At a VSCC Silverstone race meeting in the last '98 season, having had his own car scrutinised, a club member was having trouble with the Scrutineer over his daughter's car. Nothing mechanical — car fine — but dispute over distinct shortage of daughter, whose presence was demanded. He'd already explained it was impossible for her to attend — she was a nurse on night duty and couldn't arrive for another hour or more, but well in time for practice. The intransigent Scrutineer remained so.

My friend tried another tack: pointing to one of the increasing number seen at our meetings of 60 feet-long Formula One-type motorhome/transporters at the smart end of the Paddock, he suggested, "Let's suppose I'm one of those five mechanics you see now spewing out of its rear, and their boss-owner-entrant is just finishing breakfast before leaving the London Hilton before being flown in his private plane to land on the Silverstone airstrip in an hour; meanwhile his mechanics will be bringing his two cars for you to inspect." The 'Scrute' had enough savvy to take the point, and capitulated.   Continued...