Skoda Rally Blog

Today had two main objectives – firstly get the car scrutineered, and then get to the ceremonial start in Cardiff. However, before that we decided we’d go and see how it’s done properly at shakedown, so we trundled off down there to see the Priority 1 drivers do their stuff, trekked up to the easiest corner to get to and then…. nothing! Saw a couple of people pop by, but time was getting tight so we decided to head off as the “Spectator Safety” car came round again telling people to keep back (while the marshals didn’t do a lot!), and some photographer decided that he’d cut down about half a tree to get his shot rather than move. And then we saw that there were some big guns coming through so we headed back, and had Atkinson (mega-loud, and VERY close to a tree on the inside), Solberg, Pons, Hirvonen, Gronholm, Sordo and Loeb come by, but we had to head off to get the car ready for scrutineering, so off we went, and I fitted the WRC tracker (which again has been some cause of trouble as it’s basically knackered, with every component looking like it’s on its last legs), new steering wheel (lovely suede OMP number), and all the little things that I’d forgotten to do before scrutineering. And that took 2 hours, by which time I was a little worse for wear, and getting very worried about noise test (despite hearing the HUGE amount of noise that Atkinson et al put out), but it passed easily. On to scrutineering having picked Paul up, and in we went, weighing in at 982Kg, and then into actually being scrutineered, where the engine and chassis were sealed with FIA tags so we can’t change into our identical car or rebuild the engine…. probably not an option for us – building one car has been difficult enough, let alone two!

Scrutineering went fine, with no problems, which is nice, and meant I could relax a bit; I also found out that you don’t need a logbook for an international event (I found this out as I apologised for leaving it back in service and was told it was unneccesary). Handy. And back to service, we set up the EZ-UP tent, and then thought better of it after a short time as it was just a bit breezy and it was already showing signs of wanting to become airborne, so it went back in the van, along with everything else. All the other little things got done – nav lamp 2, cable ties for intercom wiring, just all sorts of little bits and pieces that you forget until it’s nearly too late. The WRC tracker of woe was checked and works fine, and everything else seems to too. So we all came back to the house, ready for the ceremonial start tonight, having been texted our start times by rally control, and knowing that we need to be there 45 minutes before the start to avoid a ?500 fine. However, I fancy getting down there a bit early and watching what’s going on tonight, so I’ll be setting out in a bit to see what’s what. And to leave a bit of time spare in case there are …. issues.

Fortunately there were no issues tonight getting to the ceremonial start, aside from the fact that it was a 50k drive on a motorway which isn’t that great in the rally car, and I missed the turning for the entrance meaning a long lap round the civic centre meaning I missed the start with Loeb crossing the line and loads of fireworks, but as it turns out I’d have missed them anyway as I was parked at the back of a massive queue of rally cars, obviously! I got out and had a wonder around, and felt privileged to be in the “elite” area where only marshals and competitors were allowed – all the spectators were on either side of the area where the cars were, with a ramp set up at the other end where the interviews, etc., were being held as people ‘started’ the event (although this isn’t the real start). Most people were already there, but some turned up later, including a kangaroo-hopping Puma which didn’t make it to the ramp, and quite a few cars in the 100s. And then the Land Rovers turned up. Now, if you’ve not been following this, let’s just look at some of the specs: The Land Rovers have 250-odd horsepower, 12 inches of ground clearance and 4WD. I have maybe 80HP, 4″ of clearance and 2WD. And yet they are running behind me on the road. Normally I wouldn’t bitch about things as an event is happening, but as I’ve already said previously, this will mean that much of my attention will be behind me rather than in front, and this will not only wreck the event for me, but also is unsafe, in my opinion. This coupled with the fact that the first one’s driver says he “doesn’t give a s***”, and that they aren’t their cars, and that they have also “had to nudge” people who’ve been in front of them before has left me in no doubt that this is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever encountered while rallying. If there isn’t a sufficient gap to ensure that I don’t meet them on stage, then there’s a problem – in my opinion they should either be seeded in with the main field according to their stage times or not run anywhere near the rest of the field. I have mentioned this to the CLOs, who both took my points seriously, and I hope that this won’t be the case, so I’ll leave that there.

I spent a fair bit of time talking to people about the “?40 car”, Skodas in general and so on, and also took the time to have some people in the car to have their pictures taken – some I did know, some I didn’t, and enjoy a bit of attention before queueing up for the start ramp, and getting out and having our pictures taken, and even a short interview.

And then we drove off the ramp, and I was really, really pleased to see people wishing us good luck, etc. – I’d also like to thank everyone who commented that they read this blog – it means a lot, and in fact is the reason why I’m up typing this up instead of in bed when I should be, so I will have to keep this shorter than I would normally, and I’ll post pictures for this later on.

Next it was back to service (another long drive on the M4 made shorter via the joy of iPod), to find a much fuller service area with a fair bit of activity, and then back to the house. Tomorrow it starts for real, and hopefully the car will keep going.

Some bad things have happened today, some good things too – the twins have turned up ready for servicing, which is great. The car behaved itself and seems to go OK once it’s properly warmed up. Hopefully it’ll all go OK tomorrow, but I’ll know in 20 hours or so, I guess.

Before it does start, I’d just like to say one thing, a massive thank-you to someone. My Mum. Without her I wouldn’t be doing this. I know everyone says stuff like this, but in this case it really is true. Whenever I’ve phoned from work with something to be bought or sorted out, she’s done it. Whenever I’ve needed encouragement she’s given it, and she’s done many things on the car too – indeed she’s helped fit gearboxes and even the engine into the current car. Which is quite something for a woman who’s having her 70th birthday next March. So, thanks Mum. I hope it all pays off!

One final request – if anyone takes any pics of the car on stage, please mail them to djaychela@hotmail.com and put something like “stage 4 pics” in the title, if you’re happy for me to post them here with an acknowledgement.