Pinney Talfourd LLP Grand Prix Event
If you have ever seen the movie 'The Fast and the Furious' you will have some idea what took place on the 6th October 2010 when a large contingent of Pinney Talfourd staff lined up on the grid at the Rayleigh Indoor Karting Stadium.
Those thought previously to be of a quiet and reserved disposition showed their true competitive colours and all thought of politeness and good manners rapidly went out the window!
The qualifying events over 8 races proved to be a bruising and painful affair with wheels being banged and much illicit brake testing going on. A reminder of the heady days of Prost versus Senna.
Elliott Martin and Stephen Eccles locked horns in a stand-off between the Conveyancing and Litigation Departments in their first race, which ultimately allowed Kerry Hull to win. Maybe it was no coincidence that Kerry is also in the Litigation Department and they do like to win at everything.
Lap times fell, as did the aggressive driving of the male members of staff, but not always to good effect!
Karen Partlett from the Accounts Department came through as an unexpected speed merchant, managing to avoid the worst blocks and bumps directed at her by Nicky Healey and Matthew Edwards from the Probate Department.
As the evening wore on more black flags came out, as competition intensified, on what was a very tight and technical indoor track. Complaints of foul play were mostly directed at the Litigation Department.
However, the Family Department showed that they are no strangers to hard nosed tactics. Sarah Tsindides, showing a far from conciliatory approach on the track. Sarah takes no prisoners, even punting her Family Department colleague Catherine Loadman off the track and clocking up some good lap times in the process.
With ruthless and clinical efficiency (think Fernando Alonso!) Philip Cockram, the Managing Partner, carved his way to the front of the standings with a very impressive win rate.
The final race line up comprised Stephen, Sarah, Phil, Kerry, Elliott, Alex Pearce, Matthew and Karen.
In a hard fought final over 12 laps, Phil managed to evade the dodgem car antics of the following pack, narrowly pipping Elliot and Kerry to the chequered flag.
In the post race discussions it was generally agreed that some of the karts were quicker than others, but how Phil managed to get the quickest kart shall remain shrouded in mystery.
The adrenalin subsided slowly, the speed cameras on the A127 flashed as some of the participants drove home, and the losers plotted their revenge for the next time!
