Longmoor Loco Stages 2003Longmoor – 28th December 2003Report by Peter Wood / Rob Slinglerland. Thame Motorsport Club had two entries for this Yuletide Rally:
This venue is small, offering stages of about 4 miles, but has the attraction of banning all 4wd, making for a close run event. Classes were: -10 A, 20 B, 21 C, 9 D The entry of 60 cars soon filled, and headed by Guy Wigley’s rapid Escort Maxi, followed by a pair of Darrians, and interest down the field with a 205 1.4 bike engined ‘Abusa’ at car 9 nearly pulling wheelies off the line. Andy Gwynne was seeded at 14 in his Corsa kit car and sure enough finished a terrific 2nd overall. Car 11 Andy and Bob – fresh from his success on the gravel Autotest on Saturday they set off bright and early (OK, not bright as 3 hours before dawn!) for this winter warmer. Andy had done the Loco for the first time last year and enjoyed the ‘through the building’ type stages, and the fact that you were allowed to cycle Stage 1 to get to grips with the layout.
All OK to SS4 but then a cock-up lead to a third lap and a stage max. Worse to follow on SS5 when a very tight 90 L saw third gear selected instead of 1st! Oops, hit a palate of concrete blocks hard, folding the bonnet, water everywhere, and another maximum as they crawled back to service through every puddle to cool the engine. More problems on SS6 when they did almost the whole stage stuck in 1st gear and another maximum. They were pleased to make the finish at a surprising 25th overall and 6th in class. Car 45 Rob and Liz - Superb event, great surface, and great layout, although only 45 Stage miles entry cost was only £155, I thought quite good value. Bit of a wake up call on 1st stage, (bit rusty) and cold tyres combined to a half spin, rest of the stage went without incident, 7.20 time. SS 2,a little more confident now, even learning about ditch hooking on stage!! Also trying out left foot braking, mm, might try it again some time when things are a little further away from the car!!! Passed car in front (car 44) on the loose, disappointed to only make up 3 seconds on first run. SS 3, passed car 43, a good run and having fun in the greasy parts of the stage.6.58 SS 4, now fuelled on Lucozade Sport (drinkable version of Optimax I guess?) and really buzzing, until on junction 4 (hairpin left) handbrake round, only for o/s rear tyre to catch in a pot hole that had gradually developed, tyre deflated completely, still went full chat, but led to some interesting handling and moments; managed same time as before 6.58, without the flat should have improved in time. All was not entirely well in service, re-inflated the tyre, fine not a problem, but at the same time as the tyre getting caught it also bent the rear beam creating lots of positive camber on one rear wheel, Ops, or words to that effect (imagination needed). Thought about going home, but didn't. SS 5, there was now a loud graunching from the back end of the car, still thinking about calling it a day, took the stage a little more cautiously, so to speak, as the car now had very different handling, got back to service unscathed, and used a plumbers wrench on the rear arch made a small improvement. SS 6. Had a word with myself (not recommended in public places) and thought sod it, a marked improvement, came through the chicane past service a touch quicker than I was supposed to, ran wide on exit through the standing water, and showered the spectators, lost the n/s wing mirror to a barrel (last n/s I have in stock), pushed a bit hard on final bend and spun 180 through the finish beam. SS7 & 8. Absolutely on it, trying a bit too hard in places but enjoying every moment. Finished the day 12 O/A and 3rd in class. 2003 was first full year rallying. Entered 5 events, finished 5: 30,29,29,16 & 12 O/A and 3rd in class for last 3 outings. I’ll be back! | ||||
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The trusty
Peugeot had been showing signs on the last couple of events of gear selector difficulty and these emerged again, so it is
now time for a rebuild to sort it once and for all. The day was damp and cold, which suited the 205 and happy to set 7th
fastest on SS1.