Skittles Club Night

Congratulations to the FODMC on their win over the HRCR at the annual skittles match last night.

Bragging rights will be held for the next year at least!

Thank you to everyone who attended for a good evening.

Our next club night will be Wednesday 18th December at 8pm at The Belfry Inn, Littledean for our membership night and pre-Christmas catch up, the perfect chance to get your membership ready for 2025!

Members Spotlight: Cambrian Rally

Congratulations to club member Nigel Jenkins who has been confirmed as 2024 BTRDA Rally Bronze Star Driver champion, making it two in a row for the championship, following his and fellow club member Kaz Jenkins' 1400 class victory on the Cambrian Rally in their Green Nova.

They were also joined by son and club member Luke Watts on the 1400 overall podium who picked up 3rd overall despite some gearbox issues.

Also out in his 1400 Corsa was local man James Dunkley who had a good run to 4th in Class 9 despite catching a few cars in the earlier stages.

Geoff Phelps & Colin Jenkins were another FODMC crew who made the trip north, but unfortunately a huge rock on the line in SS2 did sufficient damage to cause them retirement shortly after.

Taking part in the Mini Challenge event, Mike Jode finished 3rd overall with his young driver Jack.

Next up for the majority of club members is the Wyedean Stages Rally, currently boasting a full entry and an exciting climax to a number of championships.

Next Club Meetings

Our next club night is the HRCR annual skittles match for a FODMC vs HRCR game on Tuesday 19th November at The Belfry Inn, Littledean, GL14 3JS at 7.30pm in the skittles alley upstairs.  

This social night will incorporate a post Wyedean catchup with members to share stories from the day.

Maximum numbers received for 2024!

Paid entries for the Richard Cole Contracting Wyedean Stages Rally 2024 have today passed the maximum number of 90 cars with the rally shaping up to be one of the best in recent years.

The bumper 90 car entry includes previous event winners and a major mix of champions from some of Britain's top championships including the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship.

Reserves paid entries will appear on rallies.info for everyone who is currently just outside of the cut off.

However, with the likelihood of entries being withdrawn closer to the event, we believe all current reserves, and likely more, will get a run and the organisers would urge you still to pay if unpaid or enter as soon as possible if not.

For all entries enquiries, please contact the entries secretary Caroline Hopkinson.

https://www.wyedeanstages.co.uk/

Kaz makes it a hat-trick of BTRDA championships!

Congratulations to club member Kaz Jenkins who has been confirmed as 2024 BTRDA Rally Bronze Star Co-Driver champion, making it a hat trick of championships including two in a row, following hers and fellow club member Nigel Jenkins' 1400 class victory on the Trackrod Forest Stages in their Green Nova.

The drivers championship will go to the last round for Nigel with a finish needed to secure him the drivers championship.

Nigel & Kaz will also be in action on their home rally the Wyedean amongst a star studded entry so far received.

Forest of Dean Half Marathon

On Sunday the 29th of September members of Forest of Dean Motor Club and friends operated communications for the Rotary Clubs, Forest of Dean Half Marathon.

This involved using the radio system as used on motorsport events.

This was a new experience for myself and my son in law.

The race was all under the control of the Rotary Club who had their volunteers marshalling and setting out the course.

The usual club representative Grantley cleaver was on a holiday cruise and in true to style, Grantley had provided all the pre-event information, locations etc.

We arrived at the Speech House end of Spruce Drive at 8.15 to have our radios fitted, set up and tested by Graham Goode. The radio controller was Roger Byard ably assisted by Nic Biddle.

We then drove through the forest to our given radio positions on the route.

Following a radio check we then awaited the first of the 680 runners.

Many were not local, having travelled from the Midlands, South Wales and neighbouring counties. 

Our first job entailed calling control to give the competition number and time of the first male and female runner. We then in due course notified the time of the course closing car

As I was positioned at a split in the course the runners passed my radio point twice to enable the 13 miles to be achieved so I then repeated the same procedure for the second passing.

Fortunately, the weather was kind and the experience was enjoyable. The fastest person completed the course 1hr 12 mins 04 secs.

A good team effort from the club supporting a worthy cause!

Report by Rob Baldwin

Carbon Offsetting - Primrose Hill Community Orchard

The Forest of Dean Motor Club are aware that activities they promote have an impact on the environment. The carbon impact is measured against all movements and calculated with the help of Motorsport UK to give a net figure.

The club then use these funds from rally entries to offset this impact. 

In 2023 the Motor Club donated these current funds to a new, local, start up project Primrose Hill Community Orchard in Lydney. 

On Friday 27th September 2024 at 3pm the project will have it's official launch.

Motor Club members are invited along and we are looking for a club member with a Rally Car for a promotional photo (ideal opportunity for your car stickered sponsor to see this online or in paper). Let us know !

Thank You.