A peek behind the curtain…diffs, torque and horsepower #15

How well do you know your siblings?

Hello friends,

A few weekends ago, in a wood, on the Devon Dorset borders, I joined a bunch of mainly middle aged men, eating bacon sarnies, drinking instant coffee, proudly displaying their ‘pride and joys’ and talking a barely recognisable language…Diffs.  Horsepower. Torque. Carbs. Limited Slip. Tyre pressures. Brake fluid. Servo. Master cylinders. Bulk heads. Chassis. 3 Way. 3 speed. Double de clutch. Sump. 16cross2. Traction. Pistons. Manifolds…

Welcome to the world of motor car trials¹

I was there to be ‘navigator’ for my brother, Grant. 

My bro

Grant’s 19 months older.  We could not be more different in many ways.  Growing up, we kind of got on, tolerating each other in that teasingly annoying way that siblings do.  Physically he was always stronger than me. I have fond/#not fond memories of spending most of my pre teens in a Half Nelson, an arm lock or a Mouth Stretching contest (don’t ask!).  We wrestled and argued yet we were always there if anyone picked on the other or during the sometimes turbulent aftermath of our parents’ divorce. 

I left for London at 19. Grant remained in North Devon (where we spent our formative years) becoming a skilled car mechanic, business owner and a very successful amateur rally driver, racing across the UK.  He loved it. Regrettably I never watched him compete but I do recall a terrifying 35 minute drive from Exeter to Barnstaple in his new RS2000 (a super fast Ford Escort for the uninitiated). A drive that rightfully should have taken an hour.  Fear making me laugh hysterically.

But back to the woods.

Chitty chitty bang bang meets tank

We met just after 8 on Sunday, Grant standing proudly by his gleaming 1950s Dellow Mark 1. Think Chitty Chitty Bang Bang meets tank! The car a departure from his ‘boy racer’ rally cars of the 70s and 80s.  I had absolutely no idea what to expect. 

After a brief briefing, we were off.

Four hours of treacherous climbs and descents through the woods ensued. We squeezed between trees, wheels spinning as we splattered through mud, smashed across deep gulleys, and got airborne over rocks and tree roots.  My brother a study in concentration, excitement and adrenaline.  Me hanging on to the ‘FM Handle’² for dear life shouting encouraging ‘go bro’ and ‘we got this’ on the hairiest ascents.  Most climbs we bossed.  One, called Marilyn, evaded us. Another we got within touching distance of the peak before the wheels started spinning, the clutch smoking, facilitating an ungainly reverse through the trees before triumphantly conquering it on the second attempt³.

What a day. 

Connection

It was very special in a number of ways.  I felt privileged to get a glimpse of a world I know little about.  The camaraderie of the contenders, which happily included two all-female teams, all passionate, amusing people.  The marshals selflessly giving up their Sunday to get splattered in mud whist they encouraged and cajoled.  The smell of petrol and oil evoking memories of childhood, my bro and I playing for hours in the garage whilst our dad rebuilt old Morgans and Daimler Darts.

But most of all I cherished connecting with my brother.  To witness his skill, expertise and quiet determination.  To step into his world and spend quality time together.  To understand and learn a little more about him.  I was very proud.  The stuff that memories are made of.

Is blood thicker than water?

I know some siblings have tremendously close friendships and spend loads of time together.  That hasn’t been my experience, not for bad reason, we just inhabit very different worlds and have, at face value, diverging views. 

Which got me thinking. 

What is that ‘blood’s thicker than water’ thing? That deep pull to those with whom we share genes even if we find closeness difficult? Maybe it’s shared early life experiences, parents or care givers.  Maybe it’s genetic. Maybe it’s society’s expectations.  Maybe it’s just love.

How well do you know your big or little brother or sister? How do you spend time together? What do you share? Is it worth exploring?  I don’t know.  It’s up to you.  What I do know is, you’re never going to be any younger than you are today, what are you waiting for to go find out?

Until next time,

Ruth x

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1. The Bovey Down Trial

2. ‘F**k Me’ handle :-)

3. You can see footage of the trial here - Grant and I feature at 40 seconds, about 11 minutes 20seconds and minute 13.