Fired-up Forsyths in Woolbridge success (From Dorset Echo)

Fired-up Forsyths in Woolbridge success

8:28am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Sport

MEMBERS of the Woolbridge Motor Club gathered at the Eype’s Mouth Country Hotel, near Bridport, to honour the sporting success achieved by its members during the past season.

The evening was held to recognise the exceptional achievements of one of the club’s most enduring members.

The award presentations were carried out by guest Simon Batten from the Manor Farm Holiday Park in Charmouth and were preceded by a formal dinner and followed by dancing.

The annual programme of events for the South Dorset club encompasses many motor-sporting disciplines, but in the past season there were two members of one family whose names are now engraved on the club’s most prestigious trophies.

Andrew Forsyth, from Shillingstone, almost scored a hat-trick of championship successes but was obliged to give best in the speed events to Mike Lee.

The OMS SF1000 driver just edging out Forsyth junior, who shared the driving duties with his father John in the Cosworth powered Pilbeam MP58 single-seater racer.

Westfield sports car pilot Geoff Blake, from Weymouth, took third place having missed the important national championship event at Wiscombe Park in July.

Andrew Forysth went one better in the trial championship to take the premier prize, at the wheel of the Citroen AX he shares with wife Sarah, defeating the similar machine of Weymouth’s Phil Hyde.

This performance, along with the runner-up slot in the speed series, saw Andrew claim the Victor Ludorum Award as the most successful driver of the season.

There were more trophies for Forsyth senior however, as John took third place in the Victor Ludorum behind Blandford driver David Hiscock and was also awarded the Chairman’s Trophy, by the current incumbent of the office, Vic Fancy, for outstanding service on behalf of the club during 2011.

In addition to the championship prizes there were further awards for services to the club.

Three annual trophies were presented to Phil Gale, Roger Emond and Harold Sibley while a further special presentation was made by Geoff Pickett to Colin Rolls of Winterborne Whitechurch to acknowledge an outstanding contribution and long service which dates back to the early years of the club in the early sixties.