Malcom Watson Spring Rally Stages 2007

Sculsthorpe Airfield, 15th April 2007

Report by Richard Upton

Richard Upton/ Paul Bareham Sierra Turbo 2wd

We put a late entry [Friday night] in for the Malcolm Watson Stages, at Sculsthorpe Airfield near Fakenham in Norfolk, where seeded car 21, the only slot left apart from last starter so we took it!

It was a 4.30 am leave from the workshop, with a heavy mist/fog all the way to the venue, we could not see the service area as the fog was lying thick, so we just followed everyone else through noise and the rest!

The start was delayed for an hour to let the fog clear, which was good as I had never been there before!! It was going to be a long day, with no service crew, it was going to be busy!

SS1, Fog all gone, 8 mile stage with 54 junctions! It’s a very big place, Very technical! 9th quickest. Tyres wearing already, no problems. Caught the 2 cars running ahead of me, got past ok.

SS2, same again, getting on better now I know where I am going, caught a couple of cars, no problems, its starting to get hot in the car now the sun is out properly! Tyres wearing out fast, swapping them around to get max life! 6th fastest this time!

SS3, All my god! Its a 17 miler, that’s 108 junctions! Pushing on as fast as the old girl will go, buy the split for the second lap I had had enough!! Running on pure adrenalin now! Paul was having to think hard on the notes! Tyres shot now, need to fit some more. Exhaust hanging off, soon fixed. 2nd fastest on that one!!

SS4, Off again, 17 miles again, went ok, missed a junction, across the grass, no time lost, dam hot in the car, only got a roof vent for air! No problems, Rear tyres dead already. Lunchtime now, check the car over, and then have a rest!!

SS5, 16.5 miles the other way now, best stage of the day for me, felt good, caught the Skoda WRC car, pushed him the last 2 miles to the finish, what a buzz! 3rd fastest, More tyres needed, going through 10 good ones, had to buy some part worn form Slicks Tyres. Then big problem, radiator has split, big leak, I have not got a spare with me!

Up to see Tony Hewitt in the Escort Cossie, he was out with a blown turbo, told him the situation, I stage to go, lying 3rd overall and no radiator! His crew soon got his radiator out, as I was taking mine out at the same time, the water is boiling hot, I ended up lying in the water in my race suit! It was only a 20 turn round but we did it, up to time control with a minute to spare!

SS6, All ok, Pushing hard as I was so wound up! No problems. Ended up 2nd O/A, 1st in class. Well happy after the 3 dnf,s this year! Big thanks to Tony Hewitt for lending me his radiator, with out that we would have not finished.

Out next at Millbrook in May, then it’s Abingdon!!

Richard Upton