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BRUVS RALLYING
MECHANIQUE STAGES
3 SISTERS, WIGAN, 16TH MAY 1999
After 11 months and 3 days spent in solitary confinement the 'beam was just about complete (only about 4 months overdue!) after a trouble free logbook application the week previous.
Nervous about all those new nuts and bolts and the rest of the ingredients, we started stage one and surprisingly all was good apart from a bit of fuel vaporisation whilst queuing up. This cleared after setting off and a relatively good first stage time followed. Stages 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 were all very similar, and we were getting the hang of it (the tail) again. Still no problems aided also by a straightforward road book. After dinner the weather turned drizzly (our favourite on rally days) and a last minute change to wets proved a winner with us putting in 4th fastest time overall on stage 7. Stage 8 also went well. However, on stage 9 and 10 car 28 an old Subaru decided they would ignore the drivers' meeting and drive in oblivion to any car spending 1 full lap on stage 9 and 2 full laps on stage 10 stuck up their arse. Stages 11 and 12 went well with no traffic holding us up.
So fortunately, shock, surprise, and amazement, 3rd in class 2 and 12th overall against some stiff competition (including the 2 non blondes).
Many thanks to Dale, Matt, and Shortly for their help and advice, Cheshire Automotive, RACE, ourselves and the chick/wife for putting up with that 'blasted' rally car.
Next rally SMC Stages, Anglesey.
John and Dave
STOCKPORT STAGES
(5 GO MAD IN ANGLESEY)
TYCROES, ANGLESEY 19/20TH JUNE 1999
The weekend started with Dale C, Matt A, and mechanic Paul in the Maelog Bar
at 8.30 on Friday for Tea and Karoke entertainment. The singing wasn't any good
and the Grolsch ran out but the 'crack' was excellent.
Saturday came and stage 1 saw a cautious start with the intention to make the
second day. After stages 2, 3, and 4 we soon realised that we were setting times
consistent with the leaders in our class. Stage 5 and 6 involved hammering it
down the full back straight and cutting over a concrete road 'yump', by the time
we got to the yump on stage 5, I could tell David was not going to back off and
that I would probably be going for an early bath. Fortunately we survived the
7000 in top flight after a mega heavy landing. Stage 6 meant going a little
slower over the yump but a better time followed. Stages 7 and 8 went well and
then on stage 9 it started to rain, a quick change to new wets proved futile and
a bad time followed due to incorrectly set tyre pressures. With a bit more water
on the track and more psi in the tyres, stage 10 went better leaving us 9th
overall and 2nd in class in front of new SMC members Leigh Upton and Lee
Parkinson and behind Wigan's Steve Eatough, who was running 1st in class after
the first day.
Saturday night's entertainment lead into Sunday morning with a sticker in the
vault of the Maelog after a pub crawl with Dale C, Matt A, and Paul.
Stage 11 started and surprisingly we were immediately switched on and then the
1600 battle raged between us, Dale, Leigh Upton and Steve Eatough. The pressure
was on and we were lucky to get away with only over handbraking it on stage 15,
and bending the steering wheel (and David's hand) on stage 17 after hitting a
tyre with the front wheel. After a superb battle throughout the day on Stage 19 it
was between our sunbeam and Steve's escort. Steve had been flying and had a
small lead on us. After a team talk with Dale/Matt it was time to make or break
the situation. The car got absolutely murdered and every inch of the track was
used, the car returning with a 4.26 time and plenty of tyre rash down the sides.
Back to the paddock we learnt Steve also did a 4.26, (respect due Steve).
Therefore prior to stage 20 knowing we couldn't pull the time back we were happy
to settle for 2nd in class and a finish. However stage 20 started cleanly
through the chicanes, up through the middle of the circuit - could we believe
it, Steve's Escort on the grass, bonnet up! "Just cruise it" I said,
but on the second lap I said "nail it, Steve's gone" so we did, as we
crossed back into the paddock we realised Steve was 2 cars behind Dale meaning
victory to the red corner.
So first in class, 7th overall and 2 finishes out of 2 starts our best result so far!
Thanks to Dale, Matt, and Paul, and everyone involved with Stockport Motor
Club.
A great weekend!!
Next rally, Summer Stages, Wigan in a few weeks.
John and Dave
LEE HOLLAND MEMORIAL
TYCROES, ANGLESEY, 26TH MARCH 2000
After a lay-up of nearly five months (since Weeton last October)
unfortunately due to a housing project, it was time to blow off the cobwebs and
do the Lee Holland Rally at Tycroes Anglesey. As you will recall our last trip
here was good for a few beers resulting with 1st in class and 7th overall (1999
SMC Stages).
So, on a rainy Sunday morning we headed down to the paddock to find plenty of late entries, all powerful cars including Mike Oates' Subaru, about 7 Evolution 4 & 5's and probably half a dozen quick Mk2 Escorts including Mr Atkinson and Dave Willet, a top 20 result would be adequate but more importantly class B (1600cc class) would be the main goal. The first few stages were very wet making the going hard and the car a handful but the car was handling thanks to softer springs and 'Shortly's' new coil tester, the engine was also benefiting a big improvement in mid range torque, pulling better than in previous rallies thanks to Peter (stethoscope) Robinson at Triple 'R' Tuning. Tyre choice was difficult at times but fortunately Talbot associate Dale was on hand for some sound managerial advice and several fastest stage times in class were made. Drier conditions followed and after being involved in a class battle with Wigan's Steve Eatough/Dave Barlow in the morning a young whiz kid from Wales in a Peugeot 106 wonder cup was challenging in the afternoon after overhauling Steve/Dave. However our superior wet weather driving earlier in the day had paid dividends, especially after a strange clout to the front wheel from a stray tyre made it very difficult to turn the steering wheel quickly. After a long day class honours were safe, 1st in class, 15th overall and just as important another finish.
Thanks to Dale for his help up to and during the rally, Paul Antley for his help (hopefully he's our new mechanic, - he just needs to practise his pre-rally drinking! and remember team [last] orders). Well done also to Mike Oates for a deserved win.
Until next month . . . John and Dave
MECHANIQUE STAGES
3 SISTERS, WIGAN 14TH MAY 2000
After we wore the car out winning the class at the Lee Holland a month ago, it was time to repair the car ready for Mechanique stages at Three Sisters, Wigan. These 'few repairs' grew into broken half shaft bearings, damaged bottom ball joint and disc, strut stub axle, rear shocker and front wheel bearings, most problems only came to light after stripping/checking the running gear, all part of running a rally car as most of you well know. So problems fixed and upgraded front suspension/braking system, revised spring ratings were incorporated. A last minute test session by navigator/brains highlighted a rear suspension defect that was adversely affecting braking efficiency as well as handling. However, a few more hours in the garage on the Saturday before the rally sorted the job out.
We mutually decided after an argument a good rally for our revised settings would be tight and twisty Three Sisters. Some say short stages but big bruv say no room for error and tricky corners. Our trip here last year was first time out in the 'new' beam and ended up 12th overall and 3rd in class - not bad as we were running in the car! By now we have a few results under our belts and seeded at 14th, 3rd 1600 on the road. We set about the 12 stage, 65 car event with the usual 20 or so quick cars including 6R4's, Evo's 5+6's, Subaru's, and Mk.2 Valvers upfront and behind. The decision was to fully trust the new suspension and brakes and minimise any learning losses. Things went surprisingly smoothly considering and we were soon up to 3rd in class and in the top 15. There was no room to breathe as we were being pushed by Jim MacDiarmid/Bob Milloy in their Westfield who later had gearstick problems and so it was down to us and the Harkness brothers in a Corsa for 2nd as Dave 'Aggressive' Burns had stretched out a lead in his quick Corsa. It went to the wire; after stage 10 we were joint 2nd and after stage 11 we were one second down. A flat out/no prisoners stage 12 was planned between navigator and driver with a different attack on one corner. After a clean drive by big bruv we pulled level with the Harkness brothers to leave a 'tie break' and it was down to a comparison of times for the first of the stages - all square stage 1, 2nd stage we went 1 quicker. Dave Burns did not start the last stage due to a wheel bearing collapse so it was class win number 3 to the bruvs and 10th overall.
A quick mention for new Stockport MC member Naveed Iqbal, as he achieved his first 'flying' finish!
Thanks to Dale and John for their support on the day and our better halves for all their sandwiches & drinks.
John and Dave
SMC STAGES
TYCROES, ANGLESEY, 17/18TH JUNE 2000
With knotted hankies packed, it was down to sunny Anglesey for our
"home" event. Last year went smoothly with 7th overall and the class
win but since then the pace has seemed to have picked up and this year we're
pushing harder to try and get results. After Wigan's run out we thought the car
was handling quite OK but as we were to find out not OK enough! Day one started
and the first few stages went all right, good stage times and clean running
through the dusty rallycross circuit but then things started going pear shaped,
first brain-fade as I tried to slot the car through cones instead of going
straight on, don't ask me why! (I blame the heat), then on stage 5 half way
point on day one, the stages changed direction with a big right to left straight
cutting right onto the bumpy concrete roads. Flat out was on the menu passing
Ken at about a ton (I don't think he saw my 100mph superman impression!) and
with both hands back on the wheel late the braking at the end was too late and
we overshot the corner and 25 seconds lost on that stage (very lucky to get back
on the road -jc). End of day one 9th overall and 1st in class.
Day two, bloody hot, no breeze meant a long sweaty day ahead. The first stage was good, but SS18 we punctured on the fourth corner and we had to do 3.5 miles or so on the rim resulting in a further loss of 70 seconds. Too hard suspension didn't allow us to make any time back despite revising tyre and rear spring rates. Anyway enough of the excuses we got our arses kicked by Lee Smith in another Sunbeam -well done Lee. So in the end 2nd in class and 13th overall was our reward for finishing. Our problems aside, it was a good smoothly run event. It was nice to see so many Stockport members there enjoying the rally and the weather. Pat yourselves on the back you did your club proud! Final thanks to Shortly, Dale, and Lee for their expertise; it was valued. Roll on next year. Next event summer stages, Wigan after some homework.
John and Dave
PENNINE STAGES
TYCROES, ANGLESEY, 19/20TH AUGUST 2000
So 2 days, 24 stages at Tycroes, Anglesey race Circuit with a 75 car full
entry things got underway with the Bruv's running car 13, yes 13; now I know what
you're thinking about luck and stuff, but we weren't superstitious. The first
stage was about to get underway when in true Welsh style the heavens opened
resulting in mass panic tyre changing. A split second decision to run Michelin
TA's proved to be wrong as more rain fell, and a spin trying to make an early
impression f***ed up things further. So stage two full wets were applied and
some better times appeared. On stage 3 softer springs to the rear to supplement
adjusted damping and hey presto the car's working a treat (thanks to Dale and
Shorts for their patience now were understanding). Stage four things were drying
out and back to slicks plus some more suspension changes resulting in quick
stage times and a climb to 2nd in class and 15th overall. Things further
improving until stage 7 when we fluffed the split and ended up doing an extra
mile or so and getting an 8 minute penalty (money's worth or what!) so after much
pointing and swearing we carried on to end day one 11th in class and 42nd
overall. Day two's plan was to at least make the job half good with some ANWCC
points and hopefully recover as many positions as possible. 8th quickest overall
on stage 13 and 9th quickest on stage 14 we pushed a bit too hard resulting in a
spin on stage 15 but lost very little time fortunately. The next 5 stages we
were quickest in class but a puncture on 22 cost us and the 106 kid took 3
seconds off us, not too disastrous. Stage 23 was the last so we stormed round
and finished the job, 27th overall and 6th in class so at least we got 93 ANWCC
points. A big thank you to John Stringer whose wisdom and hard work kept us on
the straight and narrow and was a big plus. Oh and a mention for young 'Judas'
Wilkinson who was on that fateful split, dobbed in by your own club member - he
will be getting a visit in the small hours from the BRUVS.
Next event King's Regiment Stages, Weeton.
John and Dave
KING'S REGIMENT STAGES
WEETON BARRACKS, 24TH SEPTEMBER 2000
Weeton Barracks was to be our 6th rally of the year, the weather was not fit
for donkeys and as last year standing water was a problem and grip was at a
minimum. At the halfway point things were going well up to 16th and 2nd in class
until a faint unidentified whining noise in the transmission appeared. Within
one mile on stage 7 it had developed into a loud clattering noise followed by
the rear wheels locking up. This was to be our first retirement in 15 rallies.
Thanks to Lee Parkinson and the lads for their help - sorry about the drenching!
Back home and Monday morning the axle taken apart to find a mashed crown
wheel/pinion and LSD. The axle was then taken to Skip Brown Cars for a rebuild
within a week -in time for our next rally:
KEITH WOOD STAGES
3 SISTERS, WIGAN 15TH OCTOBER 2000
The weekend previous to this event saw John Stringer helping us get through
some serious maintenance issues from the previous rally i.e. servicing, checking
brakes, modifying seat brackets and handbrake, changing wheel studs, axle and
steering rack casing - all damaged on the previous rally. Jobs done, it was down
to 3 Sisters to start the day on a damp, slippy circuit. After a cautious first
stage our confidence was back and we were pushing the 'old sunbed' hard, putting
in fourth fastest time on one stage and we found ourselves battling with two
litre cars and the class win came with a 6th overall - our best to date! The car
felt good and a big "thanks" to John Stringer for his hard work leading up to and
on the event also to Dale (team guru) and Shortly for their valuable info!
We are now leading the 1600 class in the ANWCC stage championship - hope we can
'wrap it up' at Anglesey.
John and Dave
GLYN MEMORIAL TROPHY STAGES
TYCROES, ANGLESEY 19TH NOVEMBER 2000
The final rally of this year's ANWCC stage rally championship would be fought
out at Anglesey racing circuit and with an extended entry up to 75 cars it was
going to be a good event. This year has been a good year for the ever-increasing
2 litre class and would be battled out by the MK2 Escorts of Ronnie Moon and
Stuart Deeley, the latter getting the championship by one point after Moon broke
a steering arm half way through the day. Last year's winner Dale Crompton was
with us keeping an eye on things as we were just looking for the finish to
secure the 1600cc class for 2000 won last year by SMC driver Lee Upton and Leigh
Parkinson in their Escort. Our challengers were the McGuinness Brothers who had
done an extra event more than us but had not scored greatly, they needed us to
retire, but our 66 point lead was not to be taken without a fight!! So it was
down to business on a damp morning, ten very different stages lay ahead with
well set out tight corners, hairpins, chicanes and a man made water splash for a
bonus. A cautious approach after an over-zealous night out left us in 15th
overall and 2nd in class after a couple of stages things were relaxed and stage
times improved, even after the rain started. The class lead came back without
even trying and after 9 stages we were up to 9th overall with one stage left in
the pitch black. On the final stage with no experience of night rallying and no
'beamers' it was a case of guess work and slotting the car in the right
direction. The end of the rally came and we finished the event 1st in class and
11th overall. More importantly the class win over the year, 6th overall in the
stage championship and 4th for John in the co-drivers championship. This year
has been far better than expected considering we have only been at it a couple
of years. Big thanks to Dale, Shortly, John Stringer, Leigh Parkinson, and the
misses for all their help - all very much appreciated.
The car is out at Camelot 30th December with a celebrity behind the wheel and
John co-driving - come and see us, free shandy for all SMC members - David is
going to be the panel beater for the day, see you there.
John and Dave
THE KEITH WOOD MEMORIAL RALLY
UGLY SISTERS, WIGAN. 13TH OCTOBER 2002
After an unhealthy period in the garage it was time to get out the 'new' 1600
sunbed after its complete rebuild since that last fateful journey! Sporting a
black bonnet mourning the death of the last front end, The intention was just to
get some miles on the car especially with a new engine only 2 hours old. After
two stages everything felt good and we became confident with the revised
suspension, brakes and tyres. Stage by stage we began to push the car a bit
harder remembering the engine wasn't to be pushed much over 6000 rpm, however
careful driving around the tight circuit was working well and the stage times
improved steadily (we could smell the hops in the clubhouse). After stage 10 a
spectacular roll by a super nova on to the top of a tyre wall, landing upside
down caused a major delay. Even funnier was the charge of the light brigade to
the scene of the incident. Everyone's patience was repaid and stage 11 commenced
only to be stopped midfield by another roll, this time by a sunbeam! Tyre
technician John Stringer was on hand to look after us and his involvement helped
get us better stage times resulting in 14th overall out of 62 entries and 3rd in
class out of 21 being beaten by a Saxo Super 1600 and a well driven Honda Civic.
Most importantly the trouble free run made the day very enjoyable, fuelling our
enthusiasm for future events . . . and yes we did enjoy a pint in the clubhouse.
Next rally Glyn Memorial, Anglesey, 10th November
John and Dave (d'bruvs)
GLYN MEMORIAL TROPHY STAGES
TYCROES, ANGLESEY 10TH NOVEMBER 2002
After our last run out at Wigan
(which showed some encouraged results), we decided to give the car another run
out around somewhere bigger, The Glyn memorial stages at Anglesey seemed ideal,
so we started the event with a lowly seed of car 33 out of about 75, (2nd 1600cc
car on the road) which sounded a bit iffy but there was a lot of "big
bangers" out including Mr Oates in his WRC Subaru and host of 260+bhp
escorts, at least running down the field we could get on with the job of
battling for the class. Anyway after a good night out at the local we woke up to
a damp morning which meant the stages were to be very slippy, and so they were!
We spent most of the first few stages looking out of the side windows but we
avoided any mishaps and started to set some good times. As the day went on it
started to dry out and everyone was pushing their cars harder, mistakes started
to show, and cars n crews began retiring for mechanical or accidental reasons.
We had been going well and were gaining on the class leaders in their Honda
Civic and we stated setting fastest in class stage times which was good
considering the engine was only 40 miles old ending up in 2nd in class and 11th
overall, missing out on 10th by 10 seconds, which made our day. Special thanks
to Mr Stringer for getting us through the weekend (especially those first few
stages!).
John and Dave
'B R U V ' S R O L L Y I N G'
THE CENTENARY STAGE(S)
WEETON BARRACKS, BLACKPOOL. 30TH MARCH 2003
Well where do we start this write up for the bully! Tough one but here goes.
It was like this, you know when things where just looking up, then you shoot
yourself in the foot, Sunday was one of those days! The Sunbeam (R.I.P.) was
driving, looking and sounding like it ought to. After only two rallies last year
bedding the car in again - in readiness for some 2003 action we decided to kick
off our year with somewhere we thought we knew!! How wrong can someone be I ask
myself? So we started the first stage, a little rusty, but it didn't take long
to get in the groove again and immediately found ourselves being hounded by a 2
ltr. Astra on his second lap. We started to pull away from him on the twisty
sections and were still pulling away on the longer straight. At the end of the
second long straight I left the braking a little late and the surface became
loose. I began setting the car up for a fast right, we were into a slide, but
nothing felt out of the ordinary until we just clipped a tyre on the inside
front right on the way in. In a split second we were sliding on our roof like a
Jamaican bobsleigh team (you must have seen the film cool running!) with our
John shouting "yeee haa" down my ear hole. That was that game over.
Most of you have seen the car so I will spare you the gory details. Thanks to
John Stringer for his time, the use of the house and the pub, and Dale for the
'vibes'. So what next for the bruvs besides 6 months' solitary? F#$k knows . . . watch this
space!!
DAVE and JOHN
