by Robin Bird.

YOURS truly has a signed souvenir of 'fast lady' Paula Cook. The crunched bonnet of the only woman in Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship after she crashed in both of the Touring Car races. "Oulton Park was one of the most difficult race weekends in my career", she said optimistically looking ahead to Donington Park, June 19 and 20.

Paula's Honda Accord skid on oil put her into the Armoco and out of the race.

Pit teams raced successfully to have the car ready for the second race. With Globe competition winner Joanna Stuffins, of Wallasey, I was able to witness this behind the scenes race against time to get the Honda fit to race again that day.

I mentioned to our DC Cook Motorsport/Esso Ultron hosts that the replacement bonnet didn't boast a Wirral Globe logo. They diplomatically responded with Paula autographing the damaged one, Wirral Globe logo and all!

With colleague Steve Hunter, I proudly carried the red and white bonnet to the BMW parked some distance away Departing and jealous racegoers shouted remarks as they queued to leave Oulton.

Then much to my embarrassment, the bonnet would not fit in boot, or car, and had to be carried back, in front of the aforementioned racegoers, to the press office to await collection.

Fortunately, friend Morris Nevin has a Mondeo Estate. He was 'press ganged' into returning to Oulton Park in Cheshire.

It was a day of downpours and care had to be taken not to wash away Paul's signature. Mission accomplished the bonnet sits proudly in the garage, a souvenir of our day at the races.

I am back at Oulton Park this Saturday, June 12, for the 750 Motor Club meeting, This contrasts with the bumper crowd pulling Touring Car meeting and is a great day for enthusiasts and first timers to Oulton Park alike.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary year, 750 MC is widely acknowledged to be one of the friendliest car clubs around.

There is a good range of cars racing from two seater Caterhams to fast hatches and full grids are promised with over subscribed entries already.

The 750 Mc meeting also attracts some interesting spectators' cars. Qualifying begins at 9 am., racing after lunch about 12-30 pm.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.