1983 Autotest Roundup

Dickson Wins in Metro Special Debut

These accounts are reproduced from Carsport April 1983.

There was a fairly good turn out of experts at the event, in fact, except for Harold Hagan, everyone who would be representing Northern Ireland at the International Team Event in Dublin the following Saturday was present. The main talking point, of course, was the appearance of Robert Dickson in his Metro based special. The machine was, as usual, immaculately prepared and it looked superb in white and was running on 10” wheels. The Metro is about 18” longer than the Mini and slightly wider ‘so everyone was waiting to see how he performed in the bigger car.

Everyone was left in no doubt after the short first test, he was the quickest by more than one second from the rest. By the end of the first run of five tests he had a lead of about 5 seconds from Colin Earney with Lee Lucas a further 1.5 secs. adrift. Norman Ferguson held fourth place but was over 13 secs. behind Dickson, although he was having some machine trouble. His Mini appeared to have fuel problems. Next men on the leader board were David Cooke, Ron Mullen and Derek Coates. Coates-was the only one in the leading bunch to have collected a penalty which unfortunately lost him about four places in the very tight contest.

In the very competitive class 5, Ken Shields was very quick as were Ron Mullen and Harold Hassard, but Ken collected two penalties which put him into third behind Harold. Classes 3 and 6 were solely represented by Gary Milligan and Rodney McCombe respectively. Rodney was very impressive, throwing his large Fiat about in gay abandon. The hand-brake turn near the stone wall on test 5 was heart stopping!

The final run of the five tests brought very little change to the top positions, except that Colin Earney collected a penalty as did Derek Coates to drop them to fourth and tenth respectively at the finish.

The rest of the leader-board had a good clean run and so at the end it was:

1. Dickson (304.1);
2. Lee Lucas (316.4);
3. Norman Ferguson (319.7);
4. Colin Earney (324.6).

In fifth, and winner of class 5, was Ken Shields from the unfortunate Ron Mullen who broke the gearbox on the penultimate test. Completing the top six was David Cooke from Comber, with a steady run in his Mini 1275.

It was a delighted Dickson at the finish, but as he admitted himself, the real test for the car would be the following Week at the International in Dublin.

Class winners were:- 1. R. Dickson; 2. L. Lucas; 3. G. Milligan; 4. N. Ferguson; 5. K. Shields; 6. R. McCombe.

BEGINNERS

The final round of the Northern Ireland Beginners Autotest Championship was held in the grounds of Bangor Castle Park on Saturday 26th February. Although it was a fairly wet day about 50 competitors turned out to enjoy themselves, much to the delight of the Ulster Automobile Club.

There were two men who at the end of the day were so delighted that they probably didn’t even notice the rain. One was Paddy (P.J.) Gillespie from Castlederg who clinched the Beginners Championship. The other was current N.I. Autotest Champion Robert Dickson who took outright victory in the event driving a Metro-Special.

Even though currently on-form, and leader of the Southern Championship, Charlie Irwin was missing, it was a sensational win for Dickson as several tests suited the smaller minis and Mini-specials.

Although the Championship was about to be decided between three men, the UAC had received a very good entry for this section. What was also very noticeable was how everyone was really enjoying themselves. Championship leader Gillespie was sharing James Gillen’s Mini-special instead of his usual Mini 1275.

Raymond Donaldson, lying second in the championship, was also sharing a car with Sam Bowden in Class 3. Other top contenders Paul Shields and Dermot Simpson were also out in their respective Metros.

The mathematics had been worked out before the start. If Raymond Donaldson was to win his class, then P.J. had to collect at least second in his class to take the Championship.

The man who set the pace was young James Gillen who had already two wins and a second to his credit but unfortunately missed one round and was now out of the running for a top place. Gillespie, Donaldson and Bowden were not far behind. Shields and Simpson were swapping times as usual for Class 5.

Michael Cox was throwing his Grasshopper about with great gusto to lead Class 2.

At the end Raymond didn’t win his class but P.J. Gillespie finished second to James Gillen and thus became the 1983 Champion.

Class winners were:- 1. James Gillen; 2. Michael Cox; 3. Sam Bowden; 4. David Reaney; 5. Dermot Simpson.

GILLESPIE WINS BEGINNER CHAMPIONSHIP
Donaldson and Coulter close behind in quality field.

For the third year in succession the Championship has gone West, to Castlederg, Co. Tyrone. This year the winner was Paddy (P.J.) Gillespie driving a Mini/Mini-Special. “PJ” as he is known to his friends, is a very worthy champion. Not only did he collect maximum points from class wins but he also generally finished first or second overall at each event.

Of course the Championship is not just about finding one man. There were several others who made their mark. Raymond Donaldson finished second, only one point behind, and Colin Coulter was third a further point adrift. These two young chaps are likely to say to themselves – “if it hadn’t been for……..I could have been Champion”.

But it‘s a sport where one can win or lose by a fifth of a second. Paul Shields finished fourth in his Father‘s Metro. He showed a lot of determination in his driving but sometimes a lack of concentration let him down.

Another who’s 8th place does not truly reflect his skill was Dermot Simpson. He had three class wins and one second from four events, and but for illness (both driver and car!) could have finished much higher. In a similar position was J. Gillen – three wins, a second and a fourth.

There were many more that showed promise. In fact everyone that competed in the series showed good form at one time or another. With more practice in events throughout the season, times will improve.

So it’s congratulations to P.J. Gillespie and let’s hope he keeps at it and does not go the way of some past Champions.

D.J.Coates.

Top 10 beginners 1983

1. P.J. Gillespie (25)
2. R. Donaldson (24)
3. C. Coulter (23)
4. P. Shields (21)
5. S. Bowden (21)
6. J. Gillen (21)
7. M. Cox (21)
8. D. Simpson (19)
9. J. Megaw (17)
10. J. Christie (16)