Thomas the tank engine.

Well we survived the GDM and only suffered a slight off which resulted in some minor damage. The young fella (TYF) did a great job and showed some great control in what I thought were very tricky conditions (this was supported by the many cars that had gone off. Yes including us).

Started off with the usual mapping mental break down but with help from Bernie and Alan I managed to start pulling it together and had the whole thing all sorted before too long. Big special THANK YOU to Alan for the use of his spare map as the one provided was a little hard to read. Conditions were perfect for rallying with a slight drizzle falling at times and the surface damp but still throwing up dust on certain sections. Grip was elusive at times but being last car there were plenty of wheel marks to follow and I’m sure things were fairly lively up the front of the field! We made our way to the first start and were sent off after the countdown! TYF launched with gusto and the car proved to be well armed in the horsepower stakes at least. Very short fast stage to start with and it was great to see TYF showing restraint and driving well within his ability. Made it to the end of the first stage with no dramas and carried on throughout the next lot of stages.

Route charted section were good and only got lost a little on the maps but have to say that I reckon that if I have to do it again I will be right as rain with the whole thing. No penalties which was nice and no it wasn’t just from following the wheel marks, I did actually know when to turn!! Was helped out quite well by TYF’s ability to snap the car around on a dime using the handbrake which pleasantly surprised me. Just need to work on keeping the engine running now……..

TYF listened to all advice and slowed when instructed but to be honest there was little to say as he drove quite well. Tidy and quick without rushing. Highlights for the night was taking a quick detour along some railway tracks (turn left OVER train tracks THEN turn right) and passing the same car 3 times (like father like son in their first event with me).

But as was mentioned at the beginning of this dribble, we did conclude the event on the side of the road. Second last stage, 2 km from finish and the road was a driver’s wet dream! Along the side of a mountain with a nice wide road with a great surface that was still in fantastic condition even with 40 or so cars passing it. TYF was starting to slide the car nicely but I think there was a bit of a rush of blood to the head and combined with down hill off camber corners and a style of driving that was better suited to tarmac, the inevitable happened. A few comments regarding momentum and getting the nose in early from myself prior to the shunt didn’t seem to help and even a last ditch “slow down the road goes left up here” didn’t stop the Escort from under steering gently into the bank on the right and beaching itself.

No harm done and only some minor damage to the car. Bit of a shame but 99.99% of the event was done exceptionally well and that is very encouraging. Bit of practice with pre-corner set up and she’ll be apples!!

Many thanks to TYF for letting me co-drive and congratulations on a job well done.

GH