Premier Rally 2004

Sherwood Forest – 31^st October 2004

Telephone: (07712) 833513

MacArthur Motorsport's entered the Premier Rally based in Sherwood Forest on the 31st of October to try out their newly rebuilt Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V rally car.

The 45 miles of forest action started on a crisp and sunny autumn morning in the Nottinghamshire forests, and stage 1 was set to be the team’s first taste of gravel in over 4 months. The planned shakedown at Enstone Airfield was cancelled due to a lingering brake problem, which was identified as a warped rear brake calliper two days before the rally.

The crew of car number 12 opted for a steady start on the first stage, due to their lack of recent gravel mileage, and to be sure the 'sudden loss of all brakes' problem had finally been solved. Which luckily it had!

Stage One passed without problem, and as the crew arrived at the start of Stage Two lying 9th Overall in the 80 car entry, Driver Pat MacArthur commented '...the odd overshoot but nothing too serious, I'm starting to remember where to brake on gravel!'

With the brake solution proved, and 3 miles of gravel under their belt the crew upped the pace for Stage Two, however their plans were soon scuppered.

Around 2 miles into the 6 mile stage, engine power began to fade rapidly as the turbo boost gauge refused to show any more than 0.3 bar, which was a little lower than its usual 1.6 bar.

The crew pushed on through the remainder of the stage, and then into Stage 3, in an attempt to reach first service where the team could locate the problem and effect a repair.

Despite their best efforts, a solution could not be found in the 20 minute service and the team was forced to retire.

A frustrating event for everyone after some long hours and late nights on the rebuild. The problem has since been tracked down to a split Turbo Intercooler.

With a lack of suitable events running during the remainder of 2004, the team now work towards a shakedown in early February before more forest action in the Spring of 2005.

Many thanks for the efforts of our Sponsors in 2004, and in particular;

Marcus at speed-cameras.co.uk,

Simon at Tanker Rent UK Ltd,

Des at D.S. Griffiths Auto Repair,

Richard at Alfred Ashley Ltd,

Linette at Applegate Gardens Ltd,

And a big thanks to everyone who helped along the way;

Simon Clarke, Paul Howell, Jon Hall, Mark Palmer, Howard Cooper, Nik Kershaw, Martin Snell and of course Craig, Sarah, Nikki, Jason, Julie and Joy. Oh...and 'er-in-doors'.

All in all a year of extreme highs and lows. May 2004 brought the teams first overall win, and on the same day the tragic loss of its most popular member - Tony Matthews.

R.I.P. 'Monkey Boy'

Our rallying will never be the same again.

MacArthur Motorsport.
2004. 

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