Andrew Willoughby

Good luck with your new steed, Mike. Sorry to be losing you from Class 1 but I look forward to seeing you in the paddock next year. Will you be making your Class 2 debut at Goodwood? Andrew

Class 1 Dad is now Class 1 Grandad. Our grandson, Thomas Alexander Jeffery, the son of our younger daughter Rachel and her husband, Viv Jeffery, was born at 6.45 pm on Friday 27 November. He was 7lb 10oz at birth and he and his Mum are doing fine. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/14/90/WLW-Theyeariscomplete_11E81-P1000247_thumb.jpg Needless to say, Janice and I are absolutely besotted with our new arrival, and have been very touched by the many congratulations we’ve received from my fellow sprinters on Blatchat; yet another example of how great the Speed Championship fraternity is. What a year! Andrew

Thank you for all of the kind words - they've been passed on to the proud parents. Pictures can be seen here. Hope you like the cardigan, Paul! Janice says Thomas is too young for a Scalextric this Christmas, but as apprentice tyre warmer I don't think he can start too soon. Andrew

I'm delighted to announce the arrival of the newest member of Willoughby Racing. Daughter Rachel gave birth to Thomas Alexander Jeffery at 6.45 this evening. She, Thomas and husband Viv are all well. Can't wait to make the little fella's acquaintance tomorrow. This has to be the best feeling ever - highly recommended! Andrew

Just to echo Nick's point about the DVD. I'm sure that many 2009 competitors would buy one - I certainly would. Thanks to Shaun for doing such a professional job with the editing. It was great to see so many of our chums from the Speed Championship paddock today. It seems a long time to the new season ☹️ but I look forward to seeing you all at Glorious Goodwood . Andrew

Doh! - no sooner do I successfully encourage one fast offspring to change classes than another one pops up to spoil my party! But I have another cunning plan! (don't tell Lisa ) She's coming to us for Christmas so I intend fattening her up a bit with turkey, trimmings, pud, alcohol, etc, etc. That way I shan't have to faff around lengthening the belts when it's my turn, and the added ballast might slow her down a bit Looking forward to seeing you all at the lunch with the other members of WR. Andrew

I’d never intended going to Anglesey, but as my slender lead in Class 1 was so under threat from Nick Chan and Alistair Gibbins I just had to go! Class 1 was the only one still to be decided, so it was arranged that we should run last so that our colleagues in the other classes could watch the unfolding battle. To make me even more nervous Alistair, Nick and I were to be the very last to go out as the class leaders. I didn’t go with high expectations, particularly as I was the only one of the leading three not to have driven the track before. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/14/80/WLW-Itsallover_127A9-image_thumb.png I’ve already waxed lyrical about the many great places we’ve visited this year, and Anglesey was no exception. Matthew, Lisa and I walked the damp National circuit on Saturday morning and the views were breathtaking, particularly the view of the sea after rounding Peel corner – this was to be my only chance to take it in! First practice was all over the place, despite my resolve to take it easy, but I got a 72.65 – OK for a first go. My second was better, 70.37 seconds and third quickest, but Alan Johnson had done a 68.95, with Alistair getting 69.34. They were ahead of me, but I didn’t feel too far back. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/14/80/WLW-Itsallover_127A9-image_thumb_1.png The first timed run came before lunch and I was surprised to be quickest with a 66.36, though Alistair was only just over a tenth behind me. Time for lunch and a prayer for rain while I was in front! The rain didn’t come, but my second timed run went well – a bit quicker at 65.87, but both Alistair and Nick had spins and I was managing to eke out my lead. One more to do. Deep breath. The last run felt great. I got off the line well, managed to carry more speed through School and braked later for Rocket. Peel was good, and I breathed a sigh of relief to exit the awkward and off-camber Seaman’s corner safely. Just needed to brake later for the final hairpin. The speed came off just in time and I drifted over the line knowing it had been quicker. I waited to see the clock – 64.65 seconds. With trepidation I cruised back to the paddock to find that Alistair had gone quicker than before with a 65.83. Nick was marginally slower, so I’d secured the win ahead of Alistair in second and Alan in third. I’d never considered the scores all day, but on learning my time Alistair said he thought it was enough to secure the championship. After a nervous few moments while Al consulted his whizzo computer simulation it emerged that I’d done it – Class 1 champ, and I’d not even realised it was possible on the first day! The Sunday was a different matter now. I could just enjoy it, though I’d not been out of the top three in any event this year and didn’t want to spoil my record. My first runs were dire – almost slowest in practice, with a spin on the second one. The first timed run wasn’t much better with a spin at Rocket. After lunch I gave myself a good talking too and tried, successfully this time, to keep on the black stuff – 110.76, behind Alistair and Nick on 109.95 and 110.02. The next run saw me in the lead with a 108.15, and I went into the last run hopeful of another win. I got a 107.77 on a run which felt really good, but Nick just pipped me with a 107.6. Alistair was third with a 108.22. It was a close finish, typical of the whole season. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/14/80/WLW-Itsallover_127A9-image_thumb_2.png When I entered the competition this season I’d hoped for a top three place in the championship, but never dared to hope for a class win. The year has been fabulous and I have enjoyed every venue enormously. As ever, the best thing about this championship has been the friendship of all of my Class 1 chums. Super-competitive wind-up merchants to a man, but unfailingly supportive of one another, I feel privileged to have been in their company throughout the year. Special mention must go to Nick and Alistair – I enjoyed the combat greatly, but know they’ll be keen to show me a clean pair of heels in 2010! Class 1 champ and about to be a grandad for the first time. 2009’s turned out to be a year to remember!

Thanks for your congratulations, Al. It's been an amazing year with many memorable moments and the competition has been fantastic. More importantly, the mutual support of all in the Class 1 paddock has been great - we may be rivals on track but the camaraderie of our group is terrific, and something I value greatly. Special congratulations to Nick and Al - I've really enjoyed our jockeying for position as the season reached its climax. Al's 101 horses are really due for a rest after the whipping he gave them at Anglesey! I can't believe it's all over, and I still can't take in that I got the class win. I look forward to seeing everyone at the awards lunch (providing that my first grandchild, due shortly afterwards, doesn't arrive early). Andrew

Perfectly put, Michael. Anglesey was a brilliant end-of-term event, and it was great to be part of this finale to the season. Andrew

Really looking forward to the competition, Simon, but I'm a bit nervous about venturing into deepest Wales - it's a long way from Cadwellshire! Also, Al's growing fan club is mighty impressive. Still, Willoughby Racing isn't just going to throw in the towel! I shall be bringing my specially trained team - Spanner Monkey (daughter Lisa) and my Personal Pitlane Totty (wife Janice 🥰). Each of them scares me to death, so a few infatuated Al fans aren't likely to bother them! (And you should see them in their specially commissioned team t-shirts 😳) Here's to two great (dry 😬) days of competition . Andrew

How's the rain dance coming along, Al? Andrew

Where has all the time gone? It’s now mid-September and I’ve not posted since Loton. Curborough 2 went well and I just managed to get the win with Nick and Alistair close behind. I was lucky with the weather this time and wasn’t too sorry to see rain approaching after a really good time in my first timed run – 65.77 – another PB. Aintree didn’t go quite so well – I never matched my 2008 time, though I redeemed myself with a third place which bagged a reasonable score. Neil (Flymo) Fraser got his first win, narrowly beating Nick Chan into second place. That was all 2 weeks ago and now I face Anglesey in three weeks for the final shoot-out. I lead Class 1 currently, but that’s quite academic - it is virtually neck and neck between Alistair, Nick and me as we enter that final crucial round. It’s a great way to finish a brilliant season and I just can’t wait to get out there!

I'm up for running Class 1 last, too. I just hope me poor old nerves are up to it! 😳 Andrew

Thanks for putting me out of my misery, Nick, and congratulations to all winners and record-holders, particularly Alan 😶‍🌫️. Well done on your result, Nick - it's set Anglesey up to be a real nail-biter in our class. I just wonder who'll be going in Class 1 .................... ! Andrew Edited by - Andrew Willoughby on 13 Sep 2009 18:01:03

So what happened?!!! Andrew

A great win, very much deserved! - that was a really impressive run on a track that was still quite damp. Andrew

Another lovely venue – this time Loton Park in Alberbury, Shropshire, and this was my third time competing there. Janice and I arrived on Friday afternoon night. The organisers, Hagley and District Light Car Club, were doing signing on between 5.00 and 7.00 pm for those who arrived early. After unloading the Seven we walked the course. It was sunny and warm and the deer park which the course wends its way through looked beautiful. At the top we saw six of Sir Michael Leighton’s deer enjoying the peace before the weekend’s competitions. We stayed at the Old Hand and Diamond just a mile down the road in Coedway, just over the Welsh border – a good pub with great food, and really handy for Loton. In the morning we went to Loton early. Matthew had already arrived with his replacement car – a former Caterham Roadsport A race car in which he was competing for the first time. He’d had it checked over by McMillan Motorsport and knew it was safe, but was quite nervous never having driven it in anger before. Fellow members of the Lotus Seven Club, who knew about his change of steed from Blatchat, came in a steady procession throughout the day to view the new beast. There was much peering and prodding from fellow club members, but the unanimous impression was that he’d made a canny purchase. It still had to prove itself, though. First practice went really well for me. I felt confident to throw the car in and at the finish line looked forward to getting my time. It was 64.08 – almost a complete second better than my personal best from last year, and three seconds quicker than the next quickest Class 1 car. Practice 2 was fractionally slower (64.36), but worryingly Alan Johnson (the man with the magic goggles) was snapping at my heels and had reduced my advantage to a second. Timed run 1 was a bit disappointing. Everyone else was improving their times, and I couldn’t seem to get down to the time I’d set at the start of the day, managing only a 64.32. More of a concern was that Alan was continuing his assault and was now well within a second of me with a 65.05. I gave myself a stern talking to and was determined to really go for it in the second timed run. It felt faster, and for the first time I managed to hold my nerve at Fallow, not braking until the 50 yard board. The time was 63.40 – almost two seconds better than my personal best from last year. Alan improved again, getting into the 64s with an excellent 64.90. Matthew’s car proved its mettle, despite a small overheating problem at the start of the day, and he finished his Class 3 debut with an impressive 60.79. I’m delighted to have got the class win, but the championship is moving towards its climax. It’s still all to play for, and Messrs Chan, Gibbins, Johnson, Keen et al are all close to the top spot. I think I’m looking forward to my last two events, Curborough and Aintree, though my spies inform me that Mr Chan has been having some rather intensive practice at Curborough. I’m praying for a dry day on Sunday – watch this space.

Those who say ‘it’s grim up north’ should visit Harewood Hillclimb. Looking over the course from the paddock with the Wharfe valley as a backdrop is one of the most stunning views in motorsport. I’d competed here last year, but never really came to terms with the course. To help, I came to the Harewood Hillclimb School in July, and instructor Tim Wilson gave me the confidence to push much harder. So that I was fully prepared for the qualifying round of the Seven Club Speed Championship on Sunday 2nd August I entered the non-qualifying event on the day before, along with many other Seveners. The Saturday was really wet, but the experience of the day was great. After a disastrous wet meeting at Curborough last year when I’d spun, I’d convinced myself that I just wasn’t very good in the wet. This time was quite different, and the confidence of knowing the lines better helped me to get the fastest time of the Class 1 entrants. Sunday was a very different day – bright and dry, and it meant I was going to be able to try to break my personal best of last year, 71.23 seconds. There was a good field of Class 1 entrants, any of whom were capable of beating me. What’s more, several of them had been to the Hillclimb School too. A particular worry was David Lynch, who had done very well last year. Also, Matthew was there, though he’d never driven the course before. He’s a much quicker learner than me, though, so I knew that my advantage over him would be short-lived. Practice 1 was OK – 71.40 – so I was nearly to my best already, but David was just ahead of me. Practice 2 was better but David was still improving and Andy Bramall and Matthew were looking very threatening. Time to regroup – I had to make up time, but I had to keep on the black stuff, even more so because my parents were going to be there watching me for the first time in the afternoon. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/14/76/WLW-HarewoodWetandDry_F7F0-IMG_0114_thumb.jpg My first timed run felt great, and I knew it was a good time as I went through the beam at Quarry. I was delighted to see my time on the display – 68.76, and my daughter Lisa came excitedly to my car to confirm that I had read it correctly. As I waited for David to park up, anxiously wondering what his time was, word came through on the tannoy – my time hadn’t registered, and I had to do a re-run, along with the cars that followed me. Disappointed (to say the least), I went down to the start hoping to do it again, but this time was a bit slower – 69.05; just enough to be in the lead, with David posting 69.14. Run 2 was less good at 69.42. What’s more, David was breathing down my neck, getting a near identical time to his first. I knew that his final run was likely to be a stormer. Run 3, the final one, felt good – the best of the day, and I was pleased to get 68.80. David had a big lock-up early in the run, and despite a great second half, he wasn’t quite able to make up the time lost, finishing with a 69.50. Andy Bramall and Matthew both had excellent final runs - 69.85 and 70.19 – both much better than my 2008 time. As ever, paddock camaraderie and support were much in evidence, and I particularly enjoyed the company of my neighbours Greg and Kristy Price and David Lynch. As David and I stood shaking with the exhilaration of our final runs, adrenaline levels through the roof, we both agreed that it didn’t get much better than that – nip and tuck competition all day. What’s more, I managed not to embarrass myself in front of Mum and Dad!

Great news, Mark . Only just stopped shaking from Harewood but can't wait for Loton. Andrew

Mr Durrant! - I'm shocked that you think me so underhand. Actually, you're dead right ! Andrew

I'm going to be there sharing my car with daughter Lisa. If she turns out to be as good as her brother I'm retiring! See you there. Andrew

Don't let this go to your head, Ian . Some of we 'youngsters' intend giving you a run for your money! Andrew

One of the great things about sprinting has been the opportunity to visit wonderful places, and the Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb is one of them. Starting in 1905 it is the oldest motorsport venue in the world still in continuous use. Matthew and I competed here last year, and were lucky to get places again in 2009. I’d done reasonably well last year, getting second place to Malcolm Hickey with a time of 37.55. I’d loved the place then, and hoped for a time this year in the 36s. We were some of the last to be scrutineered, so we were quite late getting our first practice run. The other Class 1 runners were all in the 38-40 second area, and I was pleased with a 37.68 for a first go. Matthew, running his own car, came in just over 40 seconds, which he was quite disappointed with. While we were at the top waiting for the rest of the cars to have their runs there was a long gap – a car had gone off at Crossing. We learnt it was a lovely Austin-Healey 3000, and after over half an hour it was brought up the hill on the recovery vehicle, on its roof and totally wrecked. It was a massive relief when we heard the driver was OK, but what a sad end for such a lovely car. Practice was curtailed, so several of us only had the one practice run. The timed runs in the afternoon went very smoothly, cars going through without incident. My run was 37.78 after a slightly stuttering start, and I was beaten by Ian Keen and Alistair Gibbins who both posted times of 37.69 seconds. Matthew improved his practice time with a 38.44. I just prayed that the rain clouds would be kind and give me a chance of another dry run. About half an hour before we were due out again it started raining quite sharply, but, luckily, it was dry by the time we went out. My start this time was much better, and Kennel and Crossing went well, apart from a panicky split second when I thought I’d gone from second to fifth gear. The Esses went well and I was quite pleased with my time of 37.26 – a personal best. I parked the car at the top hoping that it was good enough to beat Ian and Alistair. I was met by Alistair who said we’d both been beaten by Ian, who’d got a 37.16. Alistair pipped me by 2 hundredths, getting a 37.24. Matthew improved his time to get a 38.11, as did Michael Burnham with 40.43. I’m a bit disappointed not to get to my target time, but pleased with a new personal best. Looking at the video I can see where time was lost (that fluffed gear-change didn’t help, nor jinking left when changing down just before the Bottom ‘S’.). It was great for Ian to get his first class win, though – there have now been 6 winners in Class 1 this year, showing how close the competition is. I just want to get out and do some more!

What a competition! - congratulations, Ian . The fact that only a tenth separated the top three cars shows how close Class 1 is this year. Andrew

Thanks for these - I'll certainly give JDO a call, Doug. Strangely, it's never been a problem on a sprint, Neil. We Saga sprinters have such a job remembering which way the corners go, there's not a lot of time to look at the clocks! 😳 Andrew