Spotted Dick and Custard Stages 2004

Longcross - Sunday 5th September 2004

Report by Peter Wood

Thame had only two entries for this one, I suspect they had all entered the Oakington event for the following week (we have 10 entries to date!). In fact both of the Spotted entries were in that 10 and therefore hoping for a trouble free event.

The entry list of just 60 was packed with quality – 2 6R4’s, a pair of EVO’s, Darrian T90’s, Subaru, and 3 kit cars. The entry was so strong that Wigley’s 306 MAXI EVO2 was only seeded at 12.

The classes were: 1, 8 entries; 2, 12 entries; 3 25 entries; 4+5 14 entries.
The Club was represented as follows:

	Car 23 Andy Corner / James Greenwood - Peugeot 205 MI-16
	*Car 30 Rob S / Liz Kirby** - Nova GTE 1.6

The day was dry and bright and very hot, hitting 28^oC by mid-afternoon.

Car 23 Andy and James – First event for a while following Andy’s back op so were a bit rusty (no pun intended!). Stop after split at base of hill as absolutely no rally furniture in sight, not an arrow, board, tape etc. Quickly back in gear and finish in 5.43, setting 22nd and 9th in class.

Mystery loss of power mid-way through SS2, but now 20th overall and 9th in class. The service crew of Dan, Ed and Henry dive under the bonnet and remove the strip and rubber on top of the plugs to help cooling and change to hotter plugs.

Car starts missing again at end of SS3 and the crew go for more airflow by jacking the bonnet up. Some snotty marshals come up and tell Andy his car could be protested at bonnet line not original profile!!

More drama on SS4 when they clip a chicane, sending the Drivers door mirror through the window and showering Andy in glass, cutting face, and glass in eye and mouth. Soon fixed and the rest of the day passes peacefully to finish 23rd overall and 9th in class.

Car 30 Rob and Liz – SS1 and no dramas, setting 27th fastest and 3rd in class with 5.51, only 8s off Andy.

Good SS2, but caught by Darrian as they entered the circle – Darrian has horn blaring, but can’t catch the Nova through the twisty bits. Tries to go round the outside at the base of the hill up to the 1in4, but spins in front of the crowd to a huge cheer! Finish 28th and 3rd in class.

All goes wrong on SS4 when the short Driveshaft lets go and they are towed back in. Further investigation shows that the exhaust down pipe is nearly flat and the sump is dented – need a sump guard here, Rob!

I think we ought to get sticky plastic sheets on the inside of front windows as this mirror through window accident has happened to Mick and Andy now.