Winter Rally - Car 87, DNF SS5 (Engine – misfire and piston damage)
Trevor was navigated by Rick Spurgeon on this event
The first round of the 1996 Mintex National Rally Series: A National 'A' event comprising 70 stage miles (17 Special Stages) and 105 miles of linking public roads in the South of England on the 24th of February. Rally Headquarters was the Wessex Hotel in Bournemouth.
Using an improved specification engine Trevor and Rick anticipated extra performance
and higher straight-line speed. This was indeed true and the first two stages showed this
in the stage times.
On the third stage a misfire was apparent and upon returning to service the spark
plugs were changed as well as one tappet that needed adjustment to the correct
clearance. The 4th and 5th stages were the first on gravel and the misfire was again
evident. When the 5th stage was completed the engine was overheating and at the
subsequent emergency service two spark plugs were found to be burnt out and valve
damage apparent, it was decided to retire before serious damage to the engine could
take place. At the time it was thought that the engine may have been running lean at
high revs and resulting in the running temperature becoming too high.
When the engine was stripped down two spark plugs were burnt out, a valve bent
and two pistons damaged. Further development of the engine was started but the
Bournemouth Winter Rally which started with optimism ended in disappointment!
Trevor was navigated by Rick Spurgeon on this event
The first round of the 1996 Mintex National Rally Series: A National 'A' event comprising 70 stage miles (17 Special Stages) and 105 miles of linking public roads in the South of England on the 24th of February. Rally Headquarters was the Wessex Hotel in Bournemouth.
Using an improved specification engine Trevor and Rick anticipated extra performance
and higher straight-line speed. This was indeed true and the first two stages showed this
in the stage times.
On the third stage a misfire was apparent and upon returning to service the spark
plugs were changed as well as one tappet that needed adjustment to the correct
clearance. The 4th and 5th stages were the first on gravel and the misfire was again
evident. When the 5th stage was completed the engine was overheating and at the
subsequent emergency service two spark plugs were found to be burnt out and valve
damage apparent, it was decided to retire before serious damage to the engine could
take place. At the time it was thought that the engine may have been running lean at
high revs and resulting in the running temperature becoming too high.
When the engine was stripped down two spark plugs were burnt out, a valve bent
and two pistons damaged. Further development of the engine was started but the
Bournemouth Winter Rally which started with optimism ended in disappointment!
| bournemouth_winter_rally_1996_entry_list_and_results.docx |