Mainline Haulage Stages 2005

Hixon, Sunday 8th May 2005

Report by Peter Wood, Photographs by Simon Clarke (www.sc-photography.co.uk)

Andy Corner / James Greenwood

Andy Corner storms it again!

Andy Corner and James Greenwood were our representative at this one, ably supported by Dan, Big Ed, Nathan and Staci.

The event was a round of the Peugeot Challenge and BMW 325 series and limited to 2WD. The entry soon filled to a whopping 95 cars, with “only” 59 Peugeots!

The field was lead away with a rapid Escort 2.2, then RS1600, Andy at 4, Andy Gwynne very rapid Corsa Kit car at 5 etc.

The classes were made up as follows: A14, B 48, C 12, D 21 (of which 11 were BMW 325).

Andy Corner / James Greenwood

The Service area was chocker with the huge entry, and Nathan said the cars were feeding through/over service mats to get to the Start control!

The weather started sunny, but also had heavy rain, hailstones the size of golf balls, and only needed frogs for the full set. This made tyre choice particularly tricky.

SS1 and Andy is fast out of the box, setting 2nd quickest behind Andy Gwynne. All crews are sobered by the rolled BMW, but crew are fine.

SS2 and the same again, still 2nd overall.

Nathan reported the car ran without fault all day long, but the crew were kept busy with tyre choice (and wear). The stages were in good nick up the main straights, but rough as hell on a couple of corners – “Worse than Enstone Triangle” was Andy’s view.

SS3 and the RS1600 is getting faster, setting 2nd ahead of Andy.

SS4 and Andy is pushed back to 3rd overall (leading class still).

SS6 and the Corsa is out, promoting Andy back up to 2nd overall, but not catching the RS.

SS7 and the RS retires so Andy back to 1st overall.

SS10 and car safely back into Service for their second ever outright win!

In the last six months Andy and James have recorded 2 outright wins (Loco and Hixon) and a second overall (Oakington). Spot on, Guys!