MCLACHLAN FASTEST !!!
Duckworth Landrover Stages, 17th May 2003
Binbrook airfield was awash with rainwater with mud strewn across the mainly concrete stages. Grip varied from good to virtually none, and in these conditions Rich thrived storming away to take an early lead beating the other 45 cars around the 7 mile stage.
"I'm delighted to have proven that we're really on the pace" commented Rich at the end of the stage.
The rest of the rally didn't quite follow in the same veign. Rich and Mat were blisteringly quick on both of stages 2 and 3 but unfortunately threw the lead away by spinning on both stages on the same 50mph corner, losing at least 30 seconds to the then leaders.
Just a mile into stage 4 and a puncture gained from a ramp which was beginning to disintigrate slowed progress. Sparks flew as Rich and Mat pushed on regardless finishing the stage on what was left of the wheel rim. 1m40s down on the fastest car proved that not stopping to change it was the right decision however any chances of overall glory were now dashed. Incredibly stage 5 was almost a repeat of four for the luckless duo with a hidden lump of concrete destoying the same tyre as had been removed in stage 4. Now used to driving on a rim, Rich carried on at a daring pace reaching speeds of over 80mph with no tyre on at all. The finish control could hardly believe the same car was turning up again with the same wheel in tatters.
With the stages drying, the final stage 6 (repeat of stage 5) was the only opportunity that Rich and Mat had to make any further gains, but without stage 5 as a reference they trailed 11s behind the fastest car finishing the day in the middle of the field. Despite this, both Rich and Mat were in good spirit. Mat stated "Even though the day has been dissapointing, I'm so very pleased that we've collected the fastest stage points, especially on the first stage, that it doesn't seem that bad overall".
In further compensation, the team were drawn out of the hat and won a £50 voucher for TRS equipment during the awards presentation. Thanks to Eddie Clough and Don McLachlan, servicing, who had a testing day with frequent showers dampening spirits.
