Rally Rattlings

Being the summer there is normally not much road rallying on at this time of year but, with the continuation of the Foot and Mouth Disease restrictions, those events which do take place at this time of year, such as the Drystone in Derbyshire, are off. There is a lifting of the restrictions in non-infected areas (yes, that includes us) but the first event in the area is likely to be the Bullnose in September.
Single venue stage Rallies are continuing and Avon Park saw its first event a couple of weeks ago. Colin Billings/Andy Elcomb continued their charge with an excellent 7th overall, putting to good use Colin’s new enormous six-pot brakes (I thought they were to slow you down but apparently they speed you up!). This was followed up by the Bexley Anniversary Stages at Longcross where Ralph Travers and I were helping out with the results. Colin and Andy had split up and Andy was Co-driving for Stephan Davis in his little Citroen. Colin was doing well with some times in the top ten but then an engine mount gave up the ghost and the resultant engine movement smashed the carb. linkage into the bonnet which jammed at full throttle – interesting – but he still finished the stage and the event. Stephan and Andy did well finishing 43rd and everyone enjoyed a beautifully sunny day.
Our Rally School will have a summer vacation as I’m busy on the Fourth Wednesdays of July and August but they’ll start again in September. This ties up neatly with the winter series of 12-Cars and Scatters which will start in October, as will those of our friends in WEALD MC.
I’m busy trying to keep the two Mantas on the road ready for the season to start but they’re both fighting back – I’ll keep you posted but they may both be OK by the time the next Acorn comes out – fingers crossed.

Chin

The Acorn : July Edition