The Autumn Stages 2004Oakington Airfield – 17th October 2004
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Car 11 Andy Corner / James Greenwood -Peugeot 205 Mi16 1.9 |
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Car 17 Duncan Gamage / James Walters - Vauxhall Nova 1.4 SR |
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Car 19 Richard Upton / Stuart Parkins - Ford Sierra Cosworth |
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Car 22 Simon Clark / Stewart Darvill - Vauxhall Astra 2.0 |
Once more as I was busy with co-driving (actually had to write some new notes for a change!) I was only able to get a few comments from the drivers. However, the best spark plug Sheila in the business, Stacy, went around throughout the day collecting comments, and our sincere thanks go to her for her days efforts.
Andy Corner / James Greenwood (Peugeot 205 Mi16 1.9)
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Andy Corner / James Greenwood |
After arriving straight from a triumphant outing at Jersey, where the car had finished 7th overall, and then driven over-night from the ferry to Oakington, everybody was pleased to see the car in one piece. Not least me, who had agreed to loan Andy his car as a standby replacement if the worst had happened to the trusty 205. The service crew were definitely still the worse for wear after a stormy crossing, and a few beers! However, they quickly had to sober up after the car failed noise. In the end it was decided to resort to a rear silencer sponsored by Pepsi!
2nd quickest stage time on stage 1 and fastest on stage 2, saw the team with some happy grins on their faces, and lying 1st OA. However, as the track dried out, despite their monster performance, the car could not keep up with the faster cars who slowly reeled them in, with their four wheel drive and huge power advantages. The service crew finally woke up after Stage four, and Stacy got a comment from James Greenwood “oh my god!”. However after a shower on SS5/6 the car was back to a 5 sec lead, and the car was having to be noise tested every stage, as its Pepsi cans were being spat off on the start line!. Change in sponsors to Fanta and Appletize had to be made as a result!
Sadly SS7 saw the throttle jam open, and Andy had to drive the car with the key as the only means of slowing the engine. Andy told us that he was having to steer with his knees when changing gear, with one hand on the gear stick, and the other on the key. A bit scary! They dropped around 40 secs on the stage, and dropped to third, but managed to pull back a place on the last stage, to finish 2nd overall, and 1st in class C. They were just 30 seconds behind the winner at the end!
The British rally forum have nominated Andy for the “driver of the day award” and it was truly well deserved. However, his performance was more than enough to guarantee the Oakington Challenge for the third year running.
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Duncan Gamage / James Walters |
Duncan Gamage / James Walters (Vauxhall Nova 1.4 SR) We all camped the night before had a relaxing breakfast before setting off. Stage one can be best described as “one continuous moment”. Stage 2 was much tidier, and we were 32 secs quicker. Duncan’s comment was “better, quicker, faster”, although we are sure that comment came from his wife! After stage 3 we were lying 13th OA. SS4 saw the team overtaking a Mk 1 Escort in the Complex, resulting in kerbing the rear driverside wheel. This bent the rear stub axle, which made the car turn in a bit aggressively on the next left hander! Duncan said he was just trying to give the service crew something to do for a change!
All was sorted out in service, and the rest of the day went smoothly, as the stages got faster and dryer. In the end we moved up to 11th OA and 1st in class. The result also secured the class win for the crew in the Oakington Challenge.
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Richard Upton / Stuart Parkins |
Richard Upton / Stuart Parkins (Ford Sierra Cosworth Car) We caught up with Richard after the end of the first stage. He had a big grin, and was very pleased to have survived the first stage. The grass section had made the big Sierra a real handful. At lunchtime Richard texted his missus to cancel lunch as his previous run of poor luck on events rapidly appeared to being put behind him. (seven DNF’s this year) The car was 8th overall after SS4, and improved to 6th after SS7 (2nd in class). With the stage finally drying out, they were finally able to use the cars power and moved up another two places on the last stage to finish 4th OA and 1st in class. Well done boys!
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Simon Clark / Stewart Darville |
Simon Clark / Stewart Darvill (Vauxhall Astra 2.0) Simon was trying another new co-driver. Simon's comment at the end of SS1 was that it was as slippy as *^%$£ . Watching the car he was locking the rear wheels on every corner. Apparently they had a bit of a spin and burst a tyre. However, by lunch time things were settling down. The co-driver commented that he was now only being scared a couple of times a stage! Finally kept it tidy for the last two stages, and managed to finish 26th OA and 11th in class at the end. The car definitely needs some suspension and engine work to become more competitive, which Simon tells us is in the pipeline. He certainly has the commitment, once the power is there.
Overall it was a great event. The organisers did a great job at getting results and stage times out quickly, and it’s the first Oakington event that has not had a stage cancelled for a long time. However, there was a lot of sitting around in the car in queue’s, which could have been reduced.
A big well done has to go to the TMC crews, and service crews. For such a low club turnout, we still came back with some great results.
Heres to next years Oakington Challenge, although we have got Rockingham first.
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