"CUMBRIAN CHAOS; DITCHES AND PUNCTURES
BUT A JOB WELL DONE"
Grizedale Stages, 7th December 2002 - Furness and District Motor Club
Final Result - 5th 205, 3rd Novice (Award)
The last event of the 205 Challenge for 2002 meant a trip to Cumbria for the team. Rich and Mat were concious that everything counted on a reasonable finish here with all points counting toward the final total. The best 5 of 7 events counted, and as this ended up being the 5th event contested there was no room for error.
This did not stop Rich ending up stuck in a ditch on the 1st stagem (see Video). After cutting a little too much and with the rear end light, the car touched some deep mud on the inside and this dragged the car off the track. A frantic minute followed, but soon after they were back on course with a broken headlight the only damage.
Photos courtesy of Simon Clarke Photography
The team then settled into a reasonable but safe pace, consistently finishing each stage 3rd in class. The next two stages passed without incident whilst the 4th brought another near miss (see video) when the car got very loose on a square left. Rich kept his foot down and this time the car returned to the track with only a couple of seconds lost.
As light was starting to fade, the lamp pod was put on in service after stage 4. It redused to work despite functioning with no problem when tested earlier that day. Frantic wire tugging at the start of stage 5 only served to frustrate, but it wasn't quite dark yet.
Stage 5 passed without incident, but in the middle of the long stage 6, a tyre burst. After some deliberation as to whether to try and do the final 6km on the rim, Rich decided it ought to be changed rather than risk going off and not finishing. Unfortunately it was muddy and the lost time resulted in a stage maximum dropping the team to 5th in class at the end of the event.
It turned out to be a good decision; The points gained by finishing 5th elevated Rich and Mat to 3rd in the Novice class by a tie break (result on 1st event), making it all worthwhile.
Meanwhile the overall championship reached a fantastic climax with expert Elliot Retallick only taking the overall championship from Novice Matt Barker on the very last stage. Who could ask for more from a single make championship?
Much meriment followed in the Black Bull, Coniston in a warm up for the official 205 Challenge awards and dinner at the end of December.
Mat
and spanner-man Eddie complete with hangovers
Thanks also to last minute service crew member (and father) Don McLachlan who was more than willing to help out at the last minute.
All in all it's been a great championship, with good comaraderie, despite fierce competition. Thanks to all those who have helped us out with tech advise etc, and especially those who have serviced for us - we hope you will again soon!!