The Northumberland Borders Rally, Car 9, 7th overall
Simon Hawken navigating
A small field but a good number of the top UK crews due to the event’s excellent reputation for delivering a rally that really challenges drivers and navigators. A lunchtime start at the Snowy Owl near Cramlington, north on Newcastle and 8 super slippy tests in a variety of venues from farms to grain processing plants. All the tests were ‘tight’ requiring judicious use of the handbrake to get round. A late afternoon rest halt at the Drift Café overlooking the sea before that start of a very tricky old fashioned ‘plot and bash’ night rally. Very challenging navigation causing nearly all the crews to miss PCs along the way.
Simon was in excellent form and we had a great night section that required frantic plotting and a strong stomach but even he struggled with the very last piece of navigation, as did nearly everyone else.
Simon’s reflections
Fantastic weekend on the maps with Matt in WNR. 7th O/A would have been 3rd if not for some incorrectly recorded code boards in the heat of the night nav. First time out as a semi-expert and it was frantic to say the least! Was knee deep in maps, route checks, time cards by the finish. Brilliant event and should be top of anyone’s Mini rally calendar. Great organisation and great bunch of people so enthusiastic about doing what Mini’s do best!
One of the best events of the year and one that will be in diary for 2022!
Simon Hawken navigating
A small field but a good number of the top UK crews due to the event’s excellent reputation for delivering a rally that really challenges drivers and navigators. A lunchtime start at the Snowy Owl near Cramlington, north on Newcastle and 8 super slippy tests in a variety of venues from farms to grain processing plants. All the tests were ‘tight’ requiring judicious use of the handbrake to get round. A late afternoon rest halt at the Drift Café overlooking the sea before that start of a very tricky old fashioned ‘plot and bash’ night rally. Very challenging navigation causing nearly all the crews to miss PCs along the way.
Simon was in excellent form and we had a great night section that required frantic plotting and a strong stomach but even he struggled with the very last piece of navigation, as did nearly everyone else.
Simon’s reflections
Fantastic weekend on the maps with Matt in WNR. 7th O/A would have been 3rd if not for some incorrectly recorded code boards in the heat of the night nav. First time out as a semi-expert and it was frantic to say the least! Was knee deep in maps, route checks, time cards by the finish. Brilliant event and should be top of anyone’s Mini rally calendar. Great organisation and great bunch of people so enthusiastic about doing what Mini’s do best!
One of the best events of the year and one that will be in diary for 2022!
Photos of WNR in action by Sophia Richardson and J Barnard
| borders_rally_2021_regs.pdf |