That day gave rise to one of those family sayings that are oft repeated to knowing smiles. As we set off in the dark from Derbyshire that morning, my Aunt declared “rain before 7, fine by 11” Well, so long as that was 11pm, she was right. 

I feared for the worst for the Snetterton Stages, but with the west and centre of the country taking the majority of the rain, Norfolk got off relatively lightly with only light precipitation in the afternoon. 

I decided to keep to sixties black and white for photos of the morning stages. The track was wet from overnight rain, so tyre choice was important. Four wheel drive helps too – Bird headed into an early lead taking plenty of kerb at Murrays where I had headed for Stage 1.

With each stage including multiple laps of the circuit, there was plenty of scope for overtaking …

… running wide; this is racer Nigel Greensall in his Toyota GT86 …

… and a little tail out action …

With Bird unsurprisingly dominating stage 1, taking 14 seconds out of West, it looked as if the pattern was set for the day. For stage 2, I headed to the paddock where the stage used the race assembly area and access roads to give some close up action for the decent crowd that had turned out. West was through first as car 1; followed by Bird and then Paul Smith in his Fiesta R5.

The rear wheel drive brigade performed for the crowd …

… there’s also a fine rear view as the cars head towards pit lane. Mike Watson, however, will not have endeared himself to Jonathan Palmer when he took out the fence. I heard a crunch and turned round to see the MX5 having an argument with the woodwork.

For this year, the organisers had added in around 15% of loose surface to the stage mileage using various access roads. Along with not using Agostini and Palmer, this meant that viewing and photography was largely focused on Murrays and Brundle / Nelson. It was to the latter that I moved for stage 3.

This would be the last we would see of West as mechanical gremlins intervened. This is a good spot - either before or after the marshal’s shelter (BIG shout out as usual to the marshals without whom none of us could enjoy our sport). I try to slow the shutter speed down here.

For stage 4, the last of the morning, it was time for some loose surface action. The stage ran across the car park area between Nelson and Coram. Cue some cars sliding, flying dirt, and tail out action from the rear wheel drive cars. Yes, that is a Ford Anglia – but with a 2-litre Vauxhall engine and Getrag gearbox IIRC.

There’s always room for some front wheel drive action or a big sky panning shot.

On the way back to the service area, the cars were heading past the spectators, to the delight of these youngsters. It was time for the lunch break, a switch to colour photos and a welcome piece of cake as I checked in with the Micra crew of Adam and Ray Ripper in their garage. 

Stage 5 started the afternoon, as the wind was getting up and the light rain continued. I had started the day with the 70-200mm zoom and in the end left it on all day. With no access to the outside of Coram for a long shot back to the Bombhole, the 200-500mm zoom stayed in the car. Standing above the race assembly area provided a view across to the paddock.

Alternatively, there is an overhead shot as the cars take a tight right and head down to the circuit access gate,

Back to Nelson for stage 6 with the cars running the reverse direction; so time for some kerb-hopping action again. Here’s the fastest Escort of Ian Woodhouse / Paul Rowland, eventual second placed Darrian of Barry Morris / Tom Hutchings and Class C winning Peugeot 205 of Ashley Davies / Freddie Hewitt.

Turning round, there’s a great shot as the cars head into Brundle. Paul Smith / Dale Bowen in their Fiesta R5, Gary Mason / John Matthews in their Escort and Richard Wells / Calvin Houldsworth in their rapid Mitsubishi Evo.

Just a few more steps towards Brundle and the far side of the marshal’s shelter gives another neat panning shot with an interesting red and white striped background. Ideally a step would get you a little higher and over the Armco. Again, time to slow the shutter speed and grab those blurry wheels !

As we have seen previously, there are multiple cars on the stage at the same time, including here the Metro 6R4 Millington of Marshall and James.

Right, it’s getting dark, it’s still blowing a gale but at least the rain has eased. Back to Murrays for the final stage in the hope of some exhaust flames and glowing brake discs. Frank Bird / Jack Morton went on to a dominant win in the Focus with Smith and Bowen 3rd in their Fiesta and Wells / Houldsworth 4th in their Evo.

Stephen and Jack Tilburn provided the fireworks in their Escort …

… while Steven Finch and Sam Fordham provided the glowing brake discs.

Adam and Ray Ripper came second in class but were first Championship contenders and you can read more of their exploits on this, and previous events, here – Reports

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