For the 2010 Gloucester the competitors were sent off not only with the usual competitor hill
allocation sheet but also a site map. This was a first - an Orienteering Trial. There had been
some discussion about fitting the cars with GPS units before their descent into the dark bowels
of Middle Earth, but we reasoned that the fairies would lead them back out - eventually.
There wasn’t an awful lot separating the first 11 in the first round, with Steve Courts (Red
Class) and Andrew Wilks (Blue Class) setting a scotching pace. Scores were low in general, with
Craig Bazley bringing up the rear on 41points. The median score for the round was 10.
There were remarkably few Green Class entrants this year, reduced even further by the
enforced absence of Michael Baker (stranded in Spain by the Gatwick fiasco). At the end of
round one the leading Green, Arthur Carroll was showing well up the general list.
Carol Greening was a casualty of the round being hit by a branch thrown up by car (we are
told!). But, being ever so brave, was on her way again after being patched up by the medic. I
heard that someone had his hat removed by another flying branch, without it touching either
driver or passenger. No one else could vouch whether it was a flying branch, or a mischievous
fairy!
Round 2 saw the early demise of two cars, but otherwise was uneventful with the media score
reducing to 6. There was little movement amongst the leaders, though Roland Uglow did blot
his copybook with an uncharacteristic 6.
For Round 3 the Marshals did their utmost to ensure a competitive end, and the median score
rose to 15. Steve Courts and Andrew Wilks battled it out blow for blow, with the decisive hill
being No.4. Steve took a one point advantage and held on. But he was the only Red Class in
the top 5. The Blues were obviously better Map readers! Ian Bell had a comfortable gap over
Roger Bricknell in the Red Class, with some pressure being taken off by the retirement of Ian
Veale. Arthur Carroll held on to his lead in the Green Class to end a respectable 16
