The Autumn Stages 2003Oakington Airfield – 19th October 2003
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Car 3 Mick Gregory / Neal Cuss – Sierra Cosworth |
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Car 15 Andy Corner / James Greenwood – Peugeot 205 1.6 GTi |
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Car 36 Richard Upton / Stuart Parkins – Sierra Cosworth |
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Car 44 Simon Clark / Steve Bostock – Alfa Sud 1.5 Ti |
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Car 45 Steve Markham / John Sinclair – Hillman Avenger |
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Car 51 Terry Brooks / Tom Brooks – Peugeot 205 1.9 GTi |
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Mick Gregory / Neal Cuss |
The classes showed 7 in “A”, 11 in ”B”, 14 entries in “C”, and 21 in “D/E/F”. The day dawned with low-lying mist across the airfield on a crisp but dry morning. It remained cold cloudy and dry throughout the day. The organizing club’s Greenbelt and Wickford had promised 8 stages. However, in a repeat of the Bomb Along a month earlier, we lost SS2 when it was red-flagged after the Lotus Cortina of the Finnegan’s hit a tree rather hard. A stage later the Cosworth Escort of Nigel Killerby somersaulted into the undergrowth, however, the stage was continued as nobody was injured.
Looking at the clubs runners in detail:
Car 3 Mick and Neal. This was again not going to be the cars day, with mechanical woes again surfacing to spoil an
otherwise great performance.
SS1 saw the loss of the front Diff. However, the car was otherwise performing well running in 3rd overall. Service was
unable to resolve the problem, with the blame being placed on the fantastic new front breaks. Mick was keeping it really
tidy, only getting the tail out when a camera was in sight. However, on SS5, one of the two remaining drive shafts gave up
the ghost, stranding the car out on the stage. A shame as 3rd place was being easily maintained up until that point.
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Andy Corner / James Greenwood |
Car 15 Andy and James. The car had only just completed the Jersey rally the day before, so the car arrived in the dark in need of a bit of TLC. An over fuelling / popping + banging misfire was diagnosed as a broken inlet manifold gasket. Duncan Gamage and the service boys quickly fabricated a new gasket, and the car was scruitineered well in time for the start. SS1, SS3 and SS4 saw the car running well but lying in 15th overall and third in class. A rethink in tyre strategy was taken for the next stage. However problems with the car being stuck in 2nd gear for most of the stage meant that it was not until the next stage that the benefits were seen in the stage times. The car sadly wasn’t as spectacular to watch for the remaining stages, but it was definitely quicker. The gear problem on SS5 (and worries about it in SS6) luckily didn’t cause a major problem, as only around 30secs were dropped on the stage on the next car in class. At the end thanks to retirement of the class leader Andy finished 10th overall and 2nd in class. This was enough to clinch the Oakington challenge for the second year running.
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Richard Upton / Stuart Parkins |
Car 36 Richard and Stuart. For a change the car was fast right from the start, despite Richard having the lurgy and hardy able to talk! After 4 stages were very surprised (and pleased) to find themselves at 5th Overall! Too good to last and the car developed a mysterious mis-fire, and it was still there after changing almost everything in service. Held on to 7th overall and 2nd in class and as pleased as punch.
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Simon Clark / Steve Bostock |
Car 44 Simon and Steve. Yet another fun day out for Simon & Steve. Duncan Gamage had brought the car up for them as Simon had been helping Andy in Jersey. The Scrutineers passed the car after some spurious comments about the quality of the repairs done to the car after the Bomb Along accident. However, as Simon said, he had cleaned it this time, and the Jack handle had been returned to its rightful place.
The car was performing creditably until SS3 when the drivers side front break disc sheared again. The car could not be repaired within the minimal 15-minute service halt, and so the car had to be withdrawn from the event. However, the boys were allowed to complete the final three stages for a bit of fun, and fun they most certainly had, although I am not sure Steve would share that opinion. He looked decidedly green at the end of SS7.
No further problems occurred, and I think they were awarded the Trophy rally prize (as the only re-entrant!)
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Steve Markham / John Sinclair |
Car 45 Steve Markham and John Sinclair had a bit of a disaster. The car completed the first stage and promptly retired. For a change it wasn’t the engine, but discovered the manual and Hydraulic handbrake didn’t like each other – as Steve hand-braked the rear brakes adjusted until the wheels were nearly locked up. Investigation of the LSD showed it to be knackered so retired on the spot.
Car 51 The Brooks brothers. TMC’s newest competing entrants were out on their 2nd ever event, having driven in the summer Spotted Dick event at Longcross. Terry said that he is very much still learning the newly prepared 205 GTI. The car was being driven carefully, with the stage times falling throughout the day. However, Terry was complaining of a lack of grip from the Colway tyres. Yours truly recommended a switch to Yoko’s trusty 032s, which they say they will consider for the next event.
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Terry Brooks / Tom Brooks |
The car managed to pass the proceeding MK 1 Escort in stage on SS7. However, a spin on the last stage caused a bit of a drama, and a substantial loss of time. At the end they finished 31st overall, and 8th in class.
Overall a mixed day for the club. However, I am sure you will all join me in congratulating Andy Corner and James Greenwood in their championship triumph, after what was a truly action packed weekend that proves the durability of their trusty steed.
Congratulations also go to all the teams support crews and to Richard Upton and Stuart Parkins on their creditable 7th overall and 2nd in class.
During the 2003 Oakington championship the Club has averaged 6 entries on each and every event!.
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