Mark, I’ll get you next time!

Report on 20 October 2013 Autosolo by Ciaran Fitzgerald

I must start by saying well done to Kerry Motor Club and especially Tommy Commane for running a great Autosolo.

I would recommend Autosolo’s to everyone, a standard road car can be used, in fact there was some there today, seats and all. I doubt anyone could find a better days motoring fun for the same value.

The speeds are relatively slow, rarely getting out of first gear but it is a real test of driving ability.There is no reversing so it is all forward driving around cones and tyres with some natural obstacles thrown in.

There where 2 very challenging tests mainly on a Tarmac and concrete with a tiny bit of gravel (especially if you run a bit wide) on both. Each test was ran 5 times and believe me it’s enough to give your arm a good work out!!

I was doubling driving fellow club member, Mark Guerin’s Toyota Starlet. The car is standard apart from stripping out the seats and putting in a bucket seat to hold us in place while sliding around.

Mark and I had a great battle all day, we both made a slow start on the first test dropping on  8-10 seconds on our fellow class rivals. We then set about driving well and were consistently matching our fellow class rivals.

However with the time lost on the first test and a small bit of overuse of  the handbrake meant it was almost impossible to catch the class leaders with less than a second a test between us all.

Going into the final test It was real tight between Mark and I with 1.3 seconds between us with me leading. I went first and took 2 secs off my previous best run to put the pressure on Mark. However mark put in great run, setting 4th fastest O/A time to finish 1.4 secs in front. I was disappointed but after such a tight battle I couldn’t help but smile.

Kerry motor club run 4 of these events a year and with the kind sponsorship of MG electrical supplies they also run a great championship with the best 3 rounds to count.

If anyone in limerick knows of a suitable venue for an autosolo or an autotest please get in touch.

Again well done to Tommy Commane and team.

Mark, I’ll get you next time!