Buckmore Park - 16/11/2004
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| With memories of the previous visit etched deeply into our gastric consciousness, it was with some trepidation that we approached Buckmore Park this weekend. But our worst fears were unfounded. Had the caterer perchance read our previous review? Certainly, once we had persuaded them not to put half the content of the cow in the cup, the tea was fine. The burger just passed muster - untoasted bun, no onions and the cheese was uncooked - but at least it was edible. And how nice not to have to trek to the far side for refreshments. There was something strange though - it was actually a really nice day - unbroken sunshine, mild for the time of year and no rain. Was this really Buckmore Park? What a pleasant change from the usual climatic conditions! Pity some dodgy stewards' decisions conspired to spoil our day...To cap it all, we broke the 200 beer barrier - disgusting! |
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| Bayford Meadows - 19/10/2004
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| We approached Bayford with mounting excitement - the Bayford Breakfast in prospect! We were not disappointed - the full cholesterol, complete with bread and butter and a mug of tea. Excellent. Service was prompt, friendly and with lovely smiles. Bayford is, literally, in a league of its own where catering is concerned. Top marks, and the best in the UK by miles! |
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| Fulbeck - 21/09/2004
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| Long drive and early start, so the Moto Services, A1 near Grantham were a welcome sight. The Little Chef wasn't open, so we had "Full English" from the cafeteria. Big mistake! The food was strangely reminiscent of a race at Buckmore Park - cold! Moto Services, A1 Grantham, are like a major accident - to be avoided at all costs. Burger and teas at the circuit were fine - burgers even had fried onions - and the service was cheerful and friendly . Still no toasted bun though, so just missed that elusive 5th star...Not a bad day's racing either, duly celebrated at the post race debrief. |
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| Clay Pigeon - 07/09/2004
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| Second trip to Dorset - the Team's favourite venue. A long drive, so good excuse to stop for food at a Little Chef. A combination of a hearty breakfast and the heat, we weren't hungy enough to sample the burgers at the circuit - these were reviewed on our previous visit. Compliments to the Circuit shop - no rip off price's for bottles of water here! Great circuit too - my definite UK favourite. Little Chef burgers rounded off an excellent day all round. The debrief was, as usual, accompanied by a few beers! |
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| Ellough Park - 21/08/2004
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| Pleasant journey to a relatively local circuit, but the constant early morning sun shining relentlessly straight in the eyes made arrival at the circuit very welcome and the sight of the burger van already open even more so. The service was prompt and friendly, and they serve a nice cuppa too. The burgers were good, served with a generous portion of fried onions but still no toasted bun! Has some deviant retard of a Europrat issued an EU directive banning toasting of burger buns? Whatever, no fifth star for Ellough Park. Pity! Pleasant journey home too - looking forward to a few relaxing beers... |
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| Whilton Mill - 20/07/2004
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| Burgers about average - no onions, no toasted bun. This was a bit of a disappointment as, we recall, the burgers at Whilton Mill were quite memorable last year. However, the service was friendly and prompt and the tea was good, with proper milk. Did not like the mixed light and heavy weight format - waiting around for hours between heats was rather tiresome. It also made for a long day - but rounded off by a couple of beers in anticipation of the post-race de-brief on Monday night was some compensation! I could also make some comments about the selective lack of vision exhibited by some of the race officials, which robbed at least two drivers of a place in the A finals, but perhaps the less said the better... |
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| Warden Law - 15/06/2004
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| The OK Diner on the A1 provided an excellent breakfast - the weekend started well! Clever Eddie had managed to book us into a Hotel next door to Wetherspoons in Sunderland - even better! A couple of Wetherburgers (they toast the buns!) and a lot of beer rounded off Saturday. Race day dawned clear and sunny and we arrived at the circuit eager to sample the customary burger. The facilities are OK, and the service was good. Special mention for the prices - only 70p for a bottle of water instead of the normal rip-off at most venues. Sadly, yet again, an untoasted bun and no fried onions means that Warden Law only rates 3 stars, but good value nonetheless. An OK Diner provided another excellent breakfast on the long trip back home. We celebrated Eddie's "A" final and losing his heavyweight rookie status with a bottle of bubbly while we watched a recording of the Canadian Grand Prix. More beers at the post race debrief later in the week. Its a tough life. |
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| Lydd - 10/06/2004
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| Definitely one of the more salubrious venues on the calendar. We arrived on Saturday for the Endurance Race, and the burgers were served complete with a salad garnish. Sadly (again) the buns were untoasted, and there were no fried onions, but otherwise excellent and, best of all, served with a smile and in pleasant and clean surroundings. Sunday was a slight let down - our order went astray between counter and kitchen, so there was a protracted delay before the burgers arrived. Not quite up to Saturday's standard either - the salad was not provided. Nearly got 5 stars - but not quite. |
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| Spa-Francorchamps - 04/05/2004
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| This was a relatively relaxing weekend for the Transporter driver, with the IMSD Team taking most of the strain. We managed a good breakfast at a Little Chef before heading abroad, tainted only by that curse of the age - the w****r SHOUTING VERY LOUDLY into his mobile phone. Grrrrr! Discretion being the better part of valour, we steered clear of foreign attempts to make tea - but the coffee was superb and served on a silver tray, in a china cup with a complimentary biscuit - a world away from the usual polystyrene cup. Didn't see any signs of the customary burger, but the baguettes with cheese and ham were good. The restaurant was clean and comfortable and the people were very helpful and patient with us illiterates who struggle with English, let alone a foreign tongue. I think most of our English circuits could learn a thing or two from Spa. |
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| Clay Pigeon - 05/04/2004
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| The trip to Dorset began to look up when we pulled into the Little Chef at Popham (A303 Westbound). Even by Little Chef standards this place was excellent, with nice friendly, smiling staff. An Olympic breakfast set us up for the rest of the journey. Arrived at circuit, gasping for tea. Nice cuppa there, followed a bit later by more tea and a burger. This sported real fried onions and was very nice - but why do people never toast the bun these days? Sunday - arrived at the circuit for breakfast -burger van not yet opened, and when it did, no onions! Otherwise, Clay Pigeon would have rated 4 stars! We celebrated Eddie's "A" Final on the way home at another Little Chef, followed by a few more beers while we watched a recording of the Bahrain Grand Prix. |
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| Rye House - 29/03/2004
(This venue was too poor to be rated!)
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Guest Writer *** Eddie Hall ***
Where to start? They couldn't take my order when I got there because they didn't have any money in the till, I couldn't order a burger because they didn't have any in stock, the tea tasted wasn't very nice and the sausage burger was cold and not very nice either! Their customer relationship skills were poor and they didn't seem particularly interested in serving anybody.
Maybe it was something to with it being the start of the season and too early in the morning...
All in all I'd say that they have a lot of work to do!! |
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| Buckmore Park - 28/03/2004
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Buckmore started the season near the top of the list of least favourite truck stops. Had it improved since last season? Well, at least you don't have to queue in the cold and wet anymore! Why is it always cold and wet at Buckmore? The new facilities are admirable - but the food? The burgers were OK, but toasting the bun would be a nice touch, and there were no fried onions - heresy! I ordered tea - the liquid concoction that arrived was... well... interesting? It had the sort of taste that makes you want to rush off to wash your mouth out with petrol or diesel oil to take the nasty taste away. Still, it made the beer all the more welcome...
Verdict - must try harder. |
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