MID WALES STAGES 26th JUNE 2005
This was one event
I looked forward to immensely as an old friend Rob Hick had agreed to come out
of retirement to navigate for me again. Having not sat with me since the mid
80’s it was Robs first time on pace notes and only my second. Naturally he was
quite apprehensive, but in my opinion he need not have worried as he took to it
like duck to water! A good rapport was soon established between us. The event
started at Newtown College and was using stages in – Hafren; Nant Melon;
Esgair-Y-Maesnant; Cwmsgawen; Ceri Forest and Sweetlamb Rally complex. (Try
pronouncing them!)
Having opted not
to run a management vehicle the only 45-minute service break was after stage 4
at Sweetlamb. Up until this point the only problem was a puncture right at the
finish of stage 4 – Nant Melen. At service Roger, John and Paul gave the car a
very comprehensive going over! My wife Pam (catering manager) made sure Rob and
I were fed and watered.
Back on the road
again Rob and I were really starting to enjoy the stages even with all the
fresh air bends (well publicised in the notes). Generally most of the stages
were of good quality loose forest tracks with some fast flowing bends. One more
small problem in the 2nd half was a spot of fuel vaporisation. Apart
from this and a puncture in the morning the car performed beyond my
expectations and came home in one piece again.
It was back to
Newtown College for a well deserved drink and wait for the results. This was 59th
O/A and 23rd in class out of 130 cars. Bearing in mind the car has a
standard engine and gearbox we were very pleased with the result.
Our great thanks
once again to the crew – John Witt who drove the whole team and car trailer
home, Roger Fletcher; Paul Freeth and Pam Burton.
Nick Burton