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| Helen Gibson (Ross) - My Southern
100 Experience |
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The
photograph above shows me with Willie Stewart after our first race at the
Southern 100 in 1991.
To take part in a competitive event, especially
one like The Southern 100 had been an ambition of mine for many years, which
was finally achieved when Willie and I made it to The Island in '91. We also
managed to get over again in '92 and by then this meeting had become my all
time favourite.
For many years I had wanted to partcipate, but work and
family committments meant this was not possible.
In those years, I
retained my interest (devotion some may call it) by way of doing all manner of
jobs around the circuits, from Secretary of the Meeting, First Aider, Circuit
Marshall and Photographer. I wrote about motorcyle racing for one or two
magazines, and reported events like the Manx for various newspapers and
magazines, which all managed to ensure that I got to the race meetings, and
helped support a couple of riders.
In 1990 Willie Stewart asked me if I
would be interested in passengering for him in F2, and I didn't need to be
asked twice. We raced primarily in Scotland at Crail, East Fortune and
Knockhill on a Tony Baker outfit with a TZ350 motor. We finished regularly, and
we were seldom last !
As a regular visitor to
The Isle of Man since 1972, I just had to race there. I had introduced Willie
to the Island, so he was just as keen. So it came to be that we made plans for
The Southern in 1991.
I can remember it like yesterday, from the
signing in at the Football Stadium to being belted over the head with a tin
tray in the pub in the usual ritual after the presentations and I loved every
single minute of it all.
1991 was brilliant and 92 was even better as
by then we knew the ropes and could relax a little bit (as much as you can
anyway), and begin to enjoy the atmosphere of it all.
Unfortunately
however, certain personal matters influenced the decision that had to be taken,
whereby '92 would have to be the last competitive season unless things
improved.
I had to miss the last race at The Southern in 92 as my
pregnant daughter fell, and was rushed to Nobles, nearly giving me a Manx
Grandchild. (We all got home in one piece and Louise was born in October)
Although I am now in my mid
fifites, I still yearn for another shot at it. I suppose that if the outfit in
the garage (yes it's still there) is used by the two young lads that I have
offered it to, Willie and I may become involved with them, sharing the outfit
at a few English meetings, and who knows we may even qualify. after all,
compared to some sidecar drivers I'm just a bairn!
The Southern 100,
for me anyway, was the most fun that I have ever had with my clothes
on.
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