First, thanks for your entries (82), maps (39), comments, praise and criticism. Entries were a bit down again, reflecting TT trends. Return rate was below 50%, indicating the tough nature of the event. With high penalties many more should have returned their maps and might have been rewarded with a high position. As always a full list of your general comments is enclosed and noted. Praise was aplenty, criticism was low. The Road Book format for a map marking event is clearly here to stay. You like it, and we love it, because it makes the checking so much easier.

As usual, results are brought to you in record time, full of facts and figures for you to digest.

Many congratulations to Ewan Hopes, our winner for 1997, and his first win ever I believe. He was closely followed by Martin Rea and Colin Hensman.

As usual with our format of event, shortest route was not always critical. Where possible, the PCs were placed to check your route card solution rather than worrying about saving a tenth of a kilometre here and there. After all, on a real event it doesn't matter which route you took between PCs, so long as your approach and departure, and visiting sequence were correct.

You seemed to like the colour section. If we do it again next year your request for slightly more contrasting colours will be honoured.

Checking maps is an eye-straining and laborious job. It is a joy to pick up a neatly marked map, with strong, dark (often inked) tramlines clearly highlighting your route. Please, please don't employ a spider with a blunt 2H pencil to mark your route. If we can't follow your markings you never get the benefit of doubt. No awards, but my thanks to Messrs. Crabtree, Lawrie, Lear, Nunn, Rea and Simpson who supplied the most professionally marked maps.

While I'm moaning, please keep to the map return date - six of you had postmarks after September 27th. You haven't been excluded this time, but either let it weigh on your conscience that you unfairly had a extra weekend of plotting, or give your local Post Office some stick for incorrectly stamping your envelope. For the offenders your misfranked stamps have been returned and we'll be stricter next time.

At the time of writing the decision regarding the Championship for next year is still open. Certainly the declining entry levels is of concern, but I for one would be sorry to see it disappear. Personally I shall endeavour to get some more exposure to our sport via the Internet. Then maybe next year we could have an International Table Top Rally Championship with the Monte Carlo Pathfinder, Safari Nelly, 1000 Lakes Langer Park and Corsican Cultivator! Keep an eye on our web pages at www.paysense.demon.co.uk/tt.htm for happenings in this area.

Thanks for supporting us, we really do hope to see you next year,

"Crow" , Pete and Ian.

October 7, 1997