Bulldog Rally - Car 64, 47th and 1st in class (73 starters and 54 finishers)
Trevor was navigated by Rick Spurgeon on this event
The 7th and final round of the 1996 Mintex Rally Series: A National 'A' event comprising 79 stage miles (8 Special Stages) and 31 miles of linking public roads in mid-Wales on 26 October 1996. Rally Headquarters was in Aberystwyth.
It may be distracting to keep two objectives in mind, but with Rick's final signature needed for his international licence having been secured on the Trackrod, the Bulldog Midland Rally presented the opportunity to secure the Mintex A5 Championship. In fact, all the HORIBA - Coventry Automotive Car needed to do was roll off the start ramp and the championship was won. Also, the Midland presented a unique chance to evaluate 5 of this year's imminent Network Q/RAC Rally stages.
Unlike last year's North to South emphasis the 1996 Midland Rally was virtually the reverse but nonetheless an enjoyable event. The early stages held no major surprises but fickle weather conditions meant rapid changes from bright sunshine to total downpour were experienced. Apart from a demanding effort from the ever willing service team at Sweet Lamb - no problems, just the ‘joy’ of liquid sunshine, the crew were able to pass on to Hafren, the Dovey Stages, and then to service at Dolgellau.
The only problem apparent at this point was that the intercom had failed, but a replacement fuse appeared to cure the fault. A return to the Dovey stages was made, with the lumpy Pantperthog section run in reverse (compared to the Kerridge) before the final two stages were attempted. All passed well until the final stage Gartheinlog 2 where Trevor noticed clutch problems at 3.5 miles from the stage finish, and upon completing the stage a cautious return to Aberystwyth was made.
Happily the return to Aberystwyth was made by prudent driving, but as the crew prepared to depart the final regroup smoke appeared from the dashboard. After frantically removing fuses (the culprit being the intercom fuse) it was considered safe to proceed and a successful 47th overall, 1st in Class finish recorded.
Trevor was navigated by Rick Spurgeon on this event
The 7th and final round of the 1996 Mintex Rally Series: A National 'A' event comprising 79 stage miles (8 Special Stages) and 31 miles of linking public roads in mid-Wales on 26 October 1996. Rally Headquarters was in Aberystwyth.
It may be distracting to keep two objectives in mind, but with Rick's final signature needed for his international licence having been secured on the Trackrod, the Bulldog Midland Rally presented the opportunity to secure the Mintex A5 Championship. In fact, all the HORIBA - Coventry Automotive Car needed to do was roll off the start ramp and the championship was won. Also, the Midland presented a unique chance to evaluate 5 of this year's imminent Network Q/RAC Rally stages.
Unlike last year's North to South emphasis the 1996 Midland Rally was virtually the reverse but nonetheless an enjoyable event. The early stages held no major surprises but fickle weather conditions meant rapid changes from bright sunshine to total downpour were experienced. Apart from a demanding effort from the ever willing service team at Sweet Lamb - no problems, just the ‘joy’ of liquid sunshine, the crew were able to pass on to Hafren, the Dovey Stages, and then to service at Dolgellau.
The only problem apparent at this point was that the intercom had failed, but a replacement fuse appeared to cure the fault. A return to the Dovey stages was made, with the lumpy Pantperthog section run in reverse (compared to the Kerridge) before the final two stages were attempted. All passed well until the final stage Gartheinlog 2 where Trevor noticed clutch problems at 3.5 miles from the stage finish, and upon completing the stage a cautious return to Aberystwyth was made.
Happily the return to Aberystwyth was made by prudent driving, but as the crew prepared to depart the final regroup smoke appeared from the dashboard. After frantically removing fuses (the culprit being the intercom fuse) it was considered safe to proceed and a successful 47th overall, 1st in Class finish recorded.
| bulldog_midland_rally_reg_1996.pdf |
| bulldog_midland_rally_1996.docx |