Centenary Oakington StagesMCAC - Oakington Airfield, Cambridge - Sunday 6th February 2005Report by Peter Wood, Photographs by Simon Clarke (www.sc-photography.co.uk)
This, the second round of the Oakington challenge 2005, attracted a larger field than the earlier Cambridge event with only 31 starters. The entry list showed 43 entries, down on last year. There were 6 in Class 5, the 4wd class, including 1 Escort Cosworth, 3 Subaru, and lead away at 1 by the Simpson Hyundai WRC (ex Freddy Loix car) that finished 2nd at Rockingham. Class 4 had 6 entries including a Darrian, Volvo T5, a 2lt MG Metro and Escorts. Class 3 was the biggie with 21 entries, including Darrian (Car 2), Guy Wigley’s 306 Maxi (Car 3), and Andy Corner (Car 5). Class 2 had 9 entries, and the minnows in class 1 only 3 entries. Thame had three entries on this one:
Andy and James. Fresh from their outright victory on the Loco stages of a couple of weeks ago and 2nd overall on round 1 at Oakington they were out to re-enforce their lead in the Challenge. Another new exhaust fitted and passed noise first time at 96.8!!
SS1 and off to a fast start, setting 7th O/all and 2nd in class (behind Wigley’s Maxi 306), and 7s quicker than Tillbrook for 3rd in class. Andy reported quite slippy on the perry track on the far side of the venue, and some patches of mud. SS2 and 12s quicker (5th quickest), climbing to 6th overall, 1st in class. SS3 Great stage in the wet and tied for time with Wigley! SS4 and really flying. SS5 Hunting around for tyres, but passed a Subaru on the outside of a corner, to a huge laugh from James! SS6 and clipped a kerb, but got away with it. Andy slowed 5 corners from the stage end saying he felt really hot and sweaty (hot flush). He had been suffering from toothache and the family had been down with a bug. SS7 started at 14:10 and passed Subaru again. Hit chicane hard, pushing Co-driver mirror through window, showering James in glass. The organisers had fitted ½ plastic barrels to edges of straw chicane to preserve shape, but this trick last year caused Mick Gregory a broken tooth and cut face. We should all learn from this and affix plastic sheet to inside of front windows. SS8 and fitted helmet netting for final stage. Finished 5th overall and won class. Many thanks to Dan, Darren, Julz, Nathan and Staci for the mechanical support and the family for the food and drinks on a cold day.
Simon and Stewart. After round 1 of a month ago when they finished an excellent 8th overall and third in class were well up for another go here. Em was on the spanners/coffee as usual, but is getting hooked and joined the Club. She is keen to have a go as a co-driver somewhere this year so let me know! SS1 and a good clean run to set 18th overall and 7th in class. 9.17. SS2 and 12s quicker! Car running “sweet as”, and Stewart fully up to speed on the notes. 15th O/all and 5th. Handbrake working well (still cable). SS3 and very slippy after a shower, now catching and passing cars. SS4 Dropping to 1st for every chicane to counteract the conditions and 17s quicker than SS3. Last car finished stage by 12:00 – It’s going to be an early finish again! SS5 No problems 16th and 5th in class. SS6 Start delayed due to cattle on Stage! Climbed back up to 14th O/all. SS7 Another great stage, passing cars and up to 12th overall. SS8 Safely home in 11th overall and 5th in class of 21. I think Simon has fully matured as a driver – he can keep repeating solid stage times and the results show he is getting faster!
Jez and Jason. 1st event for Jez and looking suitably nervous! Car looked the dogs dangly bits – Andy C recognised it as a well-sorted missile. Mission was to get round, have a laugh and learn loads. Great to see Wayne Bartram at an event, this time spannering the Edworthy-sponsored car. SS1 and off to a good start – 1 full spin and lots of half chances. Not fast but great fun, they were 34th overall with 9.46, 30s off Simon. SS2 and caught out by the mega slippy conditions after a shower of rain – 4 spins, with 2 in front of cameraman, and some clutch slip! SS3 and more spins, but more serious on SS4 when broke gear stick off! 10s stop when trying to get selector in any forward gear and settled for 3rd. Re-welded and fettled with help from the Corner crew (many thanks) and back out in time for SS5. The fun came to an abrupt end when they hit a kerb hard (broke wishbone, wheel, popped shaft) so needed a lift back to Service and game over. Jez said he loved it and would be back. A great result for the boys, a class win and 5th Overall for Andy and James, 5th in class and 11th overall for Simon and Stewart. Hard luck to Jez and Jason – one slip and you’re out! MCAC also handed out awards from last years Oakington Challenge, so we picked up Winner awards and big trophies for Andy and James, Nathan collected the class wins for Duncan and James, and a class award for Mick Gregory as well – we went back to the cars with arm-full of trophies!! |
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