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The annual Johnny Herbert SPARKS Karting Challenge was held at The Raceway, Kings Cross, London, on 14th November. This year, more than £34,000 was again raised for Johnny's favourite charity. The following report is by Roy Craig, the team organiser for the event, with photos by David Cunliffe.
Roy Craig's report on the Karting ChallengeAfter what seemed an incredibly long time, filled with phone calls, faxes, e-mails, letters, comings, goings, more goings, ups, downs, laughter, tears, whining, whinging, more downs, more ups, sponsors, no sponsors, too many teams, not enough teams, TV crews, no TV crews, one TV crew, press, don't press, happy wife, not so happy wife, entry forms - what entry forms? Bob who? What do you mean he's changed the date???? Mike and his staff pull out all the stops leading up to Johnny's event - and this year...? Well, the whole of the concrete track surface was replaced with Silverstone tarmac, the configuration was completely changed, except for the banking at each end, a complete new crash barrier system from Holland was installed - which looked incredible when illuminated - and this was in conjunction with a bumper type system on the karts which, although somewhat unflattering in appearance, worked very well in preventing wheels interlocking or mounting barriers. To add to all this Mike also seems to have had the Changing Rooms people up there to give the reception area and entrance hall a really plush look. I won't be surprised if I encounter Charlie Dimmock next year putting in a water jump!! Although the day means an early start from Essex for Bob and Jane Herbert, and me and Andy Baker from High Wycombe, that's nothing in comparison to Howard Scaife and his army from Yorkshire, Howard's guests from South Africa!!! And for Andy Buchan, his son plus Barry McBride and friend from Bonnie Scotland. Then there's Terry, Heidi, Alan, Tim, Antony and Julie from Sunny Sussex, Mike Jones and Gareth Thomas from South Wales, Peter and Tom Fiddling from Norfolk, Ian and Jamb Franklin from Northants and David Upton from Leicester. [Not to mention David and Jean Cunliffe from Wet Warrington...!]
I would also like to mention the efforts of the celebrities and non-member teams who all gave their time and money, such as the touring car drivers fresh (and not so fresh) from their party up North, Louise Goodman from Oxfordshire, the Stewart Ford team from Milton Keynes, and Jaguar from who knows where? Plus Jordan Grand Prix from Silverstone, James Allen of Fl ITV fame who flew in from recording his Pulling Power programme in Germany, Beat Zehnder, the Sauber Fl team manager from Switzerland and, of course, the eventual winners on the day, Gary Jordan and his team from Ulster. Oh yeah! I nearly forgot a certain Johnny Herbert and sidekick Allard Kalff, who breezed in from I have no idea where. My apologies go to anyone I have missed, as they do also go to Heidi Alland, Russell Jarvis, Chris Mann, Saara Ord and her friend for the extra long stints that they had taking care of reception. It was our intention to swap it about a bit, but we seemed a bit low on helpers. Very many thanks though to everyone who did their bit. As usual, the race was preceded by practice/qualifying. Because of the limited time available, the drivers had only four laps each, with all 20 teams out at once. The best times set during this period were for grid position. Three Fan Club teams were taking part with Johnny himself heading Herbie's Heroes [Roy's team], Johnny Mowlem leading Johnny's Flyers and Richard Dunwoody the team leader of Johnny's Angels . Johnny Herbert's first trip onto the new track resulted in some very fast times. Initially taking provisional pole, this was later improved on by Andy Baker in our team but it was still only good enough for second. The team from Ulster, led by Radio presenter Gary Jordan, took pole.
As in previous years, all the celebrities had to start the race and do the first stint. This is always a grand spectacle and this year was no exception. On passing the chequered flag at the rolling start, Johnny immediately began to attack Gary Jordan. Half a lap later he was through into the lead although not without slight contact with Gary's rear bumper. Gary's arm went up as if to protest and threats of a black flag penalty loomed large. [Bob Herbert hid as the commentator asked for his permission to black flag his son!!!] The threat was soon dispelled as Johnny slowed and allowed his pursuers to catch up. It looked like his F3 days at Jordan all over again!! All teams had to make at least three driver changes per hour, as opposed to the change every 10 minute rule that we have had in previous years. This prevented things being quite so hectic in the pits. Over the 4 hour race the lead changed quite a few times and Johnny twice set new lap records. But it was a fan club member, driving in the Randy Bulls team (headed by Beat Zehnder but led by Howard Scaife) who was to set the first lap under 40 seconds on the new circuit. It was a new lap record, at 39.95s, for that up and coming driver Gareth Thomas from Bridgend.
Louise Goodman, who was the celebrity driver for the Stewart Ford team of mechanics, conspired with them to try and delay Johnny's progress. Grabbing hold of him during pit stops and lifting the rear of the kart were tried, as was getting him black flagged for alleged speeding in the pit lane. However, with just 20 minutes remaining, Johnny was due out for his final stint and his team were running in 2nd place behind the lads from Ulster. With only five minutes left, Johnny had reduced the gap to under 3 seconds. Was this to be three victories in a row for Herbie's Heroes? Alas not, for at that moment Johnny's kart gave out a shower of sparks (no pun intended!!) as a rear tyre deflated. His quick reactions and driving skills had him into the pits (through the exit road) and swiftly into another kart. But alas, there was no time left for miracles - 2nd place and 24 seconds behind the Ulster F1 Wannabes was the finishing order. The team greeted their magic driver in the pit lane to hugs and commiserations, still very pleased with a podium finish. Johnny was on a very tight schedule and had to leave for Heathrow by 5pm, but as the host he was asked to present the trophies, which he duly did in his usual unflustered and jovial manner. After that, he even made time to give rides around the circuit in a twin engined, twin seater 2 stroke kart, capable of 85 mph! This man is incredible! But then, we all know that, don't we?! The show continued after Johnny's departure with the end of the memorabilia auction and stunt team of Terry Grant, in his Legend and Jason Flynn, on his trials bike. While Johnny was no doubt waiting to depart from Heathrow a few of us ventured over to the very welcome sight of The Waterside Inn. A pint [or two!] of Guinness never tasted so good! Brian O'Mahony's Ride of a Lifetime By e-mail from Brian O'Mahony: Well I really wanted to experience this ride with Johnny, so much so that I paid £525 for the privilege. Mad eh? Well it was for a good cause. It is probably going to be the closest I'll get to know what it's like for a Formula 1 driver, except maybe in one of those 2-seater Mclaren's. What's the chance of that? Pretty slim I think. Anyhow, once I knew that I had won the auction I slowly began to feel apprehensive about the whole thing. I saw Johnny first take out this blind guy. Wow, he was brave (heart now starting to beat faster). Then he took out two more people and I began getting a little bit more worried, as he was getting better and better; faster and faster. "What have I got myself into", I thought.
Johnny was slowly getting faster and faster. He was getting closer and closer to the edge of the barriers. Going round the final bend was just horrendous and then he hit the barrier but only slightly. It gave me quite a shock at first but then I just kept worrying that he was pushing it too hard. Then towards the end of the 10 or so laps he came down the start/finish straight and he was going so fast that I really believed that he wasn't going to be able to stop in time to take the corner. Then at the last minute he just managed to take the corner. Then BANG! We hit the barrier on the right side of the kart and my heart jumped out through my mouth. The feeling was heart rending.
When it was all over (Phew!) and Johnny brought the kart to a standstill, he tried to help me out but was unsuccessful. Someone else came over and both of them pulled me out. As I tried to stand my legs felt like jelly and my whole body was shaking. I thanked Johnny for a fantastic experience of which I doubt I'll experience again.
That night I returned to Holland were it took me a couple of days to
recover from the amazing thrill. It's difficult to really explain how I
felt while I was being hurtled around the circuit at 85+ mph but think of
the fastest roller coaster ride and double it. It makes Bids received and accepted in the auction
| Bob Herbert is sorting out all the e-mail bids and will contact the winners. Bob would like to thank everyone who made a bid, and the following (in no particular order): HSBC, the main sponsor, Stewart Grand Prix, Champion Spark Plugs, Progressive Asbestos Removal, Roy Craig who organised the teams, Howard Scaife from Yorkshire, The Raceway Kings Cross, LAT Photographic, F1 Racing, Como-Lario Restaurant, Back Street Merchandising, all the teams who raced, the Celebrities, (Johnny Mowlem, Richard Dunwoody, Guy Smith, John Bintcliffe, Beat Zehnder, James Allen, Louise Goodman, Gareth Jones, Tim Harvey, Allard Kalf, Matt Neal, Vicky Butler-Henderson, Eddie Edwards, Steve Berry, Simon Arron, and last, but not least, "Mika Hakkinen"), Lee Edgell, Saara Ord and friend, Mary Kovolcik, Heidi Alland, Russell Jarvis, Chris Mann, and anyone else I might have forgotten. And especially Johnny for his time and enthusiasm. This page last updated 8th December 1999
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Well, it finally arrived: The Johnny Herbert Karting
Challenge. Our main man hosted his 6th event, the 5th to be
held at The Raceway In London's Kings Cross. Not only is this the
UK's largest indoor circuit but it has by far the most charismatic
owner at them all in Mike Segal (human being extraordinaire). If you
have not been (then why not??), get over there and see for yourself. 
Now
it was my turn. So I slipped down into the rear seat, well eventually as
it was a very tight fit, which in the end was very important. Johnny then
began a slow jaunt around the first few bends just to get up to speed.
The first couple of laps were what I thought very fast indeed. I was
holding on for dear life. My eyes were open all the time except for one
moment but the sensation was too much to comprehend so I had to open them
again!
We
kept going and Johnny looked at me and checked the kart out. All seemed
fine. So he persisted to go even faster! He then spun the kart around and
decided to drive in the opposite direction. Well, this was a totally new
experience, the G-force piled up, as Johnny squeezed every ounce of
energy out of that kart. Every corner felt like 200mph, or what I could
imagine that to feel like. All my energy was focused on holding on and
not letting go but I did at one point hold my hands high but just for a
couple of seconds. Then he started to slow down and came into the pits. I
could breath again!
