Bomb-Along Stages 2003 - MCACOakington Airfield – 14th September 2003Report by Peter Wood Thame Motorsport Club had 7 entries on this rally: -
The classes showed 6 in “A”, 17 in ”B”, 26 entries in “C”, and 21 “D/E/F”. The day dawned bright and sunny, and by mid-afternoon it was positively hot with 26 degrees. MCAC had promised 8 stages and about 70 Stage miles, but unfortunately we lost SS2 when it was red-flagged after the Cossy at car 6 rolled on to its roof, injuring the crew (believed to be a broken leg and some back damage). The COC was very slow in stopping the stage, and Andy C forced their hand by driving to the nearest radio point and insisting that they act. Looking at the clubs runners in detail: Car 5 Mick and Zippy. This was not to be their day, when the Turbo blew on SS1, leaving them to crawl around to set 47th overall! They were slow on SS3 with binding brakes, but then rerouted the air intake away from the intercooler and pointed to the front and were then running something like 100 bhp! They carried on all day, developing a new style where they tried to carry what little speed they could through the chicanes (now about 75 mph flat out!) and finished 36th overall and won the Spirit of the Rally Award. Car 7 Dick and Andrew. The car had been out the day before near Stafford, so was fully sorted. They had no problems all day and were 3rd overall after every stage, only headed by one of the Darriens and the 6R4. A great result for an absolute solid drive all day. 3rd Overall. Car 11 Andy and James. Problems from the start, with a mystery rev limiter effect causing a change of Airflow meter. SS1 and big mis-fire caused by lack of fuel to engine – most of it was all over the floor of the car! Andy drove the second lap with burning eyes and face and feeling decidedly groggy. Down to 23rd overall and 3rd in class. Car still in big trouble on SS2, and very glad when it was cancelled! SS3 ok, but another mare on SS4, when the rears slit to the canvas, resulting in losing a minute to the class and dropping to 31st overall. Rest of the day played catch-up and battled back to finish 18th overall and 4th in class. Car 34 Simon and Steve. A hoot from start to finish! Were 48th overall after SS1, when Steve called the chicane after the gate as “Enter Left”. At the last moment he realised it was “Enter Right” and Simon drove into an Astra! Fortunately the Alpha dented between the door and rear wheel arch, but the Astra parted with its front bumper and was pushed into the field! More nightmares on SS3 when the Panhard rod broke, leaving the car lurching all over that stage and forcing them to come in 1 lap early. This was repaired (bodged) by using the jack handle as a brace for the rod!! They finished 45th Overall and 15th in class. Car 53 Nick and Dave. Car looks good after the fall-over drama last time at Oakington. Car ran well on SS1 (but forgot to switch on the intercom, dash went U/S and car boiling), and changed rear springs for SS3, which was a help. Lost the sump guard on SS4 and now up to 33rd overall and 2nd in class. Storming on SS5 and car ran well all day. For them the event was spoiled by some very dodgy timings given to the class winner, but both queries were discarded by the organisers. Finished a creditable 25th overall and 2nd in class. Car 59 James and Duncan. The boys had changed seats and car for this one, and Duncan said that it took James a stage to get to grips with the car again. They were 46/17 after SS1 (hot brakes), but improved to 40/14 after SS4 passing two cars and “200% better” comment from Duncan. A Wurzel Gummage like head change on SS5 (passed 4 cars!) saw a rapid rise up the rankings to 32/13 and they finished a trouble-free day at 31st overall and 12th in class. Car 61. Rob and Liz. Following on from their excellent 3rd in class at their first Longcross a month ago the team was rearing to go! The car ran faultlessly all day, other than Liz collecting a lap-full of glass from the ¼ window on SS4! Their positions after each stage runs 28/5, 25/4, 24/4, 20/3, 21/3, and they finished the day at 16th overall and took 3rd in class. Great job! A really good days sport, but a little spoiled by the dodgy timekeeping. A tale of two halves for TMC, with Dick, Nick, Rob and James, having a completely trouble–free day, and great results of 3rd overall, and 2nd and 3rd in class for Rob and Nick, compared with all-day dramas for Andy, Simon, Mick and Timecard issues for Nick and Andy as well. |
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