Arthur's Creek - Sunday 5th May

The OST committee wisely chose Arthur's Creek as the first venue of the year because, as the name suggests, there's at least one of the vital ingredients of a mud trial running through the property - water. The very dry summer and present autumn conditions have resulted in the creek ceasing to flow. However, there was ample deep water accessible within the steep banks to keep the gathered mass amused all day and also gave the gorillas on the tow ropes plenty of exercise pulling stuck cars out of the creek bed.

After sitting out the long summer months in anticipation of the new season, it was another balmy day that greeted the bunch of competitors and their loyal supporters as they formed up for the first section of the year.

Adding to the usual suspects were Alan Peterson in his newly acquired, Grant Campbell designed and constructed, VW plus Porche bits powered and freshly painted Special and Joanne Stritch in Dale Shaw's famous Elastic Flyer.

First section was a real piston warmer with a climb around a stand of trees and up the bank for a final burst. First 10 of the year was earned by Joanne Stritch whilst most managed high scores to start their season off.

The morning was spent in and around the creek with some notable drives from Geoff Taylor, Grant Campbell and Joanne who all seemed to revel on the steep banking and water crossings. Geoff was particularly pleased with the work he had done to the front end of the car in the off season that has transformed the Buggeratti from an independent wishbone suspension to a beam axle arrangement.

Steve Mason provided his wife and new passenger Lorraine with a ride on the wild side in section 2 with the car launching itself spectacularly up one embankment leaving the front wheels high in the air and not much grass covering the rear wheels either. The subsequent landing bent the front end which was quickly repaired, Steve was quick to praise the new found grip his recently completed independent rear suspension and changed diff ratios have delivered. Lorraine was not as enthusiastic.

After a pleasant lunch in the sunshine watching the kids kicking the ball about (they all seem to have grown a foot taller since last season), it was off down the creek again to attack the re pegged sections courtesy of Director John Cox and Official Mark Taylor.

Grant started off with another 10 which no one was able to emulate, whilst close follower Geoff had his worse section of the day to be stuck hanging off the 4 peg. Peter and Jenny Hill bogged down at the 5 peg ended up with the left-hand wheel throwing a muddy rooster tail high into the air. What goes up must eventually come down, with an unfortunate Jenny wearing most of it. From where I was standing behind the car I'm sure I could see Peters shoulders shaking, I'm sure he couldn't have been laughing, could he?

As the afternoon wore on, Andrew Stritch matched Grant point for point with Graham Moyle and Alan Peterson also putting in some good drives. Keith Mitchell endured a day to forget, starting the morning

Keith Mitchell