Skoda Rally Blog

Last time out on the Sunseeker (2009) we had a very short rally – it was going well on the Friday night (indeed we were amongst the lucky few who managed two runs on the last event to involve Bournemouth Gardens), and stage 3 went really well – well enough for me to put the wind up Paul, in fact!

Then, the death of the diff on SS4 meant game over and first DNF on the Sunseeker, which was depressing.  And expensive!

Unfortunately being ill over the weekend has left me with very little energy or strength, so I’ve not got as much done as I would have liked – a couple of days have meant nothing at all has got done, and that combined with other obligations (in the shape of a Porsche 944 that I needed to scrap, don’t ask!) meant that I’ve not got too much done on the car, but the things that I have done have been important:

Firstly, wheel bearings – the rears needed adjusting before the MOT and that’s never a good sign with them, so I got some new ones; good job that I did as the old ones wouldn’t have lasted too well as although they felt fine, they looked terrible, and I’m sure 200 miles of the event would have meant a DNF.  So they now have nice shiny (well, under the grease) bearings in there, and with the practice I’ve had I’ve got them down to about 30 minutes a side start to finish.

Secondly, wishbone – the front one was replaced with a spare because the ball joint was worn, but the pattern ones are nowhere near as strong as the Skoda OEM ones, so I’ve replaced the balljoint on it, and put it back on the car.

Third, sumpguard – it’s always been an absolute PIG to fit, so I’ve slotted the rear mounting holes to make it easier (read: possible) to fit, even single-handed.  I have an idea for a stronger rear mounting that will do this better, but that will have to wait.

I’ve been out in the car a few times and it’s been performing fine – there’s been no sign of the misfire that happened at WRGB, but no doubt it will turn up at some point; I’m going out for a drive in it in a bit, so hopefully it will either show up or get out of town.  Either way, next up is documentation on Thursday night, and then we’ll know our start times and so on; there is a ceremonial start at Poole Quay on Friday night, so if you’re in the area pop down and say “Hi”.