Competition Round-Up

Steve's First Time

K-Sport Stages 1999

Ever since I decided to start rallying I have been looking forward to the big day, the first rally!

Most of you, in fact all of you, who have ever, or still rally, remember with great fondness your first ever event, I know, I've heard most of the stories first hand (in great detail too!).

As with most beginners and clubmen (not forgetting clubwomen) I don't have a great deal of money (unlike one chap, who, reportedly, bought his Lancer Evo VI and support team on his Gold Card as a Birthday present to himself).

Everything we have done in preparation was therefore, not surprisingly, done with a limited budget in mind. To this end we purchased a 1980 FWD Escort Mk3 rally car and a trailer for £1500.

The 'team' or 'rabble' consists of myself (Steve Andrews), Chris (we will alternate as driver/co-driver), Mark (a good mechanic from the pub) and Steve (a relative of Chris who knows, just a bit about cars!).

Saturday a.m. and we are not at all organised, we still have far too much to do before we leave for scrutineering. Still, we must be thankful it is only an hours drive from Winchester. We load the car onto the trailer and hitch up to our service barge, an old, but reliable Landrover.

Our trip down is fairly uneventful, aside a massive amount of traffic (all of it going the same way as us) and a couple of stops to re-strap the car. Within the hour we finally made it to scrutneering.

Having not done this before we didn"t know were to start. "Lets get the car off the trailer" was a wise suggestion. We were a little nervous about the first hurdle, the sound test. We need not have been as the car passed with a creditable 84db. Before long the car was wearing its number (40), had been scrutineered and we were signed on. Time to get the car back on the trailer, time for a rather large downpour. The ladies at signing on suddenly became very popular (not that they are unpopular normally, you understand!) as everybody searched and fought for a scrap of cover under their awning. Eventually the rain eased and we loaded the car, the rain playing heavily on my mind, I was driving tomorrow, my first ever rally and it was bloody raining!

At Avon park there were a few crews leaving their motors overnight, notably, John Cavendish and Susan Duell with their Talbot Sunbeam. We set up beside them as they looked like they knew what they were doing.

With his work done Mark left for home, telling us not to be late in the morning, this left myself and Chris to find our Hotel. A glance at the map and we were sorted, arriving at our evening stop within 15 minutes.

Once in our room Chris decided to have look through the road book to see what surprises lay in store, a co-drivers work is never done! I thought it best that I listened to what he had to say, I am glad I did, as a quick look through the road book soon settled my nerves.

Our Hotel was pleasant, our host genial and welcoming, cooking up a reasonable bar meal for each of us.

He also spent the next hour or two chatting over a couple of well needed pints.

Awake bright and early I didn't feel too nervous, but by the same token I didn't feel like breakfast, not that there was any on offer as we were up well before any one else stirred.

We arrived at Avon Park surprisingly calm and collected, unlike the 'crew' who couldn't move the car as we had the keys. Oops! They don't appear too amused when we roll up at 8 o'clock.

The car is soon running and warmed up. As we set off for the briefing, we bump into a couple of other crews, also searching for the briefing. As we wait (by the hospitality area) we listen to their tales of 'derring do' on their own first rally outings. I have to question Anthony Boyd on the sanity of rallying a Caterham 7, he does tell me that he sticks to tarmac events! At the end of the day the results will speak for themselves.

We are beginning to think that perhaps we might be in the wrong place so off we go again, as we walk to the opposite end of the service area everyone else is going the opposite way. It is then we discover that the briefing has just finished and we have just missed it, although we are happy that someone is kind enough to stop and take us through the briefing, albeit in their own words.

Well, the big moment is nearly upon us, how do we feel? Pretty relaxed still, which is a surprise to me, although our 'grease monkeys' tell us we look anything but relaxed!

After a few last minute discussions with our 'crew' it's off to queue for the start. This is where the nerves start, just waiting, again I'm feeling relaxed and calm. I can't speak for Chris, he can't be that relaxed, his life is in my hands for the rest of the day ...... or should that be, my life is in his hand for the rest of the day!

The queue in front gets smaller and smaller as we edge our way closer to our turn. In no time at all we are sitting on the start line with adrenaline pumping and the last five seconds being counted down.

Go! we're off, a good start too! Relief, that's that bit over, but, before I know it, we're rapidly approaching "K right 100, left into bus-stop-caution". We scream around the corner and approach the ramp into the bus stop, the car launches and happily skips and weaves as we land, maybe that was a touch too fast, we launch again out the other end before there is even time to think.

"Right five over finish" and the quickest three minutes and twenty five seconds of my life are over. "Yeees" both driver and co-driver yell as the car comes to a stop at the time control, "That was fantastic"! Everyone seems to be laughing as we stop, only later did we realise how audible our cheer had been, I blame it on the good soundproofing in the helmets as it didn't sound that loud when I shouted it! Twenty ninth fastest on my first ever stage, how pleased was I?

Being a complete novice I didn't realise how long there was between stages and that we could service in this time, I sailed straight past our service area and joined the queue for stage two, much to the annoyance of our service crew.

The second stage was just as enjoyable as the first, maybe better!

Now the problems started. The engine had started to blow oil into the catch tank, not a problem. Well, it was just blowing too much oil out of the engine and into the catch tank. The oil was put back into the engine and our service time was over so we roared off to the stage start.

Another blinding drive from the Andrews boy.....well up until the second loop. By splitting left we passed "right five over finish" the road bending left then instantly right and then tightening, with far too much speed to make the corner and the road bending away over my right shoulder I tried to slide a bit more to get us round, -it didn't work, and we didn't stay on the road. The car came to rest after attacking some logs that were lining the road. No drama restart and off we go. (Why is it that at times like this it takes at least three turns of the key to actually start?)

Unfortunately there was also a small problem of a four foot log jammed ahead of the rear wheels. I received my instructions from Chris to stay in the car while he huffed and puffed trying to remove the log, but to no avail. Luckily we have to thank two marshals who lifted the car while Chris finally removed the log. My only indiscretion of the day cost us about one and a half minutes in all.

On the penultimate stage before lunch our oil problem became much more serious. The catch tank overflowed, and because of its position on the off-side wing just at the bulkhead, it leaked into the car down the bulkhead all over the pedals and floor. This nearly caused us to drive through a chicane and not round it when my foot slipped off the brake pedal. Not to be outdone the twin carbs decided to mess about as well by working loose from the inlet manifold and thus causing a fuel leak!

Our crew, being mechanics, are obviously trained to a high level! I say this because upon seeing the car, both simultaneously drew breath through their teeth and then they started tutting whilst shaking their heads!

With strict instructions from our crew to take it easy on the next stage, we proceeded to fly round the last stage before lunch.

At last we were back at service having set another reasonably good time despite taking it easy.

The crew were wonderful at this point, I started to flap and try to help them, but was told politely to sit down and be quite have some lunch and let them get on with it. They did an excellent job and when it was time to start the next stage the car was ready and raring to go.

The afternoon stages went smoothly, well almost. On stage eight as we departed the bus-stop there was a split, Chris couldn't decide whether we went left or right. I don't think I helped by shouting obscenities at him as we rapidly approached the cones. "Split left" came his reply as I dodged the first cone and threw the car to the left, "No, split right" came his second reply, I threw the car right through the wall of cones just in time to attack the chicane. We still finished the stage grinning like Cheshire cats with all thoughts of what had just happened wiped from our minds.

At this point we began to worry that we might not have enough oil to complete the day so it was off to see some new found friends for a "chat" to blag some oil.

With the last two stages being cancelled we were starting our last stage sooner than expected.

On the first loop we approached the two square lefts in succession, on loop one its the second junction, on the second loop its the first one which carries you over the hill to the finish. What a place to have a mix up. Chris shouted square left, I did question him, but he continued. It was only as we shot through the junction and up the hill a hundred yards did it dawn that we had gone wrong, it was far to dangerous to try and turn round and continue on the proper route. We just had to accept that we had made a mistake, and would be penalised with a stage max. This would drop us 7 places to last, but at least we'd finish. As we got to the time control and Chris chatted with the marshal, informing them of our mistake, I sat staring blankly, gutted that our mistake on the last stage would cost us the position we had all worked so hard for.

The car was quickly loaded onto the trailer, our limited supply of spares and tools packed away. Mark departed with the car and left us to redeem our food vouchers at the prize-giving, being held at Bournemouth airport.

It was only when I sat down in the airport that I realised how tired and completely drained I felt, but was it worth it? The answer has to be most definitely, Yes. My only question being, when is the next one?

At the awards ceremony I picked up a results list, but didn't read it as I knew we'd be last. It was only in the car going home that I read the results, but by then they were final. Our little indiscretion had some how not been accounted for.

They Liked It So Much They Did It Again

Bomb Along Stages 1999

I, having done my first rally, sat contently as Chris explained the reasons why we should do the Bomb along stages in just a few weeks, the main one being, it was his turn to drive and the regs did say fast and flowing with the minimum of chicanes. My point was that the car was dispensing oil as quickly as a petrol pump dispenses fuel, and that we could do with a few weeks to get this sorted as well as a few other niggles.

Two weeks later and we were snaking our way cross-country to Wroughton, it took a lot of effort, stress and panic to get there, but we did it.

The carbs had been removed, stripped and serviced. Apparently they were the dirtiest carbs the engineer had seen in his life and it remained a wonder to him that they actually managed to run at all!

The panic started on the Friday before the rally. I was due to borrow a colleagues fathers' snorting beast (Land Rover Defender, long wheel base and a huge 2.5 V8 engine) to tow the car and carry our service kit. At 4.30p.m. my colleague announced that his dad was now not sure about the loan of the aforementioned vehicle, this was due to my insurance covering me to drive third party only. A fifteen minute panic and many phone calls later, I had my insurance company phone number in front of me. Inside another 10 minutes, and 25 quid poorer, I was insured for four days fully comprehensive. The journey home was long and slow as I tried to accustom myself to this "bus", well it is a bus compared to my usual car.

Saturday morning and this time we are organised and ready to go, load the car and the 'Landy' and we're off. Having not towed before in my life I was steady to say the least, still we had allowed ourselves a couple of hours to do the trip. A blistering hot day bothered us not a jot as enjoyed the luxury of air conditioning.

On arriving at Wroughton we picked a prime spot in the service area, not too far from the food wagon, not too far (or too close!) to the loos and near the tyre man! Having unloaded it was time to find our Hotel, we were not entirely sure where it was though, nevertheless we found the hotel without a lot of bother quite quickly in the end. Having settled in our rooms, basically this meant throwing our bags down, a quick shower and shave we regrouped in the bar (no great surprise there then!)

After a few pints, food was the order of the day, so a driver was elected and we disappeared into town in search of a decent curry house. We eventually found one although we were not sure what to expect as from the outside it looked empty. Despite the fact that it was empty the food met with our approval and we left happy.

Sunday morning dawns and its up early to grab some breakfast, I am a lot more relaxed than the morning of the K-Sport rally, mind you this time I'm only co-driving, what could be simpler!!

Breakfast was crap with little or no choice and worst of all no fry up on offer, never mind we'll have to be content with the burger van at Wroughton (full of hardships this rallying lark!).

Once at Wrougton airfield we got organised, Steve and Kurt sorting the car and I to buy door numbers, "Sorry mate I'm all out of number two's, I'll tell you what though, you can have another two seven's and turn them into two's", yet another hurdle to leap. Time to go on the scrounge again. Luckily I found someone willing enough to part company with a pair of two's.

Scrutineering passed without major incident, time to have a last relax and prepare the maps.

We were the last car on the road, as we were both effectively rally virgins! We approached the time control with 20 seconds to go to our booking in time, "Is there a battery in the intercom?" I asked, "Don't know" came the response. "****, we can't run without the intercom", I told Chris to get back to the service area and get one put in, I would stay here and book in. I got out the car closed the door, suddenly I realised the time cards were in the door pocket, too late, Chris disappeared in a cloud of dust. I have never felt as stupid as I did running past crowds of people wondering what on earth this bulbous headed man was up to. We made it back to the time control four seconds past our deadline, the marshal let us off with a warning, he'd seen us at the control already, next time we would incur a penalty.

Sat at the start line it was very different, not least because I was on the other side of the car, I was very relaxed, again I cannot speak for Chris.

The first stage was a nightmare, our time was not unrespectable, but neither of us were happy. I think most of it was down to the ineptitude of the co-driver. The diagrams looked so simple sat in the service area, yet, on the stage I could quite have easily been holding a plate of spaghetti for directions.

Once in service we realised that we still had a major problem with the oil and oil catch tank. Being last on the road we only had a short twenty minute service, to mop up the overflowing oil and replenish the engine.

The second stage was much more enjoyable, both of us finishing happier than previously. The stages were much faster than Avon Park, with only one complex, that being the blat around the hangars near the entrance.

Still, two stages down and no major incidents yet! All that was about to change though.

On the 3rd stage we were fast approaching a hairpin left, perhaps a bit too fast. As we entered the corner we knew that we were going somewhere other than on the tarmac, we shot off the road slightly sideways into the grass, which just happened to be about 3ft tall. Running on slicks we had absolutely no grip and kept sliding, despite all of Chris' best efforts. Suddenly unsighted under the long grass we hit a patch of tarmac, loads of grip is not a good thing when you don't expect it. The car possessed itself and took over, throwing us into a left hand slide back on grass towards the road, all this just as the car behind had caught us up.

We launched onto the road, still sliding, right into his path, as the car found grip my door found the strain too much and opened, almost clouting our new acquaintance as he swerved to avoid us. I grabbed the door latch wire which promptly snapped and left the door flapping open out of my reach. As we recovered I closed my door, hoping that we didn't have a big moment that involved me getting out, as I would be unable with no door lever. As we finished the stage we had a bloody good laugh at our small moment! At the stop board the marshal bent over to the front of the car and with a quizzical look lifted into our view a large clump of grass.

The next stage was far better again and during our lunch break we went to inspect the rally positions, 42nd overall, can't be bad, we had started 72nd. After a fatty, unhealthy but excellent burger it was back to work, stage 5 beckoned.

Half a mile into the stage we passed the rally leader, engine failure had put paid to him, little did we know at this point that we'd be the next retirement. About a mile into the stage as we exited a hairpin Chris couldn't select third so settled to go back to second, this was proving difficult as well, but with some persuasion second was selected.

We entered the complex around the hangars. This we could get away with doing in second, but, as we left the hangars behind and headed for the straight third gear, again, proved impossible to find, back into second then as we entered the narrow section around another hangar. On exiting this one we struggled with third, yet again, this time though there was no going back to second, the gear selector would go nowhere. We rolled to a stop, and because the car was very hot from doing the last mile or two in second, it stalled. Now another little niggle with our car is that the starter motor practically touches the exhaust down-pipe, consequently it gets very very hot and then seizes so that it will not turn over. So with no revs to enable us to change gear without a clutch the bump start that the helpful marshals gave was no use whatsoever, we rolled to a stop and spent the next two minutes checking selector rods and cables, but it was no good, the clutch itself was dead.

That's it then, rally over. Our first retirement and only our second rally, at least its another experience!

The only complaint we have about the rally at Wroughton was that it took the tow truck an hour to come to us. Being an airfield it is open and therefore it was very hot waiting (we managed to drink a whole litre of water as we waited.) Oh well, at least we got a prime spot to watch the rally for an hour. On our return to the service area Anthony Boyd (the nutter who rallies his Caterham) came over to offer his assistance, while our team (Steve and Kurt) were all over the car, in the desperate hope of salvaging the day, but their conclusion was the same as ours, game over. We spent the next couple of hours packing up our kit and loading the car, no point in rushing. We left, just as the last stage finished, in a convoy of other cars who had failed to make the finish. It was a little disappointing not to finish but we had a brilliant day out again, I can see why so many people do this every weekend.

Mark Shoosmith Returns to Rallying

A back injury had forced Mark Shoosmith to temporarily give up rallying, however following a successful operation he made a return to the sport on the Tamar Stages, an ACSMC event organised by Plymouth MC.

In past years the organisers have had the use of 3 venues, Newnham Park, a china clay works and an old tin mine, however this year they had lost the use of the clay works as the roads previously used had been dug away! This meant that only the 2 remaining venues would be used and as they were only a couple of miles apart would lead to some lengthy waits at stage arrivals.

Plymouth MC however had put a lot of work into Newnham, not only regrading some of the roads but also building two new ones!

Mark and Chris Morford were seeded at number 2, but less than half way through stage one became the first car on the road when the number one seeded V8 powered Escort succumbed to engine failure.

After a quick visit to Hemerdon Tin Mine the crew returned to Newnham Park., had a little play at the yump in front of the main spectator area before heading off through the very deep ford and into a tight twisty section. Following this was a fast, very smooth section leading to a left into right around an embankment. Approaching it rather too fast it was pretty obvious that they weren't going to get round even the left hander, so Mark decided to drive over it!

It was back to Hemerdon and arriving at the stage finish they received a message from the radio car that as they left the stage start a large bulge had been spotted in the front offside tyre—large it was about 6” x 3”!

The rest of the day was spent taking in the various permutations of the available roads in Newnham Park and trying to claw back some of the time lost on the first stage of the day. They finished the day 4th overall and 1st in class.

Barratts Kent Forestry Stages

A week after the Tamar, Mark and Chris were off to the Kent. They had elected to scrutineer early on the Saturday and stay overnight at Rally HQ, the Ashford International Hotel.

Having completed all the formalities they set off for the hotel and were soon ensconced in the bar to watch England's match in the rugby world cup. Some hours later, feeling somewhat the worse for wear they headed off to the restaurant and for once had an early night!

The first two stages were in Kings Wood and they managed to get a puncture on the first! It was then back to service at Ashford before heading west to take in 4 stages at Hemstead and Bedgebury before returning to kings Wood via service at Ashford. It was then back to Hemstead before tackling two more variations of Bedgebury. On these last two stages there was a very slippery section approaching a hairpin right. Unable to slow the car down sufficiently on each visit Mark took an alternative approach by driving up a bank, wall of death style to get around the corner.