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So, the car finally grew from a Project to a Competition Car at the weekend, and as I should have expected with this thing, it was a bit of a baptism 
After the usual last minute dramas, running around, and working on the car every night the week before the event, we were finally ready to leave for the Adrian Barker Memorial Rally by lunchtime on Saturday.
The service team of Lee, Cossie Mat and Smiffy, plus myself, had managed to cram more gear than you'd ever imagine into Lee's pickup - and we headed north toward scrutineering at the Swynnerton miligary base in Stafford. A quick detour to the rallyschool meant we were also armed with a gazebo for the weekend, so the boys had somewhere to hide should it rain as forecast.
Scrutineering went very smoothly, with nothing whatsoever to rectify, and plenty of complimentary comments from marshalls, officials and other competitors.
We headed to the hotel where we'd meet the co-driver for the event (Neil Bye), and hit the bar for some drinks and a bite to eat. Its been a while (nearly six years) since I've done an event, but it was reassuring to see that the usual pre-event banter was the same, and the boys ability to eat "desserts for two" was still evident
Sunday dawned dry, and we got setup in plenty of time - despite 4 iPhones all setting themselves back an hour for British Winter time - after we'd all wound them back before bed!
I started the rally with low expectations, having still been unhappy with the car upto the Thursday before the event. However, Stage 1 saw us catch and pass two cars, and despite going very steadily on the slippy approaches/exits the junctions, it later turned out that we'd set a good time. In fact, we'd beaten every other 2 litre car, and were in the top ten overall.
Stages 2, 3 and 4 were much the same, and by the 4th service, we were comfortably leading the class having set fastest class time on every stage.
I told the boys after stage 5 that I thought I'd had a good one, and it turns out I was right. Our pace had jumped further ahead of our class rivals, and we'd even started pressuring the top drivers in the over 2-litre class
Stage 6/7/8 all went the same way, with big gaps to the 2 litre boys, and handfuls of seconds being traded with the 2.3 Duratec Escort of Dave Willett (eventual 3rd overall), and the 2.5 Millington engined Escort of Lyndon Barton (eventual 5th overall). We'd now set 4 top-5 overall stage times too
Unfortunately, it all went pear-shaped on Stage 9, the first to run in darkness....
I miss-heard (well, didnt hear!) a pacenote, and turned right at a junction (the way the stage had run all day), when in fact we should have gone left this time. Neil shouted to turn around as we should have gone left, so I nipped it round on the handbrake to face back in the right direction. At this point, I could make out Lyndon Barton approaching on the left, and with "left-left-left" still ringing in my ears, I launched it in 1st to get back on the stage ahead of Barton (who we were fighting fo 5th overall).
Unfortunately, from the angle we were facing, the road now didnt go left, but square right! I'd already pulled 2nd gear before the mistake was clear, and at that point we were heading off into a ditch ;(
The car hit a tree on the right hand headlight area, before falling down to the bottom of the bank and clipping a tree on the n/s rear quarter. We were out.
The damage is all cosmetic, but still not cheap unfortunately - so it looks like a few more sessions in the garage before I get to play again . The only plus point is that the areas affected werent as good as they can be, so the car will be much more to my liking when it comes back.
More importantly, the team have definately proven that Honda power was a good choice, and that our fussiness in the build of the car is now proving its worth. As you'll see from the times below, we won our class on every one of the 8 stages completed, and once I'd started driving properly, we were actually right amongst all the over 2 litre boys and 4WDs. I dont expect anyone to believe me now, but I genuinely wasn't pushing hard. The accident was a stupid combination of bad communication / mishearing the notes, and disorientation - it wasn't me taking risks.
Without bullsh*tting, the brakes were only at 85% of where they can be, and the suspension is way out still - well certainly for that type of venue. We also had a mis-fire which restricted me to around 8000-8200 rpm all afternoon, and a few phantom cuts from the flatshift - so the car will only be quicker next time
I'll finish by saying a massive thanks to Lee, Mat and Smiffy for all their help - and apologies for the late return home. Also, thanks to everyone who was following our progress, and all those that have tried to pick me up from my p*ssed off / depressed mood this week, and have offered to try and help us put it back together - it really is appreciated.
In short, I dont know when yet, but we'll be back - with the car looking prettier, more reliable, lighter, and faster for sure. And then I'm going to push the thing properly!!
More updates soon I hope.
Cheers,
Paul
After the usual last minute dramas, running around, and working on the car every night the week before the event, we were finally ready to leave for the Adrian Barker Memorial Rally by lunchtime on Saturday.
The service team of Lee, Cossie Mat and Smiffy, plus myself, had managed to cram more gear than you'd ever imagine into Lee's pickup - and we headed north toward scrutineering at the Swynnerton miligary base in Stafford. A quick detour to the rallyschool meant we were also armed with a gazebo for the weekend, so the boys had somewhere to hide should it rain as forecast.
Scrutineering went very smoothly, with nothing whatsoever to rectify, and plenty of complimentary comments from marshalls, officials and other competitors.
We headed to the hotel where we'd meet the co-driver for the event (Neil Bye), and hit the bar for some drinks and a bite to eat. Its been a while (nearly six years) since I've done an event, but it was reassuring to see that the usual pre-event banter was the same, and the boys ability to eat "desserts for two" was still evident
Sunday dawned dry, and we got setup in plenty of time - despite 4 iPhones all setting themselves back an hour for British Winter time - after we'd all wound them back before bed!
I started the rally with low expectations, having still been unhappy with the car upto the Thursday before the event. However, Stage 1 saw us catch and pass two cars, and despite going very steadily on the slippy approaches/exits the junctions, it later turned out that we'd set a good time. In fact, we'd beaten every other 2 litre car, and were in the top ten overall.
Stages 2, 3 and 4 were much the same, and by the 4th service, we were comfortably leading the class having set fastest class time on every stage.
I told the boys after stage 5 that I thought I'd had a good one, and it turns out I was right. Our pace had jumped further ahead of our class rivals, and we'd even started pressuring the top drivers in the over 2-litre class
Stage 6/7/8 all went the same way, with big gaps to the 2 litre boys, and handfuls of seconds being traded with the 2.3 Duratec Escort of Dave Willett (eventual 3rd overall), and the 2.5 Millington engined Escort of Lyndon Barton (eventual 5th overall). We'd now set 4 top-5 overall stage times too
Unfortunately, it all went pear-shaped on Stage 9, the first to run in darkness....
I miss-heard (well, didnt hear!) a pacenote, and turned right at a junction (the way the stage had run all day), when in fact we should have gone left this time. Neil shouted to turn around as we should have gone left, so I nipped it round on the handbrake to face back in the right direction. At this point, I could make out Lyndon Barton approaching on the left, and with "left-left-left" still ringing in my ears, I launched it in 1st to get back on the stage ahead of Barton (who we were fighting fo 5th overall).
Unfortunately, from the angle we were facing, the road now didnt go left, but square right! I'd already pulled 2nd gear before the mistake was clear, and at that point we were heading off into a ditch ;(
The car hit a tree on the right hand headlight area, before falling down to the bottom of the bank and clipping a tree on the n/s rear quarter. We were out.
The damage is all cosmetic, but still not cheap unfortunately - so it looks like a few more sessions in the garage before I get to play again . The only plus point is that the areas affected werent as good as they can be, so the car will be much more to my liking when it comes back.
More importantly, the team have definately proven that Honda power was a good choice, and that our fussiness in the build of the car is now proving its worth. As you'll see from the times below, we won our class on every one of the 8 stages completed, and once I'd started driving properly, we were actually right amongst all the over 2 litre boys and 4WDs. I dont expect anyone to believe me now, but I genuinely wasn't pushing hard. The accident was a stupid combination of bad communication / mishearing the notes, and disorientation - it wasn't me taking risks.
Without bullsh*tting, the brakes were only at 85% of where they can be, and the suspension is way out still - well certainly for that type of venue. We also had a mis-fire which restricted me to around 8000-8200 rpm all afternoon, and a few phantom cuts from the flatshift - so the car will only be quicker next time
I'll finish by saying a massive thanks to Lee, Mat and Smiffy for all their help - and apologies for the late return home. Also, thanks to everyone who was following our progress, and all those that have tried to pick me up from my p*ssed off / depressed mood this week, and have offered to try and help us put it back together - it really is appreciated.
In short, I dont know when yet, but we'll be back - with the car looking prettier, more reliable, lighter, and faster for sure. And then I'm going to push the thing properly!!
More updates soon I hope.
Cheers,
Paul
Gary
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