Driver/Owner: Simon Hewitt
Co-Driver/Ballast: Mike Morgan
Car: MG Maestro Evo
Event: Horiba D'Isis stages
So at 12.30 am on the morning of the event we finally get to drive the newly built Maestro 1.5 miles then on to the trailer. Previous to this it's had about 70 test miles put on it by Les at Classic and Rally Services and has proven to be a bit of a handful due to the worn out standard 1300L Maestro suspension trying to cope with the power generated by a Rover 620 16v turbo lurking under the bonnet!
Finally getting to bed at 3.00 am and getting up at 6.00 am to get down to Nuneaton proved difficult but once the combination of Red Bull and race day adrenaline kicked in the late night/early morning was soon forgotten. Thankfully 3 other crews made it from LoCC with a full complement of service crew (big, big thanks to these people who help make it all possible - Chris, Mike, Tony...). Being only my 3rd event pre-start tension was upon me - you tend to forget that there's a whole load of things a co-driver has to do other than distracting the driver with random shouts and screams during the stages. We very nearly didn't reach the start at our allotted time due to last minute tweaks to the car.
So we're sat there on the start line:
Red light 30 seconds, I'm sat in a car that's only been driven 1.5 miles by the owner driver being co-driven by a novice. A sensible man would have made his excuses and left.
'Don't forget you're on cold tyres take it easy' Red light out 10 seconds, thank god I took out that life insurance with Competition Car Insurance - Thanks Alan/Tracy.
'I mean it, we're supposed to be treating this like a test day' Amber light 5,4,3,2,1
'Sod it' Green light go.
This 2L turbo charged grey Maestro still with 1.3L badge intact on the boot lid launches it's self forward with incredible pace 1,2 and 3rd gears come in quick succession shortly followed by some hard braking, turn in and... the back stepping out straight away. Errr, I guess the rears don't warm up as quick as the fronts then...
'Brakes work then'. Back on the power up through the gears 'Christ we're catching something'................. Fiesta 1st stage, Pug 2nd, Escort 3rd, Escort and Alfa 4th all caught and passed
What a day.... memorable moments include catching a Pug 106 on stage 2 less than half way round. I suspect that they just couldn't believe what they saw in the mirror. An unsighted hay bale did some damage though - headlight, wing, door & hub but nothing which could stop us! [Simon: What actually happened is that gremlins hiding behind the chicane jumped out and exchanged my hub for a banana]
Stage 3 saw a hay bail clipping my side at 60 mph it's surprising what a bit of straw can do at that speed!
A high speed spin on the massively off camber inner handling section of MIRA on stage 4 gave us one of those moments I've heard crews talk about where at the end of the stage you just look at each other. We wanted to find the limit but the limit found us (Dry cleaning bill in post). To keep things in perspective we had passed a Mk2 Escort and an Alfa already on that stage, spun it backwards off the stage and still managed to re-join before they caught us and then managed to pull away before the end! All this and the car was still running with a an old oily 1300 paper air filter in an attempt to keep engine power and hence temperature down.
Stage 6 saw me have enough confidence to look out and wave at the crew standing on the bank overlooking a tight right hand hairpin upon which Simon promptly threw it off straight through the cones, there's a lesson learnt right there for both! Driver must remember that braking distances from 110 mph are longer than 80 mph. Unfortunately caught on video
So one more stage and we've completed the first event which was supposed to be being used as a test day with most people not expecting a finish......... Turn the key to get out of service........................ Nothing. Our hearts sank a quick push solved nothing but quick thinking by Simon, (who after 12 months of building has intimate knowledge of the car) and the quick actions of the service crew saw a loose battery connection reconnected. Let me tell you not only did we finish but we were 23rd overall having been seeded 44th, 12th in class (up against Evos, 6R4's and other expensive machinery) and we reckon 4th out of those cars competing in the Heart of England Championship. Not a bad debut even if I do say so myself.
The only significant problem with the car is it overheating at the end of every stage, this is suspected to be down to a leak on the pressurised cooling system which should be sorted for next time.
As an added bonus the finish has resulted in finalising a deal with a sponsor. Having had dealings with an excellent, friendly, independent 4WD specialist, JP4x4 of Mansfield (01623 559833). The boss, John Paul has offered the loan of a 4x4 for towing and support during the season with some sponsor decals to fix to the sides of the loan vehicle. Any suggestions for where to get magnetic decals please contact Mike
In a shameless plug, having dealt with them personally I can tell you that the service and consideration shown by John at JP4x4 is the best I've come across. Checkout their website www.jp4x4.co.uk
So what next?
120 stage miles on pace notes at Epynt............... I'm chasing God for possible sponsorship on a daily basis!
Well, I cannot even begin to explain the emotion of competing in the 2003 R&M Williams Welsh Rally over the infamous Epynt ranges. Bearing in mind this was the 4th event I've co-driven, the first time I've seen pace notes let alone used them and likewise for Simon whose never had to put up with quite so much ranting before, it still hasn't quite sunk in what we've achieved this weekend.
The car was better prepared than the last outing, the over heating problem had been sorted and the seating positions were a bit more comfortable this time (I now sit further back than the driver and he doesn't have to drive with his head out of the sun roof!) Thanks again to Les at Classic And Rally Services . I picked a nice little SWB Trooper up on loan from John at JP 4x4 (who instructed us to win - must try harder next time), collected Simon and the car and headed off to meet the other crew from Loughborough Car Club: Max Hartley/Alan Jackson and service crew Nigel Dodds and Niki Brown (BIG thanks). In typical rallying style this did not happen as they were still rebuilding the Mini but the intention was there.
The traffic on the way down was terrible as ever for a bank holiday and we nearly didn't make it to scrutineering, noise and documentation in time. This would have been disastrous because as first timers to Epynt, we knew it was essential to do the recce on the Saturday morning. But thanks to understanding and helpful marshals and officials, we made it through with minutes to spare.
Saturday started with us doing the recce in glorious sunshine, the only other time I've been to Epynt was to help service when I was exposed to the worst conditions I've ever had the displeasure to service in. At least that year the driver had the decency to bin it after 2 stages so we could all go home! The pace notes I had were cobbled together from a good friend, Nigel, who has been to Epynt on several occasions and seriously helped us out on this event with coaching/tips for me and servicing/managing the logistics for both cars and crews from Loughborough Car Club. On the subject of servicing another big thank you goes to Sweep Motorsport, Nuneaton (02476 385285) who let us use spare space in their van to carry wheels and tyres and also helped out with odds and sods.
Stage 1 was absolutely awful, I hadn't been able to make head nor tail of my notes on the recce and it was no better on stage. Simon also couldn't remember one corner from the next and it resulted in a slow time. Bitter disappointment ensued with me feeling wholly useless but we quickly improved with me understanding my job better and Simon warming to the conditions we started catching and passing people, which is always a good sign, despite a short panic when we realised we may have to run the last of the afternoons 3 stages in the dark (with no spots or map light) but that didn't stop us posting the 6th fastest time at this point moving us up to 11th overall. In retrospect I should have known that whilst it was easy to run through the notes in the pub it was always going to be much more difficult on a twisty, bumpy, single track road at 100mph over a blind crest! You live and learn.
Day 2 started in the glorious sunshine that we had seen on the recce and this suited us much better, the views over the Black Mountains and surrounding countryside were fabulous and the dry conditions gave me a feeling that today was going to be a good day. The linked stages 3&4 and 5&6 saw us consistently put in 5th or 6th fastest times, as far as I'm concerned this was a blistering pace. With the notes now sorted and me filled with confidence Simon was buzzing and it felt like we were working perfectly in unison even in places that I couldn't get quite right the communication between us meant that little time was lost. Important lesson to be learnt there, if you are not sure; speak to each other, get the driver to call what he sees to help you pick up the notes and regain composure.
Our position in the rally was kept from Simon as I know he can suffer from red mist, something that would be dangerous at Epynt, so when he said that he would be well chuffed with a top ten finish I had to bite my tongue as we were actually 7th at that point.
Then ¾ into stage 8 disaster, we just passed the Nova of Roger Priestnall/Jamie Forrest when Simon slowed and let them back through "what's up" I asked still calling notes, "No brakes" was the casual reply. "Oh yeah, no brakes why is he still driving like this then" I think, as we enter a steep twisty down hill section, with Armco and steep drop off the outside. But when I saw the amount of pumping of the brakes he was doing I knew he was serious.
We made it to the end of the stage just managing to stop at the time control! Then having made the decision to run the next relatively short stage before service, limped to the start where we and just about every other crew in National 'B' had time to investigate. This moment summed up the spirit of National 'B' there were only words of encouragement and constructive advice from everyone both competing and organising/marshalling the event all weekend. This did not change facts, there were indeed no brakes……One of the pads on N/S Front had simply disappeared, backing plate and all!
This hadn't stopped us putting in a 6th fastest time even without brakes and at service we changed (added!) pads and replaced the calliper which had snapped part of its mounting. A sterling effort by all meant that we replaced calliper, pads and bled the brakes in 15 minutes flat. We drove out of our service area, tested the brakes and the b&*%£ pedal went straight to the floor! No time left, it only meant that we had the prospect of starting stages 10 & 11 with no brakes. At this point I thought our chance of a top ten were dashed. However we were on top form and despite being up against it we gave it our all, we were determined not to come so close and not finish. A testimony to Simon's understanding of car control and Mike's co-driving meant that we were 6th and 5th fastest respectively on the last 2 stages even without brakes, and I mean no brakes to the point were engine braking was the only way to get us slow enough to negotiate chicanes.
We had no idea where we would be placed. The last position I knew for certain was that we had been 7th at the end of stage 7 before the braking problem. So when I picked up the results from Brecon Theatre I had to phone Simon straight away – Simon wasn't even going to come because we'd been told there was no room for service barges. I rang him and told him to dump the barge wherever, there was a pot to pick up - 2nd in class plus 5th overall! The reception we got was spot on; respect to all involved, see you next year.
1st time competing on the unsurfaced roads around the Epynt ranges. Despite loosing a front strut top mounting and competing against £300,000 world rally cars we finished an excellent 3rd in the over 2 litre class and 78th overall from a field of 150 starters
This was our first trip into the Welsh forests this year in the new car. Last years Woodpecker venture in the old Maestro had shown the car to be a bit of a handful so prospect this year of almost 100 extra bhp definitely needed something doing! New softer springs had been ordered but despite the good intention typically didn't turn up until 1 day before the event. The fronts were changed before we set off and the rears were changed on the morning of the event in the posh hotel car park! Les at Classic and Rally Services had worked his magic again and the car was now fitted with a rear disc conversion, brake bias and hydraulic handbrake. (Excuses for lack of pace are now very thin on the ground so I'm just going to have to get on & drive it rather than say it will be better with this or that!) A short test session had shown no 'swapping ends' characteristics that can happen following a rear disc conversion so I was quietly confident that the car would handle and stop better. Mike's request was for less power so we could actually get it down on the ground? No chance!
Our usual sponsors couldn't let us have the Trooper so Dave Goodwin of Goodwin Air Plasma (Cutting Equipment) 01509 237369 stepped in at the last minute to loan us a transit. A dedicated motorsport enthusiast without whom we'd have been stuck. Nice one Mr G.
Picked up the van and trekked across country avoiding the weekend traffic which was by all accounts atrocious. Thanks Clive for your stirling efforts to avoid traffic and lunatic on coming BMW drivers chancing it on country roads! Scrutineering was relatively painless (a bit of hole filling in the bulkhead was all that was required after an ill fitting grommet was picked up by the scrutineer), so we headed off to meet up with the rest of the crew at Llandrindod Wells. 1 curry at the Dillraj and several beers later it was time to make sure Mike understood Peterson's pace notes that I'd bought, which Mike did more or less.
A relatively late start saw us meeting at the designated holding area where we were given the usual looks of "What the hell are they doing here in a 1300 Maestro?" (badges still intact on the bootlid) But more refreshingly we also had people recognising us from previous events who knew that it's far from a standard 1.3L engine lurking beneath the bonnet.
The amount of work involved by all is much, much greater on a multi venue. We had Nigel Dodds in the chase car and Clive "Spanners" servicing all day which was surprisingly dry for Epynt and surrounding area (i.e. It only rained a little) and they did a proper job of it. For my part the whole day was spent trying to keep tabs on where we should be at what time and which way we should be getting there, 12 car experience definitely helps you understand some of the more dodgy tulips between stages!
Without any idea of what to expect only for it to be noisy we set off on stage 1. "15 seconds!" "5,4,3,2,1 – GO!" the whole car explodes into rattles and bangs as it slides, bounces and dives all over the place, not because we've got a problem, no – that's just how it is! (And that was better than last year!) Running between trees, log piles and machinery, round rutted hairpins then suddenly having a god knows how steep drop to one side before darting back between log piles into the trees. I can tell you flat in forth at 100+ mph with a steep bank 4 feet away on one side and a steep drop 4 feet to the other with trees lining the route on a slippery mud/gravel track doesn't half focus the mind.
Every corner seemed to be lined with spectators – don't wave! Keep reading! I did. Once I got the hang of how Patterson had interpreted crests and severity rating – lots of information in them - actually worked very well. I had wondered what was meant by "fresh air!" in the notes - it meant avoid the fresh air encountered if you choose to throw it off! And throw it off we nearly did... in a big, big moment where the back end fish tailed as we moved from gravel to mud giving us that irrecoverable pendulum feeling. Thankfully Simon floored it – he later admitted that every molecule in his body was screaming BRAKE! But, he didn't and credit where it's due he pulled us straight and carried on. He was even thoughtful enough to get us so far up the bank to collect a sprig of pine tree and some ferns. It doesn't get any closer and I'm glad we're able to make light of it.
When we got back to service after Stage 4 we realised that the front drivers side strut top mount was missing. Apparently the vibrations were such that the damn thing just worked loose and buggered off into the forest. We couldn't find anything suitable and much frantic pfaffing about led to us getting out of service 3 minutes late involving a 30 sec time penalty. Important lesson learnt - co-drivers need to know implications of lateness. I asked for the time we wanted and it nearly worked but as I've said already – nearly's don't count. We ended up risking it anyway and 'fixed' the problem 2 stages later with a begged nut and the base of a tin of hot chocolate! However that fix was nowhere in sight at the end of the next stage and Mr. Dodds obtained some specialist washers from a local shop. They looked remarkably like 3 tea strainers with a large hole hammered through the centre but if it stopped the strut falling out then I was happy! (It did this time, must remember to add tea strainers to the spares list...) Unfortunately the 30 second penalty actually dropped us 6 places and put us below 2 of our main rivals in the overall proceedings which does darken an otherwise superb weekend. There were no delays to speak of and the event was run with amazing efficiency.
Actually I tell a lie there was a delay, probably at the most important part of the day – prize giving 3rd in class….took home another pot – get in there! 78th overall having beat both an Escort Cosworth and an evo 6. World rally cars are next on the hit list... This good run keeps us miles ahead in the Approved Car Finance Heart of England Championship over 2 litre class and 5th overall. Our competitors are now going to have to start dropping scores so it looks good for the end of season battle. In summary: Multi venues rule! - It can be hassle but it is soooooo worth it.
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