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RELIANT ROBIN RACING
This controversial form of motor sport has given rise to a number of articles in various issues of Top Gear, emotions run high and standpoints differ. So I decided to see for myself what all the fuss is about. Incarace, the organisers of the short circuit racing at Hednesford Hills raceway had once again offered Reliant drivers free entry into the Easter Bank Holiday extravaganza.I had heard that the Robin racing at Hednesford was little more than a demolition derby, so set out with some degree of trepidation. On arrival I was pleased to find that free entry had saved me £9 on normal adult admission prices. Once inside the complex I was directed to a specially reserved parking space or the terraced car park overlooking the track, this in itself constituted a further £5 saving, things were looking good. I had arrived early to allow time to look round the pit area, which is freely accessible, to see what vehicles were to take part in the days events. There were to be three Reliant Robin races out of a total of twenty races. The day's selection of events included Mini Stox - sub 1000cc Minis protected with huge external nudge bars, driven by enthusiastic 10 to 16 year olds, through Incarods - up to 2000cc saloon cars, Lightning Rods - 2 litre Sierras, Grand national Coupes - 2.8 litres V6s up to Unlimited Bangers - 4.2 litre V8 Jags, Ford Granadas and the like, and not forgetting the Reliant Robins. All but the Unlimited Bangers were supposed to be Non-contact races however the odd nudge was inevitable. There were some 25 Reliants, perhaps only four or five Robins, mostly Rialtos, with a single Regal Supervan III, and what was surprising a Robin Mk3, yes one of Reliants newest creations only launched last year. This car was in fact sponsored by Reliant and had the legend "Reliant's Resin Rocket" emblazoned on the sides. All vehicles were painted in eye catching colour schemes and bore names such as 'Rockin' Robin', 'Smosher' and 'Wrexham Wrecker'. I was quite relived to see just one Regal, and that some of Reliant's rarer models had perhaps been spared the inevitable assault and battery. Then again maybe they have all been smashed already? The first few races offered varying levels of interest, perhaps the unlimited bangers offering the most gripping action - that is until the first Reliant Robin race! Though the programme was quite complimentary about the Reliant's build quality, the author was quite derogatory about their stability, though after the first race I'm sure he was made to eat his words. Even I, a Reliant driver of over 10 years, was surprised at the speed which drivers took the bends. 25 Reliants left the starting line and screamed round the first bend at speeds that easily matched the Minis yet hardly any even lifted a wheel. It said much for the skill of the drivers and the much maligned stability of the cars that all 25 cars completed the 10 laps with only one or two minor bumps, only two cars came close to toppling before returning all three wheels to terra firma. The second race however was more eventful with four or five cars tipping onto their sides and slamming into the barriers, damage was not terminal and there was a great cheer from the crowd as the drivers managed to rock the vehicles (from inside) back onto their wheels and continue the race. Only one car remained on its roof and was righted by the marshals before returning to the pits. 24 cars returned to the pits under their own power, with just the Regal falling foul of mechanical damage - the front wheel assembly collapsed. This performance was all the more impressive when a number of the four wheeled tin boxes had been towed off the track by the tractor. I could feel the adrenaline rush and couldn't wait for the third race. Things started well but the drivers had obviously thrown caution to the wind and there were numerous crashes and rolls, but impressively all were righted and racing continued. Then the announcer proclaimed "It's demolition derby time". Then all hell broke loose, drivers were going all directions round the track deliberated ramming and shunting their fellow competitors. Fibre glass was flying everywhere! Two Rialtos slammed head on into each other amidst a roar of appreciation from the crowd. With much revving of engines the two tore themselves free of each other, and with bodywork in shreds they retreated before slamming into each other once again. One poor Rialto was slammed into the Armco, the tattered remains of the car lay on its side for a few moments before, amidst rapturous applause from the crowd, it teetered and fell back onto its wheels and began to pull away, only to be T-boned by a Robin. The Rialto was left unrecognisable with 80% of the body work lying strewn across the tarmac, yet it still managed to struggle free and soldier on. The Robin 3 had got off lightly until now only losing its nose piece until it was slammed into the railings. Drivers door hanging off, it turned and with dirt flying tore after its aggressor, slamming head on into the Rialto. The two appeared to be permanently enmeshed and with a screaming of tyres they struggled to break free. The impact had severed the leading arm on the Robin 3 and the front wheel lay flat on the floor yet it still refused to die. Putting the car in reverse the driver did not give up. Struggling along the track, with the front wheel trailing like a partially severed limb, the Robin still managed to inflict further damage to one of the remaining mobile cars. Time out was finally called and this was when the full extent off the carnage was apparent. During the battle I had become caught up in the excited frenzy and was eagerly willing the drivers on to the next explosive impact, cheering and shouting at every collision, revelling in the mayhem. Yet when the noise died down reality returned and my elation was turned to sadness. The see the devastation before me, the Reliants lay dead or wounded. Some still struggling to gain traction with a single undamaged wheel, they twitched like a dying soldier, having fought so valiantly, left to die in the mud of the trenches. The tractors, as if stretcher bearers, carrying off the wounded, the dying and the dead - may they rest in pieces. Having said all this all, is not lost. The majority will live to fight another day, the body may be weak but the heart is willing, and with the help of accommodating dealers, scrapyards and mechanics, many will be given a new lease of life and may well be seen racing again soon. Whether you can bear to see your beloved Reliants end their days in such a violent manner or not, the events provide a thoroughly enjoyable day out and when coupled with the admission charge - FREE (for Reliant drivers) it comes highly recommended. See next page for photos (before the racing!), the remains will be published shortly. |
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