Speedy Hire Cambridge Stages 2005Oakington Airfield – Sunday 9th January 2005Report by Peter Wood, Photographs by Simon Clarke (www.sc-photography.co.uk) This, the first round of the Oakington challenge 2005, was running a month earlier than usual. The event suffered the same as last year’s rounds, in that the entry numbers were well down - the regs said 60 min and 90 max, but they only had 27 entries a couple of days before close, and only 34 on the Seeded entry list. The average entry for the five Oakington’s in 2004 was only 48 cars, and the best attended got only 64. The best-known, the MCAC Bomb-Along had 51 entries, of which TMC provided 10! I think the venue is now over familiar to many competitors There were 6 in Class “E”, the 4wd class, including 3 Escort Cosworth, an Evo 6, a Metro 6R4 and a Sapphire Cosworth. Other interesting entries included Guy Wigley’s 306 Maxi (2), a 2wd Metro with turbo Volvo and 300bhp (9), and a V8 Escort (16). Wigley’s clutch on van blew on the way to the venue, and a couple of no-shows gave us 30 starters – it should be an early finish for a change!
Other class sizes were 1 in A, 8 in B, 14 in C, and 5 in D. Thame had three entries on this one:
Andy and James. Fresh from their outright victory on the Loco stages of a couple of weeks ago, and the defending champions of the Oakington Challenge for the third year running were looking for a clean start to the year. Andy had re-welded the clutch lever arm so all should be fine. SS1 and off to a fast start, setting 3rd O/all, only 1s off the EVO, 2s quicker than car 1. Andy reported standing water on the perry track on the far side of the venue, and some patches of mud. SS2 and dropped 7s, having merged behind the Lotus Cortina, and touched going into the chicane, losing headlight and denting wing/bumper. SS3 great stage, passed the V8 Escort, but brought in for noise and failed at 100Db. SS4 silencer repacked and holding 4th O/all and leading class by 3s from Escort RS. SS5 fitted new (old) tyres on the back – “very loose”, went through a new chicane, but not alone as most of the front runners spun/stalled/hit it because had gravel in the middle element! Noise tested for the third time, but passed, just! SS6 started at 13:00. Car 5 out, who was directly behind Andy, so the pressure off. Hit another barrel, costing headlight, indicator etc. and a 10s penalty! SS7 and SS8 – car running great and EVO at 2nd overall lost a driveshaft, promoting Andy up to 2nd overall. Andy took 6s off the Metro, but very happy with an excellent 2nd overall to go with his 1st Overall on the LOCO a fortnight ago. Many thanks to Dan, Darren, Nathan and Staci for the mechanical support and the family must be mad as they were the only crew to camp in January in Tent/Caravan!
Richard and Paul. Paul’s first time as a co-driver following a couple of years on the spanners, and looked a little nervous. Richard reported that he was great, with only 1 Left s/be Right, and we are all entitled to 1 mistake! The car has another engine to the fire breathing monster we saw at Rockingham. SS1 and picked up a front puncture on 2nd lap as went into the buildings, but still set 16th overall and 3rd in class. Car locked in 3rd gear, but then freed SS2 and 31s quicker! Still problems getting any gear higher than third and massive understeer, but can’t find out why – up to 11th overall. SS3 caught and passed a 205 through the buildings, but no 4th + 5th gear. SS4 nightmare time! Front tyre disintegrated and had to change on stage, costing 5 minutes, dropped to 18th O/all. SS5 finally a clean run, with only a spin in the gravel near the split, back up to 17th. SS6 and found the problem with the steering – the U/J had partly broken so wrapped a load of cable ties round it! Must be getting quicker as he hit Paul’s door mirror in a chicane. Now back up to 12th, but only 18 cars running now! SS7 and passed 2ltr Escort through the buildings and up to 10th overall. SS8 and set 2nd fastest time on stage, only beaten by the V8, so he beat Andy and the 300bhp Metro. Finished 10th overall and 1st in class on a day of “might have been”.
Simon and Stewart. Back together after their time at Rockingham, the car now has carbon-fibre brakes so that Simon might be able to stop, and a new clutch fitted. SS1 and off to a good start – huge grins from them as they crossed the finish to set 14th overall and 6th in class. They fitted smaller diameter front tyres, which will pull top speed down to 90 mph, but improve acceleration and pick-up. SS2 and they were 9s quicker and up to 12th overall and 5th in class, passing two cars. SS3 and flat-spotted the new tyres, so changed. Now 14th Overall and 5th in class. SS4 and Simon said “Blinding stage!” Climbed up to 12th overall and still 5th in class. There were only 22 cars still running at this point! SS5 and still going well, holding position and class. SS6 Stage starts at 13:00 – only 3 to go and an early finish is on the cards. Were 9s quicker, climbing up to 10th Overall and 4th in class. SS7 Still flying – another great stage with no dramas. Climbed to 8th O/all and 4th. SS8 Kept it going for their best ever result of 8th Overall and 4th in class. Even better news in the results – as Andy took 2nd overall (and was in the same class) the boys got an award for 3rd in class – great job! A great result for the boys, a Second overall, and first ever class award for Simon and Stewart. A great recovery from Richard and good job on Paul’s first co-drive. Home | News / Info | Calendar | Event Reports | Photo Gallery | Rally Teams | Contacts | Links - Updated Sunday, 24 February, 2008 |
