Tight Lines 2010

Exposants des Anglais

Not some startling headline outlining unclothed activities, after all, we are British and it was only May! No, this is what all the participants were referred to at the 2010 EXPO Euromodels event at Chatellerault. A couple of years ago, Pierre Barbotin from Payre had intimated that he would like to run an International hydroplane event in France, sometime in 2010. Non-championship Internationals are rare, yet at St Albans in 2009, invitations were passed out to all interested parties. Brenda and Arthur Wall undertook to coordinate all the British entries and their accommodation, resulting in 17 of us setting out via a variety of routes for the region of Poitou Charentes in France. Unfortunately, Majorie Kirtley had to forego the trip, but she despatched Bob, with ‘Pisces II’ and all the accoutrements required. Much had been made in pre-event publicity about the flash steamer, as it has been many years since Olly Monk and Stan Poyser last ran their boats in France.

Considering all the work that Brenda and Arthur had put in, the trip did not start well for them, as thick fog and then a damaged boat (P&Os not Arthur’s) left them on the dockside for 5 hours with no intimation that they were going to get a sailing. Eventually Arthur went for plan B and Sea France who did not seem to be having any problems. We witnessed all this from the cliff tops as we were not catching the ferry until the following day, but did not realise the significance of what we were watching. With the exception of the North East contingent of Brenda and Dave Singleton and Bob, who faced a very long drag down to Portsmouth, we all managed to meet up in the hotel car park at the same time. Jim and Sue Free had driven down from Caen while Heather and Stuart Robinson and Norman Lara and Pete Dirs had flown in from Stansted. OTW, along with Sonia and Tony Collins had made a more leisurely journey, stopping off at LeMans for a blat round the circuit and a visit to the museum. Glad Tony and Lynn were only driving the simulator as some horrendous crashes ensued.

The regatta at Chatellerault was being held in conjunction with a massive modelling event in a nearby exhibition hall that was showcasing cars, trains, planes and much more. As the lake is not normally used for hydros, everything had to be brought in from Poitiers or provided by the local council. By Friday lunchtime there was a pole, safety fencing, tented workshop areas and a launching jetty that was not needed as the water shelved very gently from the beach. The lake is huge and in a beautiful setting, and to create a calm area, a boom had been anchored all round the circle.

Pierre and Marie -Jean Barbotin	Chantelle and Lily of the Valley	The British 'pit'

Pierre had done a super job of getting everything organised, but one thing that became immediately apparent was that he was short handed. Hugh Blowers and Tony Collins manned the recovery boat to put the first line on, which in turn revealed another minor problem. The timing system had been borrowed from Carlo Fontanesi and relies on a magnet and trigger on the pole head. When the pole and head had been put together, no one had realised that the line pulls down at an angle, and as soon as the line was tensioned, the magnet hit the trigger and stopped the pole head rotating. Back to the bank for some tools and make adjustments from what was not the biggest or most stable of dinghies. The sensor was now clear, but would it trigger? No way to find out until some runs had been completed.

Training was a leisurely, if somewhat frustrating affair, as those who knew their boats would go did not bother, while those that were less confident endeavoured to sort out the problems before the competition started. Pete Dirs found his A1 boat skipping about, which seemed to stop the timing system triggering, while Lynn’s first foray into the exalted world of A3 foundered through lack of a suitable prop. Poor Norman Lara wore holes in his fingers trying to start a very sulky Nelson while Tony Collins’ trouble free run was just a precursor of problems and late nights. The North East contingent were still making their way South and Gill and John DeMott had taken the healthy option by leaving their camper and cycling down from the campsite, so no running for John. Eventually everyone arrived, including a contingent from Russia and the Shahazizian family from Armenia. From Switzerland came Tony Della Zoppa who raced D and E class boats in 1969 at Victoria, Blackheath and Woburn while he was working in the UK and Gilbert Hugenin who started racing in the 60s.

Arthur Wall, Stuart & Heather Robinson	Hrachya Shahazizian	Anatoly Izvekov, Anatole Karavaev Anna Karavaev	Tony Della Zoppa Gilbert Hugenin

Back at the hotel, Tony discovered that his OPS was not well, so out of the box came a brand new Gold Head, which was fitted after a lot of work in the hotel workshop, better known as Norman and Pete’s room. Now, we have heard some strange noises coming from hotel rooms in our time, but the thrup, thrup, thrup from next door was new and unmistakable. It’s one way of running in a new motor.

Saturday was a perfect day for boating, and even better when a council official managed to get the all singing, all dancing, state of the art toilet working (more or less). This meant the ladies could forsake their favourite tree, although the extended recycling time of aforesaid toilet meant that the trees were significantly quicker and ‘more convenient’ ho, ho ho. Being the 1st of May it was also a Bank Holiday and it is a tradition of the region that Lily of the Valley is presented, and soon all the tents had a cup of these to bring good luck. It was not such good luck for Tony though, whose brand new motor broke a conrod on a trial start, meaning a rebuild of the original engine and refitting that. (perhaps not enough thrup, thrup thrupping after all?) The British pit was a scene of high activity throughout the day. As usual, the B1 class proved problematic with some abiding by the silencer rules and other running on open pipes. The bridles adopted by some are distinctly suspect and certainly need clarification, while the water was not as sticky as some had hoped as boats resolutely refused to float. Launching and needle setting still remain the Achilles heels for this class, with constant difficulties on both counts. None of the front-runners managed to get both bits right, although notice was given as to what the true potential of these craft is. Jim Free did get the launching bit spot on and was only a tad off with the needle, producing the first 200+kph run of the meeting.

A1 and A2 were the prove of the adage referred to in Pylon, as Pete Dirs was the only successful run in A1 and Hugh Blowers with a boat that had not been started until it was on the line headed A2. Jim Free had his novice boats spot on but was a bit slow in getting his hand up and ran out of fuel before the end of what would have been a very fast run. Sue Free and Tony Collins both completed runs that would be decisive in the final placings. Gilbert Hugenin was first on in A3 and put in a run with his PICCO that was more impressive than fast as the boat was on the ragged edge throughout the run. Tony Collin’s hastily re-engined boat completed a somewhat pedestrian run to be followed on the line by Hrachya Shahazizian who ripped out a brilliant and stable run at 214kph. A more sedate, but perfect run from Lynn Blowers with the vintage John Duffield boat, saw her record her fastest ever speed with a vintage boat.

'Lively' Tony Collins	'Vintage elegance' Lynn Blowers	'That's Fast' Bob Kirtley

There were a lot of DNSs, DNFs and times to be recorded, and all this fell to Heather Robinson, who did a superb job of running the pontoon, timing, recording and just about everything else as well. Stuart was Chief Judge and kept us busy with line changes until it was time for the A line. This would be a true test of the pole and pole head. Just the preparation of a flash steamer gets the adrenalin going with the noise of the blowlamps and engine running up, and by the time Bob had 'Pisces' on the line he had the full attention of everyone present. Once started, Bob held on to the boat for a considerable time until it was developing full power and then gave a perfect launch. As it got into its stride, all the helpers made a sharp exit through the gap in the safety fence with the boat just going faster and faster. There is a stage with ‘Pisces’ that the engine note suddenly changes, which means that very little is in the water and it is doing 120+ mph and aerodynamics take over. Unfortunately it was another ‘flyer’, although with a relatively gentle arrival back on the water. The water is so clear in the lake that the boat could be seen on the bottom and after retrieval was found to have sustained nothing more than a couple of dents in the brand new boiler case.

There was just time for the second round of B1s and what a revelation this was, with the ladies stuffing it to the men comprehensively. Perhaps it is the delicate touch with the launch? Sue Free set the scene with a 199.07kph only to be eclipsed by Gayane Shahazizian who recorded a stunning 260.04kph. Next up was Anna Karavaev who produced an equally spectacular run just 5kph slower at 254.81. The lake was opened for training for those that wanted while the rest of us headed back to the hotel and straight into a shambolic organisational cock-up. Through some wonderful Gallic oversight the planned dinner had not been booked and only those of us older and wiser that had booked independently had a seat. The entire French contingent and most of the British found themselves on an Industrial estate on a bank holiday, looking for somewhere to eat. Luckily, a nearby Buffalo Grill was able to accommodate them and salvage something from the evening. (Ever tried grilled buffalo?) The rest of the evening was spent in convivial company along with plenty of red wine listening to some remarkable reminiscences from the last 50 years of tethered hydroplane racing.

Sunday was not quite so promising on the weather front yet started well enough, unless you were an A2 competitor that is. Not a single run was completed in the second round leaving HB in the lead with a speed probably exceeded by the retrieval boat. Anatoly Izvekov developed a neat trick, having his prop spin off when trying to start the motor. Remarkably he repeated this, although he did find one of the errant props at the end of the meeting. Jim Free got his hand up in time with his Novice boat for a superb run just short of his British record. With the water roughing up, Gilbert wisely elected to keep his boat in the box leaving Hugh Blowers and Tony Collins to put in solid runs within 1kph of each other. Last up was Arthur Wall whose PICCO came on in time to give a run at 178kph.

By now it was starting to get a bit breezy and for some reason bungee problems afflicted several of the B1 runners during the final round. Jim Free got a fearful whack on the thumb while assisting Siggy Grasshoff and Marine Martins had a very bruised arm to show for her encounter with the elastic. Bungees dropping off were the order of the day, with few runs completed. Pete Dirs improved in A1, still well short of his usual speeds, but conditions were not good.

Sue Free	Hugh Blowers	Tony Collins

Then it happened! The sky darkened as a squall came straight across the lake and hit us all head on. The tents with 2" dia steel tube frames were picked up and only quick intervention stopped them blowing away. Even so, one of the posts hit the table that Bob Kirtley and Dave Singleton were using causing it to collapse depositing the newly repaired ‘Pisces’ on the ground and chopping off a portion of wing on Dave’s boat. Within a few minutes it was back to some degree of normality, but no running. The squall had pushed the boom into the circle and the wind was holding it there. After an hour and a half of rowing about in the little plastic tub, moving buoys and heaving large lumps of concrete around, the circle was restored to useable condition. Everyone owes a great deal of thanks to John Demott, Dave Singleton and the other British helpers whose efforts enabled the meeting to continue.

With only 1 run in A2 so far, everything was up for grabs. Izvekov lost his prop for the second time. Norman had admitted defeat with his Nelson leaving Tony Collins to salvage something from this class. His run of 128kph put him firmly in first place and a gentle troll round at 80.36 kph gave Arthur Wall second place. Hugh’s first run, timed by calendar rather than a stopwatch, was still enough for third and a clean sweep of the podium for the British. After hurriedly unpacking his A3 boat and finding out just how sharp a prop can be Hugh put in his best run of the meeting at a respectable 169.98kph with Tony Collins coming next with his best run at 153.81kph.

Then it was time for the heavy metal. The wind had dropped and the water calmed sufficiently for Bob to fire up ‘Pisces’. With three strong men on the bungee and burners roaring away Bob made the decision to go for a launch and away it went. Happily there were no dramas this time as the boat continued to accelerate into the timed laps. After a perfect run, the boat came to a standstill, sizzling gently with the lake echoing to a round of applause for a run at 186.304kph. A very hot and heavy flash steamer proved not to be the easiest of things to pick up from our little plastic lifeboat, but it was a pleasure to see it back in one piece after a very successful run. Bob keeps threatening to build another hull, and there is no doubt that ‘Pisces 2’ has earned an honourable retirement. Last of all was John DeMott with his 30cc boat and another fine run just a fraction faster at 186.721kph.

With dark clouds looming, Pierre Barbotin was anxious to get the presentation underway, and being an International the podium ceremony with flags and photos was enacted for every class. Pete Dirs, Bob Kirtley, John DeMott and Lynn Blowers (twice) looked a bit lonely on the top step, while Jim Free had to look up to two young ladies.

A1 Class	Vintage & 15cc Classes	30cc Class	Vapeur

Tony Collins with his first major win topped the all British A2 podium but had to move down two steps to make room for Jim and Sue Free in the Novice class. Shahazizyan was a worthy winner in A3 as his speed would have taken some beating anywhere. After all this, none of us ever got to the Euromodels Expo, although we did share the hotel with a number of model train enthusiasts who certainly seemed to enjoy themselves.

B1 Class	Novice Class	A2 Class	A3 Class

So that was that! A short flight for some or a very long drive for most was in prospect, while some used the distance as an excuse for a bit of a holiday. Certainly the weather had changed for the colder and windier. The previous week it had been 29 degrees and as we left on the Monday it was 5 degrees. Although a very long way, it had been an interesting experience for all. Thanks go to Stuart and Heather for all their hard work and the results. To Norman and Pete for leaving whatever they were doing to man the starting cords so effectively for us, and to Pierre and to all those who helped put the meeting on. At last we have managed some running this year!

Thanks to Sonia & Tony Collins and Jim Free for photographs (especially the 'contre jour' panel) and Stuart & Heather Robinson for results.