Bomb-Along Stages 2004 - MCACOakington Airfield – 12th September 2004Report by James Walters, Photographs by Simon Clarke (www.sc-photography.co.uk) Thame Motorsport Club had 10 entries on this rally: -
What a fantastic day for the club, with a great turnout with 10 club cars out of the total 51 entries. The day was windy but the promised rain held off, with a sunny morning, and cloudy afternoon. A good few of us, including the Vision crew, yours truly, Duncan Gamage, Rob S* and Liz turned up the night before to scruitineer early, and to attend the Middlesex barbeque, and to suffer another windy night in the campervan and tents.
With Middlesex suffering a poor turnout this year, well down on last year’s bumper entry, the competitors were treated to some nice long service halts and a nice early finish. The day was only marred by a high drop out rate, with 20 non finishers, some important non shows, sadly including Guy Wigley’s new ex-works 306 Maxi, which I for one, as a Peugeot fan, was looking forward to seeing, and the red flagging of one stage (stage 3) following a 205’s loss of a front wheel in the middle of the complex, which blocked the stage. TMCs trophy collection was awesome, with six awards, including a fantastic overall winner to Dick Mauger in the Escort WRC kit car, his first overall win since 2000. Other top awards include Neal Cuss and Catharine White, who finished 6th overall, and first in class in the Orange Subaru, Andy Corner, 8th overall and 3rd in class, in the 205, Duncan Gamage & me, 13th overall and 1st in class in the Nova, Shelly Nutt, 18th overall and 3rd in class in the 106, on her first attempt at the event, and Simon Clark and Amanda Terry winning the best mixed crew award in Simon’s smart new Astra.
I am afraid; I wasn’t able to get everybody’s comments during the day, as was a bit busy keeping Duncan on the right track. However, here’s what I could glean from all that I spoke to. Dick Mauger / Andrew Street (Escort WRC Kit Car). The gorgeous blue kit car, complete with colour coded service van had a relatively trouble free day, although Andrew told me that they had to top up the dif with oil as it was dry, and Dick said he could hear a whine earlier in the day. Kathy did a fantastic job servicing, and the car improved its position steadily during the day, starting around 3rd OA and moved up as others fell by the wayside, most notably the Darrian of Keith Davison, who suffered from a wheel falling off. Fantastic job 1st overall.
Dave Nutt / Holly Bailey (Escort Cosworth). Dave was having his first ever drive at Oakington, and put on his usual display of driving flare, was running well in around 2nd or 3rd OA until loss of the alternator on the start line of SS6. Did not want to risk damaging the engine due to loss of fuel pressure, so called it a day.
Neal Cuss / Catharine White (Subaru Impreza Turbo). Neal did a stirling job, having to service for himself all day. Was 5th overall after the first stage, but slipped down the order a bit as prior Oakington experience became less of an advantage throughout the day. The car ran faultlessly, and was well driven. Just had to change some tyres and bled the brakes after stage 2. Catharine was doing her first rally, although apparently is used to fast cars already and did a good job in the passenger seat. Steadily rose up the leader board again as others fell by the wayside. Finished 1st in class 5/6 and 6th overall.
Andy Corner / James Greenwood (205 GTI Mi16). Andy and James started thee day with a few problems with the car. A broken engine mount meant that 1st gear could not be selected, and on Stage 2 the new AP brake discs started to crack, causing a major lock up just in front of us. However, once these problems were ironed out the car started to perform well, with 2nd fastest stage times being set on the last stages. In the end they had to settle for 8th overall, and 3rd in class 3, 26 seconds behind Mark Palmers 250 bhp 306 Kit Car.
Rob S* and Liz Kirby (Nova GTE). After a disappointing Longcross the weekend before, Rob and Liz were determined to put on a good show, and not repeat their series of DNFs. All started well, with the car lying 15th OA after the first stage and 1st in class. Continued trading times with arch rivals James & Duncan all day (have to admit they were quicker than us! but they have got a few more CCs). Ist in class and top 15 place was being maintained until Stage 5, when Rob reported sudden loss of Right Hand lock. Bit serious really! Could have been nasty. The team sadly decided discression was the better part of valour, and took a stage maximum. Lots of scratching of heads went on with Nathan, Duncan and Rob all a bit stumped. Turned out to be some lock stops that had been recently fitted, that had slipped. All was fixed and car returned to its previous pace for the remaining stages. Sadly, finished a disappointed 30th OA and 9th in class. However, at least the trail of DNFs have been broken. My hat continues to be taken off to Rob & Liz (particularly Liz) who continue to have to service for themselves. Better luck next time.
Duncan Gamage / James Walters (Nova SR). The trusty stead had one of its most trouble free days in many a year and Duncan was flying from the word go. We were 19th after Stage 1, but fell back to 22nd after Stage 2. Car ran without any problems all day, apart from checking tyre pressures and topping up oil and fuel. We had some entertainment with cars to overtake (205 in our class on Stage 2, and Ka in our class on all of the last Four stages, accompanied by many waves and blown kisses (they were an all girl crew after all!). Also had some fun chasing Andy Corner on Stage 2, and Mark Palmers 306 on stage 5 and 6. who needs 200+ horsepower to have fun (were still doing 110 mph through the chicane on the back straight, flat out! Finished 13th= at the end and 1st in class 1
Shelly Nutt / Lynette Applegate (106 GTI). Fresh from the challenges of Abingdon the all girl crew were back for more. Car ran well, although it obtained a black eye after a slight argument with a hay bale. Nothing damaged apart from a headlight. At the end the girls finished up 18th overall and 3rd in class 2, just 8 seconds behind the next in class.
Simon Clark / Amanda Terry (Astra Mk4). The new gleaming Astra turned up to many admiring glances. It looks really good, although the engine remains pretty standard. Amanda was new to Co-driving. However, the team did really well, and the car ran faultlessly all day, with the only work that I saw, being a change of rear tyres, to loosen up the back end a bit. The team brought the car home 20th overall, and 7th in class 3, and were awarded the best mixed crew award. Great effort for a first event for the car, and Co-Driver.
Richard Upton / Stuart Parkins (Escort Mk2). Richard was out in his smart new Mk2 Escort on this rally rather than his usual Sierra. Unfortunately Richard's run of bad luck continued, with the engine sadly blowing before the end of the first stage. Sadly, once again I didn’t get a chance to catch up with them before their early bath. Better luck next time. Steve Bostock / Joanne Tapin (Nova GTE). Steve had borrowed this car from the co-drivers husband (brave if you ask me!). It was Steve’s first competitive drive for 4 or 5 years, and was looking at it as a way of honing his skills for his newbuild BMW2002, which we are all looking forward to seeing at Rockingham. Sadly the pair suffered from drive shaft problems and went OTL on SS2. However, thanks to a shaft loaned from Duncan Gamage, the crew were able to get back out for the last few stages and have some fun. Once again many congratulations to overall winners Dick Mauger, and to Neal Cuss and Duncan Gamage on their well deserved class wins. Home | News / Info | Calendar | Event Reports | Photo Gallery | Rally Teams | Contacts | Links - Updated Saturday, 10 April, 2010 |
