Spring Stages 2005

Sculthorpe, Sunday 10th April 2005

Report by Staci Reeson, Photograph by Simon Clarke (www.sc-photography.co.uk)

Andy Corner / James Greenwood

Weather is fine but very cold!! The Stage should be very greasy as there was a lot of rain in the early hours of the morning. Should prove to be some interesting first Stages!!

Two entries from Thame Motorsport but only Andy Corner with his 205 turned up on the day. Anybody would have thought we were at an Oakington event with all of the usual faces from there turning out to do this event.

Andy Corner / James Greenwood Peugeot 205 MI16 Car no 5. Both woke up with a bit of a creak in the neck after a long night sleeping in the Service Vehicles. They soon got down to business when they realised they would start between two 6R4's.

SS1 and the green Metro 6R4 of Wickford Motor Club caught up but struggled to get past Andy for a while before spinning out off of the stage. The Stage was 7 miles and very muddy and slimy in places but very open. Andy 3rd overall behind V10 WRC Subaru and White Cossy powered Metro.

SS2 Watched Andy off of the line all seemed fine but he did not arrive back when expected. He hobbled back with a broken Drive Shaft lashed together with a ratchet strap. Dan and Nathan very busy in service soon got the Drive Shaft changed with no problems, "But how on earth did he get this ratchet strap on there" most of the time was taken up trying to get the tangled up strap off.

SS3 Started further back in field caught and took 2.

SS4 Quite a lot of time lost so to save on decent tyres decided to go out on road tyres. Tyres turned out to be very bad on the loose!!! Not to mention all of the other places too.

SS5 17 Stage Miles but back out on better tyres resulting in catching 3 cars. Stage was drying out with the sun so a lot faster and more flowing.

SS6 17 Stage Miles again Andy was 1 1/2 minutes quicker. Stage is now very dry and dusty. Took 4 cars and was 11th fastest in this stage.

Overall a good day was had by all, not many fast straights and very little need for 5th gear. Should be an event for you to look out for in the future. Lots of short and twisty stuff similar to Oakington which I know is a favourable event for most of you!!

There were only 37 starters for the event, and only 24 made it to the finish line.

Staci Reeson