Skoda Rally Blog

Well, the malaise soon left me. Once I’d had a sleep, some food and a shower, and fitted the new, custom made (thanks Mum!) helmet hammock, I was ready to go. We got to the service area in a bit of a shower, and it was getting dark by then, but much warmer than last year. And we had to set off a bit earlier than before as 7 minutes is added to the road time for refuelling (which we’d already done, at Murco!), but we got to town with time to spare. This is the first time I’ve done it that I’ve been capable of rational speech, but still managed to make a fool of myself with Innes interviewing me for Globecast…..

Stage 1 was interesting – firstly, there was some confusion with the marshals and their timings, then I made a really bad job of the start, and the engine bogged down. Just didn’t get it right through the whole of the section before the prom, and then into the first chicane braked early as it was sandy and looked dodgy. It was OK. Into the next chicane (which was a four-bend job!), it was OK on the first two, but went to turn right and….. lots of understeer, and a near-barrier moment. Got to the end OK, and round we went again.

I must be getting to be an old hand as we actually took the time to get out and watch a couple of cars go off. One, a Land Rover took off like a rocket. The next (a discovery) was a bit more sedate and then missed a gear up the road which sounded really dodgy! Then an RS2000 fired off in a plume of smoke and screeches from the tyres. Nice.

Run 2 was better, got a good start, kept the speed up through the corners and by the Pier (apparently looked OK according to Clair), and then off for the long, l-o-n-g runs to the chicanes. And made a pig’s ear of the second one, so lost any time I’d made up elsewhere. Idiot!

Still, got through it all OK, didn’t get caught my the Mk2 behind (who looked to have had even MORE of a mare at the chicane), and got back to service on time. It’s really odd being sat at home with mindless Friday night TV on while I know there are hardcore WRC cars in Bournemouth Gardens, but I’m pooped and going to watch them tomorrow would be a bad idea! It’s the only downside of competing – you don’t get to watch!

However, we’re 15 seconds behind the Beckett Bros in our only real competition. This will not do!