Navigation Exercise

17feb7:30 pm10:30 pmNavigation Exercise

Event Details

Once again you are invited to enter the ‘traditional’ new year Navigation Exercise that will be held on Friday 17th February when, once again, we return to the area to the west of the River Wye. It will be held over an interesting 27.5 mile route.

The signing on and start location will be at the car park at Coppice Mawr on the B4235 between Chepstow and Shirenewton. Map reference 162/494.942.

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The required maps will be OS 1:50,000 numbers 162 and 171. It is advised that you come prepared with a clean map 162 if possible. Please bring a torch.

Route cards will be handed out at 7.25pm prior to the start time of 7.30pm.

Route cards for Beginners/Novice and Experienced crews will be available.

Entry is free and Severn Bridge tolls will be reimbursed for those who use the Severn Crossing. A receipt is requested.

Dick Craddy, the organiser, will be pleased to help should you require further assistance. Dick can be contacted on 01454 414842, 07776 202 663 or craddy@old-down.freeserve.co.uk

Results

From Coppice Mawr to Llandogo

While these locations have become familiar place names to regular competitors the 27.5-mile route once again proved a challenge to both Novices and Intermediate level crews.

It is a long time since we had an entry of 11 for this annual event run under Treasure Hunt requirements. In fact, the entry could have been the maximum of 12 allowed had not there been late withdrawals.

Signing on was completed in good time and with the Gwent Police guidance having been given the route cards were distributed. Intermediate level crews were Joe Trott and James Robertson (BMW 3 series), Martyn and Katie Davies (Fiesta) and Bob Bull and Alan Spencer (BMW Mini Cooper S).

The remaining crews took novice route cards. Jayne and Andria Gilmour arrived in a recently completed rally prepared Ford Cortina which was allowed to start on the understanding that the exhaust conformed to road going standards. New faces were father and son Steve and James Hunt (Renault), who having joined at the BPMC end of 2016 and were entering their first event. It was good to welcome back Danny Castleton and Don Neate (their Jaguar still being too wide for some roads) and Robert’s Powell and Whalley (Ford). New combinations were Chris Thompson with his son Tom, entering their first navigational event together, and Ralph Colmar who teamed up with Peter Huntington in Ralph’s VW Golf. The list was completed by a welcome return of Ben Bishop and Mark Gore (Renault Clio) and newcomers Henry Guy and Alex Groupman (Nissan Micra).

From Coppice Mawr located on map 162 the route initially passed via Itton and Itton Common before crossing onto map 171. By taking the ‘scenic’ route via Devauden and then crossing back onto 162 and then deviating no further east than 4 kilometres from the west edge of that map the competitors travelled north via Buckle Wood and Parkhouse before reaching Trellech. A short stretch on the B4293 took the route to the northern point of Penault before turning south along the edge of the Wye to Argoed, Hoop, the Narth and Cotland prior to tackling (if the crews choose to) the steeper than 20% down gradient, on a poorly maintained road, to the finish at the Sloop Inn, Llandogo where we shared the Bar with a noisy darts match.

With two crews retiring (Ralph and Peter due to their car alarm failing ‘on’ and Henry and Alex), 9 crews completed the course. The winners and first novice crew were Ben and Mark with a standout performance and a score of 250 out of a possible 260. They were closely followed by Martyn who has the good fortune to be navigated by the ever consistent and impressive Katie, finishing first in the intermediate class with a 245 score. Robert and Robert came third with a score of 200 points followed closely by Chris and Tom, with 195 points, which is a performance that cannot pass without proper acknowledgement. The BPMC is in the fortunate position of having strong, young, competitors who are encouraged by their parents and are keen to be challenged.

With everybody having travelled safely and with a good social atmosphere we departed for home in good spirits. My thanks to all who entered and those who, but for misfortune, could not enter. I consider that the preparation required is well rewarded but when is a crew going to take the ‘Expert’ route card challenge?

1    Ben Bishop and Mark Gore 1st overall and 1st novice crew   
2

   

Martyn and Katie Davies 2nd overall and 1st     intermediate       
3    Robert Powell and Robert Wooley 2nd novice

       

4    Chris and Tom Thompson 3rd novice
5=

   

Joe Trott and James Robertson    2nd intermediate       
5=    Bob Bull and Alan Spencer    3rd intermediate

       

7

   

Danny Castleton and Don Neate 4th novice   
8    Jane and Andria Gilmour    5th novice       
9

   

Steve Hunt and James Hunt 6th novice