Bomb-Along Stages 2005Oakington Airfield – Sunday 11th September 2005Report by Peter Wood, Photographs by Simon Clarke (www.sc-photography.co.uk) MCAC had attracted an improved entry for Oakington round 3 with 48 cars. This had been helped by a dearth of events over the last couple of months. The classes were made up as follows: Class 1 3, Class 2 7, Class 3 20, Class 4 8 and Class 5 10. Dick Mauger had the honour of leading the field as he won here last year, followed by the Darrian, Escort Cossy, MG Metro replica with 2 litre turbo and then Impreza. The top class featured 4 Impreza, 4 Escort Cossy, a Mazda 323 and a Quattro. Thame had 7 entries for this event: -
The day before had heavy rain (helping the England cricket team) which made the tracks very slippy. The venue hadn’t been used for 6 months, allowing the grass/weeds to grow fast in the cracks in the tarmac and concrete.
Car 1 Dick and Steve. Non-starter. Car 7 Andy and James. The car was fitted with a new engine as the last had destroyed itself some months ago. The days up to the event saw a lot of activity with rolling road and engine mapping, complicated by some clutch and gearbox problems. SS1 and found that the rear beam was knackered, with strange noise and unpredictable lurches. Now 9th overall, but 9 seconds quicker on SS2 and only dropping 6 + 10 s to the Darrian (leading the event). SS3 and 4 no problems, improved by 12s. Service crew of Dan and Big Ed change the beam in the lunch service. Now up to 3rd overall and 2nd in class. SS5 and 6 and all is fine, but caught by superfast Subaru WRC so 5th overall and 2nd. SS7 and 8 – full attack mode – a 2 wheel moment as they went over a large plastic barrel that had been pushed into the track. Held on for an excellent 3rd overall finish.
Car 10 Mick and Neal. The beautiful Escort Mk1 RS1600 “Kermit” out in anger for the first time. Mick said “slippy as Hell!” SS1 and a bad choice of rears cost a lot of time going nowhere fast. Changed on SS2 and 1 minute quicker. SS3 went well and up to 20th Overall and 9th in class, but disaster on SS4 when the cam belt failed and game over.
Car 25 Richard and Paul. SS1 and lost 25 seconds stationary behind the Quattro that was across the track (in a line of three cars) – car fine. 17th Overall and 4th in class. SS2 no problems, but full 360 spin on Stage 3 and clipped cones, passing the BMW. SS4 and 30s quicker. 14/2. SS5 caught and passed car 24. SS6 and 17 seconds quicker and 14/3. Absolutely flat out on SS7 and 8. Paul said hit his door mirror 3 times and Richard’s once. Also straw bale rub the full side of car and almost lost it in full-bloodied power-slide at 90 left/90 left at end of runway. Recovered to an excellent 8th overall and 3rd in class.
Car 35 Rob and Liz. SS1 and passed Escort, Rob said very slippy. Gained 26s on SS2 and an excellent 17th overall and 3rd in class (low power an advantage in the wet conditions). SS3 and merged with Lotus Cortina – took to grass to get passed! Changed ball-joint after SS4 16/3. Another pair of good stages (improving 15s) helped them stay 16/3. Full chat on SS7+8 saw them really flying, setting 9.29 and 9.19 Flat in 5th through the entire outfield saw some huge tank slappers and the last of the last-minute brakers! Very exciting, said Liz! Excellent result of 12th overall and 3rd in class.
Car 39 Simon and Ian. Were one of six crews given dodgy time at finish of SS1 which soured the morning, but sorted by the organisers by ˝ way. SS3 + 4 very quick. Car is floating with tyre pressures 43 rear and 26 fronts! Car up on three wheels through the buildings and 21/6. SS5+6 and Clarky said “F**king brilliant! Overtook loads of cars and Astra is Spot-on! Took 28s off the Peugeot car 38”. SS7+8. Big moment into right-hander, and absolutely flat out everywhere. Finished 17th overall and 5th in class of 20.
Car 54 Nathan and Duncan. Nathan’s first drive in the 2ltr Golf and hoping for a finish to gain experience. Duncan knows Oakington well from the drivers’ seat and has won the class here. SS1 and they were three-wheeling through the tight stuff, but no problems. SS2 and a big slapper in the mud – full lock both ways to get her back on track. Pleased with 26th o/all. SS3 + 4. Nathan said “Very Hairy!” Long sweeping bends in the damp push the confidence to the limit. Some odd gearbox noises. Duncan said “We’re getting there”. SS5 + 6 - fast and smooth, but disaster on SS7 when they get a large hole in the gearbox – game over. Nathan said you could get your fist through the hole. Both very pleased with the progress and huge grins all round. Another good event from MCAC. The Club had an excellent showing with a terrific 3rd overall from Andy and strong 3rd in class from both Richard and Rob, and a good 17th overall and 5th in class from Simon, on a wet and slippery day. |
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