Skoda Rally Blog

Yesterday I was navigating for Tony in his 205 on the Tempest, and usually I’d have made a full entry on it, but I have been way too busy, so that will happen another day. However, today was all about getting the last things done on the car and equipment to get everything ready to go to Wales tomorrow.

First up, some mapping – while the full power/throttle mapping was all done, the last-minute change of fuel pressure amplified a problem that was already there – there were a few “holes” in the fuelling, where the car would run really lean, and one of them was at light throttle and about 2-3000rpm, meaning it was difficult (if not impossible) to pull away “nicely”. While this won’t be a problem on the stages, it will on the road sections, and pulling away from controls, etc., so it was time to sort that out. Running with the laptop (rather than logging and remapping from that) pinpointed the areas that needed adjustment, and 4 sets of changes saw the problems largely eradicated – not perfect (with slightly lean or slightly rich in places), but driveable, and a relief that the car started up so cleanly from cold. Took over an hour to sort this out though.

Next up, collecting the van (thanks again Mark), getting a few supplies, and then buying some new mains extension leads. H&S is apparently going to be stricly enforced courtesy of Cardiff Council, and I needed therefore to replace my perfectly good mains leads (which I don’t have PAT test certificates for, and couldn’t arrange at short notice, funnily enough), which will then be OK. I now have new lights and mains leads; I don’t have the money for a generator or mains hookup, so there is no welding or grinding option – I hope I don’t need it!

Then, sorting out a couple of things for the car – the fuel pipes (which are solid metal, and have a SWP of over 2000psi) apparently need to be protected, so they have been plastic covered. In addition, the FIA rules say they should be grounded to the car body (which makes sense), so I’ve done that. I’ve also removed the camera box as a) we’re not running one this year b) it’s a pain as it bangs on the helmets and c) even if we were running a camera I have the nice little GoPro camera now. So, that’s out the way, along with a LOT of wiring for it. Much tidier.

Next, removal of stickers and goo – thankfully Mum did this, saving me a fair bit of effort!

Then, removing all the “mapping” electronics – LM-1 and LMA-3 logging units and the ECU control box/wiring. They have been in the car for a LONG time – in fact I had a bit of a “Ripley” moment (where she says to the Alien ‘You’ve been in my life so long I can’t remember anything else’) when I took it all out. I was a bit worried that the O2 sensor wouldn’t come out, but thankfully it did. Even better, I’d not lost the plug to fill the hole. Result.

Next up, change of wheels – putting the rally wheels on (with new R700s), using my nice new Clarke wheel nut gun (again bought as a result of H&S as I can’t run my compressor!), and then putting the wheels from the rally car onto the recce car.

Now, sumpguards. Fortunately this went smoothly too – the recce car one hasn’t been on in 2 years, but went on with little trouble – I’d even kept the washers and nuts with it, so no searching was needed. The rally car one was straightforward too.

Then collecting the trailer, changing a couple of wheels as the tyres were dodgy, and then loading the van – this took a LONG time as there’s a lot of stuff to pack, including a couple of gazebos, tools, lighting, etc. This took a couple of hours, and by now it was already dark. Hooked the trailer up, got the rally car on, re-fixed the indicator on the trailer that was playing up, and found that the recce car now wouldn’t start (flat battery). And that’s how it stands right now, as I’ve just had dinner. Nearly done, but not quite. Just need to do a few bits and pieces, drop the recce car off at Paul’s and then pack. Unfortunately I need to go to work tomorrow (as I need the money to pay for the new helmet aside from anything else), and as it’s dark I can’t take a “ready to go” pic, but I will do tomorrow morning, with any luck.

In the meantime, this picture will have to do, drawn for me by Sennen, Tammie’s son.  Loving the look on Paul’s face!

Hopefully we'll go fast enough to scare Paul!