Azimghur Stages 2005

Colerne Airfield, Bath, Saturday 16th July 2005

Report by Richard Upton

Thame had two crews out on this one:-

	24 Richard Upton / Paul Bareham Sierra Cosworth 2.0 Turbo 2wd
	30 Paul Diamond / Steve Cox Escort Mk2 (Vauxhall Red top)

This is Richard's account of his day:-

SS1: Not been there before so had to learn the land, had a spin coming out of a grass bit, lots of problems with under steer!

SS2: A lot better this time, still got under steer, took 16 seconds out of my time! It’s very fast this place.

SS3: Playing with tyre pressures to try and help under-steer. Went out low on fuel (only had 1 person pitting, they are new to it all!) had fuel surging, causing misfiring around the tight stuff. Was caught by Escort Cosworth, car 16, moved over to let him by, he could not pull past us even with our misfire!, had to brake early into next corner so he could pass!

SS4: Changed front tyres from Dunlop to Pirellis, that sorted the under steer. Motor down on boost, its very hot, (weather) this may be causing this! Removed n/s headlamp to get some more cool air in!

SS5: Lost 10 lbs of boost now, its painful to drive. I have to rev hard as the boost has dropped off! Caught a few cars, real hard work to pass them with no power!

SS6: Found a split boost hose from turbo, this is where the boost is going! Replaced it, whey hey the boost is back! But now too much, it’s over boosting at 28lbs and the amel valve is cutting in, causing a big misfire/shutdown whenever you use full throttle. Having to drive using the boost gauge instead of the rev counter!

SS7: We unplugged the amel valve, this sorted that problem. Going ok, until I was shunted from behind by the RS200, going into a square right then left. He merged behind me, but could not stop and rammed the o/s/r of me as I turned in, it span me through 180 deg and stalled. He got going again and left me facing the wrong way, trying to restart the motor! I was not happy! I gave him a large hand gesture as he drove off! We finished the stage and came into service, I was fuming. He came over and said he was sorry, etc. He caught the rear bumper, but underneath my Kevlar tank guard was covered in white paint from his wing and bonnet, he had wedged me good and proper. He had it on his in-car camera, the back of my car went up about 4ft as he hit me! He is sending me a copy!

SS8: Going ok, playing about, loads of sideways as I was not in the running for anything, until we came across car 16, Escort Cossy, on fire big time. There was a row of a dozen cars stopped behind him and all had got out with hand held extinguishers, what a waste of time foam is, we might as well have peed on it! Could not put it out! Finally a marshal’s van came over with some big extinguishers, they soon put out the fire but it was too late, the car was burnt over half way down, not a pretty sight. I was gutted for him! Came 16th o/a out of 100 starters and 12th in class (there was no class E, so there was 30 in my class D).

Paul had a good day with no real problems, came 11 o/a, 3rd in class.

Richard