Fat Albert Rally 29th July 2006
Keevil airfield was again the venue for the "Fat Albert" . The
event consisted of 10 stages with a total of 70 miles on offer, Paul
Freeth was again strapped into the navigators seat (this being his
second time with me on this event).
This was the first time on a tarmac surface with the new engine fitted,
so we were hoping for some better stage times than last year. We
started very well, as Paul quoted " I knew this car was going to be
quick, but not that ****** quick! After the first stage I think we were
somewhere in the upper sixties O/A.
The second stage was a fraction slower as we ran to wide on a long
right hand bend. We were really enjoying ourselves as the car has much
more power. Then came the third stage, whilst winding the car up nicely
down a long straight, suddenly a clattering noise started that was
getting louder and louder. We pulled over to the side, lifted the
bonnet but could not track down the noise. It was found that at
a low rev there was no noise, so we decided to limp to the finish
across the grass and then into service.
The crew frantically tried to locate the problem all to no avail. It
was decided that maybe it was the gearbox and could not be fixed in the
20 minute service time allowed, therefore no choice but to retire. Very
disapointing but once again my thanks go to the service crew:- Roger
Fletcher; John Witt and Steve Hall.
Once the car was in the workshop a serious anaylisis took place. After
many hours and many parts stripped from the car, we found the problem,
it was a loose flywheel, this was a new one on me!
The car is now fixed and ready for another outing.