Well what an event. I have been waiting months for this since crashing my car on the Ulster, writing it off and fracturing my ankle in the process.
The car was brand new for the event and I had only driven it for a few hours so this was the first test of it and me.
Saturday came and i decided to take the first stage carefully and got round it with no problems.
Early start sunday of to Bramham Park where the marshalls confirmed the roads were really icy and hoped we would take it steady and get to Croft. It was fantastic to be able to drive through a country estate (having marshalled on stages like Chatsworth park in the 80's) and depite a careful start I managed to lock up on ice and stuffed it into the straw bales on the first chicane but no real damage. Matt did incredibly well on the first run beating everyone - I admire his commitment.
Repeat when better and we got through the stage with no problems and a time 10s faster. Phew thank god for that and we headed for Croft.
Croft was great and gave me an opportunity to relax as I felt there was less risk of damaging the car and the crew! Over at Greystoke late sunday afternoon we got through with no problems despite it being the roughest stage on the event. Although as this was the first forest stage and due to its condition I drove slower to preserve the car.
Later that evening we left Carlisle and headed for Scotland and it was as we were driving through the wee small lanes that we realised how foggy it was. These two stages were for me the most challenging as the fog was really thick, night time had descended and just to add a bit of spice there was a lot of ice about - glad I wasnt running first car on the road and a shame for the classic lotus cortina who was as he was in the ditch on the first corner of the stage.Well we got through without a scratch and despite backing off I was only my usual 5 seconds per mile behind Matt. However the quarry was confusing as when we drove thru it on the stage there was no hedge or tape marking the edge of the road and the surrounding land looked just like the road - in the end I just decided to drive straight and fortunatley we found the road again. Got back to carlisle with eyes like Gilles Panizzi!
Monday morning we were back in Scotland and luckily the fog had cleared. For me the stages in Scotland were fantastic,the best of the rally. Very smooth, some ice although it had cleared by late morning and loads of spectators. Had a really good day and despite hitting something when cutting a bend we luckily avoided damage.
But now it was monday evening and of course that meant back to my favourite place - Kielder in the dark, with fog and ice! Decided that I had a good position (lying 8th overall in the open rally) and didnt want to throw it away so drove through steadily and when the fog lifted put my foot down. Again we avoided any moments and I am surprised to say the I actually enjoyed Kielder.
Tuesday we were back in Kielder with two stages in the dark again with ice and fog, the first starting at 7am. Again I drove steadily and we avioded problems and set reasonable times. Unfortunatly Dominic was sick mid stage - must remember to turn the intercom of next time!! However Kileder had lived up to its reputation and in the first two stages we had lost 2 of the top 10 crews and so we were now up to 6 - fantastic! Fortunately the crews were not hurt. After the first 5 stages we then started again for the final 3 stages in Kielder with two stages joined to make a stage of 16 miles
Having competed on the Pirelli rally when we were running behind the WRC cars in the BRC I was surprised to find that I really enjoyed Kielder but must admit I was not prepared to commit myself fully to the long straights with blind crests but even so I was happy with our times. Sorry to Julius and his codriver for their accident and I am glad you werent injured.
Final stages at Croft went well despite a 4th gear spin on the first stage and then I couldnt get the car to start again for 30 seconds. Was concerned we would lose a position but fortunately this didnt happen and after the long trip back to Sheffield we crossed the finish 4th in class and 6th overall.
Many thanks to everyone who supported me and Dominic. It makes a big difference when your driving knowing that people are rooting for you.
A giant thanks to Anthony,Simon, Matt of West Mids for building such reliable car that covered 1200 road miles and 220 stages miles without missing a beat and also to the service crew of Simon, Doverig, Bob, Mick, Matt and Dave (plus Anthony and Simon again) for working so hard during service when we were sleeping. Thanks also to the marshalls and oraginisers
Is this beginning to sound like Gwyneth Paltrows Oscar acceptance speach
- sorry if it is Last but not least thank you to Dominic for reading the maps so well and all the time put in before the event. Without this we woudnt have had such a fantastic end to what has been a very difficult year
I would recommend the event to anyone and i hope to do it next year and wouldnt do it in anything other than my Pug
Thanks and if anyone has any pics of my car I would really appreciate them. My email is austin@uis.uk.com.