A full entry of twenty drivers took to the track at Kartworld in Watergrasshill for the Third (as opposed to turd) Annual Donkey Grand Prix. Excitement was high and competition was expected to be fiercer than usual with the announcement that the Perpetual Trophy was finally to make an appearance. The trophy, a specially commissioned piece, was delayed for 24 months as precious metal had to be sourced to enable the thermoplastic figures strongly bond in a manner that would not be affected by long term misuse. Many hours were spent in the dockyard workshops cutting, forming and using a special industrial resin to ensure the trophy would do justice to the event and the finished product is pictured above. Indeed, rumour has it that the Formula 1 Championship Trophy for next season is to bear an uncanny resemblance to the trophy!
Anyway, enough of that bollixology and onto the event itself. A late entry by Alan Mc ensured that all two previous winners would take to the track. Young Jonny Dennis & old Daniel Mac were expected to be thereabouts at the end while Nikki was quietly confident of retaining a podium position and could not be discounted. Newcomers Frank, Arjen, Conor, Robin & Una were all unknown quantities while Terence was quoted as being very hippy just to compete.
The warm up laps provided no clue as to who would take the honours but it must be stated that very few spins were noted this time around - maybe a sign of the more maturing driver beginning to appear. The race began with a rolling start and making an immediate impression was Danny Mc who was showing composure, speed and precision as he clawed his way to the top of the field. Brother Ivan was out in a rocket and began posting fast times while being cautious at the corner which had, in previous events, been his downfall - and managed to set FTD. Nikki got stuck with a lawnmower as even yours truly was able to pass her, effortlessly - going to the pits twice for improvements to the machine made sure a podium place was not to be this year. Rookie Arjen manage to, at least, equal Ivan's record of spins while Una took the second corner about 20kmh too fast and nearly landed on the last corner before the rest of the field. Newcomer frank was wrestling with Terence, a battle which was to last until the end. Meanwhile Danny was in the process of lapping 17 of the twenty drivers, despite being harassed for a time by a previous winner and trophy designer!! Midfield battles were aplenty with Jonny, Barbara, Ivan & Alan all tussling for the fourth position while the group of Tommy, Paul, Hallors, Tiggy, Kavs & Robin all provided their bit of madness in an effort to maintain a top ten position. Conor made the best of the evening by even trying a bit of grasstrack!
In the end a strong drive by Danny Mc brought him the laurels with a thirty six second advantage from Frank Moynihan who had a scant four-hundredths of a second to spare over Terence after thirty five gruelling minutes of driving.
The after dinner was another magnificent feed supplied by Chef Supreme Sir Normal Bowler whose array of salads and dips to compliment the ribs, burgers, chicken and very large sausages were enough to quench the hunger of even the most hungriest of tarmac spreaders!!!
Book now for next year!