Speedy Hire Cambridge Stages 2004Oakington Airfield 9th May 2004Report by Peter Wood, Photographs by Simon Clarke (www.sc-photography.co.uk). Thame had four entries for this one:
The entry list was very thin (just 35 starters) and well below the required minimum, but they decided to run anyway. The calendar is very congested at this time of the year there was a Wilbarston a couple of weeks ago and another next Saturday; Millbrook is in May, as is another Longcross, and the Midland rally, and Abingdon is in early June. The field was headed by the quick Darrian T90 of Keith Davison (has won outright here before) and Pat Macarthur's Evo 5 (as previously reported in last years reports in BTRDA and the forests).
Andy and James. The second event with the MI-16 and Throttle bodies and still learning how it goes. Service crew today was Jules on the computer and Dan and mate on spanners. SS1 and hit a chicane and missed 1st , delaminated the fronts and bought two new tyres (steady, Andy!). Set 8th overall/5th in class. Much quicker on SS2 and up to 6th. SS3 and car a bag of nails had lost a bolt from the Throttle bodies and had used a full tank in one stage! Bodged by strapping the throttle to the Strut brace, and set 6th fastest on SS4. SS4 and failed noise Test at 102db. Fixed with wire wool. SS5 and now using higher gear to avoid exclusion on noise, resulting on a lot of grass mowing climbing to 7th overall and 4th in class. SS6 were 3rd fastest, but disaster on SS7 when drive shaft gave up. Just packing up and Peugeot hits a wall, sending in the Ambulance etc. Andy blags a tow from the CofC and 7 minutes in Service we change the shaft and send him out in time for SS8 (he is a lucky git!). The problem on SS7 spoils the chance of a pot and drops Andy and James to 13th overall and 6th in class.
Ian and Steve. Ians car is producing 210 BHP at the wheels so should be pretty quick. 15th and 6th in class after SS1, says he is braking far too early, but car is fine. SS2 and up to 13th, 6th in class. SS3 and now flying Manic and up to 12th, 5th in class after 4 stages, but in trouble at noise cured with wire wool from Andy many thanks! Huge spin on SS5 but kept it together for a fine 11th overall and 6th in class.
Paul and Steve. First time out with the power steering and immediately a huge improvement. Car runs a fast Vauxhall lump producing 190BHP at wheels. Mister consistent sets 3rd overall and 2nd in class on SS1 and holds the same position throughout the day for an excellent 3rd overall a near-perfect drive- well done!
Richard and Stuart. The 2WD Cossy is running a full 260 BHP at the wheels and set 11th fastest on SS1, complete with 2 ½ spins. 16s faster on SS2 and up to 10th overall. SS3+4 are super fast and neat, resulting in an improvement to 8th overall and 3rd in class. SS5 and bent a wheel rim in the buildings, but held position. A fast SS8 pushed them to finish an excellent 7th overall and 3rd in class (class leader won the event, so pot for 2nd in class). A good Club result with 3rd overall and a second in class. Andy would have got about 5th overall and class win without the drive shaft Maximum. Home | News / Info | Calendar | Event Reports | Photo Gallery | Rally Teams | Contacts | Links - Updated Sunday, 24 February, 2008 |
