At last the Compton Abbas weather gods managed a thin smile for us.... Following
a couple of hours of quite 'normal' murk on the hill the blue stuff broke
through, and a packed day of flying saw all classes completed as advertised. Bob
Pooler showed everyone a clean pair of heels in a good-'ole 152 at Beginners,
then Steve Carver headed off first-time-at-Intermediate Peter Krause by a
similar margin whilst welcome US entrant Scotty Gerber struggled to find out how
to drive the same Eagle off the back of the grid. At advanced level Mark
Jefferies made the rest of the field play catch-up, and set the standard in the
chase for the advanced 2000 crown - but after the unknowns had been run he was
still in firm control and retained the Advanced Champion's Plate for the third
year. With the Air Squadron Trophy calculated from the combined advanced and
intermediate unknowns the man from Gransden was a clear winner from intermediate
leader Steve Carver.
CD Eric Marsh travelled far to run the show, Steve Green's
judging line included Diana Britten, Richard Pickin, Graham Hill, Gareth
Roberts, Brian Webberly, Dick Happs, Brian Cornes, Charles Kirk and welcome
Australian Paul Andronicou, and Jen Buckenham operated the 'pooter to provide
all the results. We all agree that when it's fine, Compton Abbas is an
unbeatable venue..... owner / operator Clive Hughes assures me that next year
will be just wonderful!
NHB
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