FAT ALBERT STAGES 30th
JULY 2005
This event is on
tarmac; having built a forest car this was not one event we would usually
enter. But, as this was only a few miles from home, with a reasonable entry fee
we felt obliged to support it.
On this occasion
two cars were entered Roger Fletcher/Amy Burton in a 1400cc Nova and myself
with Paul Freeth navigating in the 2000cc Corsa. We were very fortunate to have
enlisted extra help for our regular crew. The crew consisted of John Witt; John
Gould; Rob Hick (resting between forest events) Derek Mines; Andy Marles and
Steve, with Marie Burton as Chamois/Catering Manager.
What a testing day
this was to be, firstly taking me at least 4 5 stages to get one hairpin
right on slick tyres (too much grip) and a puncture on another. The puncture
was caused by hitting a sharpe rock around a tight concrete/loose section but
not actually fully deflating until a very long straight. As it was on the
nearside front we had no choice but to stop and change it, but this was not the
end of the drama. Whilst the car was on the jack and wheel just in place (no
wheel nuts fitted) another rally car passes very closely, its slipstream
causing the car to fall off the jack, luckily the wheel had held until Paul
could replace the jack.
Then midway
through the day down came the rain! This caught us out on stage with slick
tyres, very interesting! But, I then found the afore mentioned hairpin was a
doddle on the handbrake! Into service for appropriate tyres for rain. Our only
tyres available were trusty AVON ZV1 road tyres. I really started to enjoy the
stages in the rain as more sideways driving suits my style and some parts of
the stages we actually felt quicker.
The main thing I
learned from this event was the car needs more power for tarmac (this matter is
now in hand). We were still pleased to finish 55th O/A out of 85
cars and 12th in class. Unfortunately it was not good news for Roger
and Amy, as they had to retire after the engine threw a conrod Check their
website for details.
Once again a great
many thanks to all the service crew on the day.
Nick Burton (www.olde-fartz-rallying.co.uk)