Carfax Stages 2003

Longcross – 7^th December 2003

Report by Peter Wood.

Thame Motorsport Club had 5 entries on this rally: -

	Car 16 Andy Corner / James Greenwood – Peugeot 205 1.6
	Car 24 Richard Upton / Stuart Parkins – Sierra Cosworth 2wd
	Car 26 Mick Gregory / Justin Middleton – Sierra Cosworth 4wd
	Car 34 James Walter / Duncan Gamage – VW Golf GTI 1.8
	Car 38 Neal Cuss / Geoff Clifton – Subaru Impreza

The classes showed 5 in “A”, 18 in ”B”, 22 entries in “C”, and 22 “D/E”.

A very cold day barely crept above zero made for fun, but at least it stayed dry for us.

SS1 started on time, but soon stopped again as the ambulances and rescue vehicles rushed onto the stage. Car 15 a Nissan Sunny 2ltr had hit the huge RSJ gateposts soon after the start, but luckily behind the co-drivers seat. County ambulance attended and SS1 was cancelled. No news on the condition of the crew at this time. Also saw an ambulance go WD on the stage and meet a competitor at full chat, saved by the blues and twos and quick reactions!

So the top 20 crews had a good advantage on the field, having had an effective practice run on the stage (!!) – I thought you had to run the entire field through a cancelled stage?

More dramas on SS10, when car 20 (206 in second place in class B) crashed out big time in the snake in the dark, and threats of protests if stage cancelled, so times were given to the rest of the field that didn’t do the stage – consistent, eh!

Looking at the Clubs runners in detail:

Car 16 Andy and James.
Problems the day before with non-start when hot and 1^stgear selection problems. SS2 Car jumping out of 1st in chicanes, causing a ½ spin 25th/4 in class. SS3+4 getting quicker 7.12 6.57 22nd/3rd but class lead by Darrian 1600, then 206 at car 20.SS5+6 big air at top of 1in4, and another ½ spin with 1st gear problem. Held it together for the rest of the event and helped by car 20 crashing on last stage to finish 18th overall and 2nd in class.

Car 24 Richard and Stuart
What a mare of a day! Car down on boost (15lb should be 25lb) SS2 saw a full 360 spin (gulp) but kept the power in and kept going – it was slippy! Car seemed to be in 1wd up the hill and set 31^st/8. Nightmare on SS3 with driver chasing a mega fast Maestro, and overcooking the split – given a max! We kept going, but a puncture on SS7 cost another 4 minutes!

A bit of a nightmare of a day, with boost well down, a maximum for the late split and a puncture. Glad to see the finish and 51st overall and 15 in class

Car 26 Mick and Dingo
Mick’s first go here, but Dingo has taught for DNS at Longcross. Good run on SS2 saw them at 17th/4 in class. 15s quicker on SS4 than 3 and pleased to set 9th fastest. Power steering pump problems slowed them a little on 5+6 so down to 22nd overall/ but now 3rd in class.

Dingo came up with a great bit of instruction “… Square right opens to fast left to – oh! What do you call it? Oh yes, hairpin left!!” Mick loved the 2 stages in the dark and finished 16th overall and 2nd in class.

Car 34 James and Duncan
The trusty Golf out for more death! SS2 and James blamed sun in the eyes for the ½ spin and cone from the chicane brought back into service as evidence. 36/12 after SS2. Caught and passed the car ahead (made 30s on him) and having a fantastic time. Exhaust refitted by Nathan. Dropping back down the field to 41/12 after SS4. Hit a chicane and knocked the clutch cable off – bump started the car and finished the stage in 2nd gear. Loved the dark stages best of all and finished 41st overall and 13th in class, but car is stock 1.8 and worth about £500.

Car 38. Neal and Geoff
The car looked very smart in Orange and very tidy – good job, Neal. SS2 and hit a chicane (minor body damage) when the brakes faded to nothing. 30th/6= class. SS3+4 Geoff feeling poorly, but car flying 6:40 and 6:58. Now up to 25th/ 6th.

SS5+6 overtook a car, and the brakes are back to normal. Up to 23rd / 6th in class. The car had a full set of lamps for the dark stages – 4 on the bonnet and two in the front ¼ - it looked like Blackpool! Great finish to be 21st overall and 4th in class.

Summary
A really good event marred by Oxford’s inconsistency on cancelled stages, late results (first times issued at 12:20) and near disaster with ambulance WD on stage.

Carfax Stages 2003

Longcross – 7th December 2003

Longcross – 7^th December 2003