike Catlow’s help the Nomad was ready and at the end of the winter we could do with a break so it is off to Dijon.

Schweizer Meisterschaft, Dijon-Prenois 9 th to 11 th April 2004

We enjoyed the trip to Dijon last year so we repeated the route almost exactly. Having sat by the Loire in the sun we were astonished to run into snow close to Dijon. I had visions of the trailer overtaking the Motorhome but we managed to get the speed down and stay straight. It was a very cold weekend and almost impossible to get any warmth into the tyres.

Race 1 18 th and 2 nd in class with 28 cars on the grid

Race 2 17 th and 1 st in class

The start of the second race was very exciting as much faster cars that did not finish the first race start the second race at the back of the grid and needless to say try to get through the field as quickly as possible.

Magny Cours Due to business and lack of money we did not enter.

The Jan Wellem Oldtimer Festival, Nurburgring 25 th to 27 th June 2004

There were 37 cars on the grid so a very busy practice and difficult to get a clear lap. Race 1 30 th and 1 st in class. Race 2 21 st and 3 rd in class

Brands Hatch Historic Superprix, 17 th & 18 th July 2004

Although I was entered at the last minute we decided not to go due to pressure of work

The Oldtimer Grand Prix, Nurburgring 6 th to 8 th August 2004

I did not enter as this is such a busy meeting. It is impossible in the paddock to park or move.

Gran Turismo Powerspeed, Spa 8 th to 10 th October

I always look forward to Spa but this year it is followed by the season final at the Nurburgring so we are away for three weeks. We took our normal crossing from Portsmouth to Le Harvre, stayed at Honfleur and then navigated an interesting route to Spa.

I was almost hoping it would be wet, as my slicks are really old now and not much good. Race 1 30 th and second in class which won me 2 cups!

Race 2 31 st and last to finish due to trying to hard. I have been told that Eau Rouge should be taken flat in 5 th. That is no problem but the left hander going up the hill following Eau Rouge is a big problem. Well I tried to keep my foot down but lost it with a huge spin at the top and returned to the circuit via the pit lane exit road losing at least two places. No cups for this race. Towards the end of the race the tyres had no grip and each corner was a battle to control the slide.

On Sunday we left and drove to the Nurburgring and left the trailer with another team who had a garage for the week to work on their cars. We then travelled down to the Mosel and found a camping spot right by the river and within walking distance of Cochem town centre. We then had three days very pleasant holiday.

ADAC Season Final, Nurburgring 15 th to 17 th October 2004

Well this is my last race meeting. I told Angela and Silvio, the organisers, and they have asked me to be the UK Co-ordinator for Super Sports Cup. Not sure if I want to watch but they are a great crowd of enthusiasts so we will stay involved.

It was a wet race and I had a big battle with my friend Niek Snoek, I could get alongside him but not past. Eventually I tried to hard, spun and hit the wall. Probably the worst accident I have had racing but not

serious, the body was split, zeus fasteners torn out but no mechanical damage and I even got started and slowly managed the finishing line.

The Nomad was patched up with plenty of tape and we managed 11 th in race 2 with a class win.

We took the Nomad to two other very special events during the year.

The Royal Welsh Show, Builth Wells 18 th to 21 st July 2004

I am not in the habit of attending agricultural shows but this was the 100 th Royal Welsh and we were invited to take part in the Centenary Celebration. We were part of a display of all ages of cars up to a new Bentley and each day drove around the main ring and formed a display in the ring alongside horses, cattle, geese, tractors etc. I drove the Nomad and Sally drove a friend’s beautiful 1934 Talbot. The atmosphere in the ring was terrific and the Nomad caused a great deal of interest from the public and TV. One day was hot and dry which meant moving the Nomad in the ring as the exhaust pipes were setting fire to the grass. The show was enormous and we thoroughly enjoyed our few days. Downside was the ground clearance of the Nomad, it did not go over the horse shit but scooped it all up. The cleaning job once home was no joke!

Porsche Festival, Brands Hatch 29 th & 30 th August 2004

The Nomad is not a Porsche but either because I am a past Chairman or because the Nomad has a Porsche engine I was asked to join the Historic Race Car Display. Sounds abit boring but when it was pointed out that the factory were sending some of their competition cars and that we would be lapping the circuit with three 917s it all sounded very interesting.

What an event it was. Wonderful company around some wonderful cars. The course car was Porsche’s new Carrear GT with a spectacular driver and we did a number of quite quick laps both days.

Sally and I attended the superb Gala Dinner. From Motorhome to Hotel in slightly damp conditions, with screams of “my hair is ruined”, we did three laps of the circuit and parked the Nomad outside the front door of the Hotel! Fortunately it was not raining when we drove back to the Motorhome although the seat was.

Time to hang up the helmet – well I actually lent it to George.

Terry Davison