Speedy Hire Cambridge Stages

Cambridge CC – West Essex CC – Kings Lynn & DMC
Oakington Airfield – 11^th May 2003

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

The Thame entry for this one was 4 cars:-

	Car 5 Mick Gregory / Steven Fayers - Sierra Cosworth
	Car 7 Andy Corner / James Greenwood - Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6
	Car 32 Richard Upton / Stuart Parkins - Sierra Cosworth
	Car 37 Simon Clark / Justin Middleton - Alfasud 1.6

The entry was a little thin, with only 48 cars lining up at the start, lead away by Jacobs, Scott, and Proctor in three very quick Escort Cossys, followed at 4 with Gallagher’s proper 6R4 and then TMC’s own Mick Gregory at 5, Pat Macarthur debuting an Evo 5, and then Andy Corner at 7 in his 205.

Two other Thame crews featured in the entry list: Richard Upton and Stuart Parkins had a new and very tidy Sierra Cosworth seeded at 32, which replaced their short-lived Escort G4 seen here earlier in the year. Simon Clark was teamed up with Justin Middleton (Dingo) in the Alfasud at 37, now boasting a replacement gearbox and a repaired rear end. This was Dingo’s first attempt at Co-driving, but keen readers will know he finished at 12 overall when driving his M3 powered BMW here earlier in the year.

The entry showed 11 in class D/E, 21 in C, 10 in B, and 6 in the under 1400cc class. The day was dry and bright, and this is the round at Oakington that uses the stub runway as Service rather than the usual area.

Mick Gregory / Steven Fayers: This was Steve’s first go at Co-driver, following servicing for Mick on the last 2 events here, and many years as service crew on rallies across Europe. Neal Cuss had swapped his seat for a day with the spanners.

The day started badly when they coasted for a full lap after a rear drive shaft came loose on SS1, dropping them 1 minute 40 seconds, making them 41st overall!

All soon fixed in service, and they stormed around SS2, setting 9th fastest and 28th. 8th fastest on SS3 and 17th overall, and 16th overall after SS4 (taking 1 s off the Evo). Kept the pressure up all day and climbed back to finish 9th overall and won the class.

So far Mick has done three Oakingtons and finished 14th, 4th and 9th overall, winning the class every time! Steve said that it was a fantastic day, and can’t understand why he has waited so long to get into a car! (Adding back the lost 1 minute 40s they would have finished at 5th overall).

Andy Corner / James Greenwood: Looking for a steady run as entry already in for next weekend’s Heart of England 2-dayer, and looking to extend their lead in the Oakington Challenge. Not good at 07:15 as car running like a pig! Andy fiddled with the electrics for a while, and changed a few components and all seemed OK.

SS1 and over familiarity with the venue caught them out when a corner that was normally flat, wasn’t! Andy quickly selected reverse and carefully rejoined the circuit with red faces! 14 Seconds quicker on SS2 and up to 13th overall, leading the class by 8 seconds. Speedy Hire Cambridge Stages Continued.

SS3 goes cleanly, now up to 11th overall, but problems on SS4 when rear engine mount breaks, so they slow to preserve drive shafts. This drops them to 13th overall, but still leading the class by 25 seconds Further problems on SS5 with the loss of 1st and 2nd gears (selector problem caused by earlier engine mount). They work flat out in the 16 minutes available to remove sump guard and extract the broken selector arm. This is quickly welded by Andy, plunged into cold water and refitted and they are back into action!

After SS6 they are back to 11th overall, and lead the class by 34s. SS7 and are flying – caught an Escort and harried for 1 mile until it span at chicane and was passed. Merged behind Car 1 and held it for over 1 mile. Finished an excellent 10th overall and 1st in class.

Richard Upton / Stuart Parkins: Car newly acquired, so never driven in anger (bought after the tyre test day at Enstone). Is 2wd Sierra Cosworth with plenty of power available, but Richard admits he isn’t sure how to dial out the huge understeer he experienced on SS1 and 2. Also on SS2 the car was overboosting, causing it to drop onto 3 cylinders, and then they clipped a curb, puncturing a rear for the last ½ mile, yet still 4s quicker than SS1!

Changed to Dunlops on the front and a huge improvement – now 19th overall and 4th in class. By end of SS6 were up to 16th overall and 3rd in class – they passed three cars on stage and broke both door mirrors!

Kept up the good work and were delighted to finish 14th overall and pick up the award for 2nd in class – great effort, guys!

Simon Clark / Justin (Dingo) Middleton: We knew this pairing was going to be a hoot, and so it proved – Simon said he nearly had to stop on SS7 as they were laughing so much!

SS1 and 3 part/full spins! Quicker on SS2, but co-driver said that he was sure those huge oil drums were coming through his door! By SS3 they had settled into a good rhythm and were up to 24th overall and 5th in class.

SS5 and Simon hit 1st gear instead of third after a bump – ouch! He says it may be time to have the heads off and check the valves. They were now motoring and up to 18th overall and 5th in class.

Last three stages went cleanly and they finished an excellent 17th overall and 5th in class – Simon’s best result to date.

A great result from the Club entries, with 2 Class wins, a 2nd and 5th, and four finishers in the top 17 – great stuff, guys!