By Barry Lindsay

The final rally of 2014 was the Xmas Stages held on Croft. The event attracted a full entry as usual for this event over the festive period. A good entry from Spadeadam Members with 4cars. Barry & Michael Lindsay had the 106 at 18. Geoffrey Harkness & Caroline Lodge were at 65 in the Corsa, Michael Lawson / Pete Johnson at 76 in a Sierra, George Edminson / Helen Gibbon at 88 in the Micra.

Sunday morning at Croft and its -3, the wet track was now sheet ice almost everywhere as drivers wondered what tyres to use as the sun eventually rose over the pit garages.

Barry & Michael who needed to finish to get enough points for the ANECCC Championship went out on wets and were happy tip toing around and catching and passing cars so felt happy the time was ok. 10m 42 was 3^rd quickest of the crews that had done the stage up to them. But then track thawed in places and times tumbled. Geoffrey & Caroline went well getting 10m 21 2^nd in class and just outside the top ten. Michael & Pete got a maximum for not doing the stage, while George & Helen were out. They had a spin on the shaded tower bend which was still icy and as they rejoined were hit by an out of control Puma. The impact severely damaged the Micra, pulling the suspension & driveshaft off and twisting the body shell.

Stage two Barry & Michael needed to claw some time back, they were 10^th in class which was the lowest they could be to be safe in the championship, and they were 50 sec down on the leader of the class. Stage was the same and went 2min quicker over 6.4mile!

Geoffrey & Caroline though had been going well but had broken the diff leaving them on stage with no drive and retired. Michael & Peter had an entertaining stage getting 11m01 despite a spin or two and had lost the rear bumper.

Stages 3 & 4 were now damp, 90% thawed and had a couple of slight changes to the layout. 7m57 and 7m 38 for the 106 crew now with a knocking noise from the suspension / gearbox that couldn’t be traced at service. Michael & Pete would get 8m 19 & 8m23 now that they could get some grip, but were still rubbing the bodywork on the stage furniture.

A lunch break ahead of another 4 stages but it was almost 3pm when the restart. At least two stages would be in darkness. 5m 30 and 5m 26 for Barry & Michael who despite were taking it easy on right hand corners were up to 2^nd in class 2 seconds behind. Michael & Pete got 6m 18 then 5m47 getting the hang of the car, and after 17years away from the sport it was all coming back. The final two stages were in the dark with lights going all ways at the venue with two laps and 30 sec starts there was plenty of dazzling going on. Barry & Michael got 5m40 then 5m45 enough to win the class (13^th Overall) and winning the SG Petch ANECCC Championship quite comfortably in the end. Michael & Pete got 6m05 then 6m14 finishing them 56^th Overall (7^th in class.

By Barry Lindsay

 Following months of late nights in the garage the 206 was finally ready to go back into the forests. Since Hamsterley the running gear & most of the suspension had be transplanted into another car. This car has been stripped to a shell, prepped and sprayed then built back up. (Sure there must be more as it took a hell of a lot of time!)

Arriving in Coniston on a wet November morning, finishing was important for the SG Petch championship but it also was class finish related to a class win would give good points. A nice relaxed start at 10.30 gave us plenty of time to get Joe & Neil loaded up as chase car & Geoffrey headed to the main service.

Stage 1 was the short Dunnerdale Stage, a time of 3m04 was good I remembered that it 2013 3m00 was the quickest 1600 on the second run. Only issue was that Co-drivers window had gone down but wouldn’t come back up. It was getting cool in the car! As we headed to the second run SS2 which was slotted in at 30 seconds I noticed the water temp was quite high and as we queued it rose. The fan wasn’t coming on so luckily it didn’t get too hot and dropped as soon as we left the start line with the airflow. 3m02 which meant we left Dunnerdale leading the class. But we didn’t know that as there was a delay between us and the rest of the class competitors of 40min so we didn’t get there times all day. Other SMC competitors, Peter Taylor & Jack Morton got 2m44 & 2m45 in the Fiesta, Darren Martin / Dan Hurst got 3m06 & 2m59 in the Evo, while Mark Goodfellow / Tony Vart got 3m07 & 3m01 in the Subaru. Caroline Lodge was navigating Dave Edwards in the Astra for the first time out in two years, getting 3m08 & 3m06. James Coxon was navigating Mark Shaw in the Sunbeam 3m10 & 3m06

Management Service we tried to wire the fan to a switch but the wire we cut turned out to be a permanent live. So the fan now ran all the time. Fuel then we were on our way to SS3 South Grizedale. 11m03 for the 8.5mile stage. Don’t remember any problems but it turned out we dropped 25 sec to the class rival. Straight into SS4 which went up the forest beside the visitor center then around the north of Grizedale. Some long uphill sections which made the Peugeot pull hard, 11m11 was a competitive time amongst the 1600’s, 7 seconds covered the top 4 in the class.

Peter & Jack were the quickest SMC with 9m 33 then 9m49, Darren & Dan with 10m 42 then 11m13. Mark Goodfellow got 10m51 then 11m17 with Mark & James on 11m02 then 11m12. Dave & Caroline got 11m08 then 11m17.

Crews headed to Skelwith fold for the only main service. With the door window sorted, fuelled up, suspension spanner checked and a new pair of Dmack softs on the front, the 206 headed back to Grizedale.

Stage 5 (was SS3) After a short delay the stage was repeated and was in good condition for a second pass. 10m56 despite going quicker we again dropped time to the class leader and not sure where, there must be a shortcut we don’t know about!. On the final stage it again felt good some muddy bits which sapped the power but felt quicker. 10m43 was competitive, just 5 seconds of the class leader in 9mile. Peter & Jack got 9m31 & then 9m37 putting them in 5^th overall. Mark & James got the Sunbeam into Go-Pro destroying mode! A spectator was holding out a stick with a Go-Pro taped to the end to get a close up shot. Too close Mark clipped it luckily he left go as the two items departed over the car roof. 10m52 & 10m58 was enough to put them in 4^th in class. Mark & Tony got 10m55 then 11m00 giving them 26^th OA 19^th in class. Dave & Caroline were getting back into the swing of things and a good final stage, 11m13 & 10m59, ahead of Darren & Dan with 11m05 then 11m12.

RESULTS

5^th OA       5^th Class           Peter Taylor / Jack Morton                 43m59

23^rd OA     3^rd Class          Barry & Michael Lindsay                      49m59

26^th OA     19^th Class        Mark Goodfellow / Tony Vart              50m11

27^th OA      20^th Class        Darren Martin / Dan Hurst                 50m17

28^th OA       4^th Class          Mark Shaw / James Coxon                 50m20

31^st OA        4^th Class          David Edwards / Caroline Lodge      50m51

By Barry Lindsay

The second rally on the Otterburn ranges was the Cheviot rally on 9^th November. The event was the final round of the AS Performance North of England championship and a round of the SG Petch ANECCC championship also. We went to the event knowing we needed points for both championships and really needed the current leader of the north of England championship to hit trouble. It was cold and damp when the sun dawned over the hill. It wasn’t going to dry very quick so I thought wets on the back and cut soft slicks on the front was the best choice. A short road section to the first stage I started to have doubts. There was still water spraying up from the car in front… Into the stage, the grip was good on the majority but a lot of mud was being dragged onto the roads with crews in front doing silly cuts on only slight corners. A short road section, then into SS2 with Barry Armstrong as stage commander.

A better time on this one, it uses parts of the range not used very often and has a narrow bumpy road to finish. Back to service we had almost a 2 min class lead. Stages 3 & 4 were a repeat now slightly dryer in places. Positions stayed much similar for the rest of the day, a brake disc change to stop a vibration being the only problem. Reaching the finish in 15^th O/A and winning the class by 6min. Which got us good SG Petch points but not enough for myself to win the AS Performance. It was enough for Michael though he is North of England champion due to drivers & navigators swapping and getting different points.

By Barry Lindsay

The Pendragon Rally based on Warcop is always a popular event and this year was no different. Entry filled up fast and was a full entry well before the day, plus reserves. Now a single venue rally all on Warcop which leaves the organisers very little time for turn around.

A crisp autumn morning dawned over the hills as crews arrived for the 8.30 start. Peter Taylor & Andrew Roughead lead crews away as Car 1 in the Fiesta and straight into the lead. 8m51 and taking 13 seconds over the 8.4miles.

3^rd Overall after the first stage were Barry & Michael Lindsay in the 106 with 9m 07, despite being held up by a slower car but they shot off at a tricky corner so that released the 106. Geoffrey Harkness & Caroline Lodge got 9m 54 despite a very heavy landing on a cattle grid giving them cause for concern now with a strange rattle or two! Then Pete Johnson navigating Douglas Newbury got 11m34 then James Coxon navigating Craig Johns in the Ka on 11m58. Barrie Thomson & Jerry Hettrick debuted the C2 getting 14m 11 having some brake bias issues then Jon & Kieron Stynes doing their first event on Tar in the 205 got 15m 37.

Stage 2 was run at the same time so crews slotted in on 30sec starts making catching cars the norm, it was a case of deal with it and pass them hoping that they will let you through. Peter & Andrew stopped the clocks on 8m28. Barry & Michael had set off 30seconds behind Barrie & Jerry on their first stage so it was a case of SMC cat and mouse. Just before half way the 106 was on the back bumper of the C2 and as the C2 had Barry’s road car back light in it, nudging it was going to have to be carefully thought out.

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The split was single file so they followed through then it was fast up to the chicane and double width, the 106 was going into the chicane first whether he got his back light back in one piece or 50 bits! But then sheep crossing the road weren’t in the plan… the 106 was alongside the C2, and there was a gap in the sheep they both aimed for. Barry & Michael got 9m 04, Barrie & Jerry got 9m 36.

Geoffrey & Caroline were mixing it with slower cars and being held up, getting 9m57. Jon & Kieron had a better stage 10m 17 followed by Pete on 10m35 then James on 15m 09.

Service followed, then after a delay to recover cars stages 3 & 4 again ran together. Peter & Andrew were again fastest overall and in a comfortable rally lead getting 10m 08. Barry & Michael got 10m 58 slipping back now that the temperature had risen and the tyres were slightly too soft to attack. Geoffrey & Caroline along with Barrie & Jerry both got 11m 52, and then Jon & Kieron along with Douglas & Pete got 12m 53. Craig & James on 13m12.

SS4 Peter got 9m 53, Barry & Michael on 10m 42, Barrie & Jerry 11m22, Geoffrey & Caroline 11m46, Jon & Kieron 11m48, James 12m39 then Pete on 18m26.

Service followed by a long delay which saw almost all the crews waiting in a holding control. Both stages 5 & 6, Peter was fastest and led the event by almost 2min. Barry & Michael had over 4min in hand over the class contenders in 6^th. Barrie & Jerry were having clutch problems and would retire after ss6.

The final two stages were run despite more delays. Peter was now nursing the car with a suspected Diff / Driveshaft fault making a strange noise but were still fastest on every stage. Barry & Michael were also limping home, half way through SS5 the car started to lose power with a high rev misfire. On SS6 though the misfire became a mid-range miss also and they were happy to even finish. Jon & Kieron were dealt a cruel blow when the 205 blew all its water out on the final stage. So they switched off rather than damage the engine.

Results 1^st                          Peter Taylor / Andrew Roughead               Fiesta 1.13.53 7^th (1^st class)      Barry & Michael Lindsay                             106     1.20.02 24^th (5^th Class) Geoffrey Harkness / Caroline Lodge         Corsa  1.26.20 42^nd (7^th Class) Craig Johns / James Coxon                           Ka     1.40.07 43^rd (13^th Class) Douglas Newbury / Pete Johnson           Fiesta   1.40.09

By Barry Lindsay

The first event of the year on Otterburn was the Tyneside Stages, a round of the Reis Tarmac, North of England, Anecc and the Scottish Tarmak championships entries filled up. The event started with a full entry of 90 cars, it’s a first for quite a few years but it was reward to the organizers for keeping the event going through the lean years.

Three Spadeadam crews took part, Peter Taylor with Andrew Roughead took the Border Caravans Fiesta S2400 and were looking for their first Otterburn win. Barry & Michael Lindsay were out in the 106 but were in a tough class with 1600 crews from the Ries and some BRC crews testing for Ulster. Geoffrey & Caroline were in the same class.

Overnight showers had now been replaced with blue sky but the forecast was for more showers for later. Quite a few went for inters for the first loop then changed to slicks. Peter & Andrew were quick right from the word go, 2^nd quickest on the first stage dropping 2 seconds to Damian Cole, tied with him on the second stage then beat him by one on the third to get back to service 1 second behind the leader. Barry & Michael gambled on slicks and it was a good choice. The dry tarmac wasn’t what they wanted dropping 8 seconds to a class contender on the first stage, another second on SS2 then 9 on the third stage after a high speed hairy moment knocked the confidence for a bit. Back to service 2^nd in class was a good start but would need rain quickly.

Geoffrey & Caroline caught a car on the third stage and eventually got passed.

The next loop of stages took the crews over the same three stages and were now dry and everyone on slicks.

Peter & Andrew returned back to service with a 9 second lead of the rally ahead of Cole. Barry & Michael had dropped to third in class in 24^th Overall and Geoffrey & Caroline were 6^th in class in 49^th Overall.

Stages 7 & 8 were majority of stages 1 & 3 so the newcomers to the venue were getting to know where they were. Peter & Andrew beat the bogie on SS7 then extender there lead to 12 seconds on SS8. Barry & Michael still held 3^rd in class but dropped 23 seconds to the class leader.

Stages 9 & 10 were repeats, Peter & Andrew again beat the bogie on SS9 then another 2second on SS10. Barry & Michael pushed on in SS9 but still dropped 6 seconds but a misfire on SS10 dropped them 20 seconds but still held third in class.

Stages 11 & 12 were delayed and as crews qued the sky’s darkened and the heavens opened SS11 was tricky but Barry was confident and with the misfire sorted was hoping to get some time back. But as the 106 flew through the flying finish cars were parked unable to stop the 106 slithered down the grass and back onto the road and proceeded to the stop line. Darren Atkinson / Phil Sandham had had a massive roll through the flying finish and were half way over the field. The stage was stopped so some times were given as notional. But Peter & Andrews time stood with him taking another 2seconds. Stage 12 followed and was wet for the second half. In the dry it’s a flat out on the limiter between chicane sort of stage for the top cars but add a bit of rain it kept them from the bogie time. Peter & Andrew took another second to win the rally by 17 seconds – Well done.

Barry & Michael noticed a vibration on the road section to SS12 so along with the wet took it a little steady. It turned out a front brake disk had crack 6mm wide in it! Geoffrey & Caroline had been held but got to run both stages competitively and in the dry.

There was to be another run over the stages but they were canceled as the event was so far behind time they needed to be off the range.

Result

 

1^st Overall             Peter Taylor   Andrew Roughead                Fiesta S2400

23^rd 3^rd in class     Barry & Michael Lindsay                            Peugeot 106

46^th 8^th in class     Geoffrey Harkness / Caroline Lodge         Vauxhall Corsa